The Reluctant Bride Book II

Flower girl.

‘Jiao Wu, can you choose someone else?’ Qiao Tan Yuan asked.

‘No,’ Gu Jiao Wu said. ‘Because you feel sad for Shen Cheng, I want Shen Cheng to be my best man.’

Gu Jiao Wu drove Qiao Tan Yuan straight home.

‘Jiao Wu, you said if I feel sorry toward Shen Cheng, I shouldn’t hurt him anymore,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.

‘Do you think I’m being cruel to Shen Cheng?’ Gu Jiao Wu asked.

Qiao Tan Yuan nodded.

‘Alright,’ Gu Jiao Wu said. ‘I’ll ask Shen Cheng’s opinion. If he declines, I won’t force him.’

Qiao Tan Yuan couldn’t believe Gu Jiao Wu still wanted to ask Shen Cheng to be his best man. She hoped Shen Cheng would find the right woman for Shen Cheng.

***

All the Du, Qiao and Gu Households’ acquaintances were invited to the joint wedding of Du Lei Xin and Gu Jiao Mai’s wedding, and Gu Jiao Wu and Qiao Tan Yuan’s wedding.

Out of Gu Tian Chu’s great-grandchildren, he loved and doted on Gu Ting Ding the most.

‘Big brother, our elders favor girls over boys,’ Gu Jiao Wen said. ‘If only Pan Ting and I had twin girls instead of twin boys.’

‘Ask your wife to give you a daughter,’ Gu Jiao Wu said.

Gu Jiao Wu was proud of Gu Ting Ding. He thought it was only natural the elders would favour his smart and loveable daughter over his twin menace nephews.

‘No,’ Gu Jiao Wen said. ‘Pan Ting had a painful childbirth. I don’t want her to have another child.’

Gu Jiao Wu agreed with Gu Jiao Wen. After Gu Jiao Wu witnessed how much pain Qiao Tan Yuan went through to give birth to Gu Ting Ding, he didn’t want Qiao Tan Yuan to have another child. Gu Jiao Wu was happy to be a family of three with Qiao Tan Yuan and Gu Ting Ding.

In the bridal waiting room, Gu Jiao Mai and Qiao Tan Yuan were nervous brides.

‘Big sister, is your heart racing?’ Gu Jiao Mai asked.

‘Yes,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.

Shen Cheng carried two boxes into the room.

‘Shen Cheng…’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.

Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t know what Gu Jiao Wu said to Shen Cheng to make Shen Cheng agree to be Gu Jiao Wu’s best man.

‘Tan Yuan, you look beautiful today,’ Shen Cheng said. He gave Qiao Tan Yuan one of the boxes. ‘It’s for you. I wish you a happy marriage.’

‘Shen Cheng, thank you,’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.

‘Jiao Mai, I wish you a happy marriage too,’ Shen Cheng said and gave Gu Jiao Mai the second box.

‘Thank you,’ Gu Jiao Mai said.

Gu Jiao Mai thought Gu Jiao Wu was blessed Gu Ting Ding was his daughter. Otherwise Qiao Tan Yuan wouldn’t be her sister-in-law since Shen Cheng was a better catch than Gu Jiao Wu.

‘I should go outside and perform my best man’s duties,’ Shen Cheng said.

‘Shen Cheng… thank you…’ Qiao Tan Yuan said.

Qiao Tan Yuan didn’t want to see Shen Cheng looking sad.

Shen Cheng hugged Qiao Tan Yuan.

‘You don’t have to thank me,’ Shen Cheng said. ‘I sincerely wish you happiness.’

‘Shen Cheng, don’t forget you’re the best man today,’ Gu Jiao Wu said from outside the door.

‘Big brother, I know,’ Shen Cheng said and reluctantly let go of Qiao Tan Yuan.

Shen Cheng walked outside, and he waited with Gu Jiao Wu for Mr Qiao to arrive to give Qiao Tan Yuan away to Gu Jiao Wu.

***

End of Chapter 150