wedding
Night had fallen, and the city lights outside the window were scattered. Occasionally, car headlights would flash past the curtains, illuminating Xu Ying's figure lying on her side on the bed.
She turned over, staring at the pristine white wedding dress on the bedside table—a simple satin design, adorned with delicate pearls at the waist. It was a sketch she had drawn herself, revised seventeen times before she was satisfied. Tomorrow, she would wear it to Zong Heng.
"What, afraid Zong Heng will run away from the wedding tomorrow?" Lin Xiaoyu's voice came from the side, teasing. She had specially stayed overnight tonight, saying she wanted to spend Xu Ying's "last night as a single woman," but the two of them lay in bed for two hours without either of them falling asleep.
Xu Ying grabbed a pillow and threw it at her: "Nonsense."
"Then why are you tossing and turning like a pancake?" Lin Xiaoyu sat up and suddenly leaned closer. "Could it be... nervous about tonight's 'wedding night'?"
"Xiaoyu!" Xu Ying's ears burned, and she grabbed another pillow to cover her face.
Lin Xiaoyu laughed loudly, jumped off the bed and rummaged through the refrigerator: "Come on, let's have some wine to help us sleep. If I get married tomorrow with dark circles under my eyes, Zong Heng will kill me."
Xu Ying didn't reply. She wasn't nervous about her wedding night—well, maybe a little—but she was more afraid that tomorrow, standing at the end of the red carpet, she would cry so hard she couldn't speak. Five years of separation, and after all the twists and turns, she was actually going to marry the boy who had made her heart race when she was seventeen.
The phone screen suddenly lit up. Zong Heng's WeChat message: "Can't sleep."
Those three simple words sent a chill down her spine. She replied with "Me too," and the phone rang immediately after she sent it.
"Xu Ying." Zong Heng's voice came through the phone, low and hoarse like sandpaper rubbing against the eardrum.
She shrank under the covers and whispered, "Is it over on your end?" Zong Heng had been dragged by his buddies tonight to "say goodbye to being single." Apparently, a group of them were making him drink and insisting that he confess his past relationships.
The click of a lighter came from the other end of the phone. He took a drag of his cigarette before saying, "Yeah, just finished talking." He paused, then added, "They asked me how I managed to win you over."
"What did you say?"
"Persistently pestering me." He chuckled.
Xu Ying smiled too, her fingers unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly said, "I want to see you right now."
"No way!" She nearly jumped out of bed. "Meeting before the wedding is bad luck!"
Zong Heng scoffed, "I don't believe in that."
The phone call suddenly ended. Xu Ying was stunned. Just as she was about to call back, a soft "thump" came from outside the window.
She drew back the curtains and nearly screamed—Zong Heng stood on the lawn below, his black shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a half-empty bottle of whiskey in his hand. The moonlight outlined his sharp features, and he looked up at her, his eyes burning with a familiar, dark fire.
"Are you crazy?" she whispered, pushing open the window. "Tomorrow—"
"Just five minutes," he interrupted her, raising his wrist to tap the dial. "Start the timer."
Xu Ying tiptoed to the balcony. The night breeze ruffled her nightgown, and Zong Heng's gaze immediately locked onto her bare calves.
"What are you looking at!" she said, tugging at her skirt in embarrassment and annoyance.
Zong Heng tilted his head back and took a gulp of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing: "Which shoes are you going to wear tomorrow?"
"ah?"
"Don't wear heels higher than five centimeters." He frowned. "That time you twisted your ankle while trying on the wedding dress—"
“Zong Heng,” she interrupted him, leaning on the railing, “you’re acting like a nagging old man right now.”
He squinted, suddenly put the bottle on the ground, and climbed up the drainpipe on the outer wall with his hands.
"What are you doing!" Xu Ying was so frightened that she leaned out to grab him.
He quickly climbed onto the balcony and, carrying the scent of alcohol and the coolness of the night breeze, enveloped her in his arms.
"Hey! Lin Xiaoyu is still here—" Her protest was silenced by his kiss. The kiss was hot with the heat of whiskey as he gripped the back of her neck and conquered her until her legs went weak and she could no longer stand.
