The Next Day
The driver, Old Chen, helped Huo Xingzhou complete his discharge paperwork, and the two headed straight to a photography studio.
Curious, Qiao Xi followed Huo Xingzhou into the studio's lobby. The walls were adorned with various photos, including family portraits, individual shots, and wedding photos. They walked through a wooden corridor to reach the photography area.
As soon as Du Juan and Huo Sijiao saw them, they hurried over excitedly.
"You're finally here! The photographer has been briefed and is ready to go," Du Juan announced.
Qiao Xi looked at them in confusion.
"Xingzhou, you didn't tell her?" Du Juan playfully scolded.
Huo Xingzhou turned to Qiao Xi and explained, "We're here to take family photos."
"Not just family photos!" Huo Sijiao added with a laugh, covering her mouth. "The main event is to make up for your wedding photos! Mom and I spent half the day here picking out the perfect wedding dresses for you!"
Wedding photos?
Qiao Xi's cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink, tinged with red.
Even Huo Xingzhou seemed caught off guard by the plan.
"They didn't tell me either," he said, glancing at Qiao Xi with a reassuring tone, "It wasn't an intentional trick."
Huo Sijiao grabbed Qiao Xi's hand eagerly. "Don't be shy, Sister-in-law! Come on, let's try on some wedding dresses. Dad can take Big Brother to get fitted for a suit."
"Let's go."
The three women escorted Qiao Xi to the dressing room, which was filled with rows of the latest wedding dresses—a dreamland for any bride.
"That French-style gown is stunning—elegant and sophisticated. The large skirt and fitted waist will highlight Sister-in-law's amazing figure."
"I think the mermaid-style dress would also be fabulous."
After circling the options, Du Juan finally said, "Why not try them all? And let's add a traditional Chinese set with a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robe. Start with the French-style gown, then the mermaid dress, and finish with the Chinese outfit."
"This… feels like too much," Qiao Xi murmured, attempting to refuse, but the mother-daughter duo immediately vetoed her protest.
"You only get married once in a lifetime! When Mom got married, she took photos in ten different dresses!"
Before Qiao Xi could say more, she was ushered into the fitting room. The makeup artist carefully helped her into a strapless satin French-style wedding gown. Qiao Xi held her hands to her chest, her neck flushing a deep red.
She had never worn anything so revealing before.
"Please have a seat; I'll do your makeup now," the makeup artist said with a smile.
Feeling like a marionette, Qiao Xi obediently closed her eyes when asked, lowered her head when directed, and remained tense throughout the session.
Two hours later, the makeup was finally done.
"You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen," the makeup artist praised with genuine admiration.
Qiao Xi thought she was just being polite. But when she looked up at the mirror, the woman staring back at her, with a delicate and enchanting beauty, seemed like a stranger.
"Let's go, we're ready for the shoot. The groom has been waiting for a while."
The makeup artist held up Qiao Xi's voluminous skirt and carefully led her out.
As the dressing room door opened, the rest of the Huo family turned their attention toward her. The soft, romantic lighting in the studio bathed her in an ethereal glow, like starlight descending from the heavens.
"She's stunning! Sister-in-law, you should wear makeup more often—you'd turn heads everywhere you go!"
"My daughter-in-law is truly beautiful," Du Juan said proudly.
Qiao Xi nervously clutched her skirt, her gentle, doe-like eyes meeting Huo Xingzhou's. In his gaze, she saw undeniable admiration and awe.
Her lips curved into a shy smile.
"The bride and groom, please get ready for the shoot!" the assistant photographer called out loudly.
"Coming, coming!" Huo Sijiao chirped, eagerly helping Qiao Xi with her skirt.
Sitting on an armchair, Huo Xingzhou extended his hand toward Qiao Xi.
Placing her hand in his, she felt his firm grasp holding her securely.
"Perfect! Look at me, newlyweds," the young male photographer, trendy and energetic, instructed them with enthusiasm. "Let's start with some basic poses."
Huo Sijiao buzzed around like a busy bee, meticulously arranging Qiao Xi's dress.
Watching from a distance, Du Juan, arm-in-arm with Huo Jiancheng, sighed with contentment. "It feels just like when we were young."
"For our pearl wedding anniversary in thirty years, I'll take you abroad for another photo shoot," Huo Jiancheng said sentimentally. "Our children are grown now, but I won't let myself feel old."
Du Juan gave his arm a sharp pinch. "No more of that medicine Zhou Yu gave you!"
Huo Jiancheng quickly raised his hands in surrender, promising not to take it again.
Click!
Click, click, click.
The sound of the camera's shutter filled the studio.
"Move a little closer. Bride, relax your posture and lean in!"
The photographer directed, "Groom, put your arm around her waist."
As the poses grew more intimate, Qiao Xi's cheeks turned an even brighter shade of red, as if someone had brushed on the most vivid blush. She stepped closer, almost falling into Huo Xingzhou's arms.
His palm rested firmly on her waist, radiating warmth.
The photographer took several shots, looking pleased.
"For the next pose, bride, face the groom. Embrace each other with your foreheads touching."
Since the groom's mobility was limited, the photographer instructed Qiao Xi to stand before Huo Xingzhou, wrap her arms around his waist, and lower her head to touch his forehead.
Her face burned as if it were on fire.
"Huo… Mr. Huo…" she pleaded softly, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"Just bear with it," he said with a faint smile glimmering in his eyes. "Come here."
He guided her hands to encircle his waist. Nervously, Qiao Xi inched closer, tilting her head down until their foreheads touched.
Their noses brushed lightly, and the warm rhythm of their breaths intertwined, stirring an inexplicable sensation deep within her.
The proximity was so close that mere centimeters separated their lips.
"Perfect! Hold that pose! Bride, tighten your embrace—don't be shy!" the photographer exclaimed as he moved around them, seeking the ideal angle and lighting.
The scene was dreamlike, exuding romance and elegance.
Unable to contain her excitement, Huo Sijiao snapped a few photos with her phone and quickly posted them online.
Her brother and sister-in-law were a match made in heaven.
"After this last pose, we'll switch to the next dress," the photographer announced, satisfied with the shots. Handsome grooms and beautiful brides made every photo frame-worthy.
The assistant scattered fresh flower petals onto the carpet and helped Qiao Xi settle down in her gown, carefully arranging the skirt.
"The groom's condition limits his movements, so we'll have the bride sit for the next shot. Keep it casual."
"Groom, lean in closer."
The photographer framed the shot and gave the next direction.
"In this pose, the bride will turn her head slightly, and the groom will lean in for a kiss."
A kiss!
Qiao Xi's eyes widened in shock.
No one told her wedding photos involved kissing—especially not in front of so many people!
"Flower petals ready! Reflector board ready!" the photographer commanded, and the assistant began tossing rose petals.
Huo Xingzhou leaned in closer, his movements slow and deliberate.
Qiao Xi froze in place, her body rigid and unresponsive.
"Qiao Xi, just endure it for a moment. This is for our parents' sake," he whispered calmly, though there was a glint of mischief in his voice.
A feather-light kiss landed on her forehead.
"Stop!"
The photographer frowned in dissatisfaction. "A French kiss! Make it more passionate, more intense! I don't need to explain, do I? You should know how to do this. A forehead kiss is too bland—where's the emotion for the memories?"
You're married already, what's there to be embarrassed about?
"Wow!"
Huo Sijiao's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Qiao Xi felt like fainting on the spot. Her eyes turned misty, like a timid rabbit about to cry.
"Huo… Mr. Huo, I… I can't do this."