Lan Liangyan suppressed the murderous impulse roiling in his chest, his face as rigid as carved marble. "You should trust me," he said with a voice like ground glass. "I know exactly what I want in my heart. Do you think there weren't women chasing after me before you came along?" He avoided using that particular word - love had always been something sacred to him, reserved for only two people and no others. To utter it carelessly would be both an insult to their bond and a violation of his own.

"Did you think I was born without eyes? That just because I haven't seen anyone else before, I'll suddenly lose my willpower now?" Lan Jiu's voice turned dangerously low as he tightened his grip around her waist. His fingers twitched involuntarily toward her throat before he forced himself to stop. "If I hadn't wanted you, I wouldn't have even glanced at other women. Not just because of lack of will - but because my nature repels them." A man like him couldn't afford multiple lovers; it would only bring death knocking at his door.

His father had been a legend for his ruthless charm. Even without much affection toward Lin Min, Lan Fu's life had remained monogamous for decades. While the heart might not always choose to remain loyal, the body certainly could be controlled. If Ning Yunhuan hadn't entered his life, Lan Jiu would never have lowered his standards like some common playboy. The Lan family patriarchs were known for their single-minded dedication to business, not frivolous affairs.

He had expected comfort and reassurance after confessing his feelings so openly. But instead of soothing words, Ning Yunhuan looked dazed as they walked back through the villa complex toward their temporary residence. Her shivers under his eagle-eyed gaze made him immediately regret ever speaking out loud.

Why was she suddenly in the wrong position? Earlier today she had still been the victim needing reassurance. Now circumstances were reversed - why did he find himself playing the appeaser?

After lingering in the room for hours due to jet lag, they emerged as Greece's late afternoon sun painted the sea with molten gold. The clouds above seemed suspended over the waves, and seabirds circled above like brushstrokes on nature's canvas.

The dining hall was already occupied by Lan family members when they arrived. A long table stretched across the deserted restaurant space, and at the sight of their entwined hands, Mumingli turned to wave them over immediately.

Though legally married for years, Ning Yunhuan had always treated Lan Jiu's relatives as strangers rather than kin - with careful respect but no familiar warmth. But this time she felt a strange shyness when Mumingli smiled at her, and hastily disentangled herself from Lan Jiu to walk toward the waiting group.

Mumingli's smile deepened as Ning Yunhuan approached. Lady Ning was already seated beside her, and after making space for their arrival, Lan Jiu clenched his fist tightly where her hand had previously rested. Watching her hesitant steps toward Mumingli, he hesitated briefly before heading to sit with Lin Maoshan.

He understood the principle of "don't rush." This girl's newfound shyness meant her heart was shifting. Though he longed for her constant presence, now wasn't the time to push too hard. Her transformation - however small - was a positive change.

Romantic matters had always been foreign territory for Lan Jiu, but they weren't insurmountable challenges. When lost in confusion before, he simply needed time to recalibrate his instincts. What couldn't be achieved through force could often be won by patience and strategy.

Lady Ning's concessions at the dinner table were clear. With additional chairs discreetly added by attentive waiters, Mumingli insisted on seating arrangements that placed Ning Yunhuan between herself and Lin Min - who had grown remarkably quiet since their last meeting months ago. When Ning Yunhuan hesitated near the empty seat, Lin Min silently moved aside to create space.

Perhaps it was the wedding preparations that softened her perspective. The previous sense of being a transient guest now felt transformed into something more permanent. "Thank you," she murmured, settling between them with surprising ease.

Mumingli pretended not to notice Ning Yunhuan's startled expression as she introduced various dishes. "We've had extra time here and tasted most of the menu already." Lin Min nodded in agreement while Lady Ning added, "How fortunate for our Huanhuan to have found such a family."

The tension across Lin Min's face remained rigid despite her forced smile. Ning Yunhuan kept silent - with Mumingli present, conversation would never be lacking anyway. The Greek cuisine proved irresistible; after tasting delicacies unavailable on airplanes or in ordinary hotels, she devoured multiple dishes while the women chatted.

After dinner, Lan Jiu led Ning Yunhuan away from the planned spa session at the last minute to walk along their private beach. Evening breezes were stronger than daytime ones, and his carefully chosen floor-length gowns - with wide silk scarves draped over her shoulders - billowed dramatically in the wind like cinematic scenes.

With no one else daring to intrude on this couple's space, Ning Yunhuan kicked off her shoes without hesitation as they strolled along the shoreline. A pair of curious crabs scuttled across the sand near a rock formation, prompting her to chase them barefoot while balancing her dress and shoes awkwardly.

The untouched private beach preserved its pristine ecosystem. Unlike typical crabs that fled instantly from humans, these naive creatures didn't recognize danger until they were captured in her hands - still waving tiny pincers helplessly.

"Let me go get my crab..." she laughed as Lan Jiu appeared behind her suddenly. Before she could finish, he pulled her into his embrace, and the startled crabs escaped back into the sand just as she lost balance.

"You should know I'm your wife," she protested, but his face was already buried in her hair. "My wife."

