"Thank you, cousin!" Lin Qiushu smiled, her happiness radiating from the corners of her eyes and brows. "Cousin, hurry inside! When you see my sister-in-law later, I guarantee you won’t be able to take your eyes off her." Qin Jian immediately knew what Lin Qiushu was referring to. Last night, that pure white dress—An Hao will undoubtedly look stunning wearing it! "Thank you! However, on this special day, it seems that someone ought to change the way they address me. I think I have every right to hear it first, and then..." Qin Jian cast a playful glance at Yan Ye. Yan Ye naturally understood Qin Jian’s implication. "You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Everything we agreed on before doesn’t count anymore?" Yan Ye raised an eyebrow, though a faint smile played on his lips. He knew Qin Jian was joking with kind intentions. "Agreed? I’ve never made any agreement with you," Qin Jian said, refusing to admit it. Yan Ye snorted in amusement. "I knew it! But, by seniority, I should indeed call you cousin. So, welcome, cousin, to our wedding!" "Even by age, you don’t lose out! My lovely, charming sister is marrying you, so take good care of her from now on!" Qin Jian patted Yan Ye’s chest and headed inside. Tian Niu set down the gifts and money. After offering his well wishes on behalf of himself and Gu Shuangshuang, he also entered the hall. It was nearing noon, and most of the guests listed had already arrived. Everyone was seated, waiting for the wedding to begin. "It’s getting late. Shouldn’t our wedding start soon?" Yan Ye asked. "Yes, it’s about time." Lin Qiushu glanced at the guest list, noticing there were still a few important guests who hadn’t arrived. "Let’s wait five more minutes! We’ll start after that." "Alright," Yan Ye nodded. At that moment, the orderly accompanying Deputy Commander Yan arrived and said, "Professor Yan, the commander wants to see you for a moment!" Yan Ye nodded and leaned down to speak to Lin Qiushu, "I’ll be back shortly." Time ticked by, but the important guests Lin Qiushu was waiting for never showed up. However, their secretaries came, delivering envelopes with monetary gifts. Unable to wait for the guests, Lin Qiushu prepared to leave. Yet, two uninvited guests appeared at the hall’s entrance: Hou Zicheng and his boss, Cang Lang. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel·fire·net "Boss Lin! I’ve been waiting all along for your invitation, but it seems I waited in vain. In Hou’s heart, I’ve long regarded Boss Lin as an ally, a comrade-in-arms who fought in the same trench. So, I decided to come uninvited!" Boss Hou said, pulling out a thick envelope from his suit pocket. "A small token of congratulations! Wishing Boss Lin a joyful marriage!" "Thank you, Boss Hou! All guests are welcome! Please, come in, Boss Hou!" Lin Qiushu accepted the envelope with courtesy, gesturing for him to enter but refraining from saying much more. Boss Hou chuckled leisurely, not in a hurry to go inside. Instead, he introduced the man standing beside him to Lin Qiushu: "This is my friend! He’s been staying with me as a guest and, upon hearing I was attending the wedding, insisted on tagging along!" At that moment, Lin Qiushu’s gaze shifted to Cang Lang. He was an exceptionally handsome young man, with well-defined features and confident charisma. His neatly tailored suit perfectly complemented his distinguished aura. Though he merely stood there without speaking, Lin Qiushu could sense that this man was anything but ordinary. He seemed entirely different from Hou Zicheng—in fact, their friendship struck her as rather puzzling.