Han Yan looked around, amazed at the vastness of the tea garden. At the same time, she was also surprised by the deep friendship between Bai Peiwen and Gao Lide. She felt quite touched and couldn't help but smile at Gao Lide as well.

  "Alright, Pei Wen," Gao Lide said, looking at Bai Peiwen. "The wedding is over, and I, the Zhuge Liang, have done my part. Now, before we get home, aren′t you going to give your wife a little mental preparation?"

  Bai Peiwen′s brow furrowed deeply. Han Yan looked at Gao Lide in suspicion, then at Bai Peiwen. She didn′t understand what they were up to. Then, Pei Wen turned to her, taking both of her hands, his expression serious.

  "Han Yan, forgive me, but there is something I have to tell you."

  "What is it?" Han Yan's face turned pale, and she was frightened. "Don't scare me."

  "No, no, there's no need to panic," Bai Peiwen comforted her, patting the back of her hand. "I just need to be honest with you. The reason I had to marry you in secret and didn′t notify any retives or friends is because of one obstacle—my mother."

  Her face became even paler, and her dark eyes widened in shock.

  "You—actually—" she stammered, "married me without telling her?"

  "Yes, the only ones who know about this wedding are you, me, Li De, and accountant Zhang."

  Her lips trembled slightly, and her eyeshes lowered.

  "You—are you saying that if your mother knew we were married, she would definitely oppose it?" Han Yan asked, her voice trembling. Bai Peiwen shuddered, realizing that this fragile and sensitive girl had been hurt again. He quickly grabbed her arm and gently lifted her chin, looking at her face as he said, "You know, the opinions of older people are often different from those of young ones. I am an only child, and she always treats my marriage as her matter. I'm not saying that she will definitely oppose it, but as long as there′s even a possibility of that, I couldn′t let it happen, so I kept it from her."

  Han Yan's heart sank into a deep, cold pit. She stared at Pei Wen, feeling anxious and troubled. "You're wrong, Pei Wen; you were too hasty. By suddenly bringing a bride in front of her like this, how can you expect her to accept me? And how can I meet her? You've trapped me, Pei Wen."

  "Don't worry, Han Yan," he reassured her. "Once we get home, I'll go upstairs and expin everything to her first. She will accept you, Han Yan. No one could fail to accept you. She will accept you, and she will like you! Besides," he smiled, trying to make her feel better, "I′m the one who married you, not her!"

  I hope what you said is true! Han Yan thought to herself, lowering her head. It had only been an hour since their marriage, and she didn′t want to show any dissatisfaction.

  Moreover, Pei Wen′s decision, made without hesitation, was out of fear of losing her.

  She bit her lip, vaguely sensing that the future might not be as bright as she had imagined.

  When she saw their conversation had ended, Gao Lide started the car again. As the car picked up speed, Han Yan was rapidly calcuting in her mind. Her thoughts were moving faster than the wheels. When the car stopped in front of the two iron gates, Han Yan lifted her determined, brave, and hopeful eyes and looked at Bai Peiwen, saying, "You′re right, Pei Wen. Don′t worry, she will like me!"

  Gao Lide watched them quietly, noticing the firm determination on the young woman's face. He knew she would use all her methods to win over her mother-in-w′s favor.

  That radiant little face was truly captivating. He couldn′t help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Pei Wen. Clearing his throat, he said, "Mrs. Bai, aren't you going to take a look at your home?"

  "You′d better call her Han Yan, not 'Mrs. Bai' all the time. It's really awkward!" Bai Peiwen said.

  Han Yan looked outside and saw a brand new wooden pque standing in front of the iron gates, with four delicate characters carved on it:

  "Han Yan Mountain Vil"

  She turned back to look at Bai Peiwen, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion. She stammered, "How—how—"

  "This is yours, Han Yan," Bai Peiwen said, gazing deeply at her. "Your home, your house, your garden, and me."

  "Oh!" Han Yan blinked, tears welling up in her eyes. Then she smelled the fragrance of flowers—the sweet scent of the lics drifting through the air. The iron gates opened, and she saw Bai Peiwen handing a red envelope to the male worker who was opening the door, saying, "This is a reward for you, Lao Zhang. I just got married."

  She ignored the surprised look of the male worker and found herself in a dizzying daze. She realized she was standing in a garden that seemed like a dream—lush trees, a deep courtyard, and thousands upon thousands of roses. The clusters of roses, the entire round flowerbed made of yellow roses! She stepped out of the car and stood there, speechless, astonished.

  "Your dream rose garden," Bai Peiwen said beside her. "This is what Li De and I worked tirelessly to transform the original garden into. I promised you, didn't I?"

  Han Yan turned to face him, and this time, she disregarded everything—she ignored the male worker beside them, ignored Gao Lide, and even the maid peeking out from the living room door. She wrapped her arms around Bai Peiwen's neck and kissed him quickly.

  "Thank you, thank you for giving me this home!" she said, tears shimmering in her eyes.

  Could this home have shadows?

  No! That was impossible!