Chapter 0 The Bride Is Not Me

The engagement banquet is set in a private club, overlooking the Bay Area, with a distant view of downtown San Francisco, illuminated by brilliant lights

Do not dwell on it; if you have drawn a clear line with him, why do you still choose to stay in the old house instead of a hotel every time you return to California

Do not wander in the late night, and do not let other men see your charm

Since Tianwang's departure, she has flitted about like a butterfly among flowers, dating different people, engaging in ambiguous relationships that seem real yet are not. She understands that Tianwang is aware of her whereabouts, yet he does not appear as angrily as she had imagined.

It is no longer him, it will never be him again

Su Anyi suppressed the impulse to pound her chest and cry, and called for a taxi. When her friend Mai Te opened the door, he was startled by her ashen complexion

California and the East Coast are two different regions. Su Anyi reminded, and then said, "Who said I want to go back? Is that your reason? To let me go back and be scolded?"

"Once I have purchased it," Su Anyi remarked, "you know that even if I take everything, I can afford it, I swear by my elder brother's honor!"

Xu Jiarui limped as he brought the apple pie to the kitchen and asked, "In a few days, it will be Christmas Eve. My elder brother called and asked me to return home. He misses you very much. Would you like to come back to California with me?"

Why not say that Shen Tianwang and Su Anyi were childhood sweethearts, spending three-quarters of their lives entangled together? Su Anyi smiled brightly, looking at him embracing someone else's back, and succinctly stated: "Zhan Huiyan, my fiancée." Her beautiful face, as pure as a lotus emerging from clear water, exuded innocence, neither overbearing nor willful.

Su Anyi shook her head: "It's alright"

"Oh, I didn't. " Xu Jiarui said with a mischievous smile, "My brother bought a ticket and asked me to find a way to take you home. Look, I did it."

"What is there to argue about?" Zhan Huiyan sighed, "It's just like childhood matters, merely a game of make-believe; what has passed is past. You are an actor, you surely understand that life is like a play"

Of course. He handed over the latest issue of the Chinese newspaper, "Look, the two siblings are featured together in the news, how impressive. It's just that the elder brother is in the finance section, and you are in the fashion section; this combination is indeed quite avant-garde. After being somewhat popular for several years, your standards have become bolder; I wonder if you can turn your fortunes around. I still have your childhood photos, which I could use to make a little profit.

She is completely unconcerned, knowing that in the eyes of the photographer, she possesses a distinctive composure and elegance.

So, do you still buy apple pie

However, giving up without trying is certainly not in Su Anyi's style

It seems that such reports are only partially credible

"Anyi, are you alright?" Matt broke out in a cold sweat, knowing that she was very secretive about her elder brother, and that she rarely mentioned him, with even less credibility.

Do not ever do anything that harms yourself again. Xu Jiarui held his sister tightly, You know as well as I do, what good does it do to say it again?

Minor character, only appearing in two episodes.

You know, these holidays hold no significance for me

The tragic demise of a delicate beauty and her indifferent boyfriend marrying into a wealthy family was once sensational gossip, yet it faded into silence in less than a month. This is partly because people who are fond of novelty will always find new topics to discuss, and partly because it is said that someone used their wealth and power to suppress the spread of rumors

Signature: Shen Tianwang, Zhan Huiyan

Su Anyi also smiled, wrapping her arms around her brother's waist and giving him a tight hug

This is easy to say, but... hey, girl, do you know how difficult it is to buy tickets before Christmas? I estimate that several flight routes are overbooked

Recalling the various experiences over the past six years, being arrested for underage drinking before turning twenty-one, nearly being drugged at a party, wandering the streets at midnight and encountering robbers... Through the intricate web of connections, Shen Tianwang must have known all of this. However, he never showed the slightest concern.

Have you found it

Su Anyi glanced at the table, where the large red wedding invitation lay quietly, piercing her eyes with its brightness

Walking past the golden sea of lights in Rockefeller Plaza, Su Anyi began to shed tears. In the depths of winter, the strong winds ravaged and whirled between the skyscrapers, cutting painfully against her damp cheeks. Yet she preferred to endure a bit more pain, so as not to pay attention to the heartache she felt at that moment. She made her way to the southernmost tip of Manhattan, took the ferry to Staten Island, and then returned, gazing from afar at the silhouette of the Statue of Liberty in the vast night. She aimlessly took the subway to Chinatown, indulging in her favorite taro and coconut ice cream.

