In the church, Zhuo Xiangqiao sat, restless, as Ken by his side tested the video camera and said, "Why so nervous? After all, you've already signed the marriage certificate."
Zhuo Xiangqiao glanced at him. Those who have not married could never understand the emotions of those who are about to wed.
Just then, the doors of the church opened, and seeing the person standing outside, Zhuo Xiangqiao felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest.
Lin Yue walked in slowly, holding Lin Jinfang's hand. When they reached him, Lin Jinfang handed Lin Yue over to him and said solemnly, "I'm entrusting her to you, treat her well, and don't let her suffer any grievances."
"I will do everything I can to make her happy every day," Zhuo Xiangqiao said with seriousness and conviction in his eyes.
As the priest recited the wedding vows, Zhuo Xiangqiao nervously watched Lin Yue until she said, "I do," then he smiled. Ken hurriedly passed over the ring, and inside the box, the two rings lay together like a bloom of Qionghua.
"This…" Lin Yue looked at him, excited.
Zhuo Xiangqiao carefully slipped the ring onto her ring finger, "Just like you, endlessly enchanting," he said as he extended his hand, waiting for her to place the ring on his ring finger, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Lin Yue took the ring and slowly put it onto his finger. Zhuo Xiangqiao's eyes sparkled with a brilliant smile.
"We will be happy," Zhuo Xiangqiao whispered into her ear.
Outside the church, Zhuo Xiangqiao excitedly lifted Lin Yue in his arms. Under the sunlight, the air was filled with the scent of happiness, and Ken with his video camera captured all these moments.
That evening, as Lin Yue spoke on the phone with Cenhuan by the moonlight streaming through the window, she looked at the ring on her finger and remembered the scenes from the church.
"Yueyue, are you still listening to me?"
Only when Cenhuan called out did she come back to her senses, "Yes, yes, I'm listening. We'll be heading back soon. There's someone at the door; I need to hang up," she said and hung up the phone.
"Big brother, why are you here?" Lin Yue opened the door and saw Lin Jinfang standing by the door.
Lin Jinfang walked into the room and said, "The two of them are drinking downstairs; I have something to give to you, so I came up first." With that, he reached out and handed her something, "This is a gift from your brother."
She took it, looking puzzled at Lin Jinfang, "What is this?"
"This is the wedding gift your brother prepared for you," Lin Jinfang kissed her forehead and said, "Happy marriage, little princess."
At the airport, Lin Yue hugged Lin Jinfang and didn't want to let go, as Zhuo Xiangqiao patiently coaxed her from the side.
"Yueyue, it's time to board the plane."
"Big brother, come back with us," Lin Yue pleaded, holding onto Lin Jinfang's hand, her eyes full of hope.
"Once big brother has finished dealing with things here, I can go back," Lin Jinfang said, patting Lin Yue. He had certainly caught the look Zhuo Xiangqiao was sending his way.
The airport announcement had already sounded, and Zhuo Xiangqiao wrapped an arm around Lin Yue, "Yueyue, it's time to board the plane."
Lin Yue looked back three steps at a time as she watched Lin Jinfang go through the security check. Outside the airport, watching the departing plane, Lin Jinfang turned and dove into the car, and soon he would be back, by then, he would retrieve all the things that belonged to him and his sister one by one.
Once off the plane, the two hurried to Lin Yue's apartment. Holding the keys Lin Yue had given him, Zhuo Xiangqiao's expression contained a hint of triumphant pride, like a host reveling in his newfound authority. Seeing Lin Yue in front of him looking not too well, he said with concern, "Haven't you adjusted yet? Go to the room and sleep for a while."
Lin Yue nodded and turned to walk toward the room; jet lag had her feeling a bit dizzy. Zhuo Xiangqiao looked around the living room, the air carried a calm warmth, and contentment and happiness seemed almost to brim over in his heart.
The cellphone in his pocket suddenly rang, and Zhuo Xiangqiao frowned as he walked onto the balcony. Before he could speak, the other end burst into rapid words.
"Mom…" Zhuo Xiangqiao pressed at his forehead in resignation, "I've said before that Miss Wu is not my type, and please stop setting me up with blind dates. In a few days, I'll bring your daughter-in-law home." After saying that, he hung up the call.
Hearing the words "daughter-in-law," Liao Yun froze by the phone, just about to ask when the call was cut off. Listening to Zhuo Xiangqiao's half-finished conversation, she hurriedly redialed, but it was busy, and she felt as uncomfortable as if a cat were scratching at her heart.
Lin Yue was awakened by the aroma of the food coming from the kitchen. Stepping out in her slippers to the doorway, she saw Zhuo Xiangqiao busy in the kitchen. Sensing her arrival, he turned and smiled at her, "It's almost ready; go sit in the living room for a while." In a bit, he popped his head out to call, "Yueyue, dinner's ready."
At the dining table, Lin Yue noticed all the dishes were her favorites, "When did you learn this?"
Zhuo Xiangqiao placed a piece of ribs in her bowl, "Back when I was studying in the United Kingdom, I couldn't get used to the food there, so I started learning to cook for myself. How is it, does it suit your taste?"
Lin Yue took a bite and nodded in praise.
After dinner, Lin Yue, who was about to wash up, was chased out of the kitchen by Zhuo Xiangqiao. At that moment, her cellphone rang. By the time she finished the call, Zhuo Xiangqiao was already sitting on the sofa waiting for her.
"Xiang Qiao, I want to visit Mom's grave tomorrow…"
"Okay."
Having slept too much, Lin Yue tossed and turned in bed. Zhuo Xiangqiao slept in the guest room next door. Thinking about how he had held her when they returned to the room, saying he would wait until the day she was ready, Lin Yue felt a slight sourness in her heart. The purpose of this marriage was not pure, would they be happy in the future?
Early the next morning, Zhuo Xiangqiao drove towards the suburban cemetery. Early in the morning, the cemetery still held a hint of chill. Zhuo Xiangqiao took out a coat from the car to drape over her, adjusted her clothes, and then opened the car door for her.
Lin Yue placed the chrysanthemums in front of her mother's grave, with Zhuo Xiangqiao standing by her side.
"Mom, I've brought Xiang Qiao to see you; we got married… Brother is still in the United Kingdom now, but he will be back soon…"
"Mom, I'm doing well… You said back then I wouldn't become a pianist, but look, I'm a famous pianist now…"
As Lin Yue spoke, she began to cry. Zhuo Xiangqiao wrapped one arm around her and wiped her tears with his other hand, "So grown up, and still crying so unattractively…"
After coming down the hill, Zhuo Xiangqiao looked back at the graves on the hill, Aunt Xionghua, rest assured, I'll take good care of Yueyue.