“That’s against the rules.” He ran his thumb across her wet lips. “We agreed not to meet.”
Xu Ying angrily punched his chest: "It was clearly you—"
"Shh." He suddenly covered her mouth.
Lin Xiaoyu's voice came from the bedroom: "Xu Ying? Did you fall into the toilet?"
The two froze. Zong Heng raised an eyebrow and mouthed, "Hiding in the closet?"
Xu Ying pinched his arm hard and pushed him towards the edge of the balcony: "Get down here!"
Zong Heng suddenly pulled a small box out of his pocket and stuffed it into her hand: "Wear this tomorrow."
"What is this—"
"Time's up." He glanced at a non-existent watch and deftly flipped off the balcony. He swayed slightly upon landing, and only then did Xu Ying realize that he had drunk quite a bit.
"Slow down!" she cried, leaning half her body out.
Zong Heng walked backwards, raised the wine bottle and gestured to her: "Xu Ying, see you tomorrow."
Lin Xiaoyu's footsteps approached the balcony: "Who are you talking to?"
Xu Ying hurriedly closed the window and stuffed the small box into her nightgown pocket. Her heart pounded as she turned around—inside the box was a sapphire cufflink, the same style as the fountain pen she had given Zong Heng years ago.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows of the church, casting dappled patterns of light that danced on the red carpet. Guests were already seated, their quiet conversations tinged with expectant smiles. The pianist's fingers flowed with the melody of "Canon in D," gentle yet solemn, as if even the sea breeze had slowed its pace.
Xu Ying stood outside the church doors, her fingers tightly gripping the bouquet, her knuckles slightly white. Her father stood beside her, gently patting the back of her hand: "Nervous?"
She took a deep breath, nodded, then shook her head, and finally just smiled with her lips pursed.
The wedding dress was a simple satin mermaid style, without any elaborate lace, only adorned with tiny pearls at the waist, which rose and fell gently with her breath. The veil was lifted by a corner by the sea breeze, as if it couldn't wait to fly to the end of the red carpet.
"Are you ready?" the father asked in a low voice.
Xu Ying did not answer, but simply closed her eyes gently.
Five years ago, she had fantasized about this moment countless times, yet forced herself to forget it during the long separation. Now, behind that door, Zong Heng is waiting for her.
The door slowly opened.
Light streamed into the church, and Xu Ying squinted instinctively, hearing the soft gasps of the guests around her. She looked up, her gaze passing over the long red carpet, through the flickering candlelight on either side, and through the fluttering rose petals—
Zong Heng stood there.
He wore a sharp black suit that accentuated his tall and straight shoulders. His tie was perfectly tied, but he unconsciously loosened it slightly the moment she appeared. His gaze was fixed on her, as if afraid she would disappear in the blink of an eye.
Xu Ying paused slightly.
She had seen him in many different ways—
In high school, he wore his school uniform, a cigarette dangling from his lips, leaning against the wall with a lazy smile; after a fight, a band-aid on his brow, yet he nonchalantly raised an eyebrow at her; when they reunited, he was dressed in a suit and tie, coldly helping her out of an awkward situation at a party…
But I've never seen him look like that before.
It's like a desert traveler finally finding an oasis, or a deep-sea diver surfacing to breathe their first breath of air.
Burning, focused, even with a barely perceptible tremor.
The emcee whispered a reminder: "Groom, breathe."
Zong Heng blinked sharply, his Adam's apple bobbing, and muttered under his breath, "Damn, that's beautiful."
The sound wasn't loud, but the guests in the front row could hear it clearly, and a burst of good-natured laughter immediately followed.
Xu Ying's face instantly flushed red.
She lowered her eyelashes, but heard her father chuckle softly in her ear: "This kid..."
The red carpet wasn't long, but Xu Ying walked extremely slowly.
She counted her heartbeats, one, two, three—so fast they were almost bursting out of her chest.
Petals clung to her skirt, then fluttered down with each step she took.
Finally, she stood in front of him.
Her father solemnly placed her hand in Zongheng's palm.
"Treat her well." Mr. Xu's voice was a little hoarse.
Zong Heng closed his fingers, completely enveloping Xu Ying's hand. His palm was burning hot, even slightly damp.
