Chapter 349
“They’re here! The bride and groom will be here any minute!” Ji Mohan shouted as he ran in. “Grandfather, don’t worry—five minutes at most!”
Beside him was a woman in her twenties. Though not particularly beautiful, her dimples were striking, and she radiated energy and vitality. She was Ye Weiwan, the screenwriter who had taken the internet by storm last year—and also Ji Mohan’s fiancée.
They had known each other for years, and three years ago, a certain opportunity had led them to confirm their relationship.
It wasn’t until a few days ago that Ji Mohan learned the truth: the person who had actually saved him when he fell into the lake all those years ago was Ye Weiwan.
So this was fate’s destined bond.
He proposed on the spot, and she said yes.
“Come on, everyone gets a party popper!” Ye Weiwan handed one to each person standing at the gate, pointing above them. “You guys aim this direction, and you guys over there—make sure you remember your spots. That way, the confetti will form a heart, perfectly framing the bride and groom. How romantic is that!”
“Why didn’t I get one?”
A clear, crisp voice cut through.
Tang Jin, heavily pregnant, walked over, supported by Ji Jingchuan.
“Little Jin, what chaos are you stirring up here?” Ji Shunying felt a jolt of panic. “You’re only days away from your due date—you could go into labor any moment. Chuan, take Little Jin inside and have her sit down until the banquet starts!”
Ji Jingchuan smiled. “I’ve got her; it’s fine.”
He took a party popper from Ye Weiwan and placed it in Tang Jin’s hands, speaking gently. “Twist it here. If you can’t manage it, just leave it to me.”
Tang Jin pressed her lips together and smiled. “Alright.”
“And here comes the couple flaunting their love again…” Ji Zhouye huffed. “A single dog angrily flipping over the food bowl!”
Sheng Ciyuan waved him over. “Come on, Aye, single dogs stand over here, so you don’t get too stuffed.”
Si Lin and Zhou Shiyu also walked over, lining up with the rest of the singles.
“They’re here! They’re finally here!”
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the wedding car stopped at the main gate. The moment the door opened, the ceremonial firecrackers on both sides had already been waiting, bursting into a deafening roar. A cascade of multicolored confetti rained down like a colorful storm, mingling with the cheers of the gathered guests and erupting into a wave of excitement.
Sheng Qingyan was the first to step out. He was dressed in a crisp military uniform, perfectly blending a man’s fortitude with tenderness. The sunlight refracted a brilliant golden gleam off his shoulder badges, yet it couldn’t rival even a fraction of the softness in his eyes.
He turned and bent down, his palm gently shielding the car door frame.
Rong Yu’s hand joined his, and as she stepped out of the wedding car, her modified cheongsam dress, embroidered with intertwined lotus patterns, spread like a ripple of dark red along her movement. The pearl tassels on her crown brushed against her cheeks, accentuating her stunning beauty.
The crowd that had been packed tightly together immediately parted to both sides, leaving a path paved with a red carpet.
Ji Shunying grabbed a flower basket and stepped forward, scattering rose petals and gold foil confetti into the air with all his might.
In the courtyard, Old Madam Sheng, seated in the place of honor, watched the scene in speechless amazement. After a long pause, she finally spoke: “What kind of obsession does this Old Master Ji have with grabbing the flower boy role? An old man past eighty, scampering behind the bride and groom like a child, tossing petals…”
She simply couldn’t understand.
Why, when the eldest son of the Sheng family and the eldest daughter of the Rong family were getting married—one a Sheng, the other a Rong—did they have to hold the wedding at the Ji family’s estate?
She would never forget the day the date was set. Old Master Ji had thrown a tantrum, completely losing all dignity.
Her heart had softened, and she’d agreed.
Ah, well. The Ji estate would do; it was fine enough.
Hand in hand, the bride and groom walked step by step into the main hall.
“First bow to Heaven and Earth!”
The emcee’s voice rang out through the estate via the microphone.
