Four years later.
Gu Qianran sat in her office in a sharply tailored suit, thin gold-rimmed glasses on her nose, reviewing documents. The secretary knocked, came in with a file, then glanced at the photo frame on Gu Qianran's desk. In it, a petite, adorable woman smiled so hard her eyes turned into crescents.
The secretary clicked her tongue inwardly. President Gu was an expert at stealthily force-feeding everyone dog food all day long.
Same-sex marriage had been legal for three years already, and plenty of people had found same-sex partners. The secretary's heart twinged at the thought that the beautiful, queenly president had married so young. President, please give a girl a chance.
Sensing the secretary's strange look, Gu Qianran gave a kind smile. "Nothing on your plate today, right? Then stay late and finish processing the file you just submitted." She had important plans this evening, so overtime would be assigned by the method known as random selection of one lucky employee.
By the way, Bai Ziyuan loved milk tea. Next time, Gu Qianran might as well buy a milk tea shop and gift it to her.
President Gu: If slacking off could still make money, who would ever work overtime. [capitalist grin.jpg]
Innocent little secretary: Dear President Gu, may I refuse?
No, I may not.
In a very good mood, Gu Qianran went downstairs and stepped into a milk tea shop on the street. If she guessed right, this one belonged to Li Junze. In recent years, Li Junze had become far more famous than Gu Qianran and the others, though mostly within the remix meme scene. With his overpowered talent for antics and business opportunism, people jokingly called him "□□," and it seemed he had awakened some strange attribute. The older he got, the funnier he became, and his face alone had become a money printer.
It had to be said, this shop was… wildly distinctive. The logo had been designed by the renowned "artist" Bai Zilu.
Bai Zilu and Li Junze hit it off. One opened shops, the other drew mascots, and together they took chaotic marketing to the extreme. Any store that passed through Bai Zilu's hands exploded in popularity for a while. This once made Ji Tang jealous for quite some time, and every night Ji Tang "squeezed out her jealousy" by pinning Bai Zilu under her.
On the big signboard was a little black stick-figure mascot, next to four large characters reading "Mixue Bǐnchéng," and inside the shop a catchy MV looped of the mascot singing and dancing.
Little black mascot: "You love me, I love you, Mixue Bǐnchéng, sweet and sweet."
Gu Qianran stared at the gyrating stick figure. Question mark.
Had Li Junze evolved into an even stranger species again?
Milk tea purchased, Gu Qianran slipped into Bai Ziyuan's office. Peeking in, she saw Bai Ziyuan reading case files, radiant face all seriousness. The corner of Gu Qianran's lips lifted. Her little cutie was becoming more and more magnetic. Not long ago Bai Ziyuan had finally been made permanent at the firm, which meant she could work in the office instead of running all over the city. So Gu Qianran had moved a certain plan onto the agenda.
She knocked. Bai Ziyuan did not look up. "Who is it?"
Gu Qianran lowered her voice. "Milk tea."
"Coming." Hearing milk tea, Bai Ziyuan's tone rose, and she pattered to the door. She opened it to find one very large wife standing there.
"Gu Qianran, you're here." Bai Ziyuan rubbed her cheek against Gu Qianran's collar as if by instinct, and the two cuddled shamelessly in the doorway. Gu Qianran stroked Bai Ziyuan's hair and spoke warmly. "Attorney Bai, would I be fortunate enough to borrow a little of your time this evening?"
Bai Ziyuan loved it when Gu Qianran spoke in that register. Her eyes glittered like water. "Of course."
Smiling slightly, Gu Qianran touched the pocket over her heart.
She drove Bai Ziyuan back to their cozy place. When Bai Ziyuan reached for the light switch, Gu Qianran stopped her. Bai Ziyuan seemed to think of something and looked at Gu Qianran in disbelief.
Gu Qianran took her hand and led her to the living room. The table was already laid with exquisite dishes, with tasteful flowers and red wine to the side. Gu Qianran bent, took out a small box, and slowly revealed the ring inside. "Dear Attorney Bai, would you be willing to sentence yourself to me?"
