After the Arranged Marriage, I Was Pampered by the Powerful Tycoon - Chapter 4

Cheng Ruan chose the Fuchue Mountain Villa in the suburbs of Jincheng as the wedding venue. Although located on the outskirts, the villa’s reputation was by no means inferior to the manor courtyards in the heart of the city.

This had been his mother’s dowry when she married into the Cheng family.

In the earlier years, before Cheng Ruan had intervened in the group’s operations—and while he was single-mindedly trying to contend against Cheng Duan with his own strength—he inevitably faced moments of tight capital flow. Yet, no matter how destitute he became, and despite many offering astronomical prices to buy the Fuchue Mountain Villa, Cheng Ruan had rejected them all without hesitation.

Now, his choice of this location for the wedding seemed to be within expectations.

The entire wedding was orchestrated and finalized by Cheng Ruan alone, with almost no consultation regarding the Luo family’s wishes; to describe it as “absurd” would not be an exaggeration.

Wu Zhou stared at Cheng Ruan as he emerged from the dressing room. His eyes lit up, but he then asked, “You’re ready, but what about the other groom?”

Cheng Ruan allowed the stylist to adjust his suit, saying indifferently, “I’ll just go ‘fetch’ him.”

Wu Zhou couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up, sighing with emotion: “As expected of you, Little Ruan. I’m catching a glimpse of the flair you had the year your father passed away.”

“You truly have the aura of a future head of the family now.”

Cheng Ruan tilted his chin up triumphantly. “I can’t let him be the only one playing everyone for a fool. If Luo Mingzhi cares so much about Luo Zhen’s reputation, then what about my reputation? What about the Cheng family’s?”

Wu Zhou’s tone shifted, tinged with hesitation. “But… are you sure you can actually invite that person… to marry you?”

Cheng Ruan gave a dismissive “tch” and scrutinized his wedding attire in the mirror with satisfaction.

“If he has the ability, let him run away too.”

Luo Mingzhi had long heard of the Cheng family’s young master’s arrogance and domineering nature, but this time, he was finally experiencing it firsthand.

Over the past few days, he had heard of the movements on Cheng Ruan’s side: the lavish wedding preparations, setting the Fuchue Mountain Villa as the venue, and the purchase of an astronomically priced blue diamond ring. News of the alliance with the Luo family had spread throughout Jincheng.

None of this was affected in the slightest by his backing out of the marriage.

Luo Mingzhi felt a faint sense that something was wrong. Although he had guessed Cheng Ruan’s intentions, he hadn’t taken them to heart. However, he hadn’t expected the ignorant young master of the Cheng family to actually have this kind of audacity.

Cheng Ruan was forcing him to make a choice: choose to yield, and the Cheng family would gain a more stable alliance; choose to refuse, and the Cheng family could place him on a moral high ground, turning public opinion against him in advance. Regardless of the outcome, for the Cheng family, this was a win-win deal.

Luo Mingzhi glanced indifferently at the secretary before him. Cheng Ruan was right outside the door; it looked like he intended to “invite” him to the wedding scene.

The secretary asked cautiously, “Sir, should we inform the Old Master of the Cheng family?”

Luo Mingzhi didn’t speak for a long while. Eventually, his lips curled into an interested smirk. “Old Master Cheng has truly indulged him to this extent.”

“Let’s go.” Luo Mingzhi stood up. “Let’s go meet the ‘Young Master’ of the Cheng family.”

Separated only by a door, Cheng Ruan stood outside holding a large bouquet of “Ice Queen” lilies. He raised his wrist to pretentiously check his watch; there was still one minute until 11:00 AM.

Lu Ling, dressed in a white suit, stood behind Cheng Ruan with a solemn expression.

Cheng Ruan asked somewhat playfully, “Secretary Lu, tell me, if Luo Mingzhi doesn’t come out, will I look very pathetic?”

He turned back to look at Lu Ling with a half-smile. “I might actually cry.”

“Is that so?” a cold voice rang out.

The secretary opened the office door, and Luo Mingzhi walked out. His expression remained as scholarly and composed as ever, projecting an air of casual indifference.

Cheng Ruan’s heart skipped a beat. He looked up at Luo Mingzhi and said, “Yes, I am a weak and incompetent person. There are only five hours left until the wedding of our two families. If you are absent, I will be heartbroken.”

He deliberately emphasized the words “two families.” After speaking, he blinked theatrically, looking directly at Luo Mingzhi.

Luo Mingzhi’s gaze remained calm. He looked away from the lilies in Cheng Ruan’s hands and walked straight out. The group of people waiting behind him followed immediately.

Cheng Ruan quickly followed. “Mr. Luo wouldn’t happen to be planning to jilt the groom as well, would he?”

He shook his head and sighed. “The engagement was set by Mr. Luo, and breaking it is just a matter of a single sentence. Meanwhile, we have all become pawns to be manipulated and discarded at will. Looking at it this way, it’s no wonder Miss Luo was unwilling.”

Walking toward a car, Luo Mingzhi suddenly stopped.

Cheng Ruan also stopped abruptly, nearly stepping on Luo Mingzhi’s heels.

Protecting the flowers in his arms, he took a step back. Luo Mingzhi’s voice sounded from above.

“Let’s go, Mr. Cheng.”

Cheng Ruan looked at Luo Mingzhi in disbelief, only then realizing his meaning. As Luo Mingzhi got into the car, Cheng Ruan feigned devotion by handing the lilies to the cold-faced man.

Luo Mingzhi refused with a harsh tone, “Take them away.”

“You got him?” Wu Zhou leaned in. Seeing the lilies still in Cheng Ruan’s hands, he laughed again. “Little Ruan, I have to say, you’re ruthless. Snatching a groom is one thing, but giving him lilies? Do you know what that signifies to a father?”