After she left, Su Anyi endured and did not throw her shoes at the door. She was afraid of breaking the heel of her shoe and ending up limping out like Xu Jiarui

Is it easy to lend it out? Do you know what will happen if it goes wrong? You can forget about attending future shows; there is no shortage of Eastern faces now

The doorbell rang, and someone responded with "Coming". It took a full five minutes before the large door was finally opened

It was not only Zhan Huiyan who recognized her. Many women could not help but scrutinize her from head to toe, secretly comparing their figures and appearances. Su Anyi knew what they were thinking; after all, models in high-end magazines were no different.

"Taking money from others and helping them avert disaster. After all, I still need my elder brother to support me," Xu Jiarui said lazily. "If I were as healthy as you, I could probably sell for a better price. It's just a twist, right? I can twist, I can twist." He took the hanger from his sister's hand and, limping, twisted his way in a catwalk style. "Hurry and go to sleep, otherwise you'll only be able to wear smoky makeup tomorrow"

Shen Tianwang did not look at her again

"But the person you are acting opposite to is my idol." Huiyan clasped her hands over her chest, "Is he more charming in person than on screen? Also, during the final farewell kiss, did you really kiss him?"

However, it was truly exhausting to hold on. Unbeknownst to her, a frivolous wealthy young man approached to flirt. She drained her glass of red wine and left with him, arm in arm.

"Ah, Little Red Riding Hood is going to the city again?" Xu Jiarui leaned against the door, "You have to get up early again tomorrow for the announcement? I told you to move to Manhattan, but you complained it was too noisy."

Su Anyi said to him: "Come on, I know you must have reserved that ticket for me"

"Cry, just let it all out," Xu Jiarui said, gently stroking An Yi's hair. "This time, do you still wish for me to tell him everything?"

"That's different; it's my parents' old house, not something he bought, so what does it matter?" As she spoke, she tidied up the cluttered table to a considerable extent. Under the phone was a red card; upon opening it, it was an invitation to the engagement party.

I said, "Zhan Huiyan was taken aback and asked again, 'You have acted in a series, haven't you?'"

She coldly snorted: "Then it would be better to say that he is the second Xu Zongyang"

Oh, Tianwang, Tianwang

Once a pair of lovers, how did they become resentful partners? No, Su Anyi knew that she had never held any resentment towards Shen Tianwang. She had once pleaded desperately, but all she received in return was Shen Tianwang's avoidance.

On the third day, she suddenly sat up, rummaged through the boxes and cabinets, and found a stack of clippings from that year

She brushed away the hand that reached out to her, getting off at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The cold rain fell in torrents, making her feel even colder than the heavy snow in New York. Behind her, the headlights of a car blazed brightly as someone caught up with her, sighed, and opened their coat to pull her into an embrace

Xu Jiarui leaned his head out from behind Su Anyi, resting his chin on her shoulder: "So, are we going?"

Xu Jiarui teased: "It must be that you are too lonely. Just now, when I didn't open the door, I was thinking of what reason to persuade you to go back."

He had not appeared before, and he certainly would not today. As the cool breeze blew, Su Anyi instantly became alert

"Why are you taking so long to open the door?" Su Anyi pushed aside his arm and handed him the apple pie, "I didn't come here to stay overnight today; it's not a holiday."

Such poorly written plots only exist in novels

More than ten days ago, Su Anyi was still in New York. With Christmas approaching, the number of tourists gradually increased, and the area in front of Rockefeller Center was particularly crowded, mostly to see the famous Christmas tree adorned with 30,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star

Not far away, a pair of beautiful figures caught Su Anyi's attention, and she took a deep breath as if she were on the battlefield. He happened to turn around and saw her holding her breath and concentrating, then smiled faintly and walked over with the woman beside him

He also laughed, patting Jia Rui on the shoulder: "Come, this is my brother, Xu Jia Rui, whom I have known for over twenty years. He is a legendary figure, as elusive as a dragon that shows its head but not its tail."

The final attempt. Xu Jiarui sighed, I have never stopped you, hoping that he would be moved. But now it seems that we have both failed

Perhaps it cannot be helped, he is no longer the person he once was. Six years is enough to transform an innocent youth into a second Xu Zongyang

Shen Tianwang

Su Anyi sneered, while Shen Tian'en was healthy and cheerful, how did she become a delicate beauty? The eldest sister-in-law's name changed to Xu Lianghuaying after marrying, how does the eldest brother count as marrying into a wealthy family?

