Has The Live-in Alpha Stepped Up - Chapter 25
25: Wedding Venue
An Yizhu was in high spirits, staring blankly at the empty “princess bed” for a long time.
The surrounding curtains had been drawn, enclosing her in a hazy, dreamlike mist.
She licked her gums—completely normal.
Everything from last night felt both blurry and vivid, yet nothing tangible remained.
Recalling the events of the previous night, she confirmed that her so-called “post-marriage duties” had ultimately boiled down to just “releasing pheromones.”
Her touch on Yu Guqiu had been real, and successfully peeling off Yu Guqiu’s inhibitor patch had been tacitly permitted—but that was as far as it went.
Yu Guqiu had swiftly and decisively grabbed her mischievous hand, her rejection painfully clear the moment she regained her composure.
An Yizhu’s wrist still ached from Yu Guqiu’s grip.
She, too, quickly came to her senses, stopping her impulsive and foolish actions amid the awkwardness, resorting only to the most basic pheromones to soothe Yu Guqiu while she curled up under the covers.
Neither of them spoke, maintaining an unspoken understanding.
After that, Yu Guqiu lay on the outer edge of the bed, wrapping herself in the blanket turned inside out.
Though they shared the same bed and the same blanket, the distance between them might as well have been the farthest apart.
As her memories concluded, An Yizhu rubbed her temples, lost in reflection.
Why had she been so bewitched last night?
She turned to the internet for answers.
Hundreds of forum posts told her that it was perfectly normal for an Alpha to have all sorts of impulses and fantasies about an Omega.
An Yizhu read with a solemn expression.
No.
It wasn’t just about Alphas and Omegas…
“Awake?”
Yu Guqiu walked in from outside just as An Yizhu was engrossed in her phone, startling her so badly she could only hide the device in a panic.
Yu Guqiu had already returned to her usual professional demeanor, showing no signs of being affected by last night’s first “post-marriage duty.”
An Yizhu sat up, forcing calm. “J-just woke up.”
Damn it, why am I stuttering?!
Pursing her lips, she stopped talking, dawdling under the canopy and refusing to come out, using the curtain as a buffer to steady her still-unsettled emotions.
Yu Guqiu didn’t seem to mind, simply placing the freshly laundered clothes from last night at the foot of the bed. “Come down for breakfast once you’re ready. Grandma is waiting.”
It was unthinkable to keep an elder waiting.
Hearing this, An Yizhu had no choice but to scramble out of bed immediately.
Only then did Yu Guqiu notice An Yizhu was wearing a long white nightgown, her gaze lingering for a moment longer.
An Yizhu, too, became aware of her attire, self-consciously rubbing her arms and avoiding Yu Guqiu’s eyes.
The atmosphere was inexplicably more awkward than after their rain-soaked marking.
“I’ll leave the clothes here for you.” Yu Guqiu gave An Yizhu another long look before walking out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear and subtly touching her slightly reddened earlobe.
An Yizhu puffed out her cheeks, narrowing her eyes at the direction Yu Guqiu had left so effortlessly.
Was I the only one embarrassed about last night?
Well, of course. Given Yu Guqiu’s “shrewd” and “calculating” nature, she must have considered every possibility when drafting the prenuptial agreement.
When she mentioned “post-marriage duties,” she must have already braced herself for all scenarios.
After taking several deep breaths and mentally assigning Yu Guqiu a few unflattering adjectives, An Yizhu once again lamented her own naivety.
Next time, I’ll definitely act more composed!
After freshening up and changing, An Yizhu adjusted her mood and bounded downstairs excitedly.
Downstairs, at the dining table.
Yu Guqiu, who had just taken a few sips of porridge, heard An Yizhu’s loud, energetic footsteps and began serving her a bowl.
Yu Shanmei, seated at the table, folded the newspaper she’d been reading, removed her reading glasses, and smiled at the approaching An Yizhu. Far from scolding her for her lack of decorum, she seemed to enjoy the youthful energy.
