"Zihan is using yours, so this will do for now," Li Yan instructed, her tone brisk but affectionate. "Go on, shower."
Guo Min sighed but nodded, shuffling inside. She didn't dare push her luck against her soon-to-be mother-in-law's iron will.
After a quick bath, she lingered at the sink, patting her face dry and applying a stripped-down version of her skincare routine, half her products were locked upstairs in her and Zihan's room. She examined herself in the mirror, sighed at her slightly bare routine, then resignedly stepped out.
Waiting for her was Li Yan, holding a vibrant qipao dress delicately against the light.
Guo Min's lips curved into a half-smile. "So it's traditional for today, huh?" Her tone carried a sarcastic edge, though her eyes betrayed a spark of curiosity. She couldn't deny she was a little excited to see what Zihan would look like in traditional attire.
But her expectations were crushed.
"Oh no," Li Yan chirped cheerfully. "Only the bride is going traditional. The groom will wear a suit, of course."
Guo Min's jaw dropped. "Mom-in-law, this is favoritism! Why am I the only one forced into traditional?"
Li Yan's smile widened, utterly unmoved by the protest. "Because you're the bride. The one everyone should look at. Besides," she added slyly, "Zihan wouldn't tolerate standing out. You know him. That leaves the radiance to you."
"So I get to suffer the embroidered corsets and the stiff collars, while he gets to lounge around in a comfortable suit?"Guo Min groaned, flopping dramatically onto the chair. "Besides he doesn't like to stand out, but he does".
"Yes," Li Yan said simply, already motioning for the maids to bring in jewelry boxes. "Now stop complaining. It's your duty to shine brighter than everyone else today."
Guo Min sighed but obediently settled into the chair. The pink qipao threaded with soft touches of white, fit her frame so well. A protective apron was carefully wrapped around her before the makeup began. The maids worked with precision, styling her hair into a graceful half-up, half-down look, soft curls cascading over her shoulders, and delicate bangs curled forward to frame her face.
They adorned her with jade bangles that glimmered faintly in the light, pearl earrings and a matching necklace resting elegantly on her collarbone. Tiny white flowers were woven into her hair, intertwined with subtle strands of gold. When she finally stood, slipping into pristine white heels, she looked like she had walked out of a painting.
Li Yan's lips softened into a rare, heartfelt smile. "You are beautiful, Min. I'm proud to have you as a daughter."
Guo Min's chest warmed despite her annoyance. "Thanks, Mom."
Without missing a beat, Li Yan ushered her toward the car.
Guo Min dragged her feet slightly. "No breakfast?" she asked hopefully, already knowing the answer.
"Till after the shoot," Li Yan replied briskly.
The words stabbed Guo Min straight in the stomach. She sniffed pitifully, muttering something about "starving brides," before climbing into the car.
Pouting, she slumped against the seat, too wrapped up in her hunger and sulkiness to notice the presence beside her, until Zihan's voice cut through.
For a moment, he had been silent, his gaze trailing almost unconsciously to the slit of her qipao that revealed the smooth line of her leg. His throat tightened, and before he realized it, he had swallowed hard. The sight stirred something raw, something possessive in him, but his words came out in his usual composed, cold tone.
"...Isn't that too revealing?". Instantly taking off the blazer of his tailored three piece suit and immediately covered her legs, hand not moving away from it for a few minutes since he knew how stubborn Guo Min could be.
"It isn't". She blinked, then smirked. "Ah… you're jealous."
His head turned slowly, brows arching. "I am not."
"You are!" she gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "President Zhu, the unshakable iceberg, is actually jealous because I might get admired by other men."
He shifted in his seat, his ears just slightly pink. "It's not jealousy. It's… precaution."
"Precaution?" she repeated, fighting laughter.
"Yes," Zihan said simply, gaze forward, as if that ended the matter.
Guo Min scoffed, folding her arms. He could call it precaution all he wanted, but she knew it was pure, unfiltered jealousy, and he just didn't want to admit it.
They arrived at the studio, a spacious gallery like photographer's workshop, with soft lights and elegant backdrops already arranged exactly to Li Yan's specifications. Everything was pristine, polished, and ready for the couple.
The photographer, a cheerful young man in his twenties, clapped his hands together. "Ah, there you are! Perfect, perfect. The background is ready. Let's get started."
Guo Min and Zihan walked onto the set, standing stiffly beside one another as if posing for a yearbook photo rather than a romantic shoot. Although Guo Min was all ready to get into action but the problem was with the iceberg beside her.
The photographer chuckled, lowering his camera for a moment. "Come now, you two, you aren't strangers. Move closer!."
Guo Min tilted her head toward Zihan, lips twitching as if to say see? even he thinks we're too stiff.
Zihan didn't move right away, his jaw tightening. But after a pause, he placed his hand on her waist, gentle yet firm enough to draw her in. Guo Min's breath hitched at the closeness, the warmth of his palm seeping through the silk of her qipao.
"That's better," the photographer encouraged. "Now look at her, Mr. Zhu. Like the way you usually do when you two are alone".
Zihan's eyes flicked to hers, dark and steady.
Almost three hours later, the photoshoot was finally over, and the couple returned home. Guo Min practically skipped inside with the enthusiasm of someone finally about to collapse on a soft bed.
She ate to her heart's content, then flopped down for what she swore would be an endless nap. But her peace lasted barely half an hour before the door creaked open and Li Yan entered, trailed by a few attendants.
"Min, my child," Li Yan called affectionately.
Guo Min raised her head from the cushions, blinking, her stomach blissfully full. "Yes, Mom?" she replied, already preparing to crawl into the bedroom and sleep for hours.
"I know that you're beautiful," Li Yan began, her voice syrupy sweet.
Guo Min's eyes narrowed with suspicion. That tone never means anything good.
"But now," Li Yan continued with a smile that could only mean trouble, "it's time to have your premarital body care."
The room went silent for half a beat. Everyone at the table, the Zhu men especially, knew what was coming, and they were already biting back chuckles.
"B…body care?" Guo Min stammered, straightening in her seat.
"Hm," Li Yan nodded matter-of-factly. "Pedicure, manicure, waxing… you know, the usual girl things."
Guo Min slumped dramatically into the chair, throwing her head back. "…Mom, I'm sure this is the very reason all the girls in heaven said no to becoming your daughter."
Zihan, seated nearby with a glass of water, nearly choked, coughing into his hand to hide his laughter. His father cleared his throat, looking away with a suspicious twitch of his lips, Grandpa Zhu just smiled. The atmosphere was on the verge of breaking into full-blown amusement.
Li Yan, however, remained utterly unbothered. "Hmph. You'll thank me later."
Guo suddenly smirked.