Chapter 14: Ignitable at First Touch.
On the day of the wedding photo shoot, Min Qing knocked on the door before six in the morning. Wen Ruan hadn't woken up at all and mumbled a few words in a daze.
After two minutes, since Wen Ruan didn't respond, Min Qing asked someone to bring the spare key to open the door.
"You child, why haven't you gotten up yet? You haven't forgotten what day it is today, have you?"
With a "click", Min Qing turned on all the lights, and the light was very blinding.
Wen Ruan covered her head with the quilt and replied softly with her eyes closed, "I haven't forgotten..."
Min Qing tugged at the quilt covering Wen Ruan's head, sat down beside the bed, and sighed. "When it comes to choosing the style of your wedding photos, I have to nag a bit. As your mother, I've been running around busily, but neither of you has mentioned what style of wedding photos to take or how to take them. You don't seem to care at all. I really wonder if you two are—"
Wen Ruan was particularly sensitive to topics like "fake" or "showy" in Min Qing's words. She sat up abruptly from under the covers, ruffled her hair, and said resentfully, "Mom, it's only 5:45. No matter how much I care, I can't resist the charm of sleep. Besides, how do you know I don't care? Maybe I was so excited last night that I didn't sleep well at all."
Min Qing wasn't sure if it was true or not. She quickly held Wen Ruan's chin and looked at her carefully. "Is that true? Let mom take a look. There can't be any dark circles under your eyes. If your eye makeup is too heavy, the effect won't be as good." Only after confirming that there were no dark circles did Min Qing feel relieved.
"Mom, it's me going to take wedding photos. Why do I feel like you're more nervous than me?" Wen Ruan lifted her tired eyelids, mechanically moved her chin out of Min Qing's grasp, and got out of bed.
While tidying Wen Ruan's quilt, Min Qing continued to give instructions. "I'm not nervous. I'm just afraid that you two—forget it. If I say too much, you'll think I'm nagging. Anyway, remember what mom said. You have to take all the types of photos I chose for you. Don't be lazy. When I married your dad, there weren't so many styles of wedding photos back then, and I didn't get to take any decent ones. Oh, I really regret it."
Wen Ruan: "You go to take wedding photos every year on your wedding anniversary. Isn't that enough?" They took small photo shoots every year and big ones every five years. She had been a flower girl accompanying them for more than ten years.
"You naughty child, why can't you think things through? How can they be the same? We're getting old. If we don't take good and enough wedding photos during our most beautiful years, it will be a woman's lifelong regret. Just listen to mom. It'll be okay, dear." Min Qing followed her to the bathroom.
"......" Wen Ruan squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush and started brushing her teeth. "Oh, don't be regretful. Someday I'll publish a book or something to make up for your regret. I'll write tens of thousands of words about how dad proposed to you, and I'll do dozens of chapters of close-ups of the process of you and dad taking wedding photos, so that the whole world will be envious."
Min Qing turned on the faucet for Wen Ruan a step earlier and glanced at her, discouraging her idea. "What kind of book are you talking about? That kind of thing that strains your brain and harms your body isn't suitable for you. You can't mess around. Don't even think about work or anything like that. Take good care of yourself. If you're healthy and happy all your life, your dad and I will be at ease."
Well—
Wen Ruan felt a headache coming on.
If her mother ever found out that she not only had a job but also actually published a book.
And was also engaged in screenwriting work, would she be in big trouble?
Wen Ruan moved the toothbrush in her mouth, mumbling incoherently, "If I don't do anything, I'll be a useless person with nothing. I'll be looked down upon."
"Who dares to look down on you? Who said you have nothing? Everything your dad and I have is yours." Min Qing handed Wen Ruan a cup of water. She really didn't like hearing that. "Did Yanci's mom say something mean about you? Let me tell you, Ruanruan. If Song Yanhua really said something to you, tell mom, and mom will back you up. Since you were a child, she's always been jealous of me and has opposed me in everything. I'm not going to put up with her temper anymore."
Wen Ruan tilted her head back to rinse her mouth. "You two are really like enemies. Even at your age, you can still quarrel. Aren't you tired?" Since she could remember things, the two of them had been bickering non-stop.
This time, when Grandpa was in the intensive care unit, the two of them got along peacefully for a rare moment. Wen Ruan even saw that He Yanci's mother had comforted her mother, and her mother had asked Aunt Chen to cook He Yanci's mother's favorite dishes and send them to the He family. Several times in the hospital, the two of them went out to eat arm in arm, looking just like a pair of close girlfriends.
