There was one thing to describe his thought about that wedding: Ridiculous.

Dai Zhiqiang almost couldn't believe what he heard.historical

Actually, the whole nation was shocked when the news was released. As he and everyone else knew, Meng Renshu was supposed to be dating Li Chunhua before the news came out, and there were no words about them breaking up. So, where did this marriage come from?

The rumor said Li Chunhua couldn't produce an heir due to her sickly constitution, so they opted for her twin instead?

What kind of joke was that?

Did they take Li Caiyi as some kind of spare?

He was enraged just by thinking about it again. What exactly happened between those two families to make everything so messed up?

"I wonder what she thinks about this," Dai Zhiqiang muttered as he played with the wooden keychain in his hand.

He knew how Li Caiyi had always loved Meng Renshu. But was she really alright with this kind of arrangement?

Knowing her, she must feel extremely uncomfortable and awkward right now, being put in a difficult position.

The twins and Meng Renshu were childhood friends, so Li Caiyi must be riddled needlessly with guilt, thinking it was all her fault, and blaming herself.

Dai Zhiqiang didn't know what had happened, but one thing was for sure: he returned at the worst time.

With the big wedding just around the corner and the sensational rumor between the three circulating around, the public closely monitored the Li and Meng families' movement.

A lot of people looked forward to the reunion between families. Still, there were also a lot of people who thought negatively of it.

A rumor said that the Young Master Meng had been playing with the sisters all this time.

Some said that the engagement between Meng's heir and Li's eldest daughter had been decided long ago, but the youngest daughter ruined it.

But the most malicious one was the one who said that Li Caiyi stole his sister's boyfriend by getting pregnant with the Young Master Meng's child.

Although the Meng family nipped those rumors and suppressed the media quickly before they could spread, some trashy people still made it their job to spread the slander.

Dai Zhiqiang couldn't calm down. He had forgotten his initial idea to return the keychain to Li Caiyi and was concerned about her well-being now. She had such a soft heart, so these rumors must have distressed her.

And he also felt angered by Meng Renshu's ambiguity. Wasn't he supposed to be head over heels in love with Li Chunhua? Why would he agree to this arrangement?!

However, no matter how hard he racked his brain or cursed the people who talked bad about Li Caiyi, he could do nothing to help her.

The best he could do was to drown and delete those malicious comments or posts slandering Li Caiyi, so she wouldn't be able to see them.

While working on it, he found a photo of the current Li Caiyi on the internet and thought she had become more beautiful. Caressing the screen of his monitor, he smiled weakly.

"So you are getting married to your love of life. Good for you, Li Caiyi." Dai Zhiqiang muttered before continuing to work until morning.

***

The wedding day finally came. It was as glamorous and big as people expected; it became the hot talk throughout the country.

The event was recorded live on television and various streaming sites as if to announce to the world that the rumors were baseless. That the two shared a very harmonious relationship befitting the grand wedding.

If you searched on the trending list, Meng Renshu and Li Caiyi's wedding would appear first, as if everyone wanted to celebrate the joyous occasion.

While the reception was ongoing, Dai Zhiqiang sneaked into the venue and managed to snatch a seat for himself. It was challenging to get an invitation to this exclusive event, but thankfully he knew his way around this stuff.

Wearing a mask to cover his face, no one paid attention to him. Everyone was too focused on the main couple, who were about to exchange their sacred vow.

Dai Zhiqiang watched the proceeding, and he couldn't count the times when he wanted to withdraw his gaze and leave. He slowly wasn't sure why he decided to come here and torture himself in the first place.

He wanted to see Li Caiyi, but he had no idea the girl he had loved for so long would be out of his reach from now on.

Dai Zhiqiang wanted to feel happy for her, but it was difficult when his instinct kept telling him to snatch her away.

Li Caiyi's path in the future probably wouldn't be smooth-sailing. She was a woman who appreciated a simple and peaceful life rather than glamorous life. Besides, her position was very awkward since she had to be sandwiched between the two precious people in her life.

But so what?

Even if that was the case, did he really think he could do anything for her? After he ruined Dai Shenqiang's life, did he still have the gall to believe that he could treat her better than Meng Renshu?

'Stop thinking about her. Your obsession has gone long enough. She is someone else's wife now. Not that you ever have a chance in the first place.' Dai Zhiqiang berated himself inwardly.

There was an indescribable pain in his heart when he witnessed them exchange the sacred vow and marriage rings. Then, Meng Renshu opened her veil, revealing Li Caiyi's beautiful and glimmering eyes; it was displayed through the big monitor for everyone to see. Her love for Meng Renshu seemed to overflow, stinging Dai Zhiqiang's eyes and heart.

He clenched his jaw but couldn't help but close his eyes when the bride and groom shared their wedding kiss.

Although he came here fully prepared to end his unrequited love once and for all, sure enough, he couldn't bear to see it until the end.

When the couple walked down the aisle, and everyone cheered to congratulate him, Dai Zhiqiang was the only one who stood there motionlessly. His eyes never left Li Caiyi's figure, even for a second.

"Happy wedding, Li Caiyi. I hope your life is filled with nothing but happiness ahead."

Dai Zhiqiang mumbled those words before turning away and leaving. He sure held on for long for someone who had no part in her life from the beginning.

Dai Zhiqiang thought that would be the last time he would see her.

Unbeknownst to him, fate had sealed their fate long before he realized it, tying them together.