Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Wedding Plans
Later that day, Lu Ting and Lu Ran came to visit Yue Ning.
The faint scent of lilies filled the hospital room, mingling with the sterile smell of disinfectant. Sunlight filtered through the curtain blinds, painting golden stripes across the white sheets.
When the door opened, two figures stepped in. Lu Ting was elegant as always in a pale blue silk blouse, her pearl earrings glimmering softly. Beside her stood Lu Ran, tall and steady, and his sharp eyes carried a quiet composure.
Huo Feng rose from his seat beside the bed. His dark suit was perfect, his posture composed and his lips pressed into a thin line. Though his tone was polite, there was a cool edge beneath it—the kind that came naturally to a man used to command.
"Madam Lu. Second Young Master."
Lu Ting’s lips curved faintly. "President Huo," she greeted, her tone graceful, elegant and yet warm. "You’ve done well. Thank you for staying by Xiao Ning’s side. You’re family; there’s no need to be so formal with me."
For a brief moment, his gaze softened. "It’s what I should do," he said quietly. "She’s my wife."
The words were simple, but it was enough to make Lu Ting’s chest tighten with emotion. She gave a small, approving nod, a silent acknowledgment of his place in the family.
"I’ll give you some time to talk," Huo Feng said, stepping back. His deep gaze lingered on Yue Ning for a moment. "If you need anything, call me."
She nodded faintly. When he left, the soft click of the door echoed in the quiet room. The air seemed lighter once he was gone, the weight of his presence fading into something light.
Lu Ting immediately went to her daughter’s side. "Oh, my poor child," she murmured, holding Yue Ning’s hand. "How could this happen to you, Xiao Ning?"
"Mom, I’m fine," Yue Ning said gently. "The doctors said I’ll recover soon."
"A mother doesn’t call this fine." Lu Ting’s voice trembled as she brushed a strand of hair from her daughter’s forehead. "Your father wanted to come, but he and Lu Quan had an important meeting this morning. They’ll visit as soon as it ends."
Yue Ning’s lips curved faintly. "Please tell them not to worry."
Lu Ran, standing near the window, turned to her. His tone was calm, but his expression was filled with unmasked worry and concern. "You don’t look fine. The police said it was an accident, but are you sure about that?"
Yue Ning lowered her gaze. "That’s what they said."
Lu Ting frowned slightly but forced a smile. "Enough talk about unpleasant things. What matters is that you’re alive. Rest, Xiao Ning. Let us handle everything else."
Yue Ning smiled weakly. "Alright, Mom."
Lu Ting squeezed her hand. "You’re safe now. That’s all that matters."
Safe. The word echoed in Yue Ning’s mind as her gaze drifted toward the curtained window. Outside, the afternoon sun shone brightly—and somewhere below, a black sedan waited in silence before driving away.
Yue Ning’s brows furrowed, and her pulse quickened. Perhaps safety was only an illusion.
-----------------
Xu Residence>
The Xu Residence was unusually lively that afternoon. Servants hurried through the grand corridors carrying samples of silk and lace, murmuring about menus and guest lists.
The faint scent of peonies mingled with fresh polish, giving the entire mansion the aura of wealth and preparation.
To an observer, it was the picture of joy — a home preparing for its daughter’s wedding.
But Xu Yuelan knew it was nothing of this sort.
She sat in her room, her eyes narrowing as she listened to the faint noises coming from the maids passing through the corridor.
Her brows drew together slightly and she took a deep breath. This wasn’t a marriage of love. Rather, it was a marriage bound by plans — cold, careful plans that had nothing to do with affection.
Xu Yuelan leaned back in her chair, her manicured fingers tapping lightly against the table. The maids’ chatter drifted through the half-open door. There were words like wedding gown, flowers, and guest list floating around like empty noise.
A faint smile curved her lips, though there was no warmth in it. "Love," she muttered under her breath, the word tasting bitter. "What a ridiculous excuse people use to hide their greed."
The wedding was only a few weeks away, yet Xu Yuelan felt no excitement, only control. Every detail had been chosen to perfection: the color of the drapes, the texture of the invitations, the positioning of every guest.
She wanted it flawless. Not for romance, but for power. She wanted this marriage to be that of a statement.
She rose from her chair and walked toward the tall mirror by the window. Her reflection stared back at her. It was calm, elegant, and untouchable. That was how everyone saw her. And that was how it needed to stay.
Her parents downstairs believed she and Song Kai were deeply in love. Her mother often said, "You two look perfect together," while her father smiled with satisfaction, thinking the union would strengthen both families. Her grandfather was happy with this union.
If only they knew.
Xu Yuelan didn’t love Song Kai. She barely liked him. He was useful, ambitious, composed, and willing to play his role. That was enough.
Their marriage was an agreement, one that benefited them both. He got her family’s name and influence, and she got his reach in the business world.
But deep inside, she knew she wanted something more, something no alliance could give her.
Recognition. Not as someone’s fiancée or daughter, but as the woman who could bring Yue Ning down from her spotless pedestal.
Yue Ning! The name alone made her chest tighten. That woman, with her gentle eyes and quiet smile, always managed to take what others admired. Even now, with the news of her accident and her lying in a hospital bed, people still pitied and praised her.
Xu Yuelan’s lips curved again, though this time, it was sharper and edged with something dangerous.
’Soon enough, Yue Ning would lose everything she held dear.’ She maliciously thought to herself
The wedding might be built on lies, but it would still go on. And when it did, it would mark the beginning. Not of love, but of payback.