Wen Ruan thought that they had buried the hatchet, but judging from her mother's tone, nothing had changed.
Could it be that this is what they call "enemies eventually becoming in-laws"?
Min Qing snorted, "Do you think I want to quarrel? Some of the things Song Yanhua says are really unbearable sometimes."
Regarding this pair of enemies who had disliked each other for so many years, it wasn't something that an ordinary person could resolve.
Wen Ruan didn't want to get involved at all.
Wen Ruan had once heard her grandmother talk about it. Her mother was originally engaged to He Yanci's fourth uncle. When she learned that Song Yanhua was in a relationship with He Yanci's father, her mother called off the engagement.
At that time, Song Yanhua threatened that if her mother married into the He family, she would break up with He Yanci's father. It was said that there was quite a commotion for a while.
Min Qing had been bickering with Song Yanhua for all these years and knew Song Yanhua's temper well. She was afraid that Wen Ruan would be wronged. "Ruanruan, if Song Yanhua really dares to say something unpleasant to you, you must tell me. There are some things that you can't deal with directly with her, but I'm not afraid of her!"
"Aunt Song seems to be okay with me." Wen Ruan mumbled with toothpaste foam in her mouth. She didn't have much contact with Song Yanhua and wasn't familiar with her. Every time they met, they were polite to each other.
"She just can't express her dissatisfaction and is feeling 憋屈，" Min Qing clicked her tongue.
Wen Ruan knew that He Yanci's parents and He Yanci himself had to enter into this marriage alliance with her because of Grandpa He.
As for what He Yanci's parents thought of her, she didn't know.
She also had her own purpose for marrying He Yanci. It was okay that they each had their own motives.
Wen Ruan spat out the mouthwash, feeling refreshed. She smacked her lips. "Mom, you and Aunt Song dislike each other so much. Yet you still want me to marry He Yanci. Aren't you trying to get back at her?"
Min Qing looked at Wen Ruan with loving eyes. "Do you think your mom is such an unreliable person? Although I don't get along with Song Yanhua, there's no denying Yanci's excellence. I still know what's good for you. Besides, even if I really had the intention of getting revenge, I wouldn't be willing to do it. You're the apple of my eye. Marrying into their family will only improve their family's genes. How could it be revenge on her? It would be torturing myself."
"......" Wen Ruan rinsed off the facial cleanser on her face and sighed. "Under your way of education, I can still be so upright. I really admire my own indomitable and unyielding spirit."
Min Qing gently slapped Wen Ruan with her raised hand and said with a smile, "You naughty child, what are you talking about? What's wrong with our way of education? We raise our own daughter the way we want. Who else has the right to interfere?"
"......" Wen Ruan silently gave a thumbs-up and turned to leave the bathroom.
Min Qing suddenly thought of that thing weighing on her mind again and quickly followed. "Honey, mom will ask you one more time. You're serious about marrying Yanci, right? You won't do anything shady behind our backs, will you?"
"It's more real than real gold. Don't worry."
Wen Ruan's reply was twice as loud as usual, very determined. She didn't blush or hesitate, but her slightly drooping eyelashes trembled violently.
*
He Yanci arrived at the Wen family's residence at half past seven.
This time, Wen Ruan didn't make He Yanci wait.
As soon as He Yanci arrived at the Wen family's residence, Wen Ruan came out of the house.
He Yanci looked up and saw Wen Ruan. She was holding a delicate handbag with small pearls along the edge in her gloved hand. She was wearing a vintage white windbreaker with a small shawl. The waist was exquisitely tailored, and her graceful figure was faintly visible.
Every time she appeared, she would always be a feast for the eyes, elegant, dignified, and yet natural.
He Yanci raised his eyebrows slightly. "Good morning."
"Good morning." Wen Ruan stopped in front of him, raised her chin, and greeted him with a faint smile. The last time they had talked was the night after she moved things to his house. They hadn't been in touch for these days. Wen Ruan thought of something. "Is your stomach feeling better?"
"......"
He Yanci was at a loss for words. His hand that was opening the car door for her paused slightly. He took a visible deep breath for a few seconds and squeezed out two words, "It's... okay." His good mood vanished instantly, and he really felt like his stomach was going to ache.
Wen Ruan noticed that He Yanci didn't look well.
Was his stomach still hurting?
Wen Ruan showed her concern. "You should still take some medicine. Don't endure the pain."
"......." He Yanci.
Could it be that this little girl just couldn't let go of the topic of his stomachache?
Wen Ruan originally wanted to ask one more question: Should she go inside and find some stomachache medicine for him to take with him, just in case it was inconvenient to buy medicine at the place where they were taking the wedding photos?
