"Instead, I want it to be remembered as a time when Qingchen and my love was so infectious that people were genuinely happy and enjoying our big day with us," she explained.

  Yize nodded. It was only then Qian Meng noticed the can of beer that Mo Yize was shoving in her direction. Qian Meng looked at her surprised but took it surreptitiously.

  "Just a sip. I brought a freezer full of booze, so don't worry about running out. Marcus is skipping around, waiting for permission to hand it out," she said with a grin.

  Qian Meng snorted. She had forgotten how much trouble Marcus and Yize could create when they came together.

  "Just make sure no one drowns in the lake. I want a peaceful wedding. No homicides or accidental drownings allowed, okay?" she pleaded.

  Yize rolled her eyes. "With your stuck-up husband and Li Jun around, do you even think it is possible?" she challenged.

  Qian Meng eyed her friend suspiciously. "My husband isn't as stuck-up as you would believe. And Li Jun…" She followed her friend's line of sight. "You of all people should know that he is anything but a saint."

  Yize raised her brow in surprise. "How should I know?" she said, feigning innocence.

  Qian Meng glared at her mockingly, "Yize, my love, do you think I am blind?" she said. She paused to gauge Yize's expression. "I don't want if the two of you are flirting or fighting or have a lot of sexual tension between the two of you… but it's obvious to anyone who is within a few meters of the two of you." She snorted.

  "We aren't dating," Yize said, giving Qian Meng enough information.

  "You are buddies then? Taking care of one another?" Qian Meng whispered conspiratorially.

  Yize frowned. "Shut up. No one knows. If my mom finds out, it will be the end of me. She's a little… pushy, you know?"

  Qian Meng sighed. "I know your predicament. But if you really want to remain inconspicuous, please make sure that Li Jun's car isn't shaking in the parking lot when he said he was out to get lunch," she teased.

  Mo Yize sucked in a deep breath. "Damn it," she cursed under her breath. "No one else saw, right?" she hissed.

  Qian Meng shook her head. "I was the only one in the parking lot. I went to drop off a signed document. Please be careful."

  Yize nodded.

  "But… you aren't having any issues? Between the two of you?" Qian Meng asked.

  "I don't know how much you know about… our condition… but yeah. For some reason, we are better than anticipated. Never knew I would actually like someone to this degree."

  Qian Meng scoffed. "Been there. Done that." She looked down at the can of beer and popped the cap open. She took a mild sip and looked up to find some of the others staring at her.

  "Hey! Qian Meng, is that beer?" someone called.

  There was rowdy laughter and then demands to get beer in their hands too. Marcus, the ever-enthusiastic one, doggy swam across the water available to them, handing each person a can and a prayer.

  'Don't get drunk and drown!'

  Mo Qingchen also walked up and crouched down beside Qian Meng. "Weren't you ready to dip in the water? Why are you sitting out?" he asked in a husky voice.

  Qian Meng craned her neck to look at him. "Just enjoying the scenery and the sun." She looked at the pure love in his eyes and realized that she looked different than usual. "Why? Does my hair look beautiful like this?" she asked.

  He played with the messy ends sticking out of her bun and smiled. "Wild and uncontrollable, glowing with the rays of the sun?" He sighed. "Ah, you really look like a goddess."

  Mo Qingchen chuckled when he heard someone fake gag. He looked over at his sister and laughed without restraint.

  "Please take your pillow talk to your bedroom. Don't make the public nauseous with it!" she claimed.

  No one knew if Mo Qingchen was engrossed in the conversation or he was pretending, but he didn't notice Xiao Chen sneak up behind him and shove him into the water.

  Qingchen gasped when he resurfaced, his eyes burning. Though playful, he looked like he was ready to have revenge.

  This was the first time Qian Meng had seen her husband interact with his family like a normal person would. He definitely didn't spare any words for others, but here, he held on to the boyish side that he only showed her.

  Xiao Chen was dragged into the water as Qingchen snagged at his leg. The brothers seemed to banter and play around in the water. As they did, Qian Meng watched.

  Ah, so beautiful.

  Finally, after what seemed like mere seconds, she put down the beer she had only taken a sip or two from and sank into the water. She paddled to Qingchen.

  He spotted her the minute she jumped into the water. He made his way over and the crowd cheered as she hastened and planted a wet kiss on his lips in the middle of the water.

  On the porch of the central cabin, Uncle Bai, Li Jun, and Li Li Hua, and Xiao Hua watched with varied expressions of happiness and boredom.

  They remained in the shade, seemingly not wanting to get into the water like the youngsters. Li Jun was the only person in a different age group, but Yize and Li Min at least knew that he had a fear of water.

  What if there was a snake in there? He would never jump into water that was not a swimming pool.

  Qing Yuan acted as the DJ, putting on some new music that everyone bobbed and sang along to. He dipped into the water, conversing with everyone, his personality shining out.

  Everyone ignored the cameras and phones pointed at them.

  It was only Friday.