“How did you sleep last night?”
An Yizhu couldn’t very well complain about what had happened. As a contractual partner, she had to know her place.
“Pretty well.”
Ugh, that sounded petty.
She quickly smiled at Yu Shanmei. “It was my first time seeing a princess bed decorated like that, and the mattress was so comfortable I slept straight through. Sorry for waking up late, Grandma.”
Yu Shanmei waved it off. “Our household isn’t so strict. If it weren’t for wanting you two to have something warm to eat, I wouldn’t have had Xiao Qiu wake you.”
Yu Guqiu interjected, “We have wedding preparations today. Otherwise, Xiao Zhu could stay here with you for a few days.”
Yu Shanmei laughed. “Better not. I wouldn’t want to ruin the honeymoon phase for you newlyweds.”
An Yizhu didn’t know how to respond, so she quietly focused on her porridge.
The porridge was excellent—thick, fragrant, and warm, paired with delicious side dishes.
An Yizhu ate heartily, blowing on each spoonful before devouring it.
Beside her, Yu Guqiu ate small, delicate bites.
Yu Shanmei observed them closely.
Last night during dinner, she’d noticed that Yu Guqiu, who usually had little appetite, had eaten quite a bit. At the time, she’d assumed the chef had outdone themselves, tailoring the meal perfectly to Yu Guqiu’s tastes.
Before bed, she’d even asked Xie Fang about it.
Xie Fang had smiled knowingly. “As expected, Old Madam Yu noticed too. But it wasn’t the chef’s doing—it was the young madam’s influence.”
“Xiao Zhu’s?” Yu Shanmei hadn’t believed it then.
Now she did. Even plain porridge seemed flavorful when eaten beside An Yizhu.
Ahem—
Yu Shanmei suddenly coughed, rising unsteadily from her seat.
The nearby maid rushed to support her.
The vigor from moments ago drained from Yu Shanmei’s face as she addressed the two worried young women. “I won’t see you off. Finish your breakfast and head out early.”
An Yizhu stood anxiously. “Grandma, what’s wrong?”
Yu Guqiu shook her head. “Grandma’s condition fluctuates like this—usually fine, but affected by pheromone cycles.”
Pheromones.
An Yizhu instinctively touched the inhibitor patch on her neck.
Yu Guqiu noticed but merely wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Finished eating? Let’s go. Aunt Fang is waiting in the car. We have a busy day ahead.”
An Yizhu said nothing, following Yu Guqiu out.
She remained silent even in the car.
At first, it wasn’t noticeable, but the prolonged quiet made Xie Fang uneasy. Why was the usually talkative An Yizhu so subdued today?
At a red light, she adjusted the rearview mirror to sneak a glance at An Yizhu, who was absentmindedly drawing circles on the window.
Did the newlyweds argue last night?
That can’t be. Xiao Qiu seems perfectly normal today—not angry at all, even radiant and untired.
Wait… Could Xiao Zhu be the one upset?
Xie Fang felt a pang of worry.
Why am I the one feeling uneasy over the slightest ripple between these two?
Of course, Xie Fang wasn’t the only one sensing the tension.
Yu Guqiu noticed it too—and she knew the reason.
Last night, she’d simply been in a bad mood, not in heat. No marking was necessary, and she didn’t see anything wrong with her rejection, though it might have been a bit abrupt.
She might have also gripped An Yizhu’s wrist too tightly.
Glancing at the sullen An Yizhu, Yu Guqiu grew restless herself.
Unable to focus on work messages, she leaned back and feigned sleep, arms crossed, fingers tapping lightly against her sleeves.
They arrived at their destination.
Stepping out of the car, An Yizhu was greeted by an imposing three-story boutique.
The first-floor display window showcased an array of designer pieces, predominantly wedding dresses.
She recognized the logo—it was the same shop where they’d had their measurements taken earlier.
