The Sweetest Marriage Ch.302

Chapter 302 – Shameless

Chen Yunlan and Sheng Jiaqi simultaneously handed their sons over to the care of their beloved ones. Even though they had long known that this was a destined outcome, when the ceremony truly arrived, the emotions in the hearts of the two fathers became different. It was as if something was about to burst within them. They both almost simultaneously patted Wei Chen and Wei Hua’s hands, eyes shimmering with hot tears. They didn’t speak, but that one look conveyed the emotions they wanted to express very clearly.

Wei Chen and Wei Hua felt the emotions of their two fathers, nodded solemnly at them, and when they looked at their beloved ones again, their eyes surged with overwhelming emotions, as if they could engulf their loved ones in an instant.

After the two fathers handed their sons over, they returned to their seats, discreetly wiping away tears from the corners of their eyes. Their feelings were complex, filled with joy yet also carrying a profound reluctance.

The table they were currently seated at happened to be the one where Grandfather Wei sat. The fact that Grandfather Wei was arranged to sit at this table indicated that Wei Chen and Wei Hua had given the respect that Grandfather Wei deserved.

At this moment, Grandfather Wei was still a little dazed. Both were businessmen, although in different industries and different business circles, but Grandfather Wei paid attention to several influential businessmen in the capital, so he was very clear about Sheng Jiaqi’s identity.

Therefore, earlier, when he saw Sheng Jiaqi walking out holding Sheng Qi’s hand, Grandfather Wei’s mood was more than just shock.

The young man who had been vehemently opposed by Grandfather Wei when he was with Wei Hua turned out to be Sheng Jiaqi’s son? A person from the Sheng family in the capital? The Sheng family that Grandfather Wei had always wanted to connect with?

For a moment, Grandfather Wei felt a bit dizzy. He regretted opposing Wei Hua and Sheng Qi being together so much in the past. If he had known that Sheng Qi was from the Sheng family in the capital, Sheng Jiaqi’s son, he would have definitely supported Wei Hua and Sheng Qi being together wholeheartedly.

It’s hard to buy hindsight with a thousand pieces of gold. After vehemently opposing them, Wei Hua and Sheng Qi had already severed ties with him. Now that he knew Sheng Qi was from the Sheng family, what use was it to him? He had already personally severed this relationship!

At this moment, Grandfather Wei was full of regret, but he concealed it well. There was not the slightest change on his face. Chen Yunlan and Sheng Jiaqi, engrossed in the complex emotions of marrying off their sons, also did not notice Grandfather Sheng’s emotional fluctuations.

The wedding continued in the venue.

Grandfather Qu, as the officiant, saw both of his grandchildren entering into happy marriages, and his face was filled with joy. On his aged countenance, there was a smile—a long-awaited one.

After the successive passing of his daughter and son, Grandfather Qu’s heart had been like a calm lake for many years. If he had any wish, it was simply for his grandchildren to find happiness.

Now, his wish had come true. Not only had his grandson found his partner, but his grandson had also found his own happiness. His sharp gaze, how could genuine feelings ever escape his sight?

This, indeed, was happiness. Grandfather Qu thought happily in his heart as he listened to the vows of the two newlywed couples.

As the four “I do’s” were said, Wei Chen and Chen Li, Wei Hua and Cookie, under the witness of titans encompassing the major domains of military, political, and commercial circles in most of the capital, became husbands. Even though both pairs had obtained their marriage certificates earlier, with the blessing of this sacred ceremony, everything became even more fulfilling.

The grooms were truly husbands now.

As the host’s voice faded, the two pairs of newlyweds couldn’t wait and came together passionately, their lips entwined, oblivious to the cheering and whistling from the audience below the stage.

When they parted, Chen Li and Wei Chen rested their foreheads together, exchanging smiles. Intense emotions swirled in their eyes, as if they wanted to consume each other, becoming one from that moment on, always together, indivisible.

Applause erupted; the most crucial part of the wedding had concluded. Next was the toast by the newlyweds.

Old Master Qu had already returned to his seat at the main table, surrounded by many elders who had come because of his and Old Master Sheng’s influence, showing support for the two couples. They knew that among these newlyweds, one was Old Master Qu’s grandson and the other his grandson-in-law, but they were both close to Old Master Qu’s heart, something he cherished dearly now.

So when the two couples came down to offer their toasts, these stubborn or playful old folks didn’t make things difficult for them; they happily raised their glasses to the two couples.

