Chapter 246: Dragging On
The stylist finished her hair and makeup, and it was already 8:40.
The waiter led her through the courtyard of white walls and grey tiles into the banquet hall.
The original hexagonal main lamp made of rosewood was replaced with a massive crystal chandelier waterfall, its light refracting in a dazzling, fragmented display.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the rustle of silk, Liang Chaosu stood in the center.
Liancheng recognized the middle-aged man beside him as a deputy from the Provincial Department.
Although he was a deputy, he held significant power and was an important figure among the guests. He happened to glimpse the doorway, patted Liang Chaosu’s shoulder familiarly, and whispered something in his ear.
Liang Chaosu immediately looked up, his gaze meeting Liancheng’s. A pair of deep, dark, and intense eyes curved with a visible smile at the corners.
Liancheng didn’t look at him, but observed that deputy.
The deputy was actually over fifty, with thick, jet-black hair and an average build. He looked dignified and kind, appearing only in his early forties.
His wife, standing behind him, looked even younger. She was the director of the Provincial Cultural Promotion Department’s office, and her main work now involved public opinion monitoring and response.
Liancheng took two steps forward.
Liang Chaosu had already parted the crowd and was in front of her. His gaze fell upon her pearl-white satin sleeveless dress, which reached her ankles.
She disliked fussy styles, so when he chose her dress, he deliberately selected this one without embellishments.
The brand representative advised him, saying this color was extremely difficult to wear.
She wore it without appearing dull, looking sufficiently dignified and radiant. Just standing there, she was indescribably striking and elegant.
“Why are you wearing high heels? Didn’t the waiter tell the stylist my instructions?”
Liancheng shifted her gaze to his face, her tone indifferent, “You said I could wear whatever I wanted.”
Liang Chaosu’s eyes were full of smiles, and he put an arm around her waist, leaning down to whisper, “You rarely wore them before.”
Liancheng stiffened for a moment and followed his steps, “Rarely wearing them doesn’t mean never wearing them.”
Liang Chaosu intently looked her over again.
He never had a standard for her dressing preferences.
She was cute and clever in any style, unique.
Occasionally wearing high heels, she was graceful and radiant, like a blooming crossvine on a branch, vibrant and aspiring.
But she rarely wore them.
She also rarely willingly dressed up to celebrate a birthday with him in such grandeur.
As they walked into the crowd, the deputy stepped forward, and his wife reached out to Liancheng, “Madam Liang, the birthday star is late; it turns out she was dressing up, and she’s stunningly beautiful upon arrival.”
Liancheng glanced at Liang Chaosu.
The deputy’s wife teased mischievously, and he smiled, his eyes bright, relaxed, and composed. Their relationship was better than she had anticipated.
She took the deputy’s wife’s hand and apologized for being late.
The deputy’s wife smiled, “We all know the reason, no need to apologize. He—”
The deputy’s wife pointed at Liang Chaosu, “has already done his self-reflection. Birthdays can only be early, not late. Even if it’s late, you’re being tolerant. Before the banquet, he still made you angry; you should have shown him no face.”
The deputy then laughed heartily. “Chaosu’s temper is notoriously bad in the North; he’s indifferent to people and unromantic. I used to say that for the first two years of his marriage, there would definitely be cold wars and big fights. See? It came true.”
The deputy’s wife played the peacemaker, “If it came true, there must be a solution. Madam Liang is young, and Chaosu is thirty. You should apologize.”
Liancheng’s fake smile faltered.
Liang Chaosu put an arm around her shoulder and gazed at her, “I was wrong. What happened this afternoon will not happen again.”
The curve of Liancheng’s lips couldn’t be maintained, and as her gaze fell downwards, she realized he wasn’t wearing a tie. For the first time, he was incredibly stylish with a black and white polka-dot ascot, covering the scar on his neck.
Based on his looks and demeanor alone, Liang Chaosu was the cold and intense type. His aloofness had hurt too many people.
To be leisurely and languid amidst abstinence and rigidity was like the softness of an ascetic, captivating the heart.
