LOVE FRAGMENTS

At the grand church in Fengcheng, a graceful lady dressed in a splendid wedding gown stood serenely on the observation deck, bathed in sunlight streaming through the glass windows. Her face was delicate, radiating elegance and tranquility. Today marked the wedding of Gu Antong and Si Yueyun, the younger son of the Si family. The guest list was intentionally kept small. Suddenly, a disheveled girl burst into the scene, tears streaming down her face as she cried out, “Si Yueyun, please don’t marry her, okay? You once told me I was the one you loved the most...” She appeared distressed, with tousled hair, smudged makeup, and an overwhelming sadness. Gu Antong couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked at the girl sobbing bitterly. This girl had been her close friend—someone who had helped her countless times. “Si Yueyun, how could you...” Si Yueyun clenched his teeth and whispered, “Antong, I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.” He released Gu Antong’s hand and swiftly made his way toward Jiang Nuan, who stood below the platform. Gu Antong watched him depart in a daze, recalling the moment Jiang Nuan once said to her, “Antong, you’ve seen countless Cinderellas on TV chasing their prince to the wedding altar. If I ever find myself in such a situation, I’ll give it my all.” Little did Gu Antong imagine that someday, she would be the one standing at that altar. She didn’t feel the sting of betrayal—only a cold emptiness. The world seemed to fall into silence, with only the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. A bitter smile crept onto Gu Antong’s lips. Just moments ago, Si Yueyun had slipped a diamond ring onto her finger with a gleam in his eyes. Now, he embraced Jiang Nuan and left. “Hold on a moment.” Gu Antong, her long gown trailing behind her, descended the steps slowly. “Si Yueyun, let me ask you again—do you truly want to go with Jiang Nuan?” Jiang Nuan hastily interjected, “Antong, I’m sorry for all of this, but we genuinely love each other. Can you please understand and help us?” “Keep quiet. I wasn’t asking you.” Jiang Nuan’s face turned pale. She reached for Si Yueyun’s arm, gripping it tightly with a pleading look. Gu Antong was reminding Si Yueyun to think carefully. Their marriage was a business arrangement between two families. Although Gu Antong didn’t love him deeply, she had invested much during their months of courtship. She had agreed to marry him for her family’s sake—just as he had agreed for his own. If their marriage failed now, Si Yueyun knew all too well what the consequences would be. He fell silent for a long moment, then finally chose to hold Jiang Nuan’s hand. “I apologize to my parents, to Antong, but I still want to be with Jiang Nuan.” Gu Antong turned and walked back to the platform, silently wiping away her tears. She removed the ring from her finger and threw it forcefully to the ground. In front of the astonished onlookers, the ring twirled and landed with a sharp clatter. Her sudden action left everyone in shock. Gu Antong spoke softly, “Anyone who wants to marry me today—I’m willing.” When her ring slipped to the ground, a hush fell over the room. The scene was breathtaking yet pitiful. But if someone married her now, would it create trouble for the family? Several men were tempted to step forward, but Gu Nianguang, Gu Antong’s brother, intervened to stop them. Gu Nianguang couldn’t read his sister’s thoughts. He wondered if their family would understand her intentions. The room remained silent until a deep male voice broke through the tension. “I’ll marry you.” Everyone turned to see Si Zhenxuan, Si Yueyun’s elder brother, standing up. Si Zhenxuan wore a sharp black suit, his hair neatly groomed. Compared to Si Yueyun’s youthful charm, he appeared more mature and composed. Even as he said, “I’ll marry you,” a hint of complexity crossed his expression. “No, this can’t be!” protested Wei Yulan, Si Zhenxuan’s mother. “Do you think sitting here hasn’t been humiliating enough for me?” he retorted coldly. “Or would you rather call Yueyun back now?” Si Hanxiang, her husband, pulled her back, trying to defuse the rising tension between the two families. Gu Mingyuan, Gu Antong’s father, and Si Gu would have to face each other soon, and Si Hanxiang could hardly imagine how to explain this situation. Gu Antong gazed at Si Zhenxuan with gratitude. He not only understood her pain but was willing to stand beside her. She smiled faintly. “Okay, I’ll marry you.” Si Zhenxuan stepped onto the stage and picked up the fallen diamond ring. Sunlight bathed his tall frame as he stood before her, and for a moment, Gu Antong was captivated. Si Yueyun had already fled with Jiang Nuan. Si Hanxiang quietly instructed the servants to remove the wedding photos from his new house to avoid embarrassment upon returning. Si Zhenxuan stood before Gu Antong, gently wiping away her tears. In a soft voice, he said, “Don’t cry on such a special day.” Gu Antong nodded and extended her hand. Si Zhenxuan slowly placed the ring on her finger. Unlike Si Yueyun, Si Zhenxuan didn’t smile during the ceremony. He exuded an air of authority and calm detachment that kept others at a distance. The unusual wedding continued. “Gu Antong handled that better than expected.” “Si Yueyun publicly humiliated her in front of everyone—what else could she have done?” “The issue is how she’ll face Si Yueyun now that she’s married to his brother.” “Ha! That’s their family’s mess. I just can’t understand Si Yueyun’s taste—Gu Antong is far more beautiful than that woman.” “Beauty is subjective, don’t you know?” Whispers filled the hall. It was clear that today’s scandal would soon become the talk of Fengcheng’s upper class. As Gu Antong sat in the wedding car with Si Zhenxuan, she felt uneasy and whispered, “Thank you.” Si Zhenxuan turned to her, surprised. This woman always seemed so composed—sitting elegantly, hands folded, back straight, her head slightly lowered. A strand of black hair fell across her face, adding a touch of softness to her beauty. He replied quietly, “It’s no big deal. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you.” “Inconvenienced?” Gu Antong echoed softly. “The original groom was supposed to be Yueyun, and suddenly it’s me,” Si Zhenxuan said, his voice distant and cold. “But I understand—this was your decision.”