[Translator Note: I live in a third world country and we frequently have black outs, so we had a blackout in our area this past 2 days. That's why I have been unable to post new chapter. Sorry for the inconvenience.]
After breakfast, Chen Mo saw his parents off, then took Xiao Yu and her younger sister, Xiao Man, to the headquarters of the Marching Ant Company.
It was Xiao Man's first time visiting. She wasn't here for business—just to accompany her sister, who was trying on her wedding dress. Of course, she wasn't going to miss the chance to tour the most cutting-edge company in the country.
As soon as the trio arrived, Zhao Min came out to greet them. When she saw that Xiao Yu had fully recovered, she gently embraced her.
"Welcome, big boss… and our lovely boss lady."
"Zhao Jie, don't tease me," Xiao Yu said with a helpless smile.
"Who's teasing? I'm being completely serious." Zhao Min laughed, then turned to Xiao Man. "What about you? Want to come work for the company? I can hook you up with a position."
"No need. My brother-in-law said we're just here to try on the wedding dress. I just wanted to see it in person," Xiao Man replied.
Zhao Min's eyes lit up. "Trying on the wedding dress? I've been waiting for this! I've been dying to see what Xiao Yu looks like in it."
"Let's go," Chen Mo said, gesturing.
He led the three women into an autonomous electric car headed for Building 1.
Xiao Man was practically buzzing with excitement. After all, she was finally experiencing the Marching Ant Company's legendary headquarters in person—the most technologically advanced company in the entire country.
The self-driving car, holographic displays, and robotic receptionists made the place feel like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. News reports didn't do it justice. Seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.
"Brother-in-law, why are you so ridiculously amazing?" Xiao Man blurted out, half in awe.
"Because I met your sister," Chen Mo replied smoothly.
"Ugh! You're killing us with the sweetness!" Zhao Min and Xiao Man groaned in unison.
"Feeding us dog food so early in the morning… shameless," Xiao Man muttered.
"I'm just being honest." Chen Mo shrugged.
Xiao Yu chuckled quietly beside him, not saying a word, but clearly enjoying it.
Before long, they arrived at Building 1—the most secure area in the entire complex. A 24-hour security patrol watched over the entrance, with robot guards patrolling inside and surveillance cameras covering every angle.
Without Chen Mo's authorization, no one could even get close.
After clearing all the security layers, the four entered the building.
Xiao Man looked around, her curiosity piqued. Building 1 wasn't open to visitors, so it lacked any decorative touches. The hallways were sleek, lined with metal walls, save for the occasional security bot silently stationed in the corridor.
Hiss...
As they reached a laboratory door, it opened automatically with a soft sound, revealing a massive lab inside.
The lab was filled with high-tech equipment and several intelligent robots working on synthetic fiber materials.
This was the R&D and small-scale production lab for Dream Fiber—a next-generation material developed by the company. It also housed the seamless textile machinery, similar to 3Du-Knit technology, used to weave the wedding dress.
Chen Mo stopped in front of a secure door.
"The wedding dress is inside," he said.
Xiao Yu looked at the door, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
She hadn't seen the dress. She hadn't even known the lab was being used to make it. Now that she was about to see the wedding gown designed by the man she loved, her heart raced with a mix of anticipation and butterflies.
"Sis, open it already! I've been dying to see it," Xiao Man urged, fists clenched in excitement.
"Okay…"
Chen Mo turned the handle and pushed open the door.
Lights automatically brightened the room, revealing a single mannequin by the central display window—on it hung the wedding dress they had all been waiting to see.
The gown was a pure, elegant white. Its silhouette was timeless, its long skirt graceful and refined. Under the soft lighting, it gave off a subtle shimmer, almost like starlight—ethereal, dreamy, and noble.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Xiao Man couldn't help exclaiming, eyes twinkling like stars. She stared longingly at the dress, almost ready to dive at it.
Zhao Min, usually composed, was no less moved. She'd seen the wedding dress several times while Chen Mo was away and had often wondered what it might feel like to wear it herself. But that was just fantasy.
This dress was meant for someone else.
It was the kind of wedding gown every woman dreamed of. Not even someone as pragmatic as her could resist its allure.
So lucky.
Zhao Min looked at Xiao Yu with a hint of envy. Only someone truly cherished by fate could have everything other women dreamed of.
"This… this is my wedding dress?" Xiao Yu stared at the gown, dazed.
"Yes," Chen Mo nodded. "It took a lot of effort to finish. Do you like it?"
Xiao Yu threw herself into his arms, eyes misting with tears. "Thank you, husband…"
She had never doubted his words—not even for a moment. When he said he was designing her wedding dress, she believed him. Even if it had been the simplest gown in the world, she would have worn it with joy. Because it was his gift to her—for the most important day of her life.
Now, seeing it in person, her trust and expectations were all rewarded. This wasn't just a dress—it was love, made real.
Zhao Min and Xiao Man stood quietly, watching with smiles, not wanting to interrupt.
"You're crying this hard... is it because the dress is too ugly?" Chen Mo teased gently. "If you don't like it, I can toss it out and start over."
"No!" Xiao Yu snapped back, startled. She pulled away from his embrace in a panic, momentarily forgetting she'd been crying.
Everyone burst into laughter—Zhao Min and Xiao Man finally unable to hold it in.
"Big meanie! Teasing me like that!" Xiao Yu glared and, flustered, pinched Chen Mo's waist.
"Ouch! Okay, okay! Want to try it on?" Chen Mo asked, grimacing through the pain.
"Yes!" Xiao Yu's expression instantly brightened. She practically skipped toward the display window, excitement written all over her face.
Chen Mo, still rubbing his sore waist, walked over and pressed a button. The glass slowly lowered, revealing the gown in its full glory.
Xiao Man reached out gently to touch it, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Sis… this fabric feels softer than skin…"
"This dress is made from a new fiber I developed, called Dream Fiber. It's smooth and soft—just like a girl's skin," Chen Mo explained.
"You made an entirely new fabric for this? How much did this thing cost?" Xiao Man gasped.
"The price doesn't matter," Chen Mo replied calmly. "As long as Xiao Yu likes it."
"Ughh! Enough with the dog food!" Zhao Min and Xiao Man groaned in mock disgust. "We seriously protest this public display of affection!"
Xiao Yu grinned playfully.
"Protest denied," Chen Mo replied shamelessly. Then he turned to Xiao Yu. "Go on—try it on."
"Wait a second. There's no dressing room here," Zhao Min interjected, smirking. "You think you can just watch your wife change in front of everyone? You've seen it all already, haven't you? Just step outside and let us help her."
"…Fine." Chen Mo scratched his nose awkwardly and turned around to leave the room.