Originally, for a wedding involving younger generations like this, they wouldn’t have needed to make an appearance—sending their congratulations would have sufficed. However, not only did they attend, but they didn’t just go through the motions; after toasting the two couples, they showed no signs of leaving. It seemed they intended to occupy their seats for the entire event.

The attendees at this wedding were all discerning individuals. The elders at the main table’s actions clearly indicated their support for the two couples, granting them considerable respect. This gesture also conveyed a message to all present: these two couples were not to be trifled with. They had substantial figures standing behind them.

The guests naturally picked up on the message from the elders. However, some were puzzled. Sheng Qi’s background was understandable, given ties to both the Sheng and Qu families. Even without the elders’ presence today, they knew not to mess with Sheng Qi. But what about the other couple? What connection did they have with the elders present?

As this question arose, they witnessed Chen Li and Wei Chen toasting Old Master Qu.

“Grandfather.” Chen Li and Wei Chen spoke simultaneously, raising their glasses respectfully towards Old Master Qu.

Old Master Qu smiled and reciprocated, handing both a substantial red envelope.

With this, the guests’ doubts were finally resolved. It turned out that one of the couples was Old Master Qu’s grandson.

These guests were astute in their thoughts, and now they understood why Old Master Qu had orchestrated such a grand display today: to publicly reveal Chen Li’s identity! To acknowledge Chen Li’s connection to the Qu family!

Understanding Old Master Qu’s intentions, when the two couples later came down to offer their toasts, the guests’ attitudes were naturally more respectful, without a hint of negligence despite the young age of the couples.

Of course, this revelation was akin to a bombshell for everyone present, especially for Grandfather Wei. Despite his mental preparation, he hadn’t expected Chen Li to be Old Master Qu’s grandson.

Grandfather Wei considered himself thoroughly knowledgeable about Chen Li, always believing him to be an outcast and a fool of the Chen family, utterly useless. Therefore, when the Chen family offered the piece of land in the city he had long coveted as a reason for Wei’s family to marry Wei Chen to Chen Li, he agreed without much thought. It was just a marriage certificate, without much binding force. Later on, when they obtained the land in the city, Wei Chen could divorce Chen Li. After all, Chen Li was a fool, unaware of the intricacies. Wei Chen, aiming to inherit the Wei family, would naturally agree to divorce Chen Li.

Grandfather Wei had calculated meticulously, yet events slipped out of his control. Wei Chen not only didn’t resist the marriage but quickly obtained a marriage certificate with Chen Li. Their relationship even displayed an unwavering devotion.

Grandfather Wei was anxious! Why wouldn’t he be? Wei Chen’s capabilities in various aspects convinced Grandfather Wei that Wei Chen would be the sole heir to the Wei family. How could he marry a fool? Completely binding himself to a fool for life? Without offspring, it wouldn’t assist Wei Chen’s future in any way. How could this happen?

Wei Chen’s partner should have been a legitimate noblewoman from a prestigious family, just like Xu Ruru. After marrying Wei Chen, she could assist in firmly establishing the Wei family’s roots in the capital!

Yes, Xu Ruru had been selected by Grandfather Wei long ago as Wei Chen’s partner. He noticed Xu Ruru’s interest in Wei Chen. Not only once did he say in front of Xu Ruru that Wei Chen’s partner could only be her. Even after Wei Chen later married Chen Li, Grandfather Wei still conveyed this to Xu Ruru.

Xu Ruru later took the wrong path, gambling everything away, and Grandfather Wei’s long-term hints played a role in it.

Grandfather Wei couldn’t care less about whether his actions would ruin a woman’s life; he only aimed to achieve his goals. He didn’t hesitate to collaborate with the Chen family to completely eliminate Chen Li.

In Grandfather Wei’s view, Chen Li’s existence made Wei Chen irrational. Once emotions were involved, Wei Chen would become indecisive. This contradicted Grandfather Wei’s teachings to Wei Chen over the years. Moreover, Chen Li couldn’t provide any assistance to Wei Chen. Grandfather Wei even blamed Chen Li for Wei Chen’s reluctance to inherit the Wei family.

Grandfather Wei, however, didn’t know that even in their past lives, when Wei Chen and Chen Li didn’t love each other, his wishes still didn’t come true.

