Chapter 16

The night was as dark as ink, and the master bedroom of the Minamino family was softly lit, filled with a faint scent of vanilla.

Sakura Hoshino sat on the edge of the bed, draped in a long, off-white silk nightgown, her shoulders slightly exposed, her long golden hair cascading down her back like satin. At her feet lay an open wedding program, the edges of the paper gently caressed by her fingertips.

She flipped through the pages, looking at the handwritten dates, notes, and schedules... and gradually, images of tomorrow's impending arrival began to surface in her mind:

The red carpet in the auditorium, the white rose archway, and the vows that were about to be made.

As she looked at it, she suddenly chuckled softly.

"Why are you laughing all of a sudden?" A deep, warm male voice sounded from behind her.

Before she could turn around, a pair of warm and strong arms silently wrapped around her waist from behind.

Her body trembled slightly, but she did not break free. She just whispered, "...Could you not walk so quietly? You startled me."

“I am a fox,” he whispered in her ear, his voice tinged with amusement, “born to be silent.”

She gave a soft hum, about to tease him, when she suddenly felt him lower his head and gently kiss her shoulder.

The kiss was slow and gentle, carrying the warmth of his palm and the reassuring feeling from his thin lips.

He whispered in her ear, his voice as soft as the night breeze brushing past the windowpane:

"Tonight is the last night you will be my fiancée."

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be my wife for life."

Her body stiffened slightly, then her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip lightly: "You make it sound like you're signing a permanent contract..."

“That’s how it is.” He chuckled and gently brushed the end of her hair. “Permanently bound, lifetime after-sales service, no returns.”

Her face flushed, and she wanted to turn around and retort, but she bumped right into his calm, green eyes.

"...Are you sure you won't regret it?" she asked softly, but her tone was serious.

"Of course." Without hesitation, he reached out and took her hand, placing it on his heart.

"From the first moment I saw you, I knew that my millennium-old demon core would not mistake you for someone else."

"I don't know if marriage is forever, but I can promise you—as long as you turn around, I will always be behind you."

She paused, taken aback.

After a long while, she gently leaned into his arms and whispered:

"Then we mustn't be late tomorrow."

"I won't be late." He kissed the top of her head.

"I will be standing at the other end of the red carpet on time, waiting for you to come over."

The night was thick, and the stars twinkled outside the window.

The bedside lamp cast a soft, golden glow in the room, like the flickering light of candlelight.

They didn't say anything more, just sat quietly together, letting time slowly pass through this last period of "engaged couple" time.

The wedding is just around the corner.

And their chapter of happiness will finally begin tomorrow.

The sound of an organ slowly rose from the auditorium, rippling like light beneath the golden dome.

A grand wedding has officially begun.

Sunlight streamed through the latticed glass windows, casting a gentle glow on the red carpet covered in petals. Champagne-colored roses bloomed quietly on either side, white gauze cascaded down, and the air was filled with the fragrance of happiness.

Guests from all walks of life sat in the guest seats. Relatives from the Yuan and Nanye families were all present. Members of the musical theater troupe were secretly competing to see who could cry the fastest. The wedding emcee was quietly introducing the newlyweds as they were about to appear.

The central doors of the auditorium slowly opened as the organ music gradually rose.

The crowd all looked toward the entrance.

Sakura Hoshino appeared.

She gently took her father Hoshino Yuji's arm, her long golden hair softly styled in an updo, with two wispy strands falling across her forehead. The wedding dress she wore was a custom-made version for her when she was two months pregnant, with an elegantly raised waistline and a slightly flared skirt that cascaded down her slender waist, concealing her slightly protruding belly but not diminishing her gentle and charming beauty.

Pearls and lace intertwined, her shoulder line was clean and smooth. She did not wear a veil, but only a pair of cherry blossom-shaped diamonds on the sides of her ears.

She walked slowly down the red carpet.

Yuji Hoshino, dressed in a neat suit, had a slight moisture in his eyes. He turned to look at his daughter—his beloved daughter, who looked as beautiful as if she were in a dream.

"Are you nervous?" he asked softly.

Sakura smiled and shook her head: "I'm calmer than I thought."

"When you were little, you always said you wanted to be a bride when you played with dolls. I never thought you would actually come to this."

"Dad, aren't you going to cry?" she said playfully.

“I can’t cry.” Hoshino Yuuji sighed. “Otherwise, my son-in-law will have to help me into the lounge before my grandson is even born.”

She couldn't help but chuckle softly.

But the next second, she paused slightly.

She saw the end of the red carpet—that person.

Shuichi Minamino, dressed in a black tuxedo with gleaming silver buttons, stood there straight, his green eyes fixed intently on her.

In those eyes, there was shock, restraint, pride, and even more... an overwhelming emotion.

His eyes were red-rimmed, but he remained as proud and determined as ever.

When their eyes met, the whole world seemed to stand still.

He slowly extended a hand towards her.

The voice, low and gentle, reached her ears through the red carpet:

"...Come, come to my side."

Sakura took a breath and smiled.

She pulled her hand away from her father's arm and gently squeezed his palm, as if saying goodbye.

Then, step by step, she walked towards him through a shower of rose petals.

Her skirt gently brushed across the red carpet, and in her eyes, there was only him.

As Minamino Shuichi watched her approach, each step felt like it was treading on his heart.

She wasn't wearing the high heels she used to wear, but rather a pair of flat satin shoes, yet she still stood tall and radiant.

That was the girl he wanted to protect with all his might—

She is the only woman in the world who can bring tears to his eyes.

As she approached, he reached out and caught her.

She smiled, tilted her head back, and asked, "Do I look alright now?"

"You are the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in my life."

He took her hand and, solemnly and slowly, placed it on his chest.

Did you hear that?

"My heart, from the day I saw you... has only ever beaten for you."

She didn't say anything, but simply squeezed his hand tightly.

Their palms pressed together, as if a mark that they would never be separated again.

The organ music gradually came to an end.

The ceremony has not yet begun.

But at this moment, they are each other's only destination in their destiny.

Inside the church, the sacred bells rang out, echoing beneath the pure white, towering dome.

The priest's voice was gentle and solemn, like the whisper of an angel announcing: "Now, please exchange vows and rings with the bride and groom."

Sakura Hoshino's hands trembled slightly, but quieted down under Shuichi Minamino's gaze. He held her hands, his voice low yet clear, each word filled with determination and love:

"From this day forward, through thick and thin, through poverty and sickness, I will stay by your side, protecting you, cherishing you, and loving you deeply until the end of my life."

Sakura smiled softly through her tears and replied gently, "I am willing to face every morning and night of the future with you, to spend the spring, summer, autumn and winter of life with you... You are my only choice."

They exchanged rings—rings that shimmered with a soft light, as if bearing witness to all their love and commitment.

Finally, the priest smiled and announced the classic, heart-pounding line: "You may kiss your bride now."

Nanno Shuichi paused slightly, then chuckled softly. He slowly reached out and cupped her face, lowered his head to her forehead, and whispered in her ear in a voice only she could hear:

"I've been yours for a long time."

Then, amidst the blessings and cheers of all his relatives and friends, he lowered his head and kissed her lips—the girl he had dreamed of, protected, and longed for countless times had finally become his lawfully wedded wife.

At that moment, the sunlight streaming into the church seemed to pave a golden future for them, and rose petals fell from the sky, filling the whole world with love.