Rebirth of the Best Businesswoman at School Chapter 1456 I Am Willing!
Previously on Rebirth of the Best Businesswoman at School...
Upon her return to China, Ji Haoyu had already come back from Country Z. Jian Ai insisted that he, along with Old Master Ji and Ji Haoxue, accompany her to the capital airport for her arrival.
Although Ji Haoyu found it perplexing, he complied with her request.
"Why such a grand farewell ceremony just for my return?"
The moment they met, Ji Haoyu couldn't resist embracing Jian Ai with a smile.
Old Master Ji, standing nearby, chuckled. "This young lady might have some plans brewing. Coincidentally, I haven't been out in a while, so I'll seize this chance to explore the capital for a few days."
"Sister-in-law, is it true as Grandpa says? Are you planning some excitement?" Ji Haoxue asked Jian Ai, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Otherwise, why would she have summoned them from Baiyun City to the capital just for a pickup? Jian Ai typically disliked gathering so many people for such occasions.
Jian Ai offered a smile but remained silent, standing slightly apart.
Behind her stood a tall man. His baseball cap was pulled low, obscuring his face.
Yet, even from a distance, the trio suddenly froze. The man then looked up, removing his hat at the opportune moment. It was none other than Ji Yansong, who had vanished from the Ji family's life many years ago.
Ji Haoyu and Ji Haoxue's eyes widened in disbelief as they gazed at their father, who had reappeared before them so unexpectedly. For a moment, they were stunned into inaction, mouths agape.
Only the elder, Old Master Ji, trembled upon seeing Ji Yansong. He staggered forward, tears welling in his eyes, and choked out, "Yansong… Yansong…"
"Dad."
Ji Yansong's voice cracked. He had replayed this moment of returning home countless times over the years. Now that it had finally happened, he felt no joy. Seeing his father's now-white hair only filled Ji Yansong with profound guilt.
Father and son embraced tightly, tears flowing freely. Ji Haoxue, sobbing, rushed to join the hug, clinging to Ji Yansong. "Dad, you're back. I thought… sob…"
Jian Ai's eyes grew moist. She glanced at Ji Haoyu, only to find him already looking at her.
In that instant, Ji Haoyu understood Jian Ai's earlier question: 'If you find out I've intentionally kept certain things from you, will you be angry?'
She hadn't been hiding a personal secret, but the fact that Ji Yansong was still alive.
Jian Ai spoke with remorse, "I'm sorry. I…"
Ji Haoyu swiftly shook his head. "Never apologize to me. I should be thanking you."
He had searched for so long, all but given up hope, and now Xiao Ai had brought his father back.
"Haoyu." Ji Yansong approached his son, his gaze brimming with paternal affection. He surveyed his son and nodded with pride.
Ji Haoyu embraced his father, his suppressed emotions finally surfacing. With immense effort, he managed to utter, "Dad, you're finally home."
Witnessing the reunion, Jian Ai couldn't hold back her tears. It was finally the right time; everyone had found their way back to where they belonged.
One year later, the M Group achieved a successful public listing, with its various subsidiaries flourishing across multiple industries.
Following the downturn of the Jian Group, the real estate landscape in Baiyun City underwent a significant upheaval. Alongside East Sea Real Estate, Hongxiang Group and Century Group emerged as new powerhouses. These three entities now dominated the market, decisively ending the Jian Group's era of monopoly.
In recent years, Prince Qi Ye of Qiusi made no further attempts to secretly eliminate Bai Zhou. With Adolf's demise and the repeated failures of his past schemes, Qi Ye finally grasped that Bai Zhou was far more capable than he initially appeared.
However, Bai Zhou harbored no desire for the throne. Furthermore, considering his fraternal bond with Qi Ye, he wished to avoid any conflicts arising from power struggles or misunderstandings between them. Consequently, Bai Zhou opted to join China, permanently withdrawing from the Qiusi royal succession. He dedicated himself entirely to staying by Jian Ai's side.
Two more years elapsed…
"Duoduo, Duoduo, don't run so fast!"
Inside a hotel, a small figure scurried on unsteady legs, making a beeline for a private dining room located at the far end of the top floor.
"Auntie!"
A child's voice rang out. Jian Ai, who was applying her makeup, turned around just as the small figure tumbled into her embrace.
Jian Ai chuckled softly. "Slow down there. Aren't you afraid of falling?"
Duoduo lifted her round, adorable face, gazing up at Jian Ai. She whined, "Auntie, I'm hungry."
"Duoduo is hungry. Just a moment." Jian Ai smiled and gestured to Guan Tao, who stood behind her. "Tao Zi, could you fetch some cake for Duoduo?"
