Three days before the big day, their whole lively group arrived at the island.
Olivia Young had changed into a flowy floral sundress, cradling her daughter. “I’m heading out for a stroll!”
“Olivia Young! Wait for me!”
No waiting, no waiting.
Even here, Mr. Workaholic couldn’t escape his business emails. And why? To earn money for his wife and their baby—what a model man.
“Baby and I are heading out first. Take your time, no rush—crucial client to maintain.”
Olivia Young swept out the door with her daughter held stylishly in her arms.
The little cutie nursed on her pacifier, making baby noises, her soft milky hands pressed against her mom. She was the picture of well-behaved.
Invitations had gone out a month before the wedding.
Only after Olivia Young stepped outside did she realize some guests had shown up early.
“Sis-in-law!”
Leonard Holmes—blue floral shirt, shorts, sunglasses—came bounding over, loud and carefree.
“My brother is so stingy, won’t even let me share a villa with you guys!”
Frederick Fairfax probably had his reasons for that. Knowing Leonard Holmes’s personality, he’d likely be a handful.
“Hello there, little niece!”
The baby draped over Olivia Young’s shoulder ignored him completely.
“So cool and aloof!”
Olivia Young and the baby headed outside, Leonard Holmes tagging along. Soon, more people joined.
Meanwhile, Frederick Fairfax stood at the tall window, peering down at Olivia Young, now surrounded by more and more people, all laughing and chatting.
Did they know why they were here? Old habits die hard! He fumed.
By the time Frederick Fairfax made it down to the beach, Olivia Young was holding the baby for a group photo. His worst fears had come true.
Was Leonard Holmes out of his mind? He was positively giddy, playing photographer. If those photos got posted, people might easily mistake them for husband and wife!
Frederick Fairfax could already imagine how wild everyone’s social media feeds would get in a moment. They were basically groupies at this point.
Wearing a crisp white shirt and black shorts, carrying a baby bottle in one hand and a bottle of water in the other, Frederick Fairfax strode over, looking stormy.
“There’s my husband.”
“No worries, just ignore him.”
Ignore your husband? Is that even allowed? The rest didn’t care; dead pigs aren’t afraid of boiling water, as the saying goes.
Whenever Frederick Fairfax got mad, he’d take it out on her in the bedroom, with extra vigor…
He unscrewed the lid and handed the bottle to Olivia Young. Then, scooped up the baby with his left arm, kissed her naturally. “You were just taking photos? Let’s do one together.”
“Yes, together!”
“Big group photo!”
Last time at the baby’s hundred-day celebration, Frederick Fairfax had seen the group photo but never posted it on his Moments (WeChat feed). Only his assistant had sent it privately to those in the picture. Obviously, Grace Gordon hadn’t made the cut—he’d been photoshopped out entirely.
Since Frederick Fairfax had arrived, there’d be no solo photos with Olivia Young for anyone.
He hugged his wife with one hand, cradled the baby with the other, and after a few snaps, made to leave.
“We’re off to do a wedding dress fitting. You lot, play on and don’t bother us.”
After huffing his way out, Frederick Fairfax leaned down, rubbing his head against Olivia Young’s shoulder. “You! Olivia Young! You’re bullying me!”
“What… did I do now?”
“You actually took photos with those guys!”
Olivia Young grinned, “They asked for a photo. Should I refuse? That would make me look callous. Besides, our companies still work together—it's all for the family. Bear with it.”
“The fact that I didn’t flip the camera right there is restraint enough.”
Frederick Fairfax was ready to go back up and prying Leonard Holmes’s hands off for good.
“Cheche, look at it this way: you take photos with your fans too.”
“Not the same. My fans don’t all want to be my wife. That group? They're all dying to be your husband.” Frederick Fairfax pouted so hard, you could hang a pen from his lip.
“Love a social butterfly, and jealousy is your destiny. If it’s too exhausting, you can always let me go.” Olivia Young dangled the baby bottle. “Baby, maybe mommy will have to find you a new daddy.”
Don’t worry, other daddies will treat you well. Someone once said, 'Stepdads are dads too!'
Words from the past came back to smack Frederick Fairfax in the face.
“No, it’s not the same! There’s a world of difference between a stepdad and a real dad!” He held the baby up to Olivia Young. “Tell mommy you want your real dad—not a stepdad!”
“Baby says, as long as she’s with mommy, any daddy’s fine!”
“Impossible! My daughter sides with me!”
“I gave birth to her; she sides with me.” Olivia Young shook the bottle. “You used to have the bottle advantage, now you’re fresh out of perks.”
Isn’t changing diapers an advantage?
The baby couldn’t understand a word, so assumed mommy and daddy were playing and giggled happily.
“Look at you, laughing. Mom’s threatening to leave us!”
“Frederick Fairfax, don’t talk nonsense. I might leave you, but I’d never give up my precious girl!”
Now Frederick Fairfax was even more wounded.