The moment Yu Guqiu exited the car, two saleswomen—one tall, one short—approached.
“President Yu, your wedding gown is ready,” they said before turning to An Yizhu. “This must be Madam Yu.”
Yu Guqiu ignored the pleasantries. “We’re on a tight schedule. Take us straight up to try the dresses.”
The saleswomen, accustomed to Yu Guqiu’s frosty efficiency, nodded. “Right this way, ladies.”
An Yizhu remained silent, simply following along, though her eyes wandered curiously.
This was her first time in such a high-end custom dress shop—and her first bridal boutique.
They were led to a spacious fitting room on the second floor, clearly designed for couples. A central curtain could divide the space into two separate changing areas, each with its own circular platform.
At either end of the room stood mannequins displaying two pristine white wedding gowns.
An Yizhu’s eyes widened.
The fitting room was brilliantly lit, making the two snow-white dresses shimmer like jewels.
One was studded with countless tiny diamonds, refracting dazzling colors under the lights.
The mermaid silhouette demanded a flawless figure, its long train extravagant and traditional. The bodice alone looked heavy and intricate, hardly easy to wear.
But classic designs had their merits—majestic and dignified, guaranteed to captivate the moment it graced the scene.
The other dress was a simpler A-line design, with a sweetheart neckline and fabric that cascaded smoothly from top to bottom.
A modern favorite, elegant yet practical. Clearly more suited to Yu Guqiu’s no-nonsense personality.
Looks like I’ll be wearing the classic one.
An Yizhu sighed inwardly.
If Yu Guqiu insisted, she’d comply.
As a contractual partner, I should know my place.
Still nursing a grudge, she consoled herself: Well, it’s not like I’ll ever get another chance to wear such an extravagant wedding dress. Might as well treat it as an experience.
Having steeled herself, An Yizhu was caught off guard when the taller saleswoman addressed Yu Guqiu.
“President Yu, your mother’s wedding gown is truly a masterpiece. As you requested, we made only minor adjustments.”
The shorter saleswoman smiled at An Yizhu. “Madam Yu, this is the one tailored to your measurements. Though it’s not a custom piece, our lead designer adapted it from this season’s most popular Alpha bridal styles. Of course, if you don’t like it, we have three backup options.”
Only then did An Yizhu realize who was meant to wear which dress.
“Time to try them on.” Yu Guqiu said, stepping into the left changing area without hesitation.
The two saleswomen assisted her with the gown.
An Yizhu’s dress, however, was simple enough for her to manage alone, so she carried it into the fitting room unaided.
As she changed, her thoughts wandered.
Yu Guqiu might not have looked forward to marriage, but she still brought out her mother’s wedding gown.
Even if this was a contractual union, for Yu Guqiu, it was still a lifelong commitment, a pivotal turning point.
I can’t mess this up—especially not on my account!
She’d agreed to this marriage to help Yu Guqiu in the first place. How could she throw a tantrum over last night’s trivial incident?
More importantly, Yu Guqiu hadn’t done anything wrong!
Unlike her usual teasing, she had every right to stop or refuse at any time.
Moreover, Yu Guqiu was an inexperienced Omega. It was only natural she wouldn’t allow a mark so easily.
Not wanting excessive physical contact with a contractual partner was also perfectly reasonable.
Yu Guqiu needed pheromones—that was explicitly stated in their agreement. She’d even notified An Yizhu before acting. Nothing about last night had been improper.
Having reasoned it out, An Yizhu exhaled, attributing her petty sulking since last night to pheromonal influences.
She quickened her pace.
Though she’d never worn a wedding dress before and nearly put it on wrong, the simplicity of this design allowed her to figure it out through trial and error.
Standing straight, she admired her reflection in the mirror.
Her tall frame perfectly supported the skirt, which just brushed the floor.
The sweetheart neckline accentuated her collarbones.
Not bad at all!
Excited, she pulled open the curtain.
