He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

As the car slowly drove into the Fu family villa, Song Zhi had just gotten out when her phone started vibrating rapidly.

Song Zhi took out her phone and looked at the contact name.

It was Song Jiachen calling.

She swiped to connect.

"Hello, Jiachen?"

Song Zhi answered the phone and heard the boy's rapid breathing through the receiver.

"Sis, did Mom go looking for you just now?"

Song Jiachen's voice was filled with obvious anxiety.

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Did she say anything strange?"

Song Zhi recalled the bank card and said softly, "They gave me a card, saying it was part of my dowry."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone: "That's all? Nothing else?"

"No, nothing's wrong." Song Zhi keenly sensed something was amiss. "What happened?"

"No, it's nothing." Song Jiachen's voice suddenly lowered. "I'm just... I'm afraid that if she finds out you're marrying into the Fu family, she'll..."

Song Zhi instantly understood her brother's worries.

He was worried that Zhao Man would take the opportunity to extort money from him after she found out he had married Fu Lu.

She said softly, "Jiachen, she didn't ask for money. Don't think so badly of her."

"Hmm," the boy replied listlessly. "Then I'll hang up."

After hanging up the phone, Song Zhi sighed helplessly.

Fu Lu walked to her side, his warm hand resting on her shoulder: "What's wrong?"

Song Zhi shook her head and gently put her phone back in her bag.

She looked up at Fu Lu, a faint smile playing on her lips: "It's alright, let's go inside."

Upon entering the living room, Song Zhi paused slightly.

An elderly man, whom I didn't recognize, was sitting on the sofa. His silver hair was neatly combed, and he was sipping tea from a blue and white porcelain teacup.

The old man noticed her gaze and gave her a meaningful look.

Song Zhi subconsciously moved closer to Fu Lu and asked in a low voice, "Who is that?"

Fu Lu frowned slightly and replied in a low voice, "Never seen it before."

"I thought it was an elder from the Fu family."

“No.” Fu Lu’s tone was certain.

At that moment, the butler hurried forward: "Young Master, Young Madam, you're back."

Fu Lu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the old man: "And who is this?"

"It was a metaphysical master specially invited by the master."

The butler respectfully replied, "Aren't the young master and young mistress going to have their wedding? The master said they must choose an auspicious day."

Fu Lu raised an eyebrow: "The date has already been set?"

"It's settled, the sixth day of next month."

The butler handed over a sheet of red paper with gold lettering. "The master said this is the best day of the year; if you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year."

Fu Lu took the red paper, his brow furrowed: "Isn't the time too tight?"

The butler quickly explained, "The master said that although it was a bit rushed, there's still time to prepare everything..."

Song Zhi gently tugged at Fu Lu's sleeve and said softly, "Ninth Brother, it's alright. Half a month is enough; I don't like it to drag on too long."

Fu Lu turned to look at her, his eyes filled with worry: "The wedding photos and the hotel haven't been booked yet."

Song Zhi smiled, her fingertips lightly tracing his palm: "Just take a few casual wedding photos, now..." She subconsciously touched her still-flat stomach, "I'm afraid my body won't be able to handle taking too many."

Fu Lu immediately understood and took her hand: "After the baby is born, we'll go and take another set of photos."

“Mm.” Song Zhi nodded, her eyes filled with tenderness.

As night fell, Song Zhi sat alone by the floor-to-ceiling window in the small living room on the second floor, a stack of gold-embossed invitations spread out in front of her.

The moonlight streaming in through the window cast a silvery glow on the invitation.

She picked up a sheet and gently traced the gold foil pattern on it with her fingertips, her expression somewhat dazed.

“What are you thinking about?”

Fu Lu appeared behind her without her noticing, and his warm hand touched her shoulder.

Song Zhi tilted her head back, and the moonlight cast dappled shadows on her eyelashes.

"45 days, it feels like it went by so fast," she murmured. "I thought I'd need at least half a year to prepare."

Fu Lu sat down beside her, pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head: "I'm sorry to have put you in such a rush."

Song Zhi shook her head in his arms, her hair brushing against his chin: "It's really okay."

She looked up, her gaze resolute. "I don't want to wait, and I don't need to make it up later. It's fine as it is."

Before Fu Lu could say anything more, Song Zhi reached out and pressed her hand against his lips: "Ninth Brother, I'm serious."

After a moment of silence, Fu Lu asked again, "Should we invite some friends to be bridesmaids?"

Song Zhi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her face.

Over the years, while staying by Pei Jinnian's side, she has lost contact with almost all her friends.

Of my college roommates, only Xiao Wan still keeps in touch occasionally.

"No."

She shook her head, then, as if remembering something, took out her phone. "But I should call Xiao Wan and invite her to the wedding."

Fu Lu nodded: "You go ahead and do it, I'm going to take a shower."

Song Zhi held her phone, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the screen.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered. Xiao Wan's voice, tinged with a hint of languor, came through the receiver: "Hello?"

"Wanwan,"

Song Zhi took a deep breath, her voice brimming with undisguised joy, "I'm getting married."

"Didn't you already register your marriage with Attorney Fu?"

Xiao Wan's tone rose, carrying a clear hint of teasing.

"Is it a wedding?"

Song Zhi unconsciously touched her lower abdomen, a gentle smile curving her lips. "We've decided to have a wedding."

"when?"

"The sixth of next month."

Xiao Wan's exaggerated exclamation came from the other end of the phone: "Wow! Are they going to make me their bridesmaid?"

She paused, then added, "That's true, I'm practically your only close friend."

These words were like a tiny thorn, gently pricking Song Zhixin's heart.

She bit her lower lip; the heightened sensitivity of her pregnancy made her unintentional remark sound particularly jarring.

"We plan to have a simple ceremony."

Song Zhi tried her best to keep her voice steady, "So we're not planning to arrange bridesmaids."

"Huh?" Xiao Wan's voice suddenly rose, "They don't even want bridesmaids?"

"Um."

"How can this be! Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event,"

Xiao Wan persisted, "Could it be that your CEO Fu is too stingy with the bridesmaids' red envelopes?"

Song Zhi sighed helplessly, "That's not how it is."

"Then why not have bridesmaids? There has to be a reason, right?"

Song Zhi gently stroked her belly: "It was my decision. I don't like overly complicated ceremonies; simple and warm is fine."

"Alright, alright," Xiao Wan finally relented, "I'll definitely be there on time."

"Thank you for coming," Song Zhi said sincerely.

"Why are you being so polite with me? We're best friends."

Xiao Wan suddenly changed the subject, "By the way, does Pei Jinnian know about your marriage?"

Song Zhi's fingers suddenly tightened: "What does it matter whether he knows or not?"

"After all, you two were once..." Xiao Wan hesitated, then stopped herself from speaking.

"He's getting married."

"What?" Xiao Wan's voice suddenly rose, full of astonishment.

"Who is he marrying? I remember the news said that Meng Huan couldn't be saved after jumping off the building. How come he's getting married now?"

Song Zhi unconsciously tightened her grip on the phone, asking, "Meng Huan...couldn't be saved?"

"Yes, he lost vital signs on the spot."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi stood frozen in place.

Involuntarily, Meng Huan's twisted and ferocious face appeared in my mind.