Seems it’s true: fathers rely on their daughters for honor. As long as he’s alive, everyone else is just a sycophant!
Returning to China with her baby bump had allowed Olivia Young to sidestep the original plot. Her little one truly was her lucky star. And Frederick Fairfax? Well, he was the lucky star’s dad.
“Olivia Young, I’m not giving you that chance!”
Olivia Young looped her arm through his, nestling close. “Fine, then prove it to me. Make me feel like no man in the world compares to you. Make me believe marrying you was my happiest decision—let me be happy for a lifetime!”
“Deal! Watch me!”
“Mm-hmm!”
Leonard Holmes, camera in hand, snapped a shot of the family trio from behind, his lips quivering on the verge of tears.
“Why is my brother so lucky?!”
“If only I’d left the country too!”
“Wouldn’t have helped. I went abroad and had lunch with Lily. Still got turned down—politely.”
“You did? Ethan Shaw, you traitor! You secretly went overseas to chase Olivia Young?”
“You guys didn’t?!” Ethan Shaw looked shocked. “I thought it was just Grace Gordon being an idiot, turns out it was all of you.”
“What, got your credit cards frozen or something?”
The chorus rang out: “No!”
“Turns out, going abroad was Frederick Fairfax’s real advantage.” Someone muttered.
“Aaah, I regret it!”
Why didn’t they think of leaving the country to chase Olivia Young back then?
A sorry pack of love-struck admirers gathered together.
The next day, even more guests arrived: families and friends of the Yu and Feng clans, business partners, and Frederick Fairfax’s friends from the entertainment industry.
At the pre-wedding night party, Olivia Young ran into Frederick Fairfax’s on-screen partner, Jian Jiaren.
Jian Jiaren didn’t come alone; there was a chivalrous escort beside her.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” Olivia Young said, arm linked with Frederick Fairfax’s. “I’ve seen your movies. They're great.”
“Right? We were so young back then. Too bad Frederick Fairfax was always so cold-hearted. After that movie, I asked if he’d like art to imitate life, but he rejected me!” Jian Jiaren laughed ruefully.
Frederick Fairfax lifted his champagne. “Stop it—your agent was the one who wanted to fake a romance for buzz. I shut it down.”
“That was my agent. I was serious back then. Actually liked you a lot.”
Her companion bristled, “You said I was the one you love most!”
“I liked him before—now, you’re my true love, silly jealous puppy!” Jian Jiaren planted a kiss on him.
Jealous “puppies” are hard to soothe, and Jian Jiaren scurried off to comfort him.
Frederick Fairfax turned to Olivia Young, bringing the champagne to her lips. “Honey, believe me. I never mixed work and feelings, never let fake become real. Acting is just for fun.”
“If I’d found out sooner, I’d have been your biggest shipper,” Olivia Young teased.
Frederick Fairfax let out a long sigh, “Don’t say that...
His world was ending. His wife almost shipped him with someone else.
“Why not ship us instead? By your logic, our story has everything: married first, loved later, one-night stand, surprise pregnancy, beating out the childhood sweetheart… Isn’t that better than any fictional couple?” Jealousy crept into Frederick Fairfax’s voice.
Olivia Young took a delicate sip of wine, then gently pressed her lips to his.
Under the party lights, her bright, alluring smile nearly stopped his heart.
Back then, he hadn’t needed to look into her eyes—a simple smile from the corner of her mouth, the curve of her lips, was enough to reel him in. No bait required. He was already hooked.
“We’re such a great ship!”
Olivia Young wrapped her arms around his waist. “Dance with me?”
As the stars of the night, they stepped into the center of the dance floor. Warm, strong hands found her waist as their bodies swayed to the music.
At that first masquerade abroad, they’d never danced. This, right now, was their real first dance.
And somehow, it felt like their hearts were in perfect sync. Her red skirt brushed his suit pants as they drew near, drifted apart, gazes filled with unspoken love.
The party guests watched in rapt attention—even Grace Gordon, who had wandered in late.
The Yu and Feng families were set to marry, so of course Gu’s family had a place at the event. But Grace Gordon had hidden in his room for ages before showing up—only to see them in each other’s arms.
As the music ended, Frederick Fairfax pressed a kiss to Olivia Young’s lips, prompting cheers and laughter all around. The scene was positively festive.
Frederick Fairfax led Olivia Young off the dance floor, his gaze flickering past Grace Gordon—the smile of a man who had won.
He tugged Olivia Young out to the beach.
“Mom said we can’t spend the night together tonight.”
Frederick Fairfax rested his head on her shoulder. “Honey, I can’t sleep without you.”
“One more night. Tomorrow, you get your wish.”
“No way! I want you tonight, too! Tomorrow is our real wedding night—the one we missed after getting our marriage license. I want it all.”
He raised her hand, pointing to the sky. Just then, a firework arched up and exploded in a burst of color, its radiance reflected on the rippling sea.
“So beautiful,” said Olivia Young.
“Like it?”
