The four bridesmaids took their places. In the audience, Li Qiuchi sat beside Bryce Shaw, gazing at the radiant couple on stage and feeling genuinely happy for them.
Mrs. Chen glanced at Nathan Shaw, who sat alone in his seat, looking a bit forlorn. At this age, most people are surrounded by a happy family, but Nathan Shaw had been through too much.
She resolved that after the wedding, she’d set him up with some blind dates. She couldn’t let him spend his life in loneliness.
Lauren Shaw held the bouquet, facing away from the eager crowd. “I’m about to toss it!” she called out. With that, the bouquet arced through the air, and everyone reached up to catch it. Suddenly, a hand—longer than the rest—shot out and snatched the bouquet mid-flight.
The crowd stared as the flowers landed in the hands of a man, their mouths twitching in surprise.
“Dr. He, isn’t this a bit much? What are you doing, snatching flowers from the ladies?” Sophia Chandler couldn’t help but gripe. “Qing-jie, aren’t you going to say something?”
Claire Xu gave a slightly embarrassed smile. “Honestly… I don’t think I could stop him even if I tried.”
Hmph, you’re both just a perfect match!
Henry Mills was grinning from ear to ear. He placed the bouquet in Claire Xu’s hands, leaned close, and murmured, “Now can we finally get married?”
“That’s okay—if you won’t, I’ll just go talk to my future father-in-law and ask him for the household registration book.”
“You…” Claire Xu was at a loss for words. Although their engagement party was already over, they hadn’t managed to set a wedding date yet. No wonder Henry Mills was growing impatient—ever since he’d heard that Lu Yuanbo had come looking for Claire Xu, he’d been on edge.
He Shuang had originally planned to catch the bouquet herself and ask Hugo Pierce when he was going to marry her. But now, bouquetless, she trudged dejectedly back to his side and sat down.
Hugo Pierce noticed her downcast face and let out a gentle laugh.
Hearing him laugh, He Shuang looked up at him, her expression forlorn. “Are you laughing at me for missing the bouquet?”
“No.” Hugo Pierce’s eyes hinted at something deeper.
“I thought if I caught the bouquet, we could get married…” Her voice was tinged with disappointment, almost as if she was holding back tears.
“Catching the bouquet isn’t the only way to get married, you know. It’s not really a must.”
At his words, He Shuang suddenly looked up at him, eyes wide with disbelief. “You—you mean it?”
Hugo Pierce fell silent. The light in He Shuang’s eyes dimmed again as she muttered, “I know you don’t have to catch the bouquet to get married, but the person I want to marry is you.”
“I never said you couldn’t marry me.”
For a moment, He Shuang was stunned before his words finally sank in.
“W-what? Do you mean…” she asked hesitantly.
Hugo Pierce met her gaze, sincere. “I mean, I want to marry you.”
The simple, heartfelt confession left He Shuang thinking she might be dreaming. Overjoyed, she nearly leapt to her feet, hugging Hugo Pierce. “Are you serious? Oh my gosh! Hugo Pierce says he wants to marry me…!”
No one could have predicted this reaction.
Hugo Pierce was a bit helpless—confessing like this, in front of everyone, felt like instant social suicide.
Meanwhile, bouquetless Sophia Chandler huffed and sat down next to Ian Lawrence, her dress trailing behind her.
“Senior, isn’t it outrageous? That bouquet was practically in my hands when Dr. He swooped in on purpose!” She’d been so close, but Henry Mills’s reflexes had outpaced her.
Ian Lawrence chuckled, “Well, there’s no official rule saying men can’t grab the bouquet.”
Sophia Chandler shot him a glare, refusing to speak.
Ian Lawrence lowered his voice, “If you like, I’ll buy you an identical bouquet after the wedding.”
Might as well spoil her a little—she was just a kid.
Sophia Chandler beamed. “Then I want a really big one! Just like the one you gave Sister Sheng last time.”
Ian Lawrence’s mouth twitched. “Can you not bring that up?”
He still remembered the time he’d just gotten back to China and brought a bouquet for Lauren Shaw—she almost tossed it in the trash until he intercepted it and handed it off to Sophia Chandler. The silly girl had gleefully accepted, convinced she’d struck gold.
Sophia Chandler was a simple-hearted girl. No one had ever given her flowers before. If tossing them would be a waste, why not accept them?
And from that day, the two of them began developing feelings that were just a bit different.
Sophia Chandler hummed, “I should thank that bouquet. If not for it, I wouldn’t have ended up with you.”
When had she started liking him? It must’ve been since that day.
She knew Ian Lawrence liked Lauren Shaw, but it didn’t bother her. Liking someone is an uncontrollable emotion—it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Ian Lawrence, on his part, adored this quirky, straightforward girl. She knew right from wrong, and she loved and hated openly—so full of life.
Over at another table, Xavier Quinn held Nina Shaw in his arms, his eyes tender and loving.
Watching Lauren Shaw find her happiness, Nina Shaw’s own eyes sparkled with joy. She’d been smiling much more lately.
Ever since her pregnancy, Xavier Quinn hardly left her side. She felt he was somehow different, though she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what had changed.
During dinner, Nina Shaw craved some shrimp. Xavier Quinn rolled up his sleeves, shedding his usual domineering CEO demeanor, and peeled them for her.
At the table, he doted on Nina Shaw. After she finished the shrimp, he ladled her a bowl of soup. Nina Shaw wrinkled her brow and muttered, “I don’t feel like having soup.”
Xavier Quinn coaxed gently, “Just have a couple of sips and see if you like it. If not, you don’t have to finish.”
Nina Shaw could never resist that tone—so she accepted the bowl and dutifully drank a few spoonfuls.
Xavier Quinn’s lips curled in a quiet smile.
After the banquet, Lauren Shaw retreated to her room, letting out a tired yawn. She’d been up before dawn for makeup, bustling around all day, and now was too exhausted to move.
After toasting the guests, she’d escaped to her room. Yancy Shaw had been dragged off for drinks by his friends, and when he finally returned, he reeked of alcohol. Fortunately, his gaze was still clear—he didn’t look drunk at all.
Lauren Shaw hadn’t changed out of her toasting dress, and her makeup was still on, making her look tired but still beautiful.
“Baby, was today exhausting?” Yancy Shaw sat with her on the couch, arms wrapped around her. Weddings are tiring, but there’s joy in all the fuss.
Lauren Shaw snuggled into his arms and nodded. “A little.”
“Then let’s get to the main event tonight, shall we?”
Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but laugh. “Aren’t you drunk?”
“Nope. I had Yuan Ran swap out the liquor for water ahead of time,” Yancy Shaw said breezily.
Lauren Shaw was startled. “Then why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?”
“Other people got drunk, and someone accidentally spilled their drink on me.” He didn’t want to be drunk on their wedding night—he’d been looking forward to this moment with Lauren Shaw.