CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 227: WILLING AND UNWILLING

"Young Master, you’re here."

"How’s Grandma?"

"Still the same as before."

"I’ll go and see her."

The man walked past the screen and entered the bedroom inside.

Old Mrs. Zhan’s room still retained the style of the last century, with sandalwood furniture exuding a pleasant aroma.

As soon as he entered, there was an incense burner with Grandma’s favorite scent burning inside.

In the past, when he visited, Grandma would always come up, hold his hand, and ask him about his well-being.

But now, no one came to greet him.

As he walked in, he saw Grandma lying on the large mahogany bed. Unable to move, with her eyes open. She knew everything, her mind was clear, yet her body seemed frozen.

That is the most painful thing.

If she were oblivious, that would be another matter.

But she knew everything, saw everything, yet could do nothing.

"Grandma, don’t worry, I’ll come to you soon."

Zhan Hanjue knelt beside the bed, reached out to hold Grandma’s hand, and promised in a low voice.

Old Mrs. Zhan’s eyes widened even more, seeming to have many things to say, but unable to utter a single word.

"I’m sorry, Grandma, for letting you down."

Zhan Hanjue lowered his head.

Actually, without Grandma saying anything, he could guess what she wanted to say.

Nothing more than telling him not to worry about her, to protect himself, not to concern himself with her.

But how could he not be concerned?

Upon leaving Grandma’s room, Housekeeper Wu and Mrs. Chen were waiting outside.

Both had expressions of deep sorrow.

Especially Mrs. Chen, who had secretly cried countless times, her eyes red and swollen.

"Housekeeper Wu, start preparing. I want to get married in two days."

Zhan Hanjue coldly instructed.

Housekeeper Wu looked up in surprise, "Young Master, are you really planning to...?"

"Begin the preparations."

"But..."

"Get ready."

"Yes."

"Even if Grandma gets better, knowing about this would still break her heart." Mrs. Chen said as she wiped her tears.

Zhan Hanjue left with a stern face.

Of course, he knew that Grandma would be heartbroken.

But he couldn’t care about that.

No matter what, he couldn’t just stand by and watch as Grandma’s life faded away slowly before him, and he could do nothing.

Two days later, the Zhan family was ready.

The house was newly decorated, filled with a festive atmosphere.

However, what Li Qingqing wanted was surely more than the joy the Zhan family offered her.

She wanted everyone to know she was marrying Zhan Hanjue.

So she very publicly announced the news on the media.

The news of Li Qingqing’s marriage quickly became a hot topic.

Since she announced it, it stayed at the top of the trending list for two days straight.

Many guys were heartbroken, deeply pained that their goddess was marrying someone else.

While the girls were constantly checking out who she was marrying, and when they found out it was the CEO of Zhan Group, they were all envious.

But unfortunately, there weren’t any clear photos of Zhan Hanjue available, so no one knew what he looked like.

All they could find online was a blurry silhouette of his back.

Judging by his silhouette, he seemed like a tall and upright man.

But since they couldn’t see his face, who knew if he was handsome or ugly.

Indeed, beautiful women always match with rich men.

The whole nation sighed.

But the day before the wedding, Ye Ningwan showed up.

Housekeeper Wu saw her and was undecided whether to stop her.

With a grave expression, Ye Ningwan said, "Housekeeper Wu, I just want to see Zhan Hanjue. Please let me in."

"Miss Ye, Miss Li is at home," Housekeeper Wu said.

Ye Ningwan frowned but insisted on going in.

Housekeeper Wu did not stop her.

Compared to Li Qingqing, he naturally preferred Ye Ningwan to become the young madam of the Zhan family.

Seeing Ye Ningwan, Zhan Hanjue frowned.

Li Qingqing, without waiting for Zhan Hanjue to speak, sarcastically said, "Ye Ningwan, tomorrow is the big day of my marriage with Hanjue. What are you doing here today? Bringing bad luck."

"If I’m bringing bad luck by coming today, wouldn’t attending the wedding tomorrow bring even worse luck?" Ye Ningwan retorted.

Li Qingqing snorted coldly, "We didn’t send you an invitation. You won’t be able to get in."

"That’s why I wanted to come today and ask Zhan Hanjue one last time. Do you really want to marry her? No regrets?"

Ye Ningwan’s final two sentences were directed at Zhan Hanjue, looking deeply into his eyes.

Zhan Hanjue furrowed his brows, remaining silent.

Li Qingqing smirked proudly, "See now? That’s his answer, he naturally won’t regret it. So, Ye Ningwan, you lost, give up!"

"Alright, I understand." Ye Ningwan said with a bitter smile.

She turned and decisively left.

But at the moment she turned, Li Qingqing saw tears shimmering in her eyes.

Li Qingqing’s smile grew even more triumphant.

As soon as Ye Ningwan left, Li Qingqing impatiently tried to hold onto Zhan Hanjue’s arm.

However, Zhan Hanjue coldly avoided her.

Li Qingqing wasn’t upset.

The joy of defeating Ye Ningwan made her overjoyed.

She had never been this happy, so much so that she was too excited to sleep until late.

The next day, the wedding was held at a resort.

She booked the entire resort.

Compared to other celebrities who married abroad on some island, Li Qingqing’s wedding was quite simple.

But even though it was simple, she invited quite a few industry people to attend.

She also invited several popular media outlets for live coverage.

While other celebrities couldn’t wait to cover the skies with shields to prevent reporters from secretly photographing their wedding,

Li Qingqing invited several major media outlets for extensive coverage, practically offering a benefit to the public.

Wearing a white, floor-length wedding dress, even with a veil covering her face, Li Qingqing looked stunningly beautiful as she walked in gracefully.

She had no parents, was an orphan.

So, accompanying her was a veteran in the circle, her new film’s director.

Their new film would be released a week later.

This wave of publicity was expected to dominate the trending list tomorrow, filled with Li Qingqing’s name.

Zhan Hanjue stood at the end of the red carpet with a somber face, waiting for the director to walk Li Qingqing over.

Once beside Zhan Hanjue, the director handed Li Qingqing’s hand to Zhan Hanjue with particular sentiment.

"Please treat her well," the director earnestly urged.

Zhan Hanjue remained silent with a stern face, holding Li Qingqing’s hand and leading her further inside.

His attitude dissatisfied both the director and Li Qingqing.

The director, with a dark face, stepped aside, puzzled why Li Qingqing insisted on marrying such a man.

Although Li Qingqing felt dissatisfied, the thought of soon becoming Zhan Hanjue’s wife quickly dissipated that dissatisfaction.

Looking at the handsome man at her side,

at this moment, her heart was sweet.

She had waited ten years, hoped for ten years.

Finally, she was about to marry him.

"Miss Li Qingqing, are you willing to marry Mr. Zhan Hanjue as your husband, to live with him according to the teachings of the Bible, to become one with him before God, to love, comfort, honor, and protect him, as you love yourself? Whether he’s sick or healthy, rich or poor, will you remain loyal to him until you leave this world?"

"I am willing."

Without hesitation, Li Qingqing loudly proclaimed these three words.

"Mr. Zhan Hanjue, are you willing to marry Miss Li Qingqing as your wife, to live with her according to the teachings of the Bible, to become one with her before God, to love, comfort, honor, and protect her, as you love yourself? Whether she’s sick or healthy, rich or poor, will you remain loyal to her until you leave this world?"

"I... am not willing."