"Dad, I swear on my life." His voice was low, but every word was clear.
Mr. Xu nodded and stepped aside.
Now, only the two of them remain on the red carpet.
Zong Heng's fingers tightened slightly, and his thumb gently rubbed the back of her hand.
"Why are you shaking?" he suddenly asked in a low voice.
Xu Ying then realized that her hands were trembling slightly.
"I wasn't shaking," she insisted.
Zong Heng chuckled softly, then suddenly leaned close to her ear and said, "Xu Ying, your ears are red."
The warm breath brushed against her earlobe, and Xu Ying almost jumped up.
The emcee cleared his throat at the opportune moment: "Please come to the oath-taking platform, newlyweds."
The wedding venue fell silent, save for a gentle sea breeze that swept through the guests' seats, swirling up a few scattered petals. The emcee cleared his throat and smiled at Zong Heng: "Groom, according to the ceremony, it's time for you to say something to the bride."
Zong Heng stood on the oath-taking platform, his black suit accentuating his sharp shoulder lines, yet his eyes were softer than ever. He stared at Xu Ying, his Adam's apple bobbing as if he were somewhat nervous.
Someone in the audience jeered, "Mr. Zong, are you so nervous that you forgot your lines?"
Zong Heng loosened his tie, suddenly pulled out his phone from his suit pocket, swiped his fingers across the screen a few times, then looked up with a roguish smile: "I had written a draft, but I think I'll pass."
Xu Ying blinked, wondering what he was going to do.
The next second, Zong Heng raised his phone, his deep voice carrying throughout the church through the microphone—
“Xu Ying, at 2:18 a.m. on May 3, 2019, I wrote this text message, but I didn’t send it.”
The entire room fell silent.
He stared into her eyes and read aloud, word by word:
"I dreamt you were wearing a wedding dress today, but when I woke up I found you weren't there, and I almost smashed the wall down."
--boom!
The guests erupted in cheers, applause, and shouts. Xu Ying's face flushed red, her fingers gripped the bouquet tightly, and her heart pounded as if it would burst out of her chest.
Zong Heng simply stared at her, his gaze so intense it almost melted her.
As the laughter subsided, Zong Heng took a deep breath, suddenly put his phone back in his pocket, and reached out to hold Xu Ying's hands.
His palms were warm, even a little damp, as if they were sweating.
"Xu Ying." He called her name, his voice low and husky, "I have a bad temper, I don't know how to say nice things, I bullied you in high school, and then I left without saying goodbye..."
His thumb gently stroked the back of her hand, as if to comfort her, and also as if to comfort himself.
“But in my entire life, from when I was 17 until now—” He paused, his voice suddenly choked, “I haven’t missed a single day of you.”
Xu Ying's eyelashes trembled, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Zong Heng looked at her and suddenly smiled, with a hint of his youthful roguishness: "Do you remember, during the basketball game in our second year of high school, you handed me water, and I drank it in front of everyone, and the whole school was cheering?"
She nodded, her nose tingling with emotion.
“That night, I wrote a note when I got home, intending to slip it into your bag.” He chuckled. “But I ended up writing over a dozen of them and never dared to give it to you.”
Someone in the audience shouted, "What is this?!"
Zong Heng ignored her and just stared at Xu Ying, his gaze so focused that it seemed as if the whole world had only her left.
"Xu Ying." He suddenly became serious. "I used to think that liking someone meant keeping her by your side, and no one else could touch her. But now I know—"
He tightened his grip on his fingers, his voice soft yet firm:
"Love means that even if we're separated for five years, I'll only wait for you."
Xu Ying's tears finally fell.
The emcee handed over the microphone at the opportune moment: "Bride, the groom is so affectionate, is there anything you'd like to say?"
Xu Ying sniffed and suddenly turned around to take an old notebook from the bridesmaid's hand.
Zong Heng raised an eyebrow: "What is this?"
She turned the yellowed pages, her finger gently touching a particular line—
The characters "宗珩" are densely packed.
The entire page was filled with his name, some written neatly, others scribbled as if he had been daydreaming.
The entire audience gasped in surprise, and Zong Heng froze.
Xu Ying blushed and whispered, "Second semester of the second year of high school, math class."