He Yanci had already opened the car door for her. There was a bit more distance in his handsome face. Wen Ruan had to give up the idea.
Wen Ruan couldn't help but sigh. This man was really like the weather, sunny one second and snowy the next.
She wouldn't argue with someone who had a stomach problem.
In fact, as someone who had written tens of millions of words of CEO novels, Wen Ruan understood He Yanci's reaction. Generally, CEOs were so busy with work that they often skipped meals and had stomach problems. And they didn't like others to mention it.
Mentioning it would make them angry, which was similar to He Yanci's cold expression now.
*
Min Qing had made arrangements in advance, and the staff from the photography studio were waiting for the two of them early.
The first set of photos was the main wedding photos, taken in the studio with a simple style against a gray background.
"Mr. He, smile a bit."
"Bride, get closer to Mr. He."
Wen Ruan glanced at He Yanci beside her out of the corner of her eye. His smile must be very rare, right?
At least, she had never seen it.
She was quite curious. Could He Yanci smile?
How would he smile? Would he show his teeth?
She was overthinking it. After looking at him for a while, He Yanci had a calm expression, just like usual. There was no particular sign of being unhappy or happy.
Wen Ruan wondered if he wasn't angry anymore about the question of his stomachache when they went out in the morning.
So, Wen Ruan smiled faintly and looked at the camera.
"Two newlyweds, get closer." The photographer called over the assistant photographer beside him. "Come on, like this."
The photographer and one of the assistant photographers demonstrated a set of shooting poses. The two big men hugged each other, and the little assistant even showed his leg hair. His expression was exaggerated, and his movements were comical, causing a burst of laughter.
Wen Ruan couldn't help but smile and covered her mouth with the bouquet.
Suddenly, Wen Ruan felt a tightness around her waist. She looked down and saw a strong arm across her waist. She looked up at He Yanci, the owner of the arm.
He Yanci didn't look at her. His gaze was fixed on the camera in front of them. There was a hint of warmth on his serious face.
He Yanci noticed Wen Ruan's gaze. He turned his head and just met Wen Ruan's eyes that were shining with starlight.
His cold eyes became a bit gentler, and their gazes collided in mid-air.
Click—
The photo was frozen in time.
The two of them looked at each other affectionately.
"Great! Very good!"
"Mr. He, if you kiss your bride, the effect will be even better!" The photographer was very excited.
Wen Ruan's thoughts were still focused on He Yanci's arm around her waist. When she suddenly heard the word "kiss", her heartstrings tensed up. Asking He Yanci to kiss her? Was this a joke?
Wasn't this more difficult than climbing to the sky?
Wen Ruan didn't expect that He Yanci would cooperate with the photographer and lower his head. His thin lips gently touched the edge of her ear.
The warm touch of his thin lips spread through Wen Ruan's body like an electric current. Her heartstrings tightened, and her heart started pounding.
She looked at the camera with her eyes wide open.
The shooting was frozen.
The shooting atmosphere was very good, and He Yanci, for some reason, was very cooperative with the photographer.
Wen Ruan felt that she was too constrained and seemed a bit affected.
Except for the first day when she was a bit uncomfortable, the subsequent shooting went very smoothly.
Kissing on the forehead and the cheek, after several days of shooting, they got used to it. There was nothing awkward about it. They kissed and hugged when they needed to, and their movements became smoother and smoother, no longer requiring the assistant photographer to demonstrate.
For seven consecutive days, they took more than a dozen sets of wedding photos.
They didn't go to other places but took photos at famous historical sites and popular check-in spots in the capital city.
They took all kinds of wedding photos.
Being tired was secondary. Wen Ruan's cheeks were even stiff from smiling.
Wen Ruan couldn't help but sigh that it was still better to be someone like He Yanci, who had a high threshold for laughter. No matter what, he wouldn't laugh, sparing her the pain of a sore face.
After these few days, Wen Ruan finally understood the truth of the saying, "The wishes I haven't fulfilled in my life, I must make my children fulfill them."
Her mother really was tough on her, arranging so many wedding photos. Was she planning to open a wedding photo exhibition?
On the last day, they were going to take retro-style photos in the style of the Republic of China.
Wen Ruan had a gentle temperament and an excellent figure, which was very suitable for the style of the Republic of China.
Min Qing had also tailored several cheongsams for her in advance for the photo shoot.
He Yanci's outfit was relatively simple. The suit from the Republic of China period didn't differ much from modern suits.
