Chapter One: The President’s Lightning Marriage
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Haishi, Airport.
The vast airport was eerily empty, with only a large group of black-clad bodyguards standing in formation before the security line, vigilant and alert.
Inside the VIP reception lounge, several impeccably dressed men held financial newspapers in their hands, but none of them were in the mood to read. One of the men glanced at his expensive wristwatch, then set down his magazine and stood up.
“It’s about time,” he said.
The others followed suit, rising and straightening their attire.
“This is President Huo’s first visit to Haishi! We must not let our guard down!” the leading man said sternly.
To welcome this president, not only was the airport closed off, but the entire street outside and several major public venues were sealed as well.
If any of Haishi’s elite were present, they would surely be stunned—these men, each capable of stirring the winds and commanding the tides in Haishi, had gathered together for the sake of a single guest.
Just as the distinguished group was preparing to depart, an assistant in glasses and a suit rushed in.
“Mr. Mayor, the president is gone!”
The mayor’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“The president’s private jet didn’t land here. He went to another private airstrip. And… after landing, he went straight to the Xu family’s residence.”
The Xu family?
The prominent men exchanged bewildered glances, their faces full of confusion.
Which Xu family was this?
It was no wonder they were unfamiliar; the Xu family held a certain status in Haishi, but compared to the true aristocrats, they fell somewhat short.
“Investigate the Xu family,” the mayor ordered decisively.
“Yes, sir.”
...
Meanwhile, in the dressing room of the Xu family estate, Xu Xiu sat before the vanity mirror in a delicate wedding gown. It should have been a day of joy, yet not a hint of a smile touched her face.
The wedding was about to begin, but the groom had yet to arrive.
Ding!
At that moment, her phone on the dressing table chimed with a notification.
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Xu Xiu picked up her phone—it was a video message from Xu Yaru.
She frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, then opened the video.
The background appeared to be a hospital, though Xu Yaru’s face was not visible. The camera, however, caught a man sitting by a hospital bed, peeling an apple.
“Brother Yunzhe, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for suddenly falling ill and making you come take care of me…”
The man looked up and smiled indulgently in Xu Yaru’s direction. “Silly girl, nothing matters more than you.”
“But your wedding with my sister…”
The man’s hand paused, then his expression turned indifferent. “It doesn’t matter. I never wanted to marry her anyway.”
The video ended, but Xu Xiu’s face darkened considerably.
Because the man in the video—
Was the groom who had failed to arrive: her fiancé, Huo Yunzhe!
Xu Xiu knew—Xu Yaru had done this deliberately!
She held back her tears and called her parents, who had also not arrived.
The call connected quickly, but her father and mother sounded nothing like their usual gentle, doting selves.
“Xu Xiu, you can’t force matters of the heart. Yunzhe truly loves Yaru. You should step aside.”
Xu Xiu’s sobs abruptly ceased.
She could hardly believe her ears.
The wedding was already organized, guests were gathered outside, and yet they wanted her to withdraw!?
Xu Xiu was incredulous. “Dad, Mom, you…”
“It’s settled. The ceremony hasn’t started, so there’s still time to cancel,” her father said, then hung up.
Xu Xiu stared at her phone, unable to recover.
Ever since she recently learned that she and Xu Yaru had been switched at birth, her parents’ attitude had grown cold. But she still clung to hope—they had lived together for so many years! Even if she wasn’t their biological child, there should be some affection.
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She never imagined they would treat her like this!
“Miss Xu, the wedding is about to begin. The groom…” the emcee prompted.
Xu Xiu turned to face him, drew a deep breath.
“The wedding will proceed!” she declared, wiping away her tears and rising, gathering her skirt as she walked out.
The emcee watched as Xu Xiu pushed open the hall doors and strode forward, startled.
Guests in the hall were equally surprised at the sudden appearance of the bride.
A wave of whispered speculation rippled through the crowd.
Xu Xiu walked straight to the stage, picked up the microphone.
The hall fell silent.
She spoke slowly: “Thank you all for taking time from your busy lives to attend my wedding. Unfortunately, the groom cannot be here due to certain circumstances.”
The guests erupted in shocked murmurs.
Xu Xiu struggled to remain composed, glanced at the crowd, and continued, earnest: “Now, whoever is willing to stand up and marry me will be the groom!”
It was a wild notion, but she felt no regret.
Neither the Xu family nor Huo Yunzhe cared about her—so why should she comply?
Yet, after her declaration, not a single guest dared step forward.
Everyone knew the tangled affairs between the Xu and Huo families—who would willingly wade into such troubled waters?
It would be asking for trouble!
Xu Xiu had not expected such a scene. She stood alone on the stage, all eyes upon her, as if she were nothing more than a joke.
Her knuckles turned white.
She bit her lip, feeling the urge to retreat.
Just as she was about to speak again, the hall doors swung open once more.
A handsome man appeared before the crowd, and Xu Xiu, caught off guard, met his deep gaze.
He spoke—
“I will marry you.”