I Quit Being This Female Lead (GL) - Chapter 85

The engagement banquet was set to take place in the largest and finest restaurant in the city, with invited guests and friends occupying the entire floor’s main hall.

In the dressing room, Mang Ke sat primly on a chair, her small face flushed, accentuated by the pale pink chiffon dress. The makeup artist was curling and setting her chestnut-colored long hair, integrating any stray strands and ensuring they looked perfectly neat.

The light chiffon was complemented by hand-embroidered flowers. The pale pink tulle gown and the cream-colored embroidery enhanced each other beautifully, while real flowers and sparkling rhinestones adorned the chest area, lending an air of extraordinary luxury.

“It’s about ready, Miss,” the makeup artist said after spraying her long hair with hairspray to set it, placing a fresh floral wreath on Mang Ke’s head.

Mang Ke looked at herself in the mirror. Since it was an engagement banquet and not as grand as a wedding, the light luxury sheer fabric paired with pink roses made the entire gown exceptionally sweet.

The makeup artist secured the wreath with several silver-white crystal hair clips to prevent it from falling while she walked. Looking at Mang Ke in the mirror, she said, “That should be it. Miss, do you feel like anything is missing?”

It was Mang Ke’s first time getting married, so she was a bit lost when the makeup artist asked. She looked at the mirror and said, “I don’t think anything is missing.”

The makeup artist crossed her arms, scrutinized her, and then touched Mang Ke’s collarbone. “This necklace doesn’t seem refined enough. I’ll go change it.”

“No need.”

Just then, Xun Fangyun was wheeled into the room by the maid.

Mang Ke turned to look, seeing Xun Fangyun wearing a white, long, fishtail-style dress that concealed her feet, with a white fur stole draped over her shoulders, making her look graceful and luxurious.

Xun Fangyun couldn’t help but smile slightly upon seeing Mang Ke. She extended her hand and placed a box she was holding into Mang Ke’s hand.

“This is from Madam to Miss,” the maid explained. “Miss Mang Ke, please open it and take a look.”

Mang Ke was somewhat suspicious. Why would Auntie prepare a gift when she was about to make her entrance?

Untying the white ribbon, she found a golden silk velvet gift box inside. When Mang Ke opened it, she saw a pair of diamond earrings and an intricate, delicate diamond necklace.

The makeup artist’s eyes immediately lit up upon seeing the jewelry box, and she exclaimed in surprise, “Are these for Miss to wear?”

Xun Fangyun nodded.

The maid explained, “Madam said the new bride must wear new jewelry. These were custom-made in France, and she specifically asked us to deliver them.”

Mang Ke looked at the dazzling, almost blinding necklace, wondering if those large, fingernail-sized diamonds could possibly all be real.

While she was still thinking, she saw Xun Fangyun reach out and hold Mang Ke’s hand, curling her lips as she wrote a word on her palm: [Come]

Mang Ke knew she wanted to help her put it on, so she didn’t refuse. Xun Fangyun was pushed behind Mang Ke, watching as the girl obediently lifted her long hair, exposing her white neck.

Seeing the beautiful and elegant bride standing before her, Xun Fangyun’s heart felt particularly tender. She slightly raised her body, bypassed Mang Ke’s long hair, placed the diamond-studded necklace around her neck, and clasped it at the back.

Mang Ke suddenly felt a significant weight on her neck. Is this the weight of wealth?

Touching the necklace that still retained a bit of her body heat, Xun Fangyun then lowered her head to help Mang Ke put on the delicate earrings. With the full set of jewelry on her, Mang Ke radiated an alluring brilliance.

This gentle and kind girl would be her wife from now on.

The thought made Xun Fangyun’s heart soften instantly. She took Mang Ke’s hand, intertwining their fingers, lowered her head, and pressed her forehead against Mang Ke’s, closing her eyes briefly.

Mang Ke found Xun Fangyun’s action too intimate and whispered, “So many people are watching. Don’t be so hands-on.”

Xun Fangyun glanced at the makeup artists; they had already tactfully kept busy with their own tasks. Seeing no outsiders around, she whispered into Mang Ke’s ear, “You really are beautiful today.”

Mang Ke’s face immediately flushed. She muffled a reply, “You’re only just realizing that?”

They say the day of the wedding is when every woman looks her best, and Mang Ke felt that Xun Fangyun was just as beautiful as her today.

After months of nurturing, her long hair was now soft and straight. She believed it wouldn’t be long before the breathtaking beauty they remembered would fully return.

The makeup artist used the final moments to touch up both Mang Ke and Xun Fangyun’s makeup. Xun Fangyun took Mang Ke’s hand and wrote on it: [Task]

Mang Ke nodded: “There’s still more than half an hour until the time. If you have something to do, go attend to it first.”

Xun Fangyun leaned in and touched Mang Ke’s forehead before letting the maid push her wheelchair away.

The makeup artist, while dusting on powder, said enviously, “Miss, your fiancé is truly beautiful and wealthy. A family that can book this entire hall wouldn’t be anything less than top-tier, right?”

Mang Ke smiled: “Not bad, they just run a small business.”

The makeup artist chuckled, choosing not to expose the lie, and used a large fluffy brush to set Mang Ke’s makeup, making the final preparations.

Meanwhile.