Zong Heng stared at the page, then suddenly laughed, his voice hoarse: "Xu Ying, you were here even earlier than me?"
She pursed her lips and nodded, but tears still streamed down her face.
He raised his hand to wipe away her tears, his thumb brushing against her cheek, and asked softly, "And now?"
Xu Ying raised her wet eyes, suddenly stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear:
"Now, I love you more every day than the day before."
Zong Heng's breath hitched, and he suddenly pulled her into his arms, instantly eliciting screams and applause from the audience.
"Now, please exchange rings!"
The moment the ring box was opened, Zong Heng's hands trembled violently.
The diamond ring shone brightly in the candlelight, and the date of their reunion was engraved on the inside of the band.
The emcee couldn't help but tease, "Groom, your hands don't even shake this much when you're fighting, do they?"
Zong Heng gritted his teeth: "Shut up."
He held the ring and carefully slipped it onto Xu Ying's ring finger.
Xu Ying looked down at his hands—those hands that used to fight decisively and sign documents with effortless grace, but now they were as clumsy as a child holding a pen for the first time.
When it was Xu Ying's turn, her fingers almost slipped from her grasp, and the ring nearly fell to the ground. Zong Heng caught it and chuckled, "Nervous?"
"No, I didn't." She stubbornly insisted, but he pinched her fingertips.
“Xu Ying,” he suddenly said seriously, “once you put it on, don’t even think about taking it off.”
"Now, the groom may kiss the bride."
Zong Heng suddenly lifted her veil.
Before Xu Ying could react, he grabbed the back of her head.
His kiss landed, both forceful and tender.
The cheers, applause, and whistles of the guests seemed to have faded away.
Xu Ying could only hear the deafening pounding of her own heart.
When she was out of breath and gently pushed him away, Zong Heng pulled back slightly, but still whispered against her lips:
"Don't even think about sleeping tonight."
Xu Ying blushed and pinched his waist, which earned her a muffled laugh from him.
The sea breeze swept through the church, lifting her veil and tangling around his suit sleeves.
Like the red thread of fate, it was finally tied tightly.
The wedding banquet hall was brightly lit, and the champagne tower reflected a shimmering golden light. Xu Ying changed into a light and comfortable toasting dress; the light pink cheongsam accentuated her slender waist, and Zong Heng's gaze had not left her since she appeared.
"The bride is here to toast!" someone shouted, and the guests immediately cheered. Zong Heng put one hand in his pocket and naturally put the other arm around Xu Ying's waist, whispering, "Stay close to me, don't get forced to drink."
The first table was occupied by Zong Heng's childhood friends, a group of men led by Zhou Xu, all grinning mischievously. Zhou Xu raised his glass of baijiu and swirled it around: "Brother Heng, you said 'women are troublesome' back then, aren't you contradicting yourself now?" Zong Heng sneered, took the glass, downed it in one gulp, and turned the empty glass upside down on the table: "Shut up, drink yours."
When it was Xu Ying's turn, Zhou Xu deliberately poured a full glass of red wine: "Sister-in-law, you have to drink this one!" Zong Heng immediately intercepted the glass, his eyes dangerous: "She's allergic to alcohol, I'll drink it for her." Zhou Xu raised an eyebrow: "Oh, so protective?" Zong Heng was too lazy to talk nonsense, tilted his head back and gulped it down. As his Adam's apple bobbed, the wine slid down his cheeks, and Xu Ying quickly used a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth.
"Zong Heng, drink less..." she whispered. He took the opportunity to lower his head and bite her ear: "Feeling sorry for me? Then make it up to me tonight." Xu Ying's ears instantly turned red, and she pinched his arm: "Be serious!"
The second table was occupied by Xu Ying's college classmates. The girls crowded around, chattering, "Xu Ying, how did you tame the school bully into a loyal dog?" Zong Heng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, and Xu Ying quickly stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth to shut him up, "He... he wasn't fierce to begin with." Everyone laughed, and Zong Heng chewed on the pastry and mumbled, "Xu Ying, your lying skills are still so bad."
