QT: Against My Will-Chapter 596 - 10.08 - Grand Wedding - Rebirth Of The Heart
Bing Shi stood by XiaoPu’s mother, offering support and assistance as they both worked together to change the diapers for the crying boy. They had set up a comfortable space with all the necessary supplies within arm’s reach.
"Why is he still crying so much?" XiaoPu’s mother wondered, tears falling down her eyes, "Maybe you should leave."
Despite her best efforts, the little boy continued to cry. His tears tugged at her heart, but she remained patient and soothing, hoping to comfort him as they completed the task as quickly as possible.
XiaoPu’s cries persisted, and it became apparent that he wasn’t just upset during diaper changing; he also refused to eat.
XiaoPu’s tiny mouth remained tightly shut, and he turned his head away from the milk his mother offered with gentle coaxing.
Bing Shi’s forehead frowned slightly as she quietly left the hospital ward, |"XiaoPu seems to hate us,"| she said, observing the gradual decrease in the baby’s cries.
Xuan Mu was sitting on a bench just outside the ward, looking helpless as he shared her concern for the little boy, |"He’s no longer under the system’s control, so it’s only natural for his soul to be wary of the very figures he was forced to obey."|
Bing Shi sat by Xuan Mu’s side, leaning her head against his shoulder, |"XiaoPu was always an obedient baby, it’s refreshing to see his rebellious side."|
XiaoPu has been modified to fulfill a specific role and provide assistance to those who interacted with him. He would often find himself questioning which version of XiaoPu was the genuine him and which was merely a string of numbers, a product of his complex programming.
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
Inside a luxurious hovercar, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement.
Wearing a white evening dress, Seraphine sat elegantly in the backseat, her eyes drawn to the window as the cityscape whizzed in a blur of lights.
Bing Shi felt more in her skin as Seraphine than Shina, who suited Dai An more.
Beside her, Edward’s mother exuded an air of sophistication, dressed in a stunning white designer ensemble, perfectly tailored for the evening’s fashion show.
"Is there any etiquette or particular rules I should be aware of for tonight’s fashion show?" Bing Shi asked.
Edward’s mother smiled warmly at Seraphine’s question. "Oh, dear, just be yourself," she replied with a reassuring tone. "You have a natural elegance that will shine through. However, if you have any questions or need guidance during the event, don’t hesitate to ask me."
Edward’s parents had come to realize that, for the sake of Seraphine’s happiness, their son was willing to go to great lengths and comply with various requests. Attend a party? Sure, as long as Seraphine wanted to go too. Return to continue his duty as the Ashtor’s family heir? Sure, but only for three hours a week.
While it might seem as though Edward had become completely submissive to his wife, the reality was that he deliberately showcased how much power and influence she held in their relationship.
The best course of action one could do was to stay at his wife’s good side. Seraphine was an easygoing person, so whether his parents needed something from Edward, they would ask her first, and she would usually comply.
"Have you seen this?" Edward’s mother exclaimed, showing Seraphine the new article about Daniel’s proposal of the century, "You and Edward should have a traditional marriage ceremony that will leave everyone in awe."
It was clear that his mother was eager to see her son and daughter-in-law celebrated in a manner befitting their status, and the prospect of a grand wedding was now firmly on the table.
"I’ve seen it. They’ve both struck a jackpot with each other," Seraphine smiled at the way Daniel had proposed to Isabelle, "As for my marriage ceremony with Edward, I believe it might actually make more people upset than happy. Furthermore, I know that Edward wouldn’t be comfortable."
"Let’s put aside my comfort," said Edward, who had been listening to them at the opposite seat, "What about you? Would you want a grand wedding?"
"Actually, I’d really enjoy going to one as a guest," Bing Shi admitted, highlighting her preference for a more low-key role in such events, where she could enjoy the festivities without being in the spotlight.
"...You two..." William muttered, sitting next to Edward, "You do realize that this is going to be a fashion show featuring wedding dresses, right?"
Seraphine’s excitement was palpable as she nodded enthusiastically, "Yes!" she exclaimed, "I’m looking for a few dresses for our wedding photos."
’We’ve been married for so long, yet we don’t even have a wedding photo! How lame of us!’
William elbowed Edward slightly, "Cousin, why did you invite me when I’m still single and have no plans to get married anytime soon?" His remark was playful and reflected his current relationship status.
"I didn’t want to be the only one feeling out of place," Edward answered bluntly.
"...You know, you could’ve just decided to stay at home and let me off the hook instead of wanting me to suffer with you," said William, surprised that he wasn’t made fun of for being single.
"I won’t suffer," Edward corrected him with a wry smile, "I’ll just gracefully navigate through some mild feeling of out of placeness."
"..." Bing Shi was this close from opening the door of the hover car and throwing her husband out, "I didn’t force you to come, but I can surely force you to try on the few suits I picked up for you."
"I’m just expressing my feelings, dear. There is no need to be violent this early in the evening," Xuan Mu quickly zipped up his mouth when he received the message from his wife.
(Seraphine): ( ＾▽＾)っ✂╰⋃╯
(Edward): 🔫 o(¬‿¬ )o 🛡️╰⋃╯🛡️
Bing Shi touched her bracelet, and it automatically activated a screen in her contact lenses. The camera inside of her bracelet tracked her finger as she replied to his message.
’This thing is so convenient.’
Bing Shi looked away from her bracelet to deactivate the screen. While it wasn’t directly a neural interface with one’s nerves, it offered a comparable, albeit inferior, experience.
She still had to control her bracelet to activate and deactivate her contact lenses, and still had to type with her fingers so the cameras in the bracelet could pick it up.
There were also devices that were 100% neural, but they required a complex and lengthy surgical procedure. This procedure had to take place within the first six years of life because young minds adapted more effectively.
Usually, only the wealthy could afford these things. These devices remained isolated from the network and inaccessible to prevent the high risk of hacking. Nevertheless, they offered valuable functions such as memory storage, real-time language translation, and even an advanced calculator.
Xuan Mu had deactivated his neural device the moment he arrived in this place, finding it to be an annoyance.
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
The models gracefully paraded down the runway in exquisite bridal gowns. The audience was spellbound by the intricate lace, flowing trains, and delicate beadwork. Each dress told a unique story of romance and elegance, perfectly encapsulating the theme.
Seraphine and Edward’s mother occupied the coveted front-row seats. Meanwhile, editors from prestigious fashion magazines and keen-eyed photographers were strategically placed in the media pit.
Bing Shi noticed how Daniel accompanied Isabelle, taking seats on the other side of the runaway.
Edward’s mother leaned over to Seraphine and softly remarked, noticing the other couple too, "I always thought that Edward couldn’t bear to be away from you even for a moment. Where did he go, disappearing when he should be here as your support instead?"
Seraphine whispered back with a playful smile, "Believe me, you don’t want him here sitting with us. He would end up stealing the spotlight in tomorrow’s news with his out-of-place expressions and make people misunderstand that there are some ripples between us. He will show up for the after party."
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
Meanwhile, Edward and William, dressed in dapper suits, decided to enjoy the wait for the afterparty at a nearby bar.
"..." William noticed how they were being flocked by various women, and how Edward made him do the talking as he leaned back at the booth in the corner, "..."
Did that guy just bring him here as a shield to prevent people from thinking that he was cheating his wife with some random women at the bar?!
Edward blinked sleepily, and then, with a sheepish smile, he closed his eyes for a brief moment. (As you can see, Xuan Mu gave up acting as Scorchy from a long time ago).
"..." William wanted to leave the man on his own and cause the tomorrow tabloids to be filled with Edward’s infidelity!
