When Jiang Beichen lifted the floral crown from Chu Han's forehead and gently kissed her, the entire audience erupted in applause. Shu Yi'an, standing in the center of the crowd, couldn't help but applaud as well, her mind gradually drifting back to her wedding two years ago.
The author has something to say: Every girl dreams of having a wedding, whether grand or unforgettable.
It doesn't really matter where you are; what matters is the person by your side.
It seems you guys are really happy about Chu Meimei and Ji Fengsao being together? Here's the answer: the official pairing is him, it's him.
Chapter 40: A Long Memories
Shu Yi'an's wedding was held in the autumn, and the weather in Beijing in September was already a bit chilly. Sui Qing looked at the falling leaves in the yard with concern. "It's getting cold soon, you two should hurry up and get things done. The hotel has already been arranged for you."
Chu Mu slowly glanced at the newspaper and gave a casual reply, seemingly unconcerned. Sui Qing grew even more anxious seeing his demeanor and slapped Chu Mu on the forehead.
"You little rascal, aren't you in a hurry? But those girls have to pick out their wedding dresses and gowns according to the weather, otherwise they won't be able to wear them when the weather changes."
"A woman only has one chance in her life. Although Yi'an didn't make any demands, she is still a pure and innocent girl. You can't treat her like this."
Chu Mu lowered his gaze as if he were seriously considering it, then folded the newspaper and tossed it aside. "I understand. I'll take her to try on wedding dresses tomorrow. I promise it won't delay your wedding, okay?"
Sui Qing's beautiful eyes widened in anger. "What do you mean, 'I'm getting married'? Chu Mu, let me tell you! This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for you. If you don't take it seriously, you'll regret it!!"
At the time, Chu Weiyuan was working as a fashion editor at a renowned international magazine, which basically meant she was constantly using her position as an excuse to go on shopping sprees under the guise of business trips. Just as Chu Mu was getting married, she volunteered to take care of all the wedding attire for the couple. Chu Mu wasn't particularly interested in this, so he left it entirely to Shu Yi'an and Chu Weiyuan.
Shu Yi'an was still a little worried after hearing this, and she nervously twirled the glass in her hand. "Aren't you going to take a look? What if you don't like what I picked?"
Chu Mu smiled faintly, "As long as you like it."
Shu Yi'an saw obvious disappointment in her eyes and silently swallowed the words she had asked him to come see her try on wedding dresses tomorrow. It was clear he wasn't very focused on the wedding...
Chu Mu suddenly looked up at her and asked, "The wedding is the day after tomorrow. You... really don't need me to go home with you to visit your grandfather?"
Having learned of her parents' passing, Chu Mu felt he should accompany her back to her hometown to visit Shu Yi'an's maternal grandfather, as a sign of respect and to fulfill a promise to the elder. After all, marriage is a significant matter, and it couldn't be left for her to marry alone. In the Chu family's view, accepting someone meant accepting everything about that person, including their family and relatives.
Shu Yi'an met his eyes, gradually recalling the scene from half a month ago, and shook her head. Her tone was filled with sadness, "Grandpa said he's getting old and doesn't like to interact with the outside world now. Maybe in the future."
In fact, Chu Mu did not know that Shu Yi'an had returned to Yangzhou alone long before they decided to get married.
In the courtyard with its blue bricks and white tiles, Shu Yi'an softly called out, "Grandpa, I'm back."
The man addressed as "Grandpa" was standing in front of the fishpond in the yard, feeding the fish. The eighty-year-old man seemed oblivious to everything around him, not even turning around at the sound behind him. His back, however, remained as straight as it had been years ago. He simply replied, "You're back? Go to Qingshan and have him prepare dinner for you."
Shu Yi'an didn't move, but quietly lowered her head and said another sentence.
"Grandpa, I'm getting married."
Upon hearing this, the old man stopped what he was doing and slowly turned around, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "When did this happen? Where are you from?"
Shu Yi'an quietly clenched her fist. "He'll be in Beijing on the 16th of next month. He's a diplomat."
The old man stood there for a long time without saying anything. After a long while, he smiled kindly, took Shu Yi'an's hand, and led her into the house. As they walked, he sighed, "Girls really do grow up and leave home. In the blink of an eye, she's getting married."
Even after the grandfather and granddaughter had finished dinner, the old man didn't mention Shu Yi'an's marriage. Shu Yi'an was getting anxious. Seeing that the old man was about to rest, she blocked the door to the study. "Grandpa... so, are you going to Beijing or not? Or... should I bring him to see you?"
The old man reached out and touched Shu Yi'an's forehead, then closed the door wearily. "Never mind... I trust my granddaughter's judgment. Grandpa is old and can't walk anymore."
Looking at the dimmed light in the study, it seemed as if something in Shu Yi'an's eyes had also gone out.