The emcee announced the start of the family and friends' blessing segment. Lin Xiaoyu walked onto the stage in high heels, holding the microphone and smiling like a fox: "As Xu Ying's best friend, I have to reveal something—back then, she wrote in her diary every day, 'Zong Heng got into another fight today, how annoying,' but then she would secretly take pictures of him playing ball!"
The big screen cut to a candid photo from high school—a basketball court under the blazing sun, Zong Heng lifting his shirt to wipe away sweat, his abs faintly visible. The entire arena screamed, and Xu Ying covered her face, wailing, "Lin Xiaoyu! You betrayed me!" Zong Heng, however, smugly embraced her: "So you were lusting after me back then?"
Even more outrageous, a blurry video suddenly played on the screen: in the infirmary during a torrential downpour, Zong Heng, soaking wet, carrying the unconscious Xu Ying, kicked open the door, startling the school doctor who knocked over his tray. His voice was hoarse as he roared, "Save her! If she gets a fever, I'll tear this lousy school down!"
"Who took this?!" Xu Ying exclaimed in shock. Zong Heng rubbed his nose. "I had Zhou Xu take it secretly, thinking I could use it to blackmail you later." Xu Ying stomped on his leather shoe in anger. "You're a pervert!" He winced in pain but laughed even harder. "Now the evidence is conclusive. You'll never get rid of me in this lifetime."
Lin Xiaoyu raised her glass in final toast: "In short, I wish this couple, who are both willing to give and receive, a long and happy marriage!" Zong Heng suddenly grabbed the microphone and added: "By the way, those who didn't give enough money for their wedding gift can pay the difference now." The whole room burst into laughter.
The band played "A Thousand Years," and Zong Heng led Xu Ying onto the dance floor. He placed his palm on her lower back and whispered a warning, "If you step on my foot again, you're finished tonight." Xu Ying nervously stammered, "I...I don't know how to dance..."
Sure enough, in the third section, she stepped on his shiny leather shoe. Zong Heng hissed, then suddenly grabbed her waist, lifted her up, and spun her around. Xu Ying gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck, her wedding dress blooming like flower petals.
“You won’t step on me now, right?” He raised an eyebrow. Xu Ying punched his shoulder in embarrassment and annoyance: “Put me down! So many people are watching!” Zong Heng hugged her even tighter and whispered in her earlobe: “Let them see, it’s a good way to declare our ownership.”
The camera panned across the guest seating area—Zhou Xu covered his eyes and shouted, "I can't bear to watch!" Xu Ying's parents shook their heads with smiles, while Zong Heng's father unusually held up his phone to record the scene.
As the dance music ended, Zong Heng suddenly knelt down on one knee and kissed the back of Xu Ying's hand. When he looked up, his eyes were deep: "Xu Ying, this time I've really caught you." Her eyes welled up with tears, and she replied softly, "Yes, I've caught you."
While cutting the cake, Zong Heng deliberately smeared a finger of cream on Xu Ying's nose. Her eyes widened: "Zong Heng!" He grinned mischievously and leaned closer: "What, want revenge?" Taking advantage of his smugness, Xu Ying suddenly grabbed a handful of cream and slapped it on his face.
A moment of silence followed, then burst into laughter. Zong Heng, his face covered in cream, slowly narrowed his eyes: "Xu Ying, you're finished." She turned to run, but he grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her onto his shoulder. The guests cheered and whistled, and Xu Ying struggled, shouting, "Put me down! My dress is going to wrinkle!"
Zong Heng slapped her on the buttocks and said in a low voice, "If you move again, I'm going back to the bridal chamber right now." Xu Ying froze instantly, her face flushed red as she buried her face in his back, pretending to be dead. Zong Heng laughed and walked to his seat, saying to the dumbfounded emcee, "Skip the ceremony and go straight to throwing the bouquet."
As Xu Ying tossed her bouquet with her back to the crowd, Zong Heng suddenly turned around, rushed forward, and caught it mid-air amidst gasps from the crowd. He arrogantly declared, waving the bouquet, "What's mine, nobody can take it."
Looking at his childlike smile, Xu Ying suddenly recalled that rainy day when she was seventeen, when the boy had also so domineeringly stood in front of her and said, "You're mine." Time overlapped, and she quietly hooked her finger around his, thinking: This time, it really is for a lifetime.