He Yanci changed his clothes and waited for Wen Ruan in the lounge, with his usual "keep away" expression.
A few female staff members not far away were whispering, "This Mr. He is so good-looking. He's even better-looking than many male celebrities."
"You can only look. He already has a partner. Not only is his wife beautiful, but her figure is also beyond compare."
"Exactly. I've seen so many people wearing cheongsams, but this bride is the first one who suits the cheongsam so well."
"Especially her chest, waist, and legs. It's so enviable. Today, I finally saw what a standard S-shaped figure is like in the legend."
"So enviable."
The distance between these staff members and He Yanci wasn't far, and he could hear most of their envious chatter.
His slender fingers leisurely played with the string of sandalwood beads, and a faint smile lingered on his lips.
Soon, Wen Ruan came out of the makeup room. Her makeup was exquisite. The magnolia white cheongsam was very elegant. She had a retro-style curly hairstyle like that of the imperial court, and a small string of pearl necklace was around her fair and slender neck.
The bracelet on her wrist and the necklace around her neck were the ones he had given her last time.
Wen Ruan's wrist was slender and fair. Even the smallest-sized bracelet looked big on her wrist.
The fabric around the hips of the cheongsam was a bit tight, so Wen Ruan took small and careful steps. She gently held a round fan against her chest. A tassel of the same color was hanging from the button, swaying gently with her graceful figure.
"Mr. He, Mrs. He is so beautiful! She looks just like a young lady from the Republic of China era," the makeup assistant exclaimed with excitement beside them.
He Yanci liked the way Wen Ruan looked in the cheongsam, charming yet noble.
These words from the staff members undoubtedly hit the mark with him.
A faint smile that was hard to detect curved the edge of
Wen Ruan covered her face with the round fan and laughed softly. Suddenly, a slight pain came from her fingertips. She turned her head and glared at He Yanci. Then she pulled her slender hand out from under He Yanci's hand and walked into the shooting area on her own.
He Yanci smiled faintly and followed.
The photographer made arrangements quickly. After finishing taking this set of photos, they switched to the next scene.
Wen Ruan was wearing a retro red cheongsam. This cheongsam was not traditional. It combined retro elements with modern ones, presenting a deadly sense of sexiness and the soft beauty of lines that struck the visual senses.
A pair of retro tassel earrings made her look lively yet elegant, and her bright red lip color was even more alluring.
Wen Ruan emerged from behind the screen and came into He Yanci's sight. He Yanci, who was sitting on the retro sofa, locked his deep and boundless eyes on Wen Ruan.
According to what the photographer had told her before, Wen Ruan swayed gracefully and walked towards He Yanci step by step.
He Yanci supported his head with one hand, and in his deep eyes was the figure getting closer and closer.
Wen Ruan slightly raised her delicate chin and the corner of her mouth curved into a faint smile. She couldn't help but sigh that He Yanci was indeed at the top in terms of appearance. The retro suit on him further highlighted his nature of a gentle scoundrel. He also wore a pair of cool flat-frame glasses on his straight nose, which made his angular facial features look more three-dimensional. He exuded an abstinent yet scholarly atmosphere, making it hard for people to resist.
Wen Ruan secretly sighed. Fortunately, she was a screenwriter and had created all kinds of CEO characters in her works. Otherwise, she really wouldn't be able to handle him.
He Yanci raised his hand and hooked his finger at Wen Ruan.
Wen Ruan didn't know what this man meant. Her soft lips curled slightly, and she walked towards him and stopped in front of him.
He Yanci's bottomless eyes cast a faint light on Wen Ruan's alluring figure. Wen Ruan's slender willow-leaf eyebrows twitched, and the light in her eyes was gentle and tender. The staff didn't remind them what to do next, so Wen Ruan turned her head to look in the direction of the camera.
At that moment, He Yanci stretched out one hand and pulled her towards him. Wen Ruan felt as if she was being drawn in by a force. Caught off guard, one of Wen Ruan's slender legs knelt on He Yanci's crossed legs. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and braced herself with both hands on He Yanci's strong chest, narrowly avoiding falling into his arms.
However, the position where her leg knelt was very particular. Her knee happened to press against a rather embarrassing place.
Wen Ruan's heart was pounding, and her rhythm was disrupted. Yet this man, He Yanci, remained as calm as if nothing had happened.
Wen Ruan turned away her blushing face and bit her soft lips.
If this wasn't part of the behind-the-scenes shooting content, don't tell her it was part of the short video?
Wen Ruan exclaimed in her heart.
Was the short video going to have such a large scale?