Guan Tao smiled and nodded, patting Duoduo's head. "Would you like strawberry-flavored cake?"
Duoduo's eyes lit up, and she eagerly nodded in agreement.
Yu Zhihuan, panting, arrived at the door. "Duoduo, don't get too close to Auntie. Be careful not to smudge the wedding dress!"
The moment she saw her mother, Duoduo reacted as if she had seen a ghost and quickly retreated behind Jian Ai.
Jian Ai chuckled, trying to ease the situation. "It's alright, Sister-in-law. Duoduo just said she was hungry."
"You always indulge her. She isn't hungry at all. I was just teaching her how to walk the red carpet later, and she got impatient with the practice, so she came looking for you."
Yu Zhihuan shot a look at her daughter, who peeked out from behind Jian Ai. Adopting a stern expression, she warned, "Listen here, Jian Duoduo, today is your aunt's wedding. If you mess up anything during the ceremony, your aunt won't show you any affection for the rest of your life!"
Yu Zhihuan added, "Look at your brother. Even though he's younger than you, he's still so focused when he learns."
"He was born just moments after me! I don't want to be the older sister. I want to be the younger one!" Jian Duoduo pouted.
Indeed, Yu Zhihuan was now with Jian Yu. They had conceived before marriage and tied the knot after the twins were born. The elder was named Jian Duoduo, and the younger twin, though a boy, also shared the name Jian Duoduo, distinguished by a different character. These two little ones were serving as Jian Ai's flower girl and pageboy today.
As for Haoxue, she had long since moved on. She understood that feelings couldn't be forced. While she had harbored feelings for Jian Yu in the past, her obsession had waned.
"Sister-in-law, don't frighten her. Duoduo is a clever girl; she won't make any mistakes," Jian Ai reassured, then looked down at Duoduo. "Isn't that right, Duoduo?"
"Yes! I learned it after just one try. My mom just kept making me practice endlessly," Duoduo complained, feeling put-upon.
Just then, laughter echoed from outside the door as Xia Qinghuan and Yang Xiaoman entered.
"Xiao Ai, it's almost time. If you're ready, let's head over," Xia Qinghuan announced.
Jian Ai nodded, her heart suddenly fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Even though she had been married and living with Ji Haoyu for many years, this wedding ceremony was the one Jian Ai had eagerly anticipated. And now, it was finally here.
"Your bouquet!" Yang Xiaoman exclaimed, realizing Jian Ai had forgotten to take it. She promptly retrieved it from the dressing table and placed it in Jian Ai's hand.
Jian Ai offered a sheepish smile. Seeing this, Xia Qinghuan couldn't resist teasing, "You two are already married for years, why are you still so nervous?"
Jian Ai smiled and nodded. "It's only at this moment that I truly feel like I'm marrying him."
True happiness, she mused, always required witnesses. A wedding was more than just a grand event; for Jian Ai, it held profound significance.
Inside the wedding hall, the guests filled every seat. The twelve guards were all in attendance, and family and friends had gathered to bestow their blessings upon the happy couple.
As the music began, Ji Haoyu, clad in a pristine white suit, stood tall on the stage. His gaze was fixed on the slowly opening doors, his handsome face alight with anticipation. The woman who would emerge in a wedding dress was his bride, the very love of his life.
Behind him, the best men – Wu Bi, Yuan Ye, and Qiu Jiahao – who had witnessed their entire journey, exchanged knowing glances and sighed. Young Master Ji was finally marrying the girl who had initially despised him so much.
Escorted by the three bridesmaids – Guan Tao, Qinghuan, and Xiaoman – Jian Ai, radiant in her wedding dress meticulously designed by the renowned international fashion designer Guan Tao, began her slow walk down the red carpet.
This poignant moment brought tears of joy to Wang Yunmei and Wang Yunzhi.
On the stage, Ji Haoyu and Jian Ai locked eyes, the world around them fading away.
"Mr. Ji Haoyu, do you take Madam Jian Ai to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"
Ji Haoyu smiled, his eyes glistening with emotion. He nodded firmly and declared without hesitation, "I do!"
"Madam Jian Ai, do you take Mr. Ji Haoyu to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"
Jian Ai, tears of happiness streaming down her face, gazed earnestly at Ji Haoyu. "I do!"
"You may now kiss your bride!"
The couple slowly drew closer. Ji Haoyu looked at Jian Ai with deep affection, then gently bent down to place a kiss upon her lips.
This kiss symbolized a lifetime of love.
And thus, they pledged their eternal union!
[The End]