If You Could Hear My Heart

A few days before the wedding, Shen Di returned from abroad, accompanied by Qin Chen.

The two arrived travel-worn, and were personally picked up by Xu Chaomu and Ling, the butler.

For some reason, Xu Chaomu noticed that Shen Di's complexion seemed a bit off, so she couldn't help but ask with concern: "Sister, you don't look so well. Are you too tired?"

Shen Di nodded: "Yes, flying back from Australia was a bit exhausting."

"Then rest up well. If you need anything, just call me."

"It's fine. I'll help you check the wedding details. How many gowns did you order?" Shen Di asked with care.

"Several, but the most important one is the one I designed myself. Sister, it's the one I showed you last time," Xu Chaomu said happily.

"The really beautiful one." Xiaobao chimed in from the side.

"Ah, that one. It's truly gorgeous. I told you it suits you perfectly."

Xu Chaomu and Shen Di chatted while Xiaobao played nearby.

Xiaobao hadn't seen his aunt in a long time, so he was delighted, constantly pulling on Shen Di, wanting to play with her.

During the days Shen Di was at home, Zhou Ran brought Shen Cexian back too. This time, it truly felt like the whole family was reunited, filled with warmth and joy.

The wedding day fell right in early summer, under clear skies stretching endlessly.

Early summer's flowers were radiant and charming, blooming with vibrant, captivating hues that felt like watercolor splashed across the scene, carrying pure and beautiful blessings.

Outside the ceremony hall, a red carpet extended hundreds of meters, flanked by pathways adorned with blossom arrangements.

Various fresh flowers, flown in from different regions earlier that morning, still carried glistening dewdrops. Their fragrances were rich and intoxicating. Lilies, baby's breath, roses… the scents lingered far and wide.

Outside the hall, tables and champagne were set up, and smiling hostesses stood nearby.

Every particle in the air seemed imbued with the essence of happiness, richer than the finest wine.

Xia Chuqing had long wanted to be Xu Chaomu's bridesmaid, but unfortunately, she couldn't make it on time. On the morning of the wedding, around five o'clock, she dragged her luggage to a hotel near the ceremony hall.

After changing into her outfit and rushing over, the guests had already filled the area outside the hall.

Xu Chaomu was in the makeup room, kept company by Yu Weiwei and Shen Di.

The bridesmaids were a few young ladies Xu Chaomu had met in her social circle recently. The chatty girls filled the makeup room with laughter and lighthearted chatter.

One of the girls was particularly adept at telling jokes, making Xu Chaomu and Shen Di laugh out loud.

"Chaomu, you look so beautiful today," Yu Weiwei kept gazing at Xu Chaomu.

"You should hold a wedding for yourself too. If you do, you'll look just as stunning," Xu Chaomu said with a smile.

"My little beauty, who's been by my side for so many years, is finally getting married." Yu Weiwei let out a light hum.

"Who's your little beauty? Li Beiting is!" Xu Chaomu replied.

Before the ornate carved dressing mirror, Xu Chaomu gazed at her reflection, almost unable to recognize herself. She couldn't help but admit that the makeup artist's skills were exceptional.

When Xia Chuqing was hurrying over, she called Xu Chaomu. "Sister Chaomu, I'm almost there. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for being late."

"Take it slow, take it slow. I'm just happy you're coming," Xu Chaomu said, hearing Xia Chuqing's breathless voice.

Xia Chuqing had truly sprinted the whole way. Thankfully, she made it to Xu Chaomu's wedding; otherwise, what a regret that would've been.

After hanging up the phone, Xia Chuqing ran straight toward the makeup room.

On the way, she caught sight of Shen Chi.

Shen Chi was dazzling today. This man was handsome to begin with, but today he looked even more spirited and striking, standing out among the crowd like the sun!

However, she didn't have time to take a closer look at Shen Chi. Naturally, she didn't have any feelings for Shen Chi either; her focus was on heading straight for the makeup room.

But, in her haste, she accidentally bumped into a table and twisted her leg.

Just as she was about to fall to the floor, a pair of large hands caught her waist.

The hands tightened and helped her up.

Xia Chuqing ended up leaning against his chest, her fingers clutching at his suit jacket.

Her heart thumped wildly, "ba-dump, ba-dump." Trying to steady her footing, she was still a little shaken.

She looked up, just about to say, "Thank you," when—unfortunately—her head bumped into his chin.

The man let out a muffled grunt, lowered his eyes, and smirked as he looked at her.

Upon realizing who he was, Xia Chuqing immediately pulled her hands off him as if she had touched a tiger.

"Thank you," she whispered softly, turning to leave.

"Long time no see. It seems Miss Xia doesn't recognize me anymore," Xiao Mo said, hands in his trouser pockets, gazing leisurely at her retreating back.

His voice was as deep and seductive as ever, so pleasant it struck a chord within her.

Xia Chuqing's body trembled slightly, her heartbeat still racing uncontrollably.

She turned back and met Xiao Mo's gaze. "Hello, President Xiao."

The last time they had met was a year ago. Unexpectedly, an entire year had passed.

During that time, she hadn't seen him once, nor had she made a single phone call to him. She thought Xiao Mo had gradually drifted out of her life.

Like an ethereal fog, fading away with the passage of time.

Today, Xiao Mo was dressed in a white suit, his chest adorned with a "groomsman" symbol.

It was her first time seeing him in such attire. As sunlight hit his face, it made him appear even more striking, youthful.

"I'm not okay." Xiao Mo said lightly, his gaze also falling on Xia Chuqing's face.

A year had passed, and she had lost some weight, probably due to slight discomfort abroad. But she was undeniably more graceful than before.

Paris was, after all, the fashion capital. After a year there, she had more style than when she was home.

He remembered that she used to avoid wearing off-shoulder gowns, always dressed like a student.

But now, she was different. The Xia Chuqing before him wore a nude-colored off-shoulder ankle-length dress, styled as a cocktail gown, accentuating her fairness and elegance.

Xiao Mo squinted subtly. He hadn't noticed before how strikingly attractive she was.

People do change, it seems.

Xia Chuqing grinned upon hearing his words. "Not okay? Then that makes me happy."

Isn't there a saying? If you're doing well, how could I bear it?

To Xia Chuqing, Xiao Mo represented her past. Standing before him inevitably made her recall the scene where her confession was rejected.

To a girl, it was truly… unforgettable and mortifying.

Xiao Mo didn't get angry. Apparently, she had only changed outwardly; her personality was still the same.

Evidently, he had kept her in the dark well enough. She still didn't know anything about her father's matters.

During the New Year, Xia Chuqing had expressed her intention to return home, but Xiao Mo had tampered with her flight tickets, preventing her from coming back.

How long he could continue to conceal the truth was uncertain. At least for now, he hoped for one more day, day by day.

All he wanted was that when she finally found out the truth, her personality wouldn't change—still the optimistic, cheerful, lively Xia Chuqing.

"So you're really hoping I'd be doing poorly?" Xiao Mo raised his brows.