The maid was pushing Xun Fangyun along the hall corridor. Seeing the smiling expression on Xun Fangyun’s face, the maid was also very happy. Although she had come to the Xun family a little late, she had diligently taken care of Xun Fangyun for many years, and she was delighted to see her getting married one day.

“Miss,” the maid said to Xun Fangyun, “Madam asked us to stay backstage a little longer, and for you and Miss Mang Ke to avoid going outside.”

Xun Fangyun rested her chin on her hand and nodded, saying, “There’s no point in a disabled person like me going out. I might as well stay back here.”

The maid gave an awkward laugh. Xun Fangyun could clearly speak and walk now, yet she was confined to this wheelchair, which would naturally upset any young girl.

“Would you like to go to the lounge then?”

“No need.”

Xun Fangyun looked at the gold and red corridor and said, “Auntie, please get me a bottle of water. I’ll rest here for a bit and then go find Mang Ke.”

“Alright.”

The maid knew there was bottled mineral water in the lounge, so she turned and walked in that direction, leaving Xun Fangyun alone in the corridor.

Not long after the maid left, Xun Fangyun sensed the person who had been following her come forward.

Turning around, she saw a man in a suit and leather shoes standing behind her. He very naturally placed his hand on the wheelchair’s push handles and smiled: “Cousin, you look truly beautiful today.”

Xun Fangyun simply looked at him quietly, as if she couldn’t remember who this person was at all.

“It’s me, Nie Wentao,” the man pointed to himself and said, “I’m still your relative, after all. Make sure to remember me next time.”

Xun Fangyun turned her head, leaned naturally against the back of the chair, and shook the blanket on her knees, ignoring him.

Nie Wentao looked down at the girl in front of him. He noticed that Xun Fangyun looked much more energetic than she did a month ago. Her medium-length black hair rested on her shoulders, and from this angle, he could even see her slender, long legs underneath the white gown.

What a shame.

Nie Wentao mused internally, If Xun Fangyun weren’t mute and disabled, she would surely be a sought-after jewel, chased by everyone.

“Little sister,” Nie Wentao bent down and said to Xun Fangyun, “I’ll push you out. It’s almost time, and I’m sure Auntie is eagerly anticipating you.”

Xun Fangyun nodded, allowing him to push her forward.

When the maid returned with the water, she couldn’t find Xun Fangyun, who was supposed to be waiting obediently. She searched around strangely, even running to check the restroom, but found no sign of Xun Fangyun.

Meanwhile, Xun Fangyun was being pushed by Nie Wentao out of the banquet hall, heading toward the flowerbeds by the side entrance.

Xun Fangyun looked around, then turned back to Nie Wentao with a confused expression.

Nie Wentao smiled and said, “I suddenly remembered I left something in my car that I haven’t picked up yet. You can come with me, and then we’ll take the elevator directly back to the banquet hall.”

Xun Fangyun nodded, placing her hands in the blanket. The cold wind made her feel a little chilly.

Seeing how obedient Xun Fangyun was, Nie Wentao felt that all the preparations he had made were unnecessary. But then again, Xun Fangyun couldn’t call out or run away now. She was practically a fish waiting to be slaughtered; how could she resist?

Bypassing the guard and surveillance cameras, Nie Wentao saw his sports car parked in the corner near the trash disposal area in the distance. He wasn’t in a rush and simply pushed Xun Fangyun forward.

A few cleaning staff nearby cast glances at the strange combination of Nie Wentao and Xun Fangyun. Nie Wentao smiled very naturally, wearing a completely refined and gentle expression. They looked away after a moment.

Xun Fangyun was pushed right up to the car. Then, someone stepped out of the vehicle, exhaling a puff of cold air.

“Brother Tao, you really brought her out.”

The speaker was a young man with dyed blonde hair. He glanced at the calm Xun Fangyun and said with some curiosity, “Is she really disabled? She seems a little slow-witted, too.”

Nie Wentao glanced at the cleaning staff whispering behind them and said to the blonde, “You take her and leave first. I still have to go back to the venue.”

The blonde was confused: “Brother Tao, aren’t you coming with us?”

“No,” Nie Wentao put his hand on the blonde’s shoulder and leaned in to say, “If I leave now, it will definitely arouse suspicion. You take her to my apartment first, and I’ll come back tonight.”

The blonde nodded: “Got it, Brother Tao.”

Only after seeing his car disappear from sight did Nie Wentao turn a corner and enter the hall through the back door, pretending as if he had never left the venue.

The blonde, driving Nie Wentao’s million-yuan sports car, didn’t dare to drive fast. Furthermore, with the only daughter of a billionaire in the car, safety was the priority.

Just as the blonde was concentrating on driving, Xun Fangyun, sitting in the back, casually looked out the window. They had just gotten on the elevated highway, and the direction indicated they were heading east of the city.

She glanced at the somewhat nervous blonde driver in the front row, rested her hand on the car window frame, propped up her head, and spoke: “Is this your first time driving a sports car? Why are you driving so slowly?”

“Huh?”

The blonde was startled by her sudden voice. He looked at Xun Fangyun through the rearview mirror, blinked, and said, “Yeah, it’s my first time driving a sports car. Is this speed too slow?”

“Mhm,” Xun Fangyun hooked up her lips, crossed her legs, and said, “If you can’t handle it, you can give me the car, and I’ll drive.”