Obstacles and Conspiracies

Yan Xiaonian had dedicated herself to the study of wedding planning abroad. Upon completing her education and before returning home, she set her sights on a wedding planning firm called "Touch of Sentiment" and submitted her resume with high hopes. Xu Jian, learning of this, pulled a few strings behind the scenes, allowing Yan Xiaonian to be hired directly without an interview.

Grateful for the opportunity, Xiaonian was not about to slack off just because she had a deputy bureau chief as her backer. She rose at the crack of dawn, carefully carried her sleeping son into Wu Zhenzhu’s bed, and then headed to the kitchen. After efficiently preparing breakfast and leaving a note for the two of them, she freshened up, grabbed her bag, and set out.

As soon as she reached the ground floor, she saw Xu Jian in casual clothes, leaning against his car and smoking. Xu Jian was the quintessential handsome man: sword-like brows, starry eyes, and sharp, defined features that exuded determination. Standing six feet tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, he was as solid and reliable as a mountain, radiating both safety and masculinity. His long years in the police force had not only forged his strong character but also endowed him with extraordinary courage. Whenever he wore his uniform, his heroic aura was truly captivating, making him the ideal husband in the eyes of countless single women.

"Brother, have you had breakfast?" Xiaonian asked softly.

"Not yet." Xu Jian quickly stubbed out his cigarette, exhaled the remaining smoke, and gazed deeply at the woman before him, his heart warming unexpectedly.

Xiaonian wore a simple white shirt and a knee-length skirt, her long, dark hair tied into a neat ponytail. Her face was free of makeup, yet refined and flawless. Her large, beautiful eyes were as clear as a crystalline lake, bright and enchanting.

When they first met, she had only just reached adulthood, raw and innocent. Though she had been a mother for many years now, time had left few marks on her face; she remained as pure and lovable as ever, and Xu Jian found himself growing fonder of her with every passing day.

"I made breakfast and brought a portion for you." Once in the car, Xiaonian took out a lunch box and handed it to him.

"If my wife made it, I won't stand on ceremony." Xu Jian smiled, picked up a fried wonton, and tenderly fed it to Xiaonian first before popping one into his own mouth. He chewed slowly, looking completely satisfied as he praised, "Delicious."

Xiaonian, nibbling on her wonton, watched his childish behavior and teased him with a smile, "What 'wife'? A dignified first-class police inspector, yet you make things up out of thin air."

"It's only a matter of time." Xu Jian raised an eyebrow, his eyes glowing with the certainty of conquest. Xiaonian didn't commit to an answer, her diamond-shaped lips curving slightly into a smile that revealed her bright teeth, a sight that made Xu Jian’s heart flutter.

Before long, they arrived at the Touch of Sentiment firm. As soon as Xiaonian stepped out of the car, a super-luxurious Lamborghini came to a screeching halt beside her.

"Miss Yan, you've arrived!" The manager rushed out with several staff members to welcome her, their enthusiasm so intense it seemed capable of melting someone.

Thinking they were addressing her, Xiaonian was about to respond when she saw the manager bow low to open the Lamborghini’s door, offering his arm with the reverent posture of a palace eunuch serving an empress—a testament to the passenger’s status.

"Let's go inside." Disliking this sycophancy, Xu Jian took Xiaonian by the arm and walked into the lobby with a cold expression. Unable to suppress her curiosity, Xiaonian glanced back just in time to see a slender, snow-white leg emerging from the car.

"Click!" A pair of exquisite diamond-encrusted leather shoes hit the pavement. A woman in a custom-made gown stepped into the sunlight, her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses, her chin held high as if she looked down upon all living things.

"Miss Yan, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!" The staff knelt to arrange her hem, catering meticulously to their wealthy client. "We have hired ten more top-tier wedding planners specifically to oversee your big day."

Yan Yurou adjusted her sunglasses, a sinister smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "What is that woman who just went in with that petty deputy bureau chief?"

"Oh, her?" The manager rolled his eyes, recalling an inside tip. "I heard a few days ago that Chief Xu introduced someone to work here; it must be her."

"How interesting." *Little sister, why don't you just disappear for good?* Yan Yurou arched a brow and commanded with an air of absolute superiority, "I want only her to serve at my wedding. Dismiss everyone else; I will pay the full commission regardless."

