System Activated: After the Wedding Vows

Tianhai City, inside a luxurious hotel. On the third floor, inside a grand ballroom, an extravagant engagement party was underway. The venue was packed with guests. The atmosphere radiated luxury—an upper-class social affair, lively and filled with joy. The two people getting engaged represented two powerful corporate families. The engagement was so grand it could easily be mistaken for a wedding. With the number of high-profile guests and the lavish arrangements, the event rivaled any formal marriage ceremony. “Look, the stars of the night are here!” “Mr. Li and Miss Tang—both talented and strikingly good-looking!” “Sure, there are plenty of rich people these days, but someone who’s both wealthy and attractive? That’s still a rare gem.” “I’ve heard about Mr. Li. Back in college, he was voted the most handsome student. And Miss Tang? She was crowned Campus Queen. The campus heartthrob and the queen—what a perfect match.” “And it doesn’t stop there—their fathers have been close friends for years. It’s like they were destined to be together from childhood. They’ve been dating for ages—childhood sweethearts with a rock-solid relationship.” “Wow, it’s all so beautiful and romantic!” Just then, the two being talked about made their entrance, standing side by side at the entrance to the ballroom. The chatting guests turned their eyes toward them in unison. Together, they walked gracefully down the red carpet that stretched through the center of the ballroom, heading toward the stage. Li Chen, the male lead, wore a silver-gray tailored suit that hugged his tall, well-built frame—his broad shoulders and proportioned physique adding to his commanding presence. Tang Yuxin was dressed in a long crimson gown that resembled a wedding dress. Crystal-lined patterns traced along the fabric, following the curves of her figure and shimmering under the ballroom lights. The V-shaped neckline accentuated her elegance. Walking side by side, their striking looks captivated the room—every eye fixed on them. On either side of the carpet stood members of both families, smiling warmly with visible pride and joy. With all attention on them, the couple stepped onto the stage. Clap… clap… clap… A wave of graceful applause swept through the hall. "Thank you to all our guests for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our engagement tonight. We apologize if the hospitality hasn’t been up to expectations,” Li Chen said politely, his warm and sincere tone instantly winning the hearts of everyone present. But at that moment, Tang Yuxin lowered her head slightly, a faint frown on her face. It was hard to tell what she was thinking. “Xiao Yu, would you like to say a few words to our guests?” Li Chen asked gently. (‘Xiao Yu’ is a term of endearment, like ‘Little Yu’ or ‘Dear Yu’. In Chinese naming customs, the family name comes first—‘Tang’ is her surname, ‘Yuxin’ her given name.) “Ah… thank you for coming. It’s… an honor,” Tang Yuxin responded briefly, her tone distant and unsure. Li Chen glanced at his fiancée, a hint of concern in his eyes. What’s going on with her? he wondered. Maybe she’s just nervous… don’t overthink it. The engagement tonight had been meticulously prepared by both families for months. Tang Yuxin herself had put in a lot of effort for this day. The red dress she wore had been custom-designed by a renowned fashion expert—it was the kind of evening where one had to present their absolute best to the world. “Once we’re engaged, marriage comes next,” Li Chen said softly to her. “We should start thinking about choosing a good date for our wedding.” They were childhood sweethearts—having known and liked each other since they were kids—but they didn’t start dating until college. Now, at last, they were taking the next big step. After tonight’s engagement, they would begin planning their wedding. Though they had only graduated two months ago and were still young, their bond ran deep. Both families were fully supportive. Getting married young and starting a family wasn’t something to be discouraged—in fact, it could be a beautiful thing. So why delay? “Marriage…?” Tang Yuxin asked softly, her voice hesitant. Li Chen nodded gently. “Yes. An engagement means we’re publicly declaring our commitment to take this relationship all the way.” “…Mm, right,” she responded in a low voice, eyes avoiding his. Li Chen furrowed his brows, concerned again. “What’s wrong, Xiao Yu? You’ve seemed distracted all evening.” They had known each other for so long—they could almost read each other’s minds. And ever since they started dating, their connection had only deepened. It wasn’t hard for him to sense that something was off. Tang Yuxin simply shook her head, saying nothing. Li Chen could tell something was bothering her. Though she wouldn’t say it aloud, he could vaguely guess what it might be. “Tonight is an important night for both of us,” he said gently, taking her hand into his. “Let’s talk about everything else later… after the party, okay?” Watching the affectionate interaction between Li Chen