The two saleswomen stood outside, applauding the moment they saw her. “Madam Yu, this dress suits you perfectly! It looks tailor-made for you. You’ll shine at the wedding.”
An Yizhu, unused to such praise, grinned sheepishly. “It’s not that great, but it is nice.”
Whoosh—
The left curtain slid open.
An Yizhu turned.
Her gaze landed on Yu Guqiu’s cool, composed face.
Her eyes were lowered, lost in thought.
The elaborate mermaid gown, which had seemed bulky on the hanger, now clung to Yu Guqiu’s curves flawlessly, showcasing every design detail in breathtaking fashion.
The fishtail silhouette hugged her like a mermaid’s tail, elegant and graceful.
Even the long train amplified her regal aura.
Her pale, icy eyes shimmered under the diamonds’ reflections, mysterious and ethereal.
This was what the saleswomen had meant by “shining.”
The two saleswomen giggled behind their hands.
“Madam Yu, your jaw’s about to hit the floor! Not that we blame you—President Yu is stunning. But is this really your first time seeing her like this?”
They’d doled out plenty of compliments to clients before, but every word of praise for Yu Guqiu was genuine.
This was Jiangcheng’s Ice Queen!
The two saleswomen had fought tooth and nail for this assignment, even using two days of leave to secure it.
An Yizhu didn’t find their words exaggerated—she really did cup her chin to keep it from dropping.
“Won’t you say something?” The saleswoman teased.
What should I say?
She’s breathtaking!
Normally articulate, An Yizhu was now at a loss for words to describe the beauty before her.
But her racing heart spoke volumes.
Thump-thump-thump—each beat a tribute to Yu Guqiu’s radiance, outshining even the diamonds on her dress.
Because Yu Guqiu wore it, what might have seemed ostentatious became exquisite.
An Yizhu stared unabashedly, wanting to sear this image into her memory—ten, twenty, even a hundred years from now, until her dying breath.
When Yu Guqiu received no response, she didn’t press, simply extending a hand toward An Yizhu.
An olive branch.
Without thinking, An Yizhu’s feet moved first—she bounded over to Yu Guqiu’s platform in a single leap.
Neither the saleswomen nor Yu Guqiu had expected An Yizhu, in a wedding dress no less, to be so spry.
The saleswomen chalked it up to the young Alpha being too lovestruck to speak, resorting to action instead.
Perfectly understandable.
Yu Guqiu, however, interpreted it differently: the girl had accepted the peace offering before she’d even spoken.
And why so readily?
Yu Guqiu lifted her eyes to find An Yizhu staring at her, transfixed.
A flicker of amusement crossed Yu Guqiu’s mind.
She really is that shallow—one pretty dress and all’s forgiven.
Yet she failed to notice the inconsistency: as the “employer,” placating her “employee” wasn’t her responsibility.
An Yizhu stepped onto the platform, unsure why Yu Guqiu had beckoned her over, but she didn’t care. Seeing Yu Guqiu’s still-outstretched hand, she took it.
Yu Guqiu’s fingers were cool and smooth, like polished jade—soft yet warm, just like the skin against her back last night.
An Yizhu’s thoughts strayed, but she quickly reeled them in.
Finally, she found her voice. “You’re gorgeous. That dress looks even better on you! My heart’s racing!”
Literally.
Dazzled by Yu Guqiu’s beauty, her pulse showed no signs of slowing.
An Yizhu soon noticed Yu Guqiu’s fingers twitching slightly in her grasp, but she didn’t pull away or otherwise react.
Yu Guqiu simply turned toward the mirror.
Studying their reflections side by side.
Nodding, she murmured, “We look good together.”
An Yizhu blinked, then looked at the mirror too.
Now etched into her memory was the image of her and Yu Guqiu standing hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.
“Yeah, we match.” An Yizhu beamed.
In the mirror, Yu Guqiu’s lips curved into a rare, unmistakable smile—warm and tender as the sunlight streaming into the wedding venue that day.