In their past life, for the sake of that land, Grandfather Wei pressured Wei Chen and Chen Li into marriage. But he underestimated Wei Chen’s sense of responsibility. Even though this marriage was forced initially, from the day they obtained the marriage certificate, Wei Chen regarded Chen Li as his responsibility. Despite not liking it and being unwilling, in their past life, Wei Chen managed this marriage as a duty and didn’t divorce Chen Li.

Although Wei Chen avoided Chen Li in their past life, truth be told, Wei Chen didn’t betray Chen Li. Due to this sense of responsibility, Wei Chen didn’t engage with anyone else in their past life. Even though Wei Chen believed he liked Chen Qing in their past life, after marrying Chen Li, emotionally, he didn’t take a step toward Chen Qing.

However, this marriage in their past life was a scheme by the Chen family. It gradually estranged Wei Chen from Grandfather Wei, fostering resentment. Later, betrayed by a close friend and targeted by schemes of the Chen family in the capital, the Wei family instantly collapsed, with Wei Chen and the entire family left powerless.

Returning to the present.

Grandfather Wei was shocked by Chen Li’s current background. Chen Yunsheng and Chen Shihuai, brought in by the people from the Chen family in the capital, felt a bitter taste in their throats.

They actually had suspicions about Chen Li’s background. Last year, Chen Yunsheng overheard Chen Li calling someone “Grandpa Qu” in the hospital. It was because of this that, when the Chen family fell into peril later, Chen Yunsheng and Chen Shihuai searched for Chen Li for a month.

With no success after a month of searching, Chen Shihuai had no choice but to once again humble himself before the Chen family in the capital, seeking their help to resolve the difficulties faced by the Chen family in Shanghai. The response received from the Chen family in the capital was naturally cold and indifferent.

At this point, the Chen Li who seemed to be Old Master Qu’s grandson became their last hope. To confirm whether this hope could save them, Chen Shihuai asked the head of the Chen family.

The position of the elder in the capital’s Chen family was significant, and he knew many things. However, at that time, the puzzled expression on the elder’s face seemed genuine. He even mentioned that Old Master Qu’s son had died a long time ago, so how could there be a grandson?

At that time, the elder from the Chen family wasn’t lying. In his understanding, Qu Ran, Old Master Qu’s son, had died beyond a doubt when he was eighteen. After all, the elder knew the circumstances of Qu Ran’s death, and one could even say he witnessed Qu Ran’s demise.

Qu Ran was the sole son of Old Master Qu. Based on Chen Li’s age, he was born more than a year after Qu Ran’s death. How could he be Qu Ran’s son?

The elder’s denial completely dashed Chen Shihuai and Chen Yunseng’s hopes and led them to give up searching for Chen Li.

If it weren’t for the prominent figures attending Chen Li’s art exhibition showcased on the news, Chen Shihuai and Chen Yunsheng might have still believed Chen Li to be a fool, albeit a talented artist.

However, because of the influential figures present at the exhibition, this father and son began to believe that Chen Li had significant connections and a wide network. With the Chen family in decline, the connections in Chen Li’s hands represented the only opportunity for their family in Shanghai to rise again. They couldn’t afford to miss this chance. Hence, Chen Shihuai and Chen Yunsheng returned to the capital, aiming to grasp this last straw—Chen Li.

In reality, Chen Li indeed had a vast network now. He was indeed Old Master Qu’s grandson! With just a word from Old Master Qu, their family in Shanghai could stride confidently, even immediately, in their domain.

Chen Yunsheng and Chen Shihuai gazed fervently at Chen Li, who was offering a toast. They saw him as a gleaming treasure trove. Once they held this treasure trove in their hands, their family in Shanghai could completely turn the tables. Why fear the Chen family in Beijing? Why live under their shadow?

Sensing the intense, malicious gaze directed at him, Chen Li instinctively leaned closer to Wei Chen’s side.

Wei Chen immediately sensed Chen Li’s discomfort. He reached out, encircling Chen Li’s waist, and leaned in with concern, asking, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell or perhaps a bit tipsy?”

Shaking his head, Chen Li replied, “No, I just feel like someone is watching us.”

Wei Chen discreetly glanced in that direction and quickly noticed Chen Shihuai and Chen Yunsheng at a nearby table. His gaze turned cold. Shifting positions, he enveloped Chen Li protectively in his arms, shielding him completely, then resumed toasting.

The table they were toasting now happened to be the one where Grandfather Wei and the others were seated.

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