and Tang Yuxin, the guests couldn’t help but smile warmly. Some whispered their admiration quietly, others looked on with envy—praising what appeared to be the perfect couple. Among the many guests, a girl in a black dress stood quietly, her gaze fixed on the couple holding hands onstage. Her expression was unreadable—calm, yet distant. “Congratulations to both of you,” the MC said warmly, holding the microphone as he addressed the pair onstage. “You’ve grown up together, and now you’re finally getting married. A love like this—between childhood sweethearts—is something many people dream of. Your relationship has always been strong. It’s truly enviable.” “Thank you,” Li Chen replied with a courteous smile. “Would you mind sharing a bit of your journey—your memories, your feelings—with us?” the MC continued. “Of course, I’d be happy to,” Li Chen answered without hesitation. The MC gestured for him to speak. Calm and composed, Li Chen took the mic and began recounting their story—how they met as children, their years growing up together, and how their bond gradually evolved into love. His voice was steady, sincere, and warm. The audience listened attentively, smiling at the tenderness of his words. When he finished, the MC chuckled. “I sincerely wish you both happiness. Honestly, hearing your story makes the rest of us—especially the singles—feel a little embarrassed.” He turned to the crowd. “Alright, let’s move on to the final part of tonight’s ceremony—the engagement ring exchange. Once this is done, the evening’s celebration will come to a close.” Li Chen smiled and stepped forward, retrieving a small, elegant box. The smooth finish gleamed under the lights as he opened it—inside lay a stunning ring crowned with a five-carat diamond. “Xiao Yu, may I put this ring on your finger?” He reached for her hand. All she had to do was extend it. But Tang Yuxin didn’t move. It was as if she hadn’t even heard him. “…Xiao Yu?” he called softly, urging her with his voice. Still, she didn’t respond—her eyes distant, her body frozen in place. A cold chill ran down Li Chen’s spine. That uneasy feeling returned, stronger now. He remembered how distant she had been earlier, ever since they stepped into the hall. And now, this… Was she… refusing the engagement? “What’s wrong, Xiao Yu?” he asked, voice tight with concern. “I—I… I don’t want to get engaged anymore,” Tang Yuxin said, her voice barely above a whisper. The words hit him like a thunderclap. Li Chen stood frozen, stunned, unable to believe what he had just heard. His mind refused to accept it. Had he misheard her? But Tang Yuxin’s voice, though soft, had been clear. And it wasn’t hesitation—it was a decision. A sudden silence fell across the ballroom, the air heavy with tension. Just yesterday, they had been so excited about this engagement—chatting and planning every detail without a hint of discomfort. And now, all of a sudden, Tang Yuxin was saying she didn’t want to go through with it? Her voice, carried by the MC’s microphone, echoed through every corner of the ballroom. A ripple of gasps spread among the guests, followed by a wave of murmuring and whispered speculation. The bride just said she wants to cancel the engagement? Family members from both sides exchanged anxious looks, brows furrowed as they tried to process what was unfolding. “…Xiao Yu, are you joking?” Li Chen asked cautiously, still hoping this was some kind of misunderstanding. “No,” Tang Yuxin replied, her voice tense. “I’m serious. I’m sorry, Xiao Chen.” She clenched her jaw, trying to hold back her emotions. Li Chen’s face turned pale. “Why? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you in some way… make you angry?” “…You’re just testing me, right?” he asked, voice cracking slightly. “You’re not really calling this off, are you?” But Tang Yuxin shook her head again, firmer this time. “I mean it. I don’t want to go through with this.” It felt like something was tightening around his throat. Li Chen struggled to breathe, yet still managed to ask, barely above a whisper: “…Why?” At that moment, Tang Weimin, Tang Yuxin’s father, stood up abruptly and walked toward the stage. “What’s going on, Xiao Yu? Everyone’s watching. If there’s something going on between you and Xiao Chen, we can discuss it in private. There’s no need to cause a scene here.” But Tang Yuxin stood her ground. “Dad, I’m sorry. But I won’t go through with this engagement tonight. I want to cancel it.” Her words hit like a slap. Tang Weimin’s expression darkened with fury, “You ungrateful girl… Are you trying to drive me into an early grave?” The pressure of her father’s rage was overwhelming, but still, Tang Yuxin didn’t back down. “Explain yourself!” he demanded. “If you can’t give me a proper reason, don’t even think about canceling this engagement. Whether you want it or not, the ceremony will go on!” A moment of silence passed before Tang Yuxin took a deep breath—and dropped the bombshell. “The Li family failed their last investment. The company is drowning in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy.”