Xu Tang wished nothing more than to stab Mu Zhichen.

On the other hand, Mu Zhichen had never been half as happy as he was right now.

Not only did Lu Meili call him 'hubby', she had refused to leave with Xu Tang.

A moment ago, he thought that she was really going to elope with him. After all, she would no longer be able to do that after today.

He had thought that her feelings for him would be awakened once again because he had come to take her with him on such a day.

Never in his dreams would he have expected that she would reject Xu Tang and stick to him. This had to be her final decision, right?

It gave him all the confidence in the world.

Xu Tang wanted to tie Lu Meili up and drag her away if he must. But he wouldn't manage to. He could only leave, gritting his teeth.

As soon as he was out, Lu Meili snuck a glance at Mu Zhichen. "Is there a man who asks his fiancée if she wants to leave with another man? You are truly one of a kind."

Mu Zhichen held her small hand tightly. "I had to know what you want."

"What if I wanted to leave with him?" She teased.

"Then I would use better tactics. Perhaps I would lock you up..."

"Are you kidding? You would do that?"

"Meili, if the man you were leaving with was someone reasonable, I might admit defeat. But if It's Xu Tang, I would rather lock you up."

Lu Meili burst into laughter. "Now you're starting to sound like daddy.

Speaking of which, I heard that girls who are pampered by their fathers always end up with bad men."

Mu Zhichen flicked a finger on her forehead. "What nonsense have you been listening to?"

"Then... you will not bully me when we are married?" Lu Meili asked shyly.

Mu Zhichen unceremoniously held her waist. "Of course I will bully you." He leaned in close to her ear. "In bed. I will not bully you anywhere else."

Lu Meili's face went red. "Pervert! Sis Katy was right. All men are perverts."

Mu Zhichen laughed. "I don't know about other men, but I will only show my perverted side to you. Only to you."

"Meili, I will teach you to forget about Xu Tang and fall in love with me. It doesn't matter how long it takes.

In future, you can only love me."

Lu Meili looked right into his eyes unblinkingly. His words were a bit overbearing, but they didn't make her uncomfortable at all. She was willing to fall in love again. Although it might still take some time, she wanted to only love her husband. She didn't want to be the kind of woman to still lust after another man after her marriage.

Mu Zhichen was drawn into her gaze. He lifted her chin using a finger, lowering his head inch by inch. Until they could feel each other's breath. Their lips were only a centimeter apart.

"There you are. Do you not know who the hosts are.... oops! Sorry for interrupting you but this is really important. You can continue after the banquet." Katy closed her eyes tightly. "The guests are waiting."

Lu Meili retracted her hands from Mu Zhichen's chest. Even she didn't know how they got there. "We'll be right there."

She tried not to think about this. If Katy didn't interrupt them a moment ago, was he going to... kiss her?

Why was her heart racing at the thought of it?

Mu Zhichen took her hand and put it around his arm. "Let's go. We can continue tonight."

Lu Meili's eyes shot open. "Can you not say such things?" When did this man get so brazen?

Though she had to admit she liked this brazen side of him more. It proved that he was no longer too reserved towards her.

As they descended the staircase, a thought rushed to her mind and she blushed.

Mu Zhichen stole a glance and his lips curled upwards. 'Is she thinking about the kiss that didn't happen?'

"Ah! They are finally here." Mrs. Mu was relieved when she saw the pair and rushed to them. "What took you so long?"

"We had something to take care of." Mu Zhichen explained.

In that instant, Lu Meili recalled what had happened with Xu Tang. He wouldn't come back to cause trouble, right?

"Relax. I will not let him trouble us again." Mu Zhichen whispered in her ear.

This gesture passed off as a sign of their love for each other and made the guests awed.

This was one of the biggest banquets the Mu family had ever held. Several big shots had attended, including the Lu and Blanc families. Even Lu Tongyan who was rarely heard of was here tonight. Not only that, he was so lively that he looked a few years younger.

Lu Meili skimmed through the guests and spotted her aunt Lin Lihua, looking loving and harmonious with Henry Blanc. 'Pfft. I guess time did make them realize they still love each other.'

The spotlight focused on Mu Zhichen and Lu Meili. With her hand still holding his arm, Mu Zhichen spoke. "Thank you all for attending this banquet..."

After his speech, Mu Zhichen wrapped his arm around her waist to start the opening dance.

Lu Meili's had one hand on his shoulder and the other in his.

Her heart raced. 'We are so close to each other. How come no one told me that he is this handsome up close?'

"What are you thinking about?" Mu Zhichen probed.

Lu Meili would never admit that she was thinking about him! "I... I'm already tired. Mom made me wear these extremely high-heeled shoes."

"You look beautiful in them. But you can take them off if you don't like them."

"I can handle it."

Lu Meili managed to complete the dance, but not without stepping on him a few times. She was so nervous that she kept missing her step.

But not only was the man not embarassed, he was even happier.

"You two are really compatible. Even your dance is so beautiful." Mrs. Mu complimented when they were done.

"Thank you aunty."

"You child. You are still so polite with me." Although she was complaining, Mrs. Mu was very happy. "I'll introduce you to my friends."

Once again, Mu Zhichen was left alone after his wife got snatched away.

"..."

Fine. As long as she had fun.

And she really did. She saw Matriarch Mu from the corner of her eye and her eyes lit up. "Grandma!"

Matriarch Mu was overjoyed. "My dear, I thought you would forget about me."

"How could I? I missed you very much. I've been looking foward to seeing you again."

"Matriarch Mu, your granddaughter-in-law is such a darling." An old friend of hers complimented.

"Isn't she? Our Mu family must have gathered good luck from eight lifetimes to deserve her."

"Girl, come here. Let me take a look at you." The woman said to Lu Meili.

Lu Meili went over nervously. There was something weird about this woman...

She held Lu Meili's wrist for a while. "Good. Very good. You, my dear, are in perfect health. If you have children soon, they will be healthy."

Lu Meili smiled. So it was only this. "Thank you grandma. I will go to greet the other guests too."

Matriarch Mu gave her a red packet. "Go ahead. If you have time later, come and chat with me."

"Okay grandma." Lu Meili went ahead to greet the other guests.

...

Of course, no banquet would be complete without a surprise guest, right?

When the banquet was over and most of the guests had dispersed, a new guest arrived. At least they didn't come halfway through the banquet and cause a commotion.

Lu Meili was stunned. "Xixi! I thought you wouldn't come."

"What nonsense. I have been discharged so why wouldn't I come? Actually Sis Meili, I'm sorry. I forgot what day it is and only remembered when it is too late. I brought you a present."

Lu Meili didn't kick up a fuss. The girl was still muddled from the accident. "You don't have to worry about it. It's great that you came."

Small Xixi looked undeniably beautiful in her silk gown. She hugged Lu Meili slightly. "Sis Meili I was late for another reason. I didn't come alone. I brought someone with me."

Lu Meili drooped her eyes, looking like she would faint from dispair. Little goddess, for the sake of our friendship, can you not bring back your brother? Although the banquet is over, It's still troublesome.

She heard footsteps, then a pair of golden sandals appeared in her field of view. A woman?

She raised her head slowly and her gaze fell on the woman.

"Aunt Kara?"

She looked at the woman cautiously. "Aunt Kara, how come you are here?"