“Second bow to the parents!”
On the high seats, only one person sat: Old Madam Sheng.
Sheng Qingyan’s parents, Sheng Dian and Xu Lu, stood behind the old lady.
As for Rong Wangtian, he didn’t dare sit at all; he remained on the very edge.
It was already beyond his expectations to be invited to his eldest daughter’s wedding; he didn’t have the audacity to put on airs as her father…
“Husband and wife bow to each other!”
No sooner had these words been spoken than Zhou Shiyu shouted, “Captain Sheng, Miss Rong, kiss! Kiss!”
The entire courtyard of guests immediately followed suit, the crescendo of shouts nearly lifting the rooftops.
When Sheng Qingyan lowered his head, Rong Yu’s phoenix crown brushed against the tip of his nose. The pearl tassels swept across his cheek, carrying the pure, cool scent of her presence.
They exchanged smiling glances and shared a gentle kiss.
Fireworks suddenly exploded in the sky above the estate, painting a cascade of colorful light that poured down, capturing their embracing silhouette against the hall’s red silk drapes.
After the nuptial ceremony, the banquet began.
High red lanterns were hung aloft, and clinking glasses filled the feast. Ji Shunying was granted an exception and allowed a few cups of wine. His cheeks flushed crimson, but he still grinned cheerfully, insisting on belting out a song.
“Today is a good day—may all wishes come true…”
Ji Shunying wailed, the tune hopelessly off-key.
Old Master Zhou looked utterly baffled. “Miss Rong and Captain Sheng are the ones getting married—what’s he doing, dancing and making a racket like that?”
Old Master Hai coughed. “You just don’t get it, don’t get it.”
Old Master Si rolled up his sleeves. “Let’s clap along to Old Ji’s beat!”
Even the normally strait-laced Tang Youyi was dragged along as the old men joined the raucous singing and dancing, making the scene wildly lively.
Rong Yu held her forehead. “These old rascals sure know how to make a buzz.”
Sheng Qingyan’s face was full of tenderness. “On such a rare good day, let them make merry—it’s fine.”
Just as Ji Shunying was hitting his stride, Zhou Shiyu and Si Lin started instigating a stir, urging everyone to crash the bridal chamber.
“Haha, time for the bridal chamber!”
“We have to give Captain Sheng a proper hard time—he keeps that cold, stern face every day!”
“I can’t even imagine how shy Miss Rong must look…”
Hearing this, Ji Shunying sobered up a good measure. He slammed the table. “Everyone, buzz off! No rowdiness!”
He shooed the guests away, his intoxicated eyes growing deeply earnest. “Mom, Dad, I wish you a joyful marriage.”
He paused, then continued. “I am eighty-three years old now. I’m getting older by the day—I don’t know how much longer I have left. I know you’re both very busy, but… I still hope you can have a child. No, two children—one younger brother and one younger sister. The brother will be like Dad, the sister like Mom. Holding hands, they’ll call me ‘Old Brother’…
After I’m gone, there needs to be someone to support you in your old age and see to your final rites…
Let them—let them continue loving you in my place…”
Rong Yu’s tears streamed down without restraint.
She pulled her Old Son tightly into her embrace. “Yingbao, don’t ever say things like that.”
Sheng Qingyan spread his broad arms, wrapping the two of them together. “Yingbao, no matter what, you will always be our most beloved treasure, Mom and Dad’s dearest. Our only wish is for you to live healthy and happy.”
In that instant, over seventy years seemed to flash by in the blink of an eye. Drifting through the night air came the lullaby he had loved most as a child:
Moonlight bright, shines on the hall,
Father’s steps sound, heading home from the wall.
Boots dusted with snow from the border roads,
From his pocket, warm sesame candy he bestows.
…
Moonlight bright, climbs to the bed,
Mother hums songs as the gauze curtains spread.
Her fingers comb through my hair so fine,
Sleep deep falls as dreams intertwine.
…
—The End—