Six years have passed, and this remains my only weakness

Suddenly, I have a strong desire to go to Koh Sucah.

In the bathroom, as Su Anyi wiped away the wine stain, she looked at her reflection in the mirror, her brow slightly furrowed, smoothing it out with her thumb. Zhan Huiyan entered, standing beside her to touch up her makeup: "They have gone too far."

Push it away

Every cell must freeze, yet no one will ever use a long scarf to encircle themselves and him together

"You don't know that I am lame?" Xu Jiarui said with a smile as he took her hand, wrapping his arm around An Yi's neck and giving her a hard kiss on the cheek, "Having a younger sister is the best!"

Is it the engagement banquet for Tian Wang? Xu Jiarui scratched his head, but I have already found a partner.

What a divine dragon, now merely a three-legged cat

Su Anyi nodded with a smile: "NG seven times, I've taken enough advantage."

Congratulations! Xu Jiarui shook hands with him tightly, saying, "I didn't expect you to be one step ahead of me."

You are indeed quite obedient

Su Anyi, through coercion and inducement, obtained the evening gown that was half bought and half snatched, and it was already close to midnight. She returned to knock on Er Ge's door, saying: "I will go back with you"

She shook her head. He would no longer be nervous around her. Although he had once been at a loss over such trivial matters as falling to his knees for her.

Su Anyi understood in her heart and forcefully patted him on the back: "Then why did you have to bring me here to provoke me this time?"

It is well known to all

"What a beautiful pair of siblings." She took An Yi's hand, "I must have seen you somewhere before."

However, she never blames him

However, the gaze that Shen Tianwang directed at his fiancée filled her with fear and helplessness, her heart aching with anger akin to that of a jealous woman. Someone deliberately brought a wine glass close to her, yet she remained oblivious, allowing champagne to spill onto her skirt.

We cannot allow others to make a mockery of us. Zhan Huiyan is the star of tonight's grand event, and she, Su Anyi, must not use this stage to perform a farce

With just over 20 days until the start of the spring semester, she does not know what she should do: whether to seek the truth of the facts or to prove her elder brother's innocence. However, all of this is of no avail. She asks herself, even if you truly accomplish this, can it change Tianwang's heart?

However, the bizarre demise and the indifferent boyfriend seem to be undeniable facts

Su Anyi emerged from the subway station, carrying a box of apple pie, and navigated through the throngs of tourists. After turning two street corners, she ascended to the twelfth floor of the apartment building. She cherished tranquility, residing in nearby New Jersey, where her rented bungalow was surrounded by dozens of stout oak trees, often visited by wild deer in the woods.

In a rush, she booked a flight to Southeast Asia without informing anyone of her whereabouts. The airport on Christmas Eve was exceptionally desolate. On this day, Su Anyi embarked on an unknown journey.

Her expression darkened, and her arm bumped against his stomach: "You better prepare a wheelchair!"

An Yi occasionally works as a model at the magazine. Xu Jiarui remarked, "She is quite playful, almost like she wants to become a fashion diva"

This is Jia Rui's younger sister, An Yi

It is best to buy all the newspapers on the street, lest the elder brother and sister-in-law see you sighing

"I always have to find an excuse to see you, fearing that you might feel too lonely gazing at the Christmas tree downstairs." Su Anyi hurried over, taking out the fruits from the paper bag in her hand one by one and placing them in the refrigerator; she then opened the cold storage compartment, rummaged through the expired fast food inside, and threw it into the trash can

Su Anyi thought that if her fiancé had not destroyed all the photos, there would surely be countless ones left

Su Anyi could no longer hold back and cried out in pain on his shoulder

I want the evening gown from yesterday, I just finished shooting for the next issue of the magazine, you should still have it

"Be careful, or I will make you limp on the other leg as well," Su Anyi glared at him, "You know I am just trying to earn my tuition fees." After saying this, she snatched the newspaper from his hand to wrap up the trash.

Xu Jiarui looked around at the guests, the noble ladies adorned in splendid attire, and whispered, "Thanks to you for stealing a set of clothes. This is exactly the high society that Tianwang desires."

Su Anyi had been dozing for two days in her old residence in Palo Alto, her hand resting against her face, as if leaning on the shoulder of the heavens. In a state between dreams and wakefulness, it felt as though she had returned to the eighteen years of her life before, suddenly realizing that many years had hurried by since their parting, and that things had changed and people had become estranged, unable to hold back the tears that wet her eyes