The Overnight Chosen Wife: darling, kiss me deeper

Li Lanni spent her days routinely attending the institute and working on her assignments. But fortunately, these days were not without any entertainment for her. Li Lanni amused herself as she watched Cheng Yu and Cedric bantering with each other. The young man seemed to be addicted to angering Cheng Yu. He would find all sorts of ways to rile her up, making her so furious that Cheng Yu had to scold him for hours before her anger could calm down.

Amid this drama, the next few days flashed by in a blink of an eye, and the day of the charity banquet finally arrived.

In the afternoon after their class ended, Li Lanni finally remembered something that had totally slipped her mind. She stopped Cheng Yu, who was about to go her way. "What’s your choice of dress for tonight?"

Cheng Yu rubbed her neck nervously. "I haven’t decided yet."

She did have a nice dress that could suit the occasion, but it was outdated and slightly worn out after undergoing several washes. She did not want to embarrass her best friend and her mentor even though she knew neither of them would mind whatever she wore. She was even considering borrowing a dress from Xia Luna.

But Li Lanni’s next sentence saved her the trouble. "I have a dress that I bought for you a few weeks ago, but I kept forgetting to give it to you. Maybe you could try it out?"

Cheng Yu felt embarrassed, but she knew that Li Lanni was not just finding an excuse to give her one of her own dresses. From her expression, she must have really bought it for her. "Then, I will not stand on ceremony."

Hence the girls made their way to Li’s villa.

Li Yuming was in her room, probably getting ready for the banquet, so Li Lanni did not bother her. She brought Cheng Yu into her room directly. "Here we go. I’ll show you the dress."

Cheng Yu was one part nervous and one part excited, making Li Lanni laugh at her. "Why are you so tensed up? It’s a dress I’m going to show you. Not an atomic bomb."

"Do I look tensed up to you?" Cheng Yu denied even though she was obviously on edge. She had seen Li Lanni’s walk-in closet the last time she spent the night here, and any random one of those dresses could cost a dime. She was just scared that whatever Li Lanni was going to show her was some exorbitant dress that might be more expensive than her life.

Li Lanni finally opened the closet and took out the first dress in sight. "Here it is. I put it here so I would remember it, but I still ended up forgetting.

Quick, try it on."

Cheng Yu was dazed for a moment. What a magnificent dress! It was a strapless cream floor-length gown with tiny gems embedded on its waistline. Although its design was quite simple, it looked elegant from every angle and would definitely look good on her. Li Lanni sure knew how to pick them. She didn’t reach out to take it, afraid she would ruin it with a touch.

Li Lanni laughed at her antics. "Go on. The make-up artist should be here soon. She can do your make-up first."

"I get to wear make-up too?" Cheng Yu gasped in surprise.

"Of course. You should look dashing tonight. Who knows? You might meet your prince charming tonight." Li Lanni winked at her mischievously.

"Like they exist." Cheng Yu shrugged it off with a chuckle and went ahead to change into the gown. Not wanting to waste time, Li Lanni changed into her dress as well. She chose a black backless gown for herself. Coincidently both of them came out at the same time dressed in their gowns looking stunning in their attire. The cream colour of the dress highlighted Cheng Yu’s skin colour and accentuated her looks. Li Lanni sighed in admiration when she saw her, sure enough, she chose the right dress.

"Cheng Yu, my darling, you look absolutely gorgeous in the dress. I am sure by the end of the banquet tonight, men admiring could queue up to thousands of miles." Li Lanni exclaimed in awe, as she playfully winked at her.

Cheng Yu was embarrassed by her words, but when she saw how stunning Li Lanni was looking, her eyes brightened, and she playfully retorted, "Look who is speaking. Just look at yourself in the mirror." Saying, so she dragged her to the full-length mirror. "Oh, my pure maiden heart. Li Lanni, you look beautiful and stunning. You are a natural coat hanger." Cheng Yu was not exaggerating it, just a simple black dress, but Li Lanni was able to look elegant and graceful.

Li Lanni’s face turned red from embarrassment, but Cheng Yu looked like she had activated her fan-girl mode and continued to praise her with all the known words in the dictionary. It was only when the make-up artist arrived, both the friends stopped their playful bantering. The make-up artist did her magic fast enough. Dressed to the nines, the girls left for the venue and arrived just at the right time.

Most of the guests had already arrived. As the main host, Li Yuming was greeting and having small chats with them.

Li Lanni briefly swept her gaze in the hall and held back a gasp. She already knew that her mother knew some influential figures, but she did not expect such a sight. Most of the infamous businessmen were here tonight, not to mention some unexpected political figures. Most importantly, the head of the National Charity Fund Organization was present too!

Li Lanni even thought that she had seen the president’s daughter playing with another kid somewhere. Even the president was here?! What a fantastic line-up!

Cheng Yu was shocked too. Most of these figures rarely appeared at art exhibitions. They must be here because it was a charity, and she felt it was a nice thing. This meant more lives could be saved.

The girls split up and started greeting some of the guests.

As soon as Madam Jiang saw Li Lanni, she rushed over like she had seen her daughter after many years. "Lanni!"

Li Lanni smiled back at her. "Madam Jiang, you are here too. Thank you for attending."

"Oh, it’s nothing. I like Li Yuming’s paintings and hope to get at least one tonight. And I told you not to be so formal with me. Just call me auntie."

"A-auntie." Li Lanni called out in a tiny voice.

"Good girl." Madam Jiang was pleased. This pair of sisters was just so loveable. She was suddenly jealous of Li Yuming for having both of them but thinking about how she would soon have Xia Luna as her daughter-in-law, she was no longer jealous. She took Li Lanni’s hand and patted it. "My dear, you..."

"Lanni." At this moment, Madam Ji hurried over like her house was on fire. She shot a glare at Madam Jiang, thinking, ’I just looked aside for a while, and she is already trying to steal my daughter-in-law?’

The latter was speechless at Wen Lin’s childishness and excused herself. "See you around, Lanni."

"Okay, auntie. I’ll look for you later."

As soon as she left, Madam Ji was happier. "It’s nice seeing you again." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She looked somewhat troubled. "I may have to explain something to you."

"What is it?" Li Lanni had a bad feeling about whatever it was.

Before Madam Ji could find the right words, a beautiful young woman made her way over and flashed a smile at Madam Ji. "Aunty, you’re here too."

Li Lanni cast a quick glance at the newcomer. She knew this woman. This was Feng Ci from the Feng family, the one that was said to have co-founded Feng Ji International with the Ji family. Rumor had it that the two families were very close, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the young woman was acting all clingy with Madam Ji.

Madam Ji had never felt this awkward. This just had to happen before she could explain the matter to Li Lanni.

"It’s been so long. Aunty, do you think Xiehan is coming too? He doesn’t usually attend such events but I still hope he makes an exception. After all, I’m here."

"Well..." madam Ji did not know what to say.

"Hello." Li Lanni said curtly. Although Feng Ci had ignored her, she should greet her as a good host. She then walked away to give them space after that.

Alas, Feng Ci’s aim wasn’t to speak to Madam Ji but to piss Li Lanni off and probably also stake her claim. Of course, she knew who Li Lanni was: that little girl that had been on the rumor mill with Ji Xiehan about an engagement she thought was too unrealistic. How could she let a little imp out of nowhere steal away her Xiehan?