Wen Ruan was slightly distracted, and He Yanci pinched her slender waist.
Wen Ruan felt a pain in her waist and let out a soft cry. She turned her head and glared at He Yanci with a pouty face.
In He Yanci's eyes, Wen Ruan's glare was not scary at all. Just like when she was a child, her bright eyes were round, and her small face was puffed up, looking a bit cute.
He Yanci raised his eyebrows slightly, and there was a hint of pride in his calm and composed expression.
In Wen Ruan's view, it was a blatant provocation that didn't take her seriously. If she could transform, she would turn into a fierce beast and bite him in an instant.
The photographer looked through the camera and exclaimed that it was perfect. From the camera's perspective, the two of them were looking at each other affectionately. Wen Ruan slightly lowered her head and stared at He Yanci. He Yanci, sitting on the retro sofa, slightly raised his chin. The distance between their breaths was only about an inch apart.
The beautiful woman in the cheongsam with a soft figure, and the handsome and stern man with a tall stature. The two contrasting auras that struck the visual senses created an ambiguous and abstinent retro scene.
The photographer took the opportunity to say, "Mr. He, please kiss the bride."
Wen Ruan still hadn't recovered from the thrilling and charming moment when she heard the photographer's words about kissing.
Wen Ruan wasn't too about cheek kisses or forehead kisses. After more than a week of shooting, they had gotten used to such actions.
Wen Ruan slightly turned her cheek, fully prepared to be kissed on the side of her face by He Yanci. However, the side cheek kiss didn't come. Instead, the photographer shouted from behind the camera, "Mr. He, it would be better if you kiss the bride on the lips. The effect will be even better." The photographer was completely immersed in the shooting. The two of them were so suitable for taking retro-style photos of the Republic of China era. It was simply like the visual sense of a warlord leader and a wealthy young lady!
Kissing on the lips would make the effect even more perfect!
The photographer's words left Wen Ruan in a state of confusion. She and He Yanci had kissed in the past few days, but it was always on the face, forehead, or ear.
Kissing on the lips——————
It should be highly unlikely, right?
Wen Ruan didn't dare to look at He Yanci at all and was extremely torn.
Suddenly, a force took control of her chin. He Yanci turned Wen Ruan's head with his hand and pressed her chin down slightly. She was forced to face him directly. They were so close that they could feel each other's breath.
Wen Ruan was forced to look down and meet He Yanci's gaze.
At this moment, He Yanci's deep eyes were looking at her. There was a hint of something in his eyes that Wen Ruan couldn't understand. It was very deep, as if he was forcibly holding back something that was about to burst out, or as if he wanted to draw her entire being into his deep eyes, and it was more like some kind of seed was germinating and growing in his eyes.
In short, there were too many things she couldn't figure out.
Suddenly, Wen Ruan's heart tightened sharply. She couldn't help but lick her soft lips. Her breathing became uneven, and her heart seemed to be out of control.
Wen Ruan stared at He Yanci with her confused eyes without blinking. His three-dimensional facial features were getting closer and closer in her pupils, and finally, they lost focus. The faint and clear fragrance of agarwood unique to He Yanci wafted into Wen Ruan's nostrils, intertwining with her own delicate fragrance. In a daze, Wen Ruan felt warmth on her lips, and He Yanci's angular facial features blocked all her sight.
Before Wen Ruan could react, He Yanci's thin lips that had been on her lips left. His eyes, as deep as the ocean, locked onto her tightly, and his breathing was rapid.
Wen Ruan's eyes were wide open, and her heart seemed to be about to jump out of her throat. Before she could relieve the oppressive feeling, He Yanci's thin lips pressed against hers again.
Wen Ruan's breathing became stagnant. She couldn't stand the pressure as if her heart was about to jump out. It was too uncomfortable.
She wanted to push He Yanci away, but the arm that held her waist was too tight, and she couldn't move. Her palm, which was pressed against He Yanci's chest, went limp, and her slender fingers seemed to lose their strength.
Wen Ruan thought that He Yanci was like a poison. She must have been poisoned by this man to be unable to resist.
Wen Ruan's misty eyes, eyelashes, and lips were all trembling violently.
He Yanci's chest heaved, and the situation was ignited at the touch. It was no longer a case of just a brief taste.
Wen Ruan's fingers that were pressed against He Yanci unconsciously curled up. Her trembling eyes slowly closed, and her lips unconsciously parted slightly.
Under He Yanci's control, Wen Ruan's slender hands that were pressed against his chest slowly climbed up and wrapped around his neck, and their lips were intertwined tenderly.