However, this matter had nothing to do with Lin Qiushu. So, as for how he and Hou Zicheng became friends, Lin Qiushu had no interest in delving into it. Cang Lang took out the pre-prepared cash gift and handed it over with both hands. "It’s an honor to attend your wedding! This is a small token of mine, expressing my best wishes for you!" "Thank you. Please enjoy yourself!" Lin Qiushu didn’t refuse, accepted the cash gift, and flashed a smile at Cang Lang. Cang Lang nodded, took bold strides, and walked toward the banquet area. The banquet was quite unique, divided into two zones by a central aisle. On one side, everyone seated was dressed in military uniforms. With a quick glance at their epaulets, Cang Lang could immediately discern their ranks. On the other side, it was exclusively civilians in casual attire. Without hesitation, Cang Lang chose the civilian section and walked toward that half. Now, all the guests who were supposed to come—and even those who weren’t—had arrived. Lin Qiushu should return to the stage, as the wedding was about to officially begin. "Wait! Don’t hurry! I still have a gift to present to you!" Hou Zicheng’s gaze lingered meaningfully on Lin Qiushu as he slowly reached into his arms and pulled out a single red rose. "And this!" Lin Qiushu’s face abruptly changed; her earlier smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a frosty expression. "Mr. Hou, what do you mean by this?" "What? You don’t like it?" Hou Zicheng chuckled. "This is my wedding! You dare, in front of so many guests, in front of my husband, to give me a rose. How do you expect me to interpret this? I’m sure Mr. Hou must understand what a rose signifies! It symbolizes passionate and fervent love!" Lin Qiushu was genuinely furious. She couldn’t believe that on her wedding day, this disgusting old man, as bothersome as a fly, would actually give her a rose. "No, no, no! That’s not what I meant." Hou Zicheng leaned forward a bit, his eyes fixated on Lin Qiushu. "It’s a ’Blood Rose’!" Lin Qiushu squinted her eyes slightly. "I don’t understand what you’re talking about!" "I’m talking about you. Blood Rose!" Hou Zicheng probed cautiously, not daring to overlook even the slightest change in Lin Qiushu’s expression. Updates are released by novᴇlfire.net "This is utterly absurd! Mr. Hou, please mind your manners! If you continue with this nonsense, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to ask you to take your gift and leave!" Lin Qiushu turned on her heels and walked away, leaving Hou Zicheng standing there. Not far away, Cang Lang had witnessed this entire scene. The corners of his mouth curled upward slightly. Hou Zicheng was left embarrassed, feeling rather uncomfortable. That day in the café, he had clearly noticed Cang Lang secretly glancing toward Lin Qiushu. In that moment, his gaze was far from calm and detached. Thus, Hou Zicheng believed that the "Blood Rose" referred to Lin Qiushu. His curiosity was intense, but what surpassed it was his need for control over any unfolding situation. Whenever anything transpired beyond his grasp, it brewed unease in his heart. Since the identity of the Blood Rose remained uncertain, Hou Zicheng had carried a persistent question he wanted to unravel, which was why he sought to verify his guess. The outcome, however... turned out to be entirely dissatisfying to him. Lin Qiushu suppressed the anger simmering in her heart. When she returned to Yan Ye’s side, her face had improved significantly. "What’s wrong? You don’t look quite well," Yan Ye keenly noticed the change in Qiushu’s demeanor. "Nothing! I’m just a little tired." Lin Qiushu diverted the topic, forcing a somewhat strained smile at Yan Ye. "The wedding can officially begin!"