The waves gently lapped at the beach, and the wedding lights in the distance had dimmed, leaving only a few star-like decorative lights swaying in the night breeze. Xu Ying walked barefoot on the soft sand, the hem of her wedding dress billowing in the sea breeze like a soft cloud. She took a deep breath; the salty sea breeze carried a faint floral scent—the white roses that had carpeted the wedding venue—and the familiar, cool aura emanating from Zong Heng.
He walked behind her, his suit jacket long since taken off, the cuffs of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows, and his tie loosely draped around his neck. The moonlight outlined his sharp features, yet his eyes were unbelievably gentle.
"Tired?" he asked in a low voice.
Xu Ying shook her head, but the next second he scooped her up in his arms. She gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck: "Zong Heng!"
"Your feet are all blistered and red, what are you trying to prove?" He scoffed, but pulled her even tighter.
She leaned against his chest and could hear his strong heartbeat, each beat like a silent vow.
Zong Heng carried her to a rock and gently set her down. Xu Ying's skirt spread out on the dark stone surface, like a blooming flower. He knelt before her, holding her ankle, his fingertips gently caressing the skin rubbed red by his high heels.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, his brows furrowing slightly.
Xu Ying shook her head, but couldn't help laughing: "Zong Heng, you look like a knight in a fairy tale right now."
"A knight?" He raised an eyebrow, then suddenly gave her sole a wicked pinch. "A knight would do that?"
She flinched from the tickling sensation and kicked him, saying, "Stop it!"
He chuckled softly, then casually grasped her ankle and leaned closer: "How about this?"
His breath was so close, Xu Ying could smell the faint scent of alcohol on him, mixed with the sea breeze, making her dizzy. Her fingers unconsciously clutched the front of his shirt, and she whispered, "Someone's watching."
In the distance, there were indeed a few guests strolling on the beach, and laughter could be heard from time to time.
Without turning his head, Zong Heng took off his coat and covered her head, blocking her view.
“There’s no one here now,” he said, and then kissed her.
This kiss was even more passionate than the one at their wedding. His lips, slightly warm from the alcohol, caressed hers, as if trying to make up for the five years that had passed. Xu Ying was pressed against the rocks, her back against the cool stone surface, while his burning chest pressed against her.
"Xu Ying," he called her softly between breaths, his voice hoarse.
"Um?"
"Say you love me."
She paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered something, and smiled as she pushed him away: "You go first."
Zong Heng narrowed his eyes and pinched her chin: "You've grown quite bold?"
She glared back defiantly: "Fine, don't tell me then."
He stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly sighed and pressed his forehead against hers: "Xu Ying, have I ever told you..."
"What?"
"Since I was seventeen, I have never thought about marrying anyone else."
The sea breeze suddenly stopped, and the world seemed to stand still for a moment. Xu Ying's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She reached out and cupped his face in her hands, whispering, "Zong Heng, have I ever told you... that I love you very much?"
His breath hitched, and his eyes instantly darkened.
"It's too late to say that now," he said hoarsely, picking her up in his arms. "You can't run away now."
Zong Heng carried her back, her wedding dress trailing down, swaying gently with his steps. Xu Ying lay on his back, counting his heartbeats.
"Is it heavy?" she asked.
"Heavy," he said deliberately. "I'll start dieting tomorrow."
She bit his ear in anger: "Then put me down!"
He chuckled softly, lifting her up slightly: "I wouldn't mind carrying her for a lifetime."
Suddenly, a firework burst in the night sky, illuminating the entire beach. Xu Ying looked up and saw the dazzling light falling on his profile.
"Did you arrange this?" she asked.
"Mmm." He turned to look at her. "Do you like it?"
She didn't answer, but instead leaned in and kissed his chin.
Zong Heng paused, then suddenly turned around and pinned her against the door of the wedding car, kissing her deeply.
The fireworks continued in the distance, accompanied by the sound of the tide.
And they still have a lifetime to write eternity.
I hope everyone can meet that person they can entrust their life to.
Thank you for reading Xu Ying and Zong Heng's story. See you in the extra chapter.
(End of text)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
