The families adjourned to the dinner table after cleaning their hands with the wet towels handed by the servants.

"Since you're both already set, we're not going to interfere much. It's your life after all. However, the wedding should be arranged as soon as possible. What do the both of you think?" Mu Yinan spoke up after a toast.

The marriage between the Mus and the Shens was no small matter. It would surely cause a big ruckus throughout City Z if people found out about it. Of course, it was not something to be taken lightly since they were prestigious families after all.

Xi Xiaye was stunned. She tilted her head and looked at him, only to see him gazing back at her. "It depends on you. What kind of wedding would you like? A wedding by the sea or a wedding in a yard? You decide."

Xi Xiaye paused. Although she had been engaged to Han Yifeng before, she had never imagined what sort of wedding she would have. She somewhat felt that it was a very faraway concept for her...

She gave it some thought and said, "It's near the year-end and a lot of things are happening. There are several projects that need to be handled after the new year as well. I suggest that we don't rush. We can have the wedding during the long holiday in May or November next year. Since we've signed the marriage certificate, this is just a formality anyway."

"Well, you're not wrong..."

You guys just might not be able to wait until then!

As Wang Hui spoke, she glanced at Xi Xiaye's stomach. Even Zhuang Shurong and Shen Wenna looked over as well.

Xi Xiaye would really be an idiot if she did not understand what those gazes meant. She suddenly felt her cheeks getting heated as they stared at her, her fair little face quickly turning red.

"I agree with Xiaye. May is coming in a few months, so we'll arrange it by then." Mu Yuchen came in at the perfect timing. She still had injuries and preparing for a wedding was very taxing. He definitely did not want her injured body to go through that.

"Seems like it. After the new year will be about April anyway. It's gonna be soon!"

Wang Hui then said, "Indeed, there're a lot of events approaching the year-end, and your marriage was quite sudden! Alright, we'll discuss it in detail later on. The point is we can't take it lightly. Shen Yue, Wenna, what do you guys think?"

Shen Yue thought it was fine as well since it was the end of the year and the company was getting busy. Moreover, how proper would a hasty wedding be? Having it later was fine since they were already married anyway.

He glanced at Shen Wenna who nodded and replied, "Sure, it's up to them."

"Chen, Xiaye, how about you guys?"

The couple nodded together.

"Alright, it's set then. We'll work on it after the new year. It doesn't have to be in May. We can still decide on the actual date later. We'll prepare for the wedding. You guys work on your stuff. I know you all don't have much time anyway."

Wang Hui smiled. Finally, she found something to spend her time on.

Soon, their discussion came to an end with the problem solved rather efficiently.

After dinner, Shen Yue was enjoying some tea with Wang Hui and Mu Yinan while Shen Wenna was sitting on the sofa in the living room on the second floor.

"Have some water." Xi Xiaye bent over and handed a glass of water to Shen Wenna. She then just stood there and gazed at her quietly.

Shen Wenna accepted it and took a sip as she looked at Xi Xiaye. Her cold eyes seemed to turn gentle. "Has work been tough in the past few months? You seem much skinnier than the last time. I got quite a number of tonics from abroad this time around. Come over to the Shen Residence and take them."

Xi Xiaye paused, then she shook her head and sat down on the sofa opposite Shen Wenna. "It's alright. Work is always slightly busier near the year-end."

Shen Wenna's expression darkened slightly. She did not press on the issue and changed the topic instead. "I know you went for your grandfather's birthday. I also know that Han Yifeng proposed to Xi Xinyi during the banquet. Did... Did they make things difficult for you?"

Xi Xiaye shook her head. "Don't worry, Mother. How can they still make things difficult for me? I've nothing to do with the Xis anymore."

This time, it should be a clean cut and the whole world could cool down.

Shen Wenna spoke after thinking for some time, "Xiaye, I admit that I'm a failure in my marriage with your father, but no matter what, your father's blood flows in you. I can't teach you to hate your father or to hate anyone from the Xi family. Hating a person takes a big toll on you. I just hope that you can do better than I did. Do you understand?"

"I get it. You don't have to tell me this."

"You don't get what I mean, Xiaye. I want you not to hate, but I didn't want you to just accept whatever that comes to you, alright? If you can let go of this and accept a new relationship or marriage, that's spectacular. You should always look forward and not let your past blind you."

Shen Wenna felt deeply relatable. She wished that her daughter would not be like her.

"Mmm."

"Okay, I'll stop saying this useless stuff. Focus on your marriage since you're already married to Chen. You both need to compromise and understand each other. A marriage that lasts a lifetime isn't about grand promises or a passionate love story. It's about not leaving the person you chose behind, got it?"

A faint light appeared in Shen Wenna's eyes. She quietly looked at Xiaye whose hair had already grown until her waist. She took a deep breath and said, "I just want you to be happy."

Her tone sounded different than usual. Xi Xiaye raised her head and saw Shen Wenna avert her eyes away. After a brief silence, she nodded. "I will. You don't have to worry about me."

"Great. Remember what I told you tonight. It's getting late now and we should probably leave."

Shen Wenna put the glass down and stood up. Before Xi Xiaye could react, she was already heading towards the door.

It took Xi Xiaye some seconds to come back to her senses. Then, she followed her.

The merry bunch chatting downstairs saw Shen Wenna go down and glance at the clock on the wall. Then, they noticed that it was about time to leave.

Mu Yuchen and Xi Xiaye sent them off together.