Liyan and her husband arrived in Oxford to attend their daughter’s wedding. They shared a polite dinner with Mrs. Huntington, during which Liyan acted as the translator.

　　"Your daughter has been quite a concern," Mrs. Huntington remarked, her subtle disapproval of the match clear in her tone.

　　"Indeed, she has. But since John likes her, I’ve come to like her as well," Mrs. Huntington added, though it was evident she wasn’t entirely pleased with the union.

　　"We leave all the wedding arrangements to you," Lu Yun said with a strained smile.

　　"No need to be formal," Mrs. Huntington replied. "Since you're here in England, let Liyan show you around. I’ll have the butler arrange a car for you."

　　Lu Yun politely declined. "Thank you for your kindness, but since you’re so busy with the wedding, we wouldn’t want to add to your workload. We’ll manage just fine." With that, she and her husband excused themselves.

　　"Liyan, I heard you’ve put your parents in a small inn in town?" Mrs. Huntington inquired.

　　"Yes," Liyan replied, almost apologetically.

　　Liyan had hoped to spend some private time with her mother, which was why she had arranged for them to stay at a separate hotel. She didn’t want their rare family reunion to be under the watchful eyes of strangers.

　　Mrs. Huntington, asserting her authority as the estate’s matriarch, declared with finality, "Tonight, your parents will stay in the guest rooms at the manor. You should cancel the hotel reservation tomorrow. I don’t want the townsfolk to think the Huntingtons are neglecting their in-laws."

　　"I didn’t consider this properly," Liyan said meekly. "I’ll cancel the booking first thing tomorrow."

　　Lu Yun watched with growing discomfort, her forced smile fading.

　　In the guest room, Liyan helped her mother with the bed linens, her silent focus masking the hurt from earlier. Lu Yun, sensing her daughter's distress, asked, "John isn’t from a regular family. Are you prepared for what that means?"

　　"I can adapt, don’t worry," Liyan said, her back turned to her mother. She was afraid of breaking down and didn’t want to face her.

　　"I understand you’ve faced some setbacks in your job search, and it’s not what you envisioned. But there are still good opportunities. Perhaps you could work back home for a while and pursue better positions when you’re more established."

　　"Mom, I didn’t marry John because of job issues," Liyan said. But she thought to herself that discussing this now seemed pointless. Returning to a cramped attic and dealing with petty neighbors wasn’t appealing. Living under one roof with her stepbrother, despite being a young man, felt awkward. Housing in Shanghai was tight, and her move abroad might even relieve her stepfather and stepbrother. People always strive for better.

　　Liyan handed her mother an envelope filled with pounds. "This is the penalty for breaking the study-abroad contract."

　　Lu Yun was taken aback. After a long pause, she said, "Keep the money you earned as a teaching assistant. I’m the one who guaranteed your stay abroad, and we can cover the penalty. No matter how wealthy John’s family is, you should have your own financial security."

　　Lu Yun refused to take the money, feeling that accepting it would be like sending her daughter off to England. She realized that Liyan’s decision to marry John wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment choice. Liyan had long planned to stay in the UK and had been waiting for John’s proposal—or more accurately, Mrs. Huntington’s approval. Liyan had kept her true intentions hidden until now, not revealing them until everything was finalized.

　　Lu Yun was both shocked and upset. "Are you marrying John purely out of love, or is it a way to escape the difficulties you’re facing? Or are you attracted to his background, seeking an easier path? Regardless of your reasons, marriage might not be easier than returning to China. You’re my only child, and if you face hardship in the UK, you won’t have anyone to turn to. My heart will always be troubled."

　　"I understand your concerns. I love John, and I don’t want to be apart from him."

　　Lu Yun sighed. "As long as you’re sure about your decision. Promise me you won’t give up working after marriage. It’s not just about needing a job; you need something that grounds you."

　　"I understand. I won’t be a kept woman," Liyan promised.

　　"If John ever mistreats you, don’t keep it to yourself. Your mother will always welcome you back."

　　Liyan hugged her mother and cried, unable to reveal that she had just signed a prenuptial agreement with the Huntingtons that heavily favored them.

　　

　　Mrs. Huntington insisted on holding the wedding at the estate, but Liyan preferred Merton College, a place she knew well. John managed to convince his mother, and the wedding was set for Merton College’s small chapel. Mrs. Huntington chose a traditional English wedding date, "Wednesday," and invited many prominent figures from Oxfordshire, introducing them to John and Liyan one by one.

　　The officiant was Professor David Lee. The maid of honor was Catherine, and the best man was Jemis Russell, Rachel’s brother. Rachel attended the ceremony in a simple white silk gown and a stylish hat adorned with a high white peacock feather, subtly asserting her presence without overshadowing the bride. Anna wore orange-red lipstick and a modest cream-colored suit, appropriate for her role as a university lecturer. Saeed came with his wife, a young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. Despite her lowered head, her dark eyes shone through her heavy veil. Whether from natural shyness or discomfort with her outfit, Saeed held her hand tightly throughout the event, as if to give her courage and calm her nerves.

　　Liyan was grateful that John had persuaded his mother to hold the wedding at Merton College. If it had been at the Huntington estate, Anna and Saeed wouldn’t have been invited. Close family and friends came to witness John and Liyan’s important moment. Liyan, in a simple white wedding dress and holding a bouquet of calla lilies for good luck, felt that fate was still on her side. When her stepfather handed her hand to John, Liyan knew she was about to change not just her last name, nationality, and lifestyle, but her destiny as well. Would John truly keep his promise to care for her for life?