【Extra】-Wedding
The bride in the mirror had cloud-like black hair, deftly pulled into a classical high bun, dotted with tiny pearls and rubies, shimmering with light. Rouge adorned her cheeks, her lips a touch of royal red, and a shy, timid joy etched between her brows, nearly overflowing.
The makeup artist made a final adjustment to the pearl tassels dangling from the phoenix crown and softly exclaimed, "Madam, you are truly beautiful."
The beaded curtain swayed slightly, and fine light and shadow fell into my eyes. In a trance, the luxurious wedding room in front of me seemed to fade away, and I returned to that sunny afternoon last year.
In the high-ceilinged study at the Atobe Manor, the air is filled with the quiet scent of old books and cedar wood.
I had just closed my laptop and rubbed my sore neck when I saw Atobe put down the Financial Times, stand up and walk towards me. He was holding a scroll with an ancient binding, and his expression was rare, with a hint of solemn expectation.
"Look at this." He slowly unfolded the scroll on the desk in front of me.
It was not the expected Western-style wedding plan, nor was it a business contract.
On the rice paper with a faint sandalwood scent, the detailed process of the "Three Books and Six Rites" is clearly listed in neat and powerful small calligraphy.
From "Nacai" (a betrothal gift) to "Qinying" (the wedding), every step, including the preparations and details, is meticulously annotated with finer red ink, even citing ancient texts. The handwriting is powerful, clearly written by Jibu himself.
I looked up in surprise: "Why... did you prepare this? I thought..." I thought that since he had received the most orthodox British elite education since childhood, he would naturally choose a grand and classic Western-style wedding.
Atobe came around behind me, put his hands on the edge of the desk, and trapped me between him and the desk.
He leaned over slightly, his chin resting lightly on the top of my head. His warm breath brushed against my ear, and his voice was low and serious: "Of course you have to wear a Western-style wedding dress. I've already contacted Windsor Castle. We'll go take wedding photos there. Didn't uncle mention the beautiful scenery there?"
He paused, his finger gently tapping the "Three Books and Six Rites" on the scroll. "But for the overall ceremony, I want to follow this. This is your root, the inheritance of the Long family. Marrying you naturally requires the most solemn and sincere rules, respecting you and your family."
He tilted his head, gazing at me with eyes filled with undisguised affection and an almost stubborn insistence. "Western romance is for you to see, and Chinese rules are my explanation to the Long family and to you. Neither is indispensable."
My heart felt like it was wrapped in warm honey, sweet and soft. I leaned into his arms, my fingertips traced over the names of those ancient wedding customs, feeling the weight of his heart.
"Also," he said, as if remembering something. He stood up and pulled out another thick stack of documents from his desk drawer. His