Wedding in a Dream (Part 1)

On a tranquil night, the moonlight bathed the earth like a fine silk cloth.

All living creatures, accompanied by the whispers of autumn, had entered the realm of dreams.

Fang Zhou felt as though he hadn’t dreamt in a long time, except for that one bizarre dream recently.

This was his second nightmare in months.

In the dream, it was already late autumn, and the cold wind had enveloped the entire land.

The city wore a withered cloak, and people ventured out only when necessary.

When he became aware, he found himself on the way to the Chu family’s villa.

A light drizzle fell from the sky, the raindrops hitting the black umbrella he held, producing a crisp and resonant sound, like the wailing and crying of some mysterious creature.

This sound evoked a sense of inexplicable sorrow and melancholy.

The air was heavy with a thick atmosphere, clinging to Fang Zhou like a shadow, impossible to shake off.

It was like a dense cloud hanging over him, casting the world into darkness.

This was when his sister was gravely ill, and the previously arranged kidney donor was unavailable, leaving his sister to hope for another match.

But suitable donors were scarce, and they needed one within the month for the transplant.

That morning, Fang Zhou received a WeChat message from Chu Xinran’s mother, Chu Xuan.

Her message was brief but compelling, drawing Fang Zhou to the appointment without hesitation.

Chu Xuan said: “I have the resources to save your sister. If you want to discuss it, come to the Chu family’s villa this afternoon.”

The grand building stood there, exuding a sense of solemnity and grandeur.

It radiated the opulence of the wealthy, symbolizing wealth and power.

The building was rare, its vast scale and luxurious decorations leaving people in awe.

However, the most striking feature was the high wall, an insurmountable barrier separating people from the outside world.

This wall seemed to delineate social classes.

Inside the wall was one class, outside was another.

This stark class difference highlighted the social inequities and the vast gap between rich and poor.

Fang Zhou took a deep breath and stepped into the Chu family’s villa.

It seemed the place had been cleared out, with no servants in sight.

Only a butler led him inside.

Even the driver who had picked him up quietly left upon entering the gate.

In the lavishly decorated living room, where any random item could equal a year’s income for an average family, sat a middle-aged woman in exquisite embroidered clothing, trimming a peony on the coffee table with a pair of scissors.

Her movements were elegant and slow, the kind that might earn praise if broadcasted on television.

“I’m here. Can you tell me what conditions you have for saving my sister?”

Fang Zhou couldn’t hold back, getting straight to the point and asking Chu Xuan about her terms.

He knew there were no free lunches.

He also knew Chu Xuan was dissatisfied with him and wouldn’t help him unconditionally.

Offering help in times of need was something good-hearted people did.

Clearly, Chu Xuan was not one of them.

The woman trimming the flowers didn’t pause, a slight smile playing on her lips as she lazily glanced at Fang Zhou.

“It seems you’ve mentally prepared yourself.”

“No matter what I ask, you’ll agree?”

With that, she snipped off a pinkish-white flower and set it aside, as if symbolizing something.

Fang Zhou’s eyes darkened, and he slowly lowered his head, speaking softly.

“Yes, as long as it saves my sister, I’ll pay any price.”

Even if Chu Xuan wanted him dead, he would comply.

Fang Zhou had always known Chu Xuan’s attitude towards him.

The conflict between her and Chu Xinran, aside from himself, had no other cause.

Xinran had always been an obedient child.

Except for her defiance regarding him, she was almost a perfect daughter.

So, Fang Zhou could guess Chu Xuan’s intentions.

However, Chu Xuan’s next words shocked him profoundly.

He heard the elegant woman softly tell him,

“It’s simple. If you agree to marry Xinran, your sister’s surgery can proceed.”

Fang Zhou’s head shot up, eyes wide with shock.

“Is that your only condition?”

Shouldn’t she be asking him to leave Xinran forever, to stay out of her sight?

Today’s request was entirely unexpected.

“Yes, that’s the condition. Xinran is devoted to you.”

“As her mother, I have to fulfill her wishes.”

“Though I still think you’re not worthy.”

Chu Xuan’s demand was within Fang Zhou’s expectations.

Compared to sacrificing his life, this seemed much easier to accept.

But he had never considered marrying Xinran.

In Fang Zhou’s view, marriage was a significant event requiring careful thought and preparation.

And Chu Xuan’s decision seemed to disregard Xinran’s opinion entirely.

“Xinran wouldn’t want her marriage to be used as a bargaining chip.”

Similarly, Fang Zhou didn’t want that either.

Chu Xuan smiled slightly, her eyes full of mockery.

“So why let her know?”

“Xinran just needs to be a happy bride.”

Fang Zhou closed his eyes, struggling internally for a moment before resolutely saying,

“Alright, I agree. Can my sister’s surgery be completed this month?”

One month was the deadline set by the attending physician.

If the kidney transplant couldn’t be done within the month, his sister’s physiological functions would rapidly decline.

Even if a donor became available later, she wouldn’t be able to undergo the transplant, only hastening her approach to death.

“Yes, we provided you marry Xinran next week.”

“Get married first, then do the surgery. Everything will be on time.”

“I’ll handle the wedding preparations, so you don’t have to worry. Just keep Xinran happy.”

Fang Zhou nodded lightly, agreeing to the deal.

“Alright.”

Everything progressed smoothly afterward.

A week passed like a blur for Fang Zhou.

When he regained awareness, it was already the wedding day.

Guests came and went in an endless stream. As the only heir of the Chu family, Chu Xinran’s wedding was grand.

Business elites and entertainment stars were all invited.

Fang Zhou donned a custom-made groom’s suit, a red flower pinned to his chest, becoming the most dazzling presence of the day.

All eyes were on him, waiting for the wedding to proceed.