Over the past four years, the old man has watched as Shu Yi'an was admitted to a school that had nothing to do with dance, watched her walk like a normal person, and watched her slowly integrate into society and gradually live a life that was different from her previous unpredictable self. He felt that he had suddenly grown old as well.
The pain of losing her son, which had been forcibly suppressed in her heart, began to slowly leave a deeper mark on the old woman's heart after Shu Yi'an passed away. One day, looking at the bamboo dripping with water in the courtyard after the rain, she suddenly sighed, "Green mountains... I am really old... Yi'an was the last stone in my life. She has let go, and so have I."
Qingshan was the old man's steward who had been with him in Yangzhou ever since. He took care of the old man's daily life and naturally didn't know him very well. "If you're tired, take a rest. From now on, you can enjoy your retirement." In fact, having served the old man for so many years, Qingshan understood his intentions perfectly. The old man was afraid that he would be unable to bear witnessing his granddaughter's marriage and facing separation again.
Shu Yi'an's wedding dress was beautiful, or rather, stunning. She was slender with fair skin. The strapless design accentuated her beautiful collarbones and shoulders, while the simple yet exquisite cut at the waist made her incredibly voluptuous figure stand out. There were no layers of fussy embellishments, but the nearly one-meter-long train was adorned with tiny diamonds. There was no veil; only a white lily crown adorned her unmade-up face.
From a distance, Shu Yi'an looked like a princess waiting to be married.
Chu Weiyuan stood beside her and exclaimed softly, "Watching this makes me want to get married!!!"
Standing in front of the enormous full-length mirror, Shu Yi'an was a little surprised. It's said that every girl's most anticipated and longed-for moment is seeing herself in a wedding dress, and looking at herself now, Shu Yi'an had to admit she was somewhat excited. The reflection in the mirror was a version of herself she had never seen before, seemingly surrounded by an aura of happiness. She had to admit, being able to stand beside Chu Mu in such a wedding gown, she was very lucky. Compared to Shu Yi'an's wedding dress, Chu Mu's was much simpler. The pure black suit was understated and restrained, except for the addition of a white bow tie at the collar, unlike usual.
Everything is ready, except for the absence of the male lead...
Knowing Chu Mu's aloof nature, Chu Weiyuan couldn't help but hug Shu Yi'an to comfort her. "Don't be sad. If he doesn't come today, he doesn't have to. I'll be with you. Anyway, he'll never miss his wedding, no matter what."
When Chu Weiyuan returned home that evening, she deliberately slammed her bag and keys down with a loud bang, then went upstairs without even glancing at the person on the sofa. Both her father and Sui Qing were taken aback. "Could it be that something happened between her and Yi'an today?"
Chu Mu frowned. "I'll go up and take a look."
Pushing open the door, Chu Weiyuan was sitting cross-legged on the bed. Seeing Chu Mu enter, she immediately threw a pillow at him. "You heartless bastard! Get out!!!"
Chu Mu grabbed the cushion and threw it back onto the bed, somewhat bewildered. "Why am I a heartless man? Did something go wrong today?"
Chu Weiyuan pouted, "I'm standing up for her. You didn't even go to see her on such an important day. She's your wife, after all... You have no idea how beautiful Sister Yi'an looked in her wedding dress!!"
Chu Mu's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly calmed down, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought something was wrong, but I was busy today and didn't leave."
Looking at her brother, who always had the same expression, Chu Weiyuan felt a little sorry for him. Thinking of Shu Yi'an's appearance during the day, her nose stung with tears, so she simply clung to him and acted spoiled. "I don't care, I don't care. You have to take responsibility for me before we get married, and then you have to take responsibility for her. Chu Mu, hug me quickly."
Chu Mu chuckled and caught his sister, falling onto the carpet with her, just like when they were little, when she would cling to him and playfully wrestle. The siblings lay silently on the balcony, watching the night darken, each lost in their own thoughts. Chu Mu thought about what Chu Weiyuan had just said, unconsciously repeating it to himself: "She was wearing a wedding dress…was she beautiful?"
But in fact, from the moment Chu Mu met Shu Yi'an, he felt that Chu Weiyuan was not lying.
The wedding procession, organized by Jiang Beichen and Ji Hengdong and their childhood friends, stretched for dozens of meters, its grandeur and extravagance astonishing many.
Chu Mu stepped out of the car, smiling as he pushed through the crowd surrounding Shu Yi'an. Even with a calm heart, he couldn't contain himself upon seeing his bride. Regardless of your purpose or reason, you only know that this woman, dressed in her wedding gown and waiting for you to marry her, is more captivating than ever before. Shu Yi'an stood there quietly, holding her bouquet, dressed in pure white, watching him walk towards her with a slight smile in her eyes.
When Chu Mu reached out his hand to her, looking at her resolute and peaceful expression, he suddenly felt a pang of heartache for her. Because of Chu Mu's special status, the wedding was not announced to outsiders. She had no relatives or friends by her side, and marrying him alone like this truly required a lot of courage.