It left An Yizhu dizzy.
When she blinked again, a full day had passed.
An Yizhu stood in the second-floor lounge, gazing down at the lawn below.
Yesterday had been a whirlwind, cramming weeks of preparations into a single day.
After the dress fitting, they’d rushed to a photoshoot, then straight to the venue to oversee arrangements and rehearse the ceremony.
An Yizhu’s mind had struggled to keep up with the breakneck pace. By the time they returned home last night, she’d collapsed into bed the moment she was clean.
This morning, she’d been roused at dawn for hair and makeup. Now, finally lucid, she found herself at the wedding venue.
This was the home where Yu Guqiu had grown up with her parents.
Today’s ceremony would take place in the villa’s garden.
The estate was astonishingly vast—nearly as large as the old family home, though the main building was one story shorter.
Lush trees and foliage ensured privacy, shielding the property from prying neighbors.
An Yizhu stood in the bridal suite on the second floor, watching guests mingle on the lawn below through one-way glass.
Everyone held invitations sent out just two days prior, yet no one seemed to find it odd.
“You still have time to rest. These past two days have been exhausting,” her “employer” finally offered a considerate word amid the chaos.
An Yizhu glanced at Yu Guqiu beside her. Though bathed in the same sunlight, Yu Guqiu’s downcast eyes were shadowed, her expression inscrutable.
“I’m fine—fully battle-ready!” An Yizhu declared firmly.
Yu Guqiu met her gaze, her faint smile tinged with bittersweetness.
But at least while wearing her mother’s wedding gown, Yu Guqiu seemed more willing to smile than usual.
The lounge was off-limits to outsiders, leaving the two in peaceful silence, savoring the rare moment of tranquility.
But tranquility was inevitably fleeting.
An unexpected guest appeared at the door.
“Why won’t you let me in? I dropped everything and flew back the moment I got the invitation! Let me see Guqiu!”
“Miss Si, please don’t make this difficult.”
“How is this difficult? Honestly, even if I’m self-proclaimed as her best friend, I at least consider her my closest pal. How could she not tell me she’d picked up an Alpha until the wedding invite? I’ve been calling and texting, but she’s ignored everything. Infuriating!”
An Yizhu pricked up her ears at the lively, melodious voice, brimming with determination.
Clearly, this was someone with a strong presence.
Yu Guqiu sighed but nodded to the maid inside, who cracked the door open just enough to admit the visitor.
“See? I told you I’m an exception!” The guest swept in triumphantly.
She wore an elegant green qipao with a shawl draped over her shoulders, carrying a delicate handbag.
Her cheerful expression faltered when she spotted the Alpha in the room. Covering her mouth in surprise, she exclaimed, “Wow, President Yu, you’re wild! Other couples avoid each other before the wedding, yet you’re sharing a lounge? Alone? Don’t tell me you were— Oh? No pheromones?”
An Yizhu didn’t want to understand, but the mention of “pheromones” made it impossible not to—for an Alpha and Omega alone together, the implications were obvious.
Yu Guqiu shook her head. “Did you barge in just to joke around?”
It was clearly a tease, as the guest had noticed the maid earlier and handed off her bag without hesitation before gracefully perching on the sofa, even playfully flicking the hem of Yu Guqiu’s wedding gown.
She critiqued, “Who designed this? The style’s a bit dated. Did you forget I’m a designer too? You could’ve asked me! Your little Alpha’s dress is much nicer—very contemporary.”
Yu Guqiu replied evenly, “This was my mother’s wedding gown.”
“Oops.” The guest covered her mouth, genuinely apologetic.
Hearing such a traditionally dressed, poetic Omega slip into English was jarring.
But who was this self-proclaimed “best friend”?
An Yizhu squinted, displeased.
The guest sensed the hostility and turned to her, puzzled.
How odd.
An Alpha feeling threatened by an Omega? Rare.