Too close. They had been intimate countless times, yet Bai Ziyuan's ears still flushed scarlet. She turned her head and muttered, "That was clumsy. I am a lawyer, not a judge."
Gu Qianran held up the ring and smiled at her. "That is because I am fishing for a little fool like you. If others will not bite, I am not interested in catching them."
Blushing to the tips of her ears, Bai Ziyuan finally managed, "This is bribery." Then she slipped the ring on without a shred of ceremony, quick and crisp.
Gu Qianran thought that, all the same, Bai Ziyuan's hand speed could rival grabbing red envelopes at New Year.
When Gu Qianran did not immediately move, Bai Ziyuan glared. "Gu Qianran, did you change your mind?" The cute little threat in her voice was about to spill over.
"How could I?" Gu Qianran put on the other ring. "I was only thinking what compensation to give our brave and self-sacrificing Attorney Bai."
"Have you decided?" Bai Ziyuan tilted her head.
"Of course. Tell me what you think of a grand wedding."
Bai Ziyuan paused and looked back at her. "Gu Qianran." It was the first time she had said the name with such solemnity.
"Mm?" Gu Qianran blinked, unsure what her little cutie would do.
"I love you." With that, Bai Ziyuan pressed her lips to Gu Qianran's. Gu Qianran's eyes were full of tenderness. "Me too." She wrapped an arm around Bai Ziyuan's neck and deepened the kiss.
She scooped Bai Ziyuan up in a princess carry, and Bai Ziyuan's hands curled around her neck on their own. Nuzzling her forehead, Gu Qianran whispered, "Do not rush, little cutie. The night is long."
That April, on a scenic private island, they held a grand wedding. There was no noisy crowd, only a handful of close friends offering heartfelt blessings to the two brides.
Gu Qianran waited outside in a suit. When Bai Ziyuan appeared, her breath hitched.
No wonder people say a woman is at her most beautiful in a wedding dress. Bai Ziyuan and that gown were a perfect match. The ivory skirt set off her fair skin and rosy lips, bright eyes and white teeth, and her bearing was so elegant that anyone would forget she was only one meter sixty-two.
Ji Tang, dressed as a groomsman, and Bai Zilu, in a bridesmaid dress, stood to one side. The two sisters who were always sparring were both briefly stunned by the other's beauty. It was the first time Bai Ziyuan had thought her sister looked this gentle.
The very next second, Bai Zilu tripped over her skirt. "Damn. What kind of stupid dress is this, completely unreasonable. Ji Tang, I am telling you, when we do our wedding, either you wear this thing or the whole thing is canceled. Ow, I twisted my ankle, come rub my foot, holy crap."
Helpless, Ji Tang went over to massage her foot.
Bai Ziyuan was speechless.
Please do not let this silly sister face-plant on the aisle on her big day.
At noon, hand in hand, Bai Ziyuan and Gu Qianran walked through the decorated gateway, along the elegant red carpet, and exchanged rings under the officiant's witness, sealing the moment with a kiss. The wedding was not extravagant, but it was unmistakably filled with Gu Qianran's care. The carpet and attire were custom-made far in advance, and the venue had been arranged entirely with Bai Ziyuan's favorite flowers.
Family and friends applauded warmly, led by the thunderous clapping of Li Junze. As the only man present besides Father Bai, he was having a glorious time shipping the couple.
That afternoon, the four swapped roles. Bai Ziyuan and Gu Qianran served as groomsman and bridesmaid to witness Ji Tang and Bai Zilu's love. The officiant was the same, the friends the same, and everyone joked that the four had enviably good feelings.
What they did not know was that Gu Qianran and Ji Tang had decided planning twice was a hassle, so they simply did both ceremonies on the same day.
Watching the four lovebirds stroll along the beach at sunset, Li Junze raised his camera and captured the beautiful moment. Later, after unlocking a talent for writing, Li Junze cropped the shot into a book cover. The book became a hit and even catalyzed many romances.
"You chase your female lead. She chases her villainess. I chase my games. We all have a bright future."
— The Overbearing Villainess and the Pretty Female Lead, by Li Junze