“Love it.”
No girl can resist fireworks so dazzling.
Olivia Young slipped her hand free. “Take my picture!”
A good husband is always his wife’s personal photographer. Frederick Fairfax backed up, crouched down, and captured her in radiant bloom—sea and fireworks as her backdrop.
The sea and the fireworks were gorgeous, but still not as beautiful as his wife.
“Hey! Sneaking photos without me?”
“I want one too!”
Bella Snow ran over in a white dress, grabbing Olivia Young’s hand. “Photographer Feng, better make us look good, or I’ll lock you out tomorrow!”
“Of course!”
Best girlfriends took silly photos together. Frederick Fairfax, ever vigilant, frowned when he noticed Bella Snow plant a kiss on Olivia Young’s cheek. Was that kind of intimacy between women really okay? He felt a stab of jealousy—Olivia Young wouldn't get away so easily tomorrow night.
“Sis! Me too—I want a picture with you!”
Quentin Young appeared too.
Frederick Fairfax held his head; there was clearly a rule: whenever Olivia Young took a picture, a crowd would immediately gather.
What magical law was this? And tonight, everyone wanted photos, but his wife wouldn’t even sleep with him.
The lively pre-wedding party wound down; quiet finally fell over the night.
Olivia Young stood at the doorway with the baby, as Frederick Fairfax tugged at the tie of her nightgown. “Can’t I come in? Promise I’ll behave—worst case, just a few kisses.”
“Nope.”
“You don’t have to get up early and put on makeup tomorrow.” Frederick Fairfax looked pitiful. “Daughter, help your dad out here.”
The baby gurgled incoherently: “Eee-yaa, ah-ah, ooo…”
Forget it. He couldn’t decode baby talk.
“Go on, get some sleep. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Reluctant, Frederick Fairfax turned and walked away.
The next morning, Olivia Young was jolted awake by her baby’s cries. Not even opening her eyes, she felt a tiny palm land on her chest—someone was hunting for breakfast.
Patient as ever, Olivia Young nursed the baby and only then got up, changing and putting on makeup.
Bella Snow was the first to arrive and keep her company.
“Wow! Gorgeous, absolutely stunning!”
Bella Snow circled her, “Frederick Fairfax is so lucky!”
“How about you and Tara Young?”
“Don’t even mention him—that guy is all about his career! He thanked me for my feelings, but says he only wants to focus on work now.”
“I guess he never really liked me.”
Standing behind Olivia Young, Bella Snow touched her own face wistfully. “Plenty of fish in the sea. I'm not bothered!”
Exactly. There are plenty of men out there. Wasn’t that the obvious truth her original self just couldn’t see? Why had she ever tangled with Grace Gordon for so long? That’s why she’d awakened—her sheer willpower had broken through the story’s control. Now she and Annabelle Winters both had brand new lives.
Her father was now in prison, John Cook had a restraining order, and Grace Gordon—well, he wasn’t nearly so obsessive about chasing Annabelle Winters anymore.
White clouds drifted over the endless blue of the sea. Dressed in a pure white wedding gown, bouquet of white roses clutched in her hands, Olivia Young was escorted by Lucas Young to stand before Frederick Fairfax.
“Son-in-law, I entrust Lily to you now.”
“Dad, rest assured.”
Olivia Young’s hand slipped into Frederick Fairfax’s warm palm; he held it firmly. Music filled the air as the two walked arm in arm to the center of the lawn.
In the blue sky and beside the turquoise sea, in front of family and friends, they exchanged rings and vows.
Together, they shook a bottle of champagne. With a pop, foam flooded down a towering cascade of glasses. Raising their glasses to the guests, they proclaimed, “Thank you for coming to our wedding. Wishing everyone a prosperous, joyful, peaceful, successful, and healthy future!”
Frederick Fairfax downed his champagne and whisked away Olivia Young’s drink. “Honey, you still can’t have alcohol.”
“Aren’t we going on our honeymoon? Might as well wean the baby too.” Now she could eat and drink whatever she wanted, worry-free.
“Sure, whatever you say goes in our family.”
Listen to your wife—that’s the secret to success!
The baby, comfy in her uncle’s arms, had no idea what was happening. To her, it was just noisy—almost enough to make her cry, but not quite.
“Honey, on such a good day, don’t I get a kiss?”
Olivia Young tiptoed up and planted a kiss on his lips. Not for too long—too many people, and she was shy.
Frederick Fairfax pressed his forehead to hers. “Lily, this isn’t a dream, is it?”
Olivia Young playfully slapped his cheek. “Nope.”
“Olivia Young! You hit me again. Domestic abuse!”
“Everyone, did you see that? My wife just hit me!”
Olivia Young strode ahead, Frederick Fairfax giving chase, the whole crowd recording everything.
The livestream chat was exploding with laughter. Who would have guessed that Movie King Feng was such a pushover in private? Their married life was sure to be a blast. Best wishes to the happy couple.
(The End)