Cheng Ruan put the flowers down and said disdainfully, “I don’t care what it signifies. I’m just awakening his conscience.”

Wu Zhou studied Cheng Ruan and noticed something off. “Little Ruan, why do your ears and neck look so red?”

Cheng Ruan instinctively covered his ears. “Are they? I didn’t notice.”

Wu Zhou handed him his phone with the front camera on. “Here, look for yourself.”

Refusing to believe it, Cheng Ruan looked into the camera and saw that his earlobes were indeed burning red, a flush that had even spread down his fair neck.

Cheng Ruan quickly pushed the phone back, saying unnaturally, “Maybe it’s an allergy.”

Wu Zhou looked at him suspiciously. “How did you become allergic to flowers too? Should I call a doctor? The wedding is about to start; we can’t let an allergy ruin your peak beauty.”

At a loss for words from Wu Zhou’s teasing, Cheng Ruan suddenly stood up. “Stop talking, Wu Zhou!”

Cheng Ruan had just finished his makeup. His wine-red V-neck silk shirt made him look even fairer, and his exposed collarbones added a hint of peculiar charm.

Wu Zhou took an exaggerated step back. “Little Ruan, I have to say, it’s a pity you’re straight. Your looks are top-tier in the ‘1’ circle; even I, as a ‘0.5’, feel like I’ve been struck!”

Cheng Ruan: “Thanks. Although I’m marrying a man, I’m straight as a ruler.”

Wu Zhou: “You’re literally marrying a man. Won’t you reconsider?”

Cheng Ruan: “I’ll reconsider your head.”

Lu Ling knocked on the door from the entrance. “Mr. Cheng, it’s almost time.”

Cheng Ruan: “Okay.”

Cheng Ruan slightly moved his neck, a smirk playing on his lips as he walked toward the wedding venue with an air of triumph.

Luo Mingzhi had not yet arrived. Cheng Ruan habitually looked down at the crowd below, knowing most were whispering about the old history between his parents, the glorious genealogy of the Cheng family, or casting new labels on him—be it pity or disdain.

But Cheng Ruan didn’t care. Over the years, he had become invulnerable.

The scene suddenly fell silent. Cheng Ruan narrowed his eyes, looking toward the entrance with a mix of tension and anticipation.

Luo Mingzhi had arrived.

It had to be said that Luo Mingzhi was excessively handsome. Cheng Ruan considered himself well-traveled, having seen countless celebrities and socialites with outstanding looks, but in front of Luo Mingzhi, they all faded away. Even in his perennial black attire, he always commanded everyone’s attention.

Nineteen steps in total. Cheng Ruan counted.

It took nineteen steps for Luo Mingzhi to walk to him.

Cheng Ruan felt he was being incredibly bored; otherwise, why would he count Luo Mingzhi’s steps? He shifted his focus back to the man. Before he could react, Luo Mingzhi stood beside him with an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Cheng Ruan’s reflex was to retreat, but considering it was a wedding, he forced himself to stay composed.

The famous host on stage was announcing a specific part of the ceremony. Cheng Ruan and Luo Mingzhi stood facing each other, so close that Cheng Ruan could see the other’s high bridge of the nose and deep eyes.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a suspicious figure waving his arms behind Luo Mingzhi. Cheng Ruan turned slightly and saw the rather comical Wu Zhou.

Wu Zhou held a phone to record with one hand and made a “fighting” gesture with the other, his mouth silently forming words. He looked quite excited.

Cheng Ruan understood instantly.

Wu Zhou’s mouth was saying: “Take the lead!”

At that moment, the host smiled and announced, “Now, will the couple please exchange rings.”

Cheng Ruan looked away, glanced at the Old Master sitting steadily in the audience, and took a deep breath to steady his nerves.

He took the ring. His fingers trembled ever so slightly as he took Luo Mingzhi’s hand. The heat from the man’s hand instantly transferred to his cold fingertips.

He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but Cheng Ruan thought he saw mockery and playfulness in Luo Mingzhi’s eyes. The audience watched the “forced marriage” farce with bated breath, waiting for the ceremony to conclude safely.

Cheng Ruan bit his lip and slid the wedding ring onto Luo Mingzhi’s ring finger.

He heard someone in the audience cry out, “My God!”

Cheng Ruan suddenly found courage from nowhere. He took a step toward Luo Mingzhi, reached out to press against the man’s firm and powerful waist, and began his carefully designed “tough talk” segment.

“Your adopted daughter ruined the engagement you set.”

“If you don’t want her caught and brought back, then please me.”

After speaking, Cheng Ruan felt his “allergy” flare up again, but he maintained his hard-won arrogance, provocatively holding Luo Mingzhi’s narrow waist, determined to wait for the man’s compliance.

Luo Mingzhi reached out and patted his back, keeping a slight distance as he took the ring and placed it on Cheng Ruan’s finger.

Applause and screams erupted from the audience. Flashbulbs popped and shutters clicked incessantly. The host was still saying something, but Cheng Ruan’s mind was now a total blank. He felt this could be ranked as the darkest moment of his life.

Marriage was truly terrifying.

Amidst the cheering, a force suddenly lifted his waist. Cheng Ruan was pulled into Luo Mingzhi’s embrace, unable to break free. Looking up, he could only see the man’s profile.

Cheng Ruan couldn’t help but poke Luo Mingzhi’s waist with his ringed hand. “What are you doing?”

Luo Mingzhi lowered his head, leaning close to his ear in a posture that looked intimate to the outside world. “Aren’t I getting married to Mr. Cheng?”

Cheng Ruan unnaturally avoided the hot breath near his ear, deciding he definitely needed a doctor to look at his allergy symptoms.

Great. Finally, none of them were normal anymore.