"This... wonderful!" The manager hesitated for a second before silencing his conscience and agreeing. "Miss Yan, your decisiveness is like the reincarnation of Empress Wu Zetian; you truly overshadow all other socialites!"

"Heh..." Yan Yurou smiled triumphantly and sat back in the car. "Send her to my home to serve me immediately. Remember, from makeup to wardrobe to hosting, she is to do everything alone. Do not let there be any mistakes!"

"Yes." The manager carefully closed the car door and bowed ninety degrees as she departed.

On her first day at work, before she had even familiarized herself with the company, Yan Xiaonian was inexplicably assigned to a client. She initially thought it was due to Xu Jian’s influence. It wasn't until she arrived at the Xiangjiang Villa—her father’s home—that she realized she had walked into a trap set by her sister, Yan Yurou. However, she cherished this hard-won job, so she gritted her teeth and steeled herself to style her sister’s hair.

"Yan Xiaonian, are you trying to kill me?! You’re hurting my hair!" Yan Yurou fabricated a grievance. Before the comb had even touched her scalp, she grabbed Xiaonian by the hair and yanked it downward with all her might.

Xiaonian pressed her hand to her scalp in pain. "Miss Yan, I haven't even touched your hair yet, how could I have hurt you?"

"Smack!" Suddenly enraged, Yan Yurou jumped up and slapped her across the face. Her face twisted as she roared, "How dare you talk back to me? Do you know who I am? I could make you vanish from the face of the earth in a minute!"

Yan Xiaonian lowered her eyes, clutching the comb so tightly her knuckles turned white,忍住 (repressing) her deep sense of injustice and anger. She didn't care who Yan Yurou was marrying, but seeing her overbearing attitude, she knew this villain was not to be trifled with. She could only say subserviently, "I'm sorry, Miss Yan—"

"Bitch!" Yan Yurou sat back down, resting her feet on the vanity and shaking them, acting like a queen. Her eyes were brewing with toxic schemes. Today, she would make Yan Xiaonian die right here! Accidental deaths were too easy to arrange—a car accident, a fall from a building. But first, she would humiliate her enough.

Four years of luxury had brought her to the pinnacle of life, but it was all stolen—hidden in the shadows. Now that the true owner had appeared... *Hmph, no mercy!*

However, just as Yan Yurou was feeling invincible, she suddenly received a grand "gift"—a box full of nude photos and a threatening letter!

The letter stated that if she married Xiao Sheng, her indecent photos and videos would be broadcast simultaneously with the wedding ceremony.

"Boo-hoo... Mom, what do I do?" Yan Yurou trembled in terror.

"How could you be so insatiable, sleeping with multiple men..." Her mother, Huang Fang, felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Furious, she threw the photos across the room. "You have a man as outstanding as Xiao Sheng; why on earth would you cheat on him?"

"I've been with Xiao Sheng for four years, but he has never touched me, saying he would wait until after the wedding." Yan Yurou wiped her tears, aggrieved. "I'm a normal woman, I have needs! Sometimes I want it so badly, I just can't help it..."

"If you're going to cheat, why couldn't you keep it clean?" Huang Fang pounded her aching head, pacing back and forth. "This isn't about whether to marry him or not anymore; it's about whether our entire family can survive!"

"Mom, I don't want to die!" Yan Yurou cried until she nearly fainted. If Xiao Sheng found out she was playing with other men, he would surely kill her! Xiao Sheng’s dignity was not to be violated!

"Enough, stop crying!" Huang Fang thought for a few seconds, and suddenly her eyes lit up. "Mom has a great idea: a substitute to take the fall!"

"What do you mean?" Yan Yurou stopped crying instantly, looking at her mother in confusion.

Huang Fang squinted, a sinister smile spreading across her face as she said, word by word, "Let Xiaonian marry him in your place. Let her take the bullet for you."

At this moment, the oblivious Yan Xiaonian was still at the villa, silently enduring Yan Yurou’s harassment, thinking to herself that she must keep this job to provide a better life for her son. On the other side, Yan Yurou and her mother, having received the threat, had already begun meticulously plotting how to make Xiaonian take her place at the altar. Their eyes filled with malice and determination; a much larger conspiracy was quietly brewing.