“Your temper is too cold.” The deputy’s wife saw Liancheng’s avoidance, “Madam Liang is right not to forgive you.”
Liancheng’s heart suddenly stirred.
The deputy’s wife was someone who had navigated the officialdom, her judgment precise and cautious, unlike idle noblewomen who were enthusiastically helpful.
She had never been able to figure out how to bring up preparing for the wedding in the provincial capital. The deputy’s wife was willing to help, and wouldn’t refuse outright due to any suspicion.
At this moment, with the conversation flowing, her attitude suggested Liancheng might be able to use this opportunity.
“Actually, it’s not his fault; he’s always been like this, I’m used to it.”
Liancheng took a step forward, holding the deputy’s wife’s hand, “You were right earlier; it was just my getting ready that took up time.”
The deputy’s wife didn’t speak, but the deputy raised his hand and patted Liang Chaosu, “Your wife is defending you.”
Liancheng said eagerly, “Really, I don’t like this dress. When I came to Qi Province, I saw the ceremonial dress and crown of Empress Ming Xiaoduan at the Qi Province Museum’s promotional exhibition, and a complete set of phoenix crown and robe, magnificent and exquisite, a masterpiece of craftsmanship.”
After she finished, she lowered her head sadly, “This resort is Chinese style, and I wanted to have a classic Chinese banquet for my birthday, but he disagreed.”
The deputy’s wife held her hand back, “You should listen to Chaosu. Although today’s guests are here to celebrate your birthday, the guest follows the host’s lead. Not everyone likes classic Chinese style. Chaosu is a businessman; it’s reasonable for him to consider the occasion.”
Liancheng pretended to look around.
Liang Chaosu obviously cared a great deal about this banquet, inviting too many people from various circles, with a scale far exceeding her expectations.
After scanning the room, she blushed immediately, “You’re right. Although it’s my birthday, the occasion is for everyone, and I understand.”
The deputy was aging, and his daughter was about the same age as Liancheng. Seeing the young lady so sensible and considerate, he couldn’t help but feel affection for her.
“This occasion isn’t suitable, but there is an occasion where, if you and Chaosu agree, wearing a phoenix crown and robe for a day, the guests will only applaud.”
Liancheng was genuinely surprised, perhaps a little too much so.
She asked eagerly like a delighted little sparrow, “What occasion?”
The deputy exchanged a look with his wife, and they smiled with amusement, “A wedding.”
Liancheng lowered her head again.
This made the deputy’s wife puzzled, “Why?”
Her eyes welled up with tears, “He won’t allow it. Before, when choosing the wedding dress, he insisted on ordering one that weighed forty catties with a long train, covered in diamonds and pearls, saying it was luxurious and impressive. But I couldn’t drag it, and when I begged him to choose a different style, he told me to drag it with all my might.”
The deputy’s wife’s mouth opened in shock, and she looked at Liang Chaosu.
He had been standing there motionless since the phoenix crown and robe was mentioned, staring directly at Liancheng.
His face was unremarkable, as if suppressing something, completely lacking any festive cheer.
The deputy reprimanded him, “It’s fine if it’s ordinary, but for something as important as a wedding, when the girl entrusts her life to you, what ‘face’ are you talking about?”
Liang Chaosu said nothing, gazing at Liancheng. The banquet hall’s crystal lights were bright and dazzling. His profile, bathed in the fragmented light, was unpredictable.
“I’ve already instructed them to halve the pearls and diamonds.”
Liancheng flinched and moved closer to the deputy’s wife, “I know, it’s okay if they don’t halve them. I’ll gain weight and try my best to drag it.”
The deputy’s wife, whose job was in publicity, was also taller than Liancheng. Liancheng leaned against her delicately, and with a surge of pity, she pulled her into an embrace.
“A wedding dress is just white fabric with diamonds sewn on; too many will only blind people.”
“Our phoenix crown and robe, focusing only on the crown, is inlaid with dragons, phoenixes, jeweled flowers, cloud decorations, and leaves. Each of these represents five thousand years of historical inheritance, carrying profound meaning and far-reaching symbolism. In terms of prestige, would it be inferior to a wedding dress?”
