Fatal Desire

Chapter 172 Extra: The Wedding (Part 1)
Having endured the harsh winter in Beijing, the wedding date was set for spring, when everything comes back to life.

The wedding planning team officially began preparations, and Song Xi spent almost all her free time discussing wedding details with Zhao Yansen.

Although the process was complicated and involved a lot of things, the two of them did not find it tedious or boring; in fact, they even enjoyed it.

The aunties in Xiziwan and Yanshanshu often see this scene:
Zhao Yansen held Song Xi on the sofa, holding a tablet computer, watching an AI video of the wedding planning process. She would occasionally press her finger on the screen to zoom in and out, discussing with him how to change certain parts, or expressing her liking for certain small ideas.

The girl occasionally let her thoughts wander: "This video reminds me of those Hong Kong dramas where forensic doctors use AI to reconstruct crime scenes, or medical dramas where AI is used to plan surgeries."

Upon hearing this, the man chuckled indulgently: "If I marry you, you'll act in a TV drama with me?"

"of course not!"

The girl turned around with a smile, whispered something in his ear, and the man couldn't help but laugh, burying his face in her shoulder.

It's quite amazing that a man who usually seems so refined and aloof could be amused by a girl's words.

After all, this high and mighty Crown Prince of the Zhao family had a powerful aura and a strong sense of oppression, which made almost everyone who heard of him afraid and tremble with fear upon seeing him.

It's hard to believe that someone's emotions would be swayed by a few words.

Mr. Zhao remained calm and composed, his smile merely a slight twitch at the corner of his lips.

Why is he different in front of Miss Song?

*
Important matters such as the guest list and venue arrangements were handled by the family elders, such as the old man and Zhao Zongting, so Song Xi didn't have to worry about them.

After all, it involves too many powerful networks of relationships, and she can't just interfere with it casually.

Song Xi was busy with work, so Song Yunyu arranged all the wedding dress and formal wear. From the haute couture design drafts to every detail of the jewelry, her aunt finalized everything.

Although it was a traditional Chinese wedding, in addition to the traditional Chinese wedding dress, more than ten Western-style wedding dresses were also prepared.

World-class designers flew from Paris to Beijing multiple times to discuss design drafts. Once the finished products were delivered, Song Xi would take time to try them on.

Every time Qin Fanghao came out of the fitting room, she would exclaim in amazement: "President Xi, why don't you hold a wedding dress fashion show? It would definitely be a global sensation!"

After saying that, she didn't forget to praise Song Yunyu: "Aunt, you have such good taste!"

The famous actress Qin's affection for her aunt was so strong that she practically wanted to recognize her as a relative on the spot.

"But don't you have too many dresses?" Qin Fanghao glanced at the row of haute couture dresses, styles that even top celebrities couldn't borrow, which the Zhao family bought directly. "They're almost as many as my entire walk-in closet."

"Come on, your dressing room has two whole floors." Song Xi looked at Qin Fanghao in the mirror. The staff were carefully tidying up her skirt and hair, ensuring that every detail was perfect.

“Those two floors can’t compare to your row,” Qin Fanghao said. “When I get married, I’ll have a similarly grand affair.”

The wedding wasn't extravagant, but it wasn't small either.

The Zhao family never acts ostentatiously, but because Zhao Yansen and Song Xi's marriage was no small matter, the wedding was both grand and low-key.

On the eve of the wedding, Zhao Yansen's friends invited him out for one last pre-wedding toast, but Song Xi was too lazy to go out, so she asked Qin Fanghao to come to the courtyard house and stay with her for the night.

On the second-floor terrace, the two sisters sat on deck chairs, drinking red wine and chatting.

Song Xi asked Qin Fanghao, "How is Li Jinyue?" Qin Fanghao stared at the swirling wine in the Burgundy glass, paused for a few seconds, and then said, "He went abroad."

Three months ago, the second son of a real estate tycoon publicly slandered Qin Fanghao, who was involved in the entertainment industry, at a club. Upon hearing this, Li Jinyue flew into a rage and broke the man's leg despite the crowd's attempts to stop him. In the end, it was only through the combined pressure from the Li and Qin families that the matter was brought under control.

Li Jinyue was saved, but the Li family forced him to go abroad again, and he would never be able to return to the capital.

Song Xi took a sip of wine, gazed at the warm spring night, and sighed softly, "A man's anger is for the sake of a beautiful woman."

"There's no need to feel sorry for him," Qin Fang said with a laugh. "The reason a prodigal son returns is usually because he's become a scoundrel. I'm not a junk collector; I don't accept trash."

“Meng Weixian collects trash, you can throw it to him.”

"That won't do. It'll stink if it gets covered in garbage." Qin Fanghao frowned in disgust. "Stinky men don't deserve to be friends with us beautiful women."

Seeing that she was not affected by Li Jinyue's matter, Song Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, a beam of car headlights pierced the night, casting a fleeting shadow on the balcony railing. Qin Fanghao squinted, walked to the railing, and peered down: "President Xi, your husband is back."

Following her gaze, Song Xi saw the black sedan with the license plate 7777 (Beijing A).

"Back in high school, out of all those luxury cars parked outside, I spotted this one immediately. I felt the license plate was destined for you. Your birthday is July 7th, and this license plate also has 7s." Qin Fanghao said in a comedic tone, "Hey, look what happened! It really is your birthday!"

Song Xi recalled the situation and smiled, "You're so clever. That fool Meng Weixian insisted it was 'the Hall of Eternal Life on the seventh day of the seventh month,' and that the car owner wanted to pray for immortality."

"So when I found out he was dating Jiang Shangxue, I seriously suspected he was daydreaming. After all, Jiang Shangxue is such a cool and proud goddess, she looks like an intellectual, how could she be with a stupid dog?"

At this point, Qin Fanghao waved his hand and said, "Forget it, don't mention him. If we keep talking about it, that guy will probably drag us out for another heartbreak drink."

The two chatted until late into the night without showing any signs of fatigue, as the moonlight gradually climbed up the windowpane. When the clock struck midnight, Qin Fanghao stretched and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

After the sound of running water, Song Xi slipped out of the room silently. The wall lamp in the corridor cast dappled shadows on her face. She stopped in front of Zhao Yansen's door, raised her hand, and knocked slowly and softly.

"Knock, knock, knock." Three very soft knocks, like a thief sneaking around.

The door opened, and a cold, aloof man stood inside, looking down at her. His eyes held a hint of intoxication; he had clearly drunk quite a bit. No one could force him to drink if he didn't want to; he had consumed it voluntarily.

Song Xi hooked her fingers around his tie, stood on tiptoe, and sniffed it: "You've been drinking."

"Smells bad?" Zhao Yansen placed his hand on her lower back, his voice low and husky.

"It doesn't smell bad."

Song Xi gripped his tie tightly and pulled him down: "We're getting married tomorrow, I'm a little excited, if I don't kiss you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Yansen had already moved closer, grabbing the back of her neck with his other hand and kissing her.

His lips and teeth were filled with the aroma of wine, carrying his unique, sharp aura.

The man's body temperature was burning hot; his breath, palms, and thin lips were scorching. He lowered his eyelids, kissing her while gazing at her, his languid demeanor tinged with intense desire.

While kissing her, his well-defined hands were not idle either, exploring upwards along her pajamas, lingering on her soft and delicate flesh between his fingers.

Song Xi trembled slightly involuntarily and let out a soft moan: "Mmm."