Song Nuan calculated.
She was now Fang Yaozu's legal wife. If Fang Yaozu died, everything in the Fang Group would be hers!
Then she would no longer be controlled by Fang Yaozu, and could use the full power of the Fang Group to destroy Qin He!
However, there was still one troublesome issue: Fang Yaozu had quite a few nephews and nieces.
In their eyes, she was merely Fang Yaozu's second wife. If she didn't have children, these nephews and nieces would surely cause trouble.
Song Nuan pondered. Alone, she might not be able to contend with them.
Unless— Song Nuan lowered her head and gently stroked her belly.
It seemed she needed to find a way. As long as she became pregnant with Fang Yaozu's child, she would be invincible.
Then, she could kill Fang Yaozu, eliminating the only person who knew the truth, and her identity would be solidified.
Even if Qin He saw through her, so what? Qin He wouldn't be able to produce any evidence.
Song Nuan felt a brand new path lighting up before her eyes!
Perhaps she could find another accomplice. Song Nuan thought of Zhang Caiyu, who was locked up by the bed at home.
Now, Fang Yaozu treated Zhang Caiyu like an animal, even deliberately humiliating her.
Zhang Caiyu must also hate Fang Yaozu to the bone. And a scheming person like Zhang Caiyu was the most convenient to use.
Qin He's birthday banquet was lively. Wherever Qin He went, people congratulated her, showering her with compliments. Qin He sincerely thanked them.
It took Qin He a full twenty minutes to finally return to Di Shishi and Xu Wanwan's side.
The sofas where they were sitting were occupied by Qin family members and close acquaintances.
Qin He was quite tired. She looked at Ming Yuzhu, "Mom, why aren't you greeting the guests?"
Ming Yuzhu raised an eyebrow, "You're all grown up now, it's your twenty-fifth birthday. It's good enough that I'm organizing it for you. You still expect me to go socialize on your behalf? No way."
Xu's mother chuckled from the side, "Oh, you. I finally understand why Qin He is so mature and sensible."
As she spoke, Xu's mother looked up at Qin He and smiled, "The Xu family's gift has been put away. You can check it out later. I know you're also interested in antiques, so I specifically found a vase from Grandpa's study for you."
Qin He's eyes lit up. A vase from Elder Xu's study couldn't be just any ordinary vase.
"Thank you, Aunt Xu."
Qin He called out sweetly, her words very pleasing.
The birthday banquet was already halfway through, and soon it was time for the cake cutting.
Melodious music suddenly filled the hall. Qin He turned her head to see that the castle's main gate had suddenly been opened.
Blinding light streamed in from outside, mingling with the light from the crystal chandeliers within.
A figure emerged from the darkness, pushing a cake cart, walking from the sunlight into the light.
He possessed a noble demeanor, a doting smile, and an ethereal aura that made him stand out from the crowd, rendering everyone else mere background.
Qin He's heart skipped a beat.
She watched as Gu Qishen pushed the cake cart and approached step by step.
The exquisite cake on the cart was specially customized, so beautiful it was almost a shame to eat.
Qin He whispered, "Why are you only arriving now?"
Gu Qishen glanced at the people present, confirming that all of Qin He's friends and Qin family members were there.
He reached into his pocket. Qin He froze as she saw the gesture.
Gu Qishen pulled out a ring box from his inner suit pocket.
Under everyone's gaze, he knelt on one knee in front of Qin He.
"Qin He, I wronged you in the past. I've repented and wanted to make amends. But now, I feel that I can never truly atone for my past sins, no matter how hard I try. So, let me always owe you, and that way, I can always try to make it up to you. Whether in this life or the next, for all eternity, I want to be with you. Please, give me this chance, will you?"
Qin He gently covered her mouth.
Gu Qishen's personality had always been cool and reserved, and he spoke very little.
Even when he was happy, his facial expressions would soften slightly, and his voice would become gentler.
But the man before her, kneeling like a prince charming, was dissecting all his past mistakes and speaking words of love filled with genuine emotion.
Gu Qishen looked at the crowd, "I chose this place so that everyone connected to you could witness this moment."
"I swear, I will never fail you in this life, or may I—"
Before Gu Qishen could finish his vow, Qin He covered his lips with her hand.
"Don't make reckless oaths," Qin He said with a frown, her voice gentle. "I don't like hearing you say such things."
Gu Qishen's eyes were resolute. "Will you marry me?"
The lips that Qin He had pressed together curved upwards, and her eyes reddened slightly as she nodded.
A thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
No one had expected that someone as seemingly ethereal as Gu Qishen would one day kneel on one knee for a proposal, making solemn vows for a woman.
Xu's mother looked at Ming Yuzhu and smiled, "Don't worry, the child will surely have a good life."
Ming Yuzhu nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.
"This brat used to be a scumbag, I wished I could have eaten him alive."
"And now?" Xu's mother teased with a smile.
Ming Yuzhu's voice was a little emotional, "Now that he has saved He'er from trouble several times, of course I accept him as my son-in-law. He's a good son-in-law."
Xu's mother nodded.
"Gu Qishen's character is trustworthy. He'er marrying him won't be a loss."
Amidst the thunderous applause, Qin He heard Ming Chi's laughter, Gao Lang's teasing chirps, Di Shishi's laughter, and Qin Yun shouting at Gu Qishen to treat her well. These voices seemed to be right by her ear, and yet also in another dimension.
Qin He looked at Gu Qishen and nodded, "I do."
Gu Qishen stood up and slowly, meticulously, placed the ring onto Qin He's finger.
It was a dazzling ring, with a luxurious and exquisite design.
Qin He sniffled, "Why the surprise attack?"
Compared to proposals staged in various romantic settings, Gu Qishen's willingness to kneel and propose in front of all her friends and family was more sincere.
The former involved a lot of money, while the latter involved genuine affection.
Someone in the crowd shouted,
"When will President Gu and Miss Qin get married?"
"Will there be an engagement banquet? Or will it be straight to the wedding banquet?"
Amidst the bustling crowd, two people remained silent.
Lu Mingxi stood in the crowd, gazing intently at the happy Qin He and Gu Qishen on stage, his entire being seemingly lost.
He let out a bitter smile. He had originally arranged to talk with Qin He after her birthday banquet. Lu Mingxi intended to analyze his own heart, to lay his heart bare for Qin He, hoping that she would understand how much he loved her and perhaps give him a chance.
But in the end, he was too late. He was always one step behind.