The heat rising to her cheeks made her grab at the fabric of his shirt instinctively - leaving faint smudges from where her hands had previously touched the sand. But neither noticed these minor imperfections as Lan Jiu's lips traced a path along her forehead, past her eyebrows and toward her mouth.

The height difference forced him into an awkward angle until he lifted her completely against the rocks with one leg braced on the outcropping beneath them. His arm encircled her waist while his other hand cradled her neck in this intimate position, where only the crashing waves seemed to mask their panting breaths.

The sheer fabric of her gown threatened to give way under any further movement as Ning Yunhuan felt a mix of embarrassment and dawning understanding. The heat from their bodies contrasted sharply with the cold sea lapping at their ankles, yet this time there was no lingering hesitation in her embrace - only a realization that took nearly three years of marriage and two children to fully comprehend.

For the first time, physical closeness didn't feel like something she had to endure. As they entwined together, she understood what books meant by mutual affection - an emotion that made even her trembling limbs feel purposeful as she clung desperately to his neck.

Lan Jiu could clearly sense this difference in Ning Yunhuan's acceptance of him. Unlike before when rejections still lingered beneath each touch, now there was genuine surrender. He momentarily forgot restraint until they were interrupted by the rising tide that had already dampened her gown's hem and reached their ankles with a cool bite.

The night sky above was a vast expanse of unbroken constellations as Ning Yunhuan slumped exhausted against Lan Jiu. "Carry me back," she whispered hoarsely, sweat already forming on her nose despite the darkness.

He lifted her effortlessly into his arms, walking through water that had risen to cover their previous spot entirely. When they reached solid ground again and saw the distant rock where they'd just been, Ning Yunhuan's cheeks burned anew at the memory of what happened there.

Their private villa offered privacy from prying eyes, but exhaustion quickly overtook them. After a long flight, Ning Yunhuan allowed Lan Jiu to bathe her before falling asleep while he dried her hair. The lingering tension from their evening encounter made him refrain from further intimacy that night, and she slept soundly without the usual difficulties of unfamiliar beds.

The next morning brought sore limbs despite years of marriage. Her arms ached when Rippa arrived with friends for planned outings. Ning Yunhuan was still snuggling against Lan Jiu's chest in bed - clearly annoyed by his earlier "culpability."

Lady Ning had already called to arrange social plans, but she'd missed the initial call while sleeping soundly. Breakfast had just been delivered when Rippa and others arrived unannounced.

Though she claimed resentment toward Lan Jiu for causing her pain, Ning Yunhuan's usual reserve returned instantly at their presence. She refused his help with dressing, only accepting underdresses from him after a stern glare - despite most European women avoiding bras as restrictive.

Outside waiting anxiously, Zhou Yuan glanced around the sun-drenched courtyard while others felt time slipping away unproductively.

"That couple is doing God knows what," Du He muttered impatiently. This trip was supposed to be their rare chance for freedom without elders hovering over them in Greece. The girls were already eager to explore without constraints.

Unaware of the growing impatience outside, Lan Jiu had just finished helping Ning Yunhuan into her undergarments when they finally descended - looking suspiciously like a couple still tangled together rather than ready to socialize.

Their wedding arrangements were entirely handled by specialists. All Ning Yunhuan needed was to follow directions as if she were a marionette being dressed up for the day. Unexpectedly, Lin Min accompanied her alongside Lady Ning and Mumingli - who took charge of greeting guests while Lin Maoshan distracted various important figures from their own table.

"Don't be nervous," Mumingli assured as Ning Yunhuan sat in her heavily jeweled wedding dress. The weight was considerable with all the lace and embedded crystals, and even with reinforced inner linings for comfort, she already felt lightheaded despite the air conditioning.

Lady Ning watched her daughter being made ready with a serene expression. But Lin Min's rigid posture revealed her own discomfort when trying to console Ning Yunhuan.

Though they'd crossed paths several times before, this was the first time Lin Min showed any gentleness toward her. "Every woman goes through this," she said quietly as she helped adjust Ning Yunhuan's diamond headpiece after her eyes had been finished by makeup artists. "When I married, my mother told me - if you're ready for the wedding, there's no need to be nervous. If not... it doesn't matter now."

Her tone was sharp rather than soothing, but something in its honesty calmed Ning Yunhuan despite her initial anxiety. She noticed unfamiliar faces among their guests earlier that day - particularly a cold-eyed woman who had briefly entered before leaving with barely concealed hostility.

"This... just now," she managed to say, voice trembling slightly as she recognized the tension Lin Min was describing.

Lin Min smiled unexpectedly at seeing Ning Yunhuan's rare vulnerability while securing her headpiece. "Just another failed family member. She may claim to be your senior by marriage, but failure erases such titles. You need only call her 'Second Madame' out of courtesy."

The harsh reality behind Lan Family succession was suddenly very clear - winning the inheritance battle meant survival itself for some members. Ning Yunhuan had thought she should feel relieved that Lan Jiu had emerged victorious rather than becoming just another nameless footnote in history. But hearing Lin Min's words, she realized how correct her decision had been to send their son away under Lin family care despite his surname change.

The child no longer bore her name, but Ning Yunhuan found herself strangely indifferent to that fact now - as long as he remained safe from the dangers inherent in being part of a Lan.

"There are plenty of Lian families like this. You don't need to care about those people's opinions at all. Within a few decades, they'll become your servants." Although these failures still carried the Lian surname, their names had already disappeared from the family records. With their eligibility revoked, they could never access the vast resources of the Lian clan again. Even if second or third generations were born to them in future years, these children would start life at a disadvantage compared to true bloodlines - climbing back into prominence would be nearly impossible.

No matter how you dressed it up with fictional protagonist glows from novels and TV shows, any failed Lian family member trying to reclaim central position within the clan was just daydreaming. Those who proved genuinely useful were rehired at high salaries; those deemed incompetent lost their family privileges in two or three generations, never benefiting from clan resources again. The Lian clan didn't support useless people with money either - some failed contenders, if they weren't killed or maimed during power struggles, often lived worse than ordinary citizens.

"Thank you, Mom," Ning Yunhuan felt her heart tighten. Though puzzled why Lin Min hadn't insulted her this time and showed no condescension, she understood it was a warning. "You're welcome," Lin Min smiled more clearly as she adjusted the hairpin. Leaning back slightly, she said, "It looks very pretty - little Nine will definitely love it." Seeing Ning Yunhuan's blushing face, she added, "Besides he's always liked you no matter what."

As the makeup process finished quickly under the bright outdoor sunlight, Ning Yuhuan naturally looked more radiant with just a light touch-up. Her father extended his arm solemnly while her mother wiped tears and muttered, "Finally I've waited for this day..." Before she could finish, Mr. Ning glared at her, "On such an auspicious day, what foolish words are you speaking?"

Lin Min interjected smoothly, "I don't have a daughter myself, but if I did, she'd surely be as great as Qinqin." Seeing his wife's gratitude, Mr. Ning softened slightly despite still silently reminding her not to mention Ning Yuncheng.

At the mention of that name, Ning Yunhuan felt nausea rise in her throat. She shook her head to dismiss thoughts of those disgusting people - Gu Yingxi especially - just as memories were resurfacing.

The wedding proceeded smoothly until she met Lin Min's mentioned second wife. Initially imagining the clan's malicious faces due to her husband's ruthless nature, Ning Yunhuan found herself calmer than expected when Mr. Lian took her hand.

Before the priest could begin vows, Master Lian solemnly declared his eternal love and devotion while kneeling at her feet, kissing her palm. Rising with determination in his eyes, he said, "You can announce the marriage now."

The priest sighed but dutifully declared their union legal as the bridesmaids threw petals into the air. The bouquet ended surprisingly in Rihan's hands, who blinked in shock before grinning through sisterly teasing.

Though traditional rituals followed the Western ceremony, Ning Yunhuan felt more irritable than joyful after hours of proceedings. Her husband's face darkened until...

"Little Nine," sneered Uncle Lian with a sharp nose and sinister eyes. "As your senior relative, shouldn't you offer me a bow?"

Mr. Lian chuckled smoothly, "Why don't you come to me for wine? After all, family reunions are one of life's four joys." With Lin Min smiling silently on his arm like an elegant vase.

Uncle Lian's hatred boiled over as he recalled how his brother had sabotaged him repeatedly - breaking legs but sparing lives, manipulating parents' favoritism. Now watching his failed son disappear after following Master Lian outside, he snapped at the marriage proceedings.

"Senior relative?" Mr. Lian toyed with Lin Min's fingers. "Don't you remember your current status?"

Lin Min added sharply, "Lucky for you, you have no descendants left. Otherwise visiting little Nine would mean seeing a master-servant relationship rather than cousins."

With that, the couple stormed out while guards exhaled in relief.

Returning home, Lin Min's attitude toward Ning Yunhuan gradually warmed through shared experiences as Lian clan wives. Though political guests like Du and Mu families had to leave soon for safety reasons - no one wanted to risk their precious lives at Mr. Lian's mercy after all.

After returning from Greece where they narrowly avoided assassination attempts, the couple settled back into daily life. Ning Yunhuan's career flourished with rising popularity while school re-opened with new challenges as classmates competed for her attention.

Who didn't know that the new owner behind Lan Ning TV was a woman surnamed Ning? And when Li Panpan mentioned she wanted to visit Ning Yunhuan's company in class, it had already become common gossip among students. Every sharp-eyed person could easily deduce - who else but someone with ironclad backing could swallow up Li Panpan like a true big shot? Even more impressive was how Ning Yunhuan managed to absorb all those high-profile celebrities at once. Not only did her background prove formidable, but her company had already earned the nickname "star factory" in recent months. Being part of her roster meant instant camaraderie - newcomers received special attention without facing the usual backstabbing typical in showbiz circles, and their chances for stardom increased exponentially.

"Yunhuan," someone asked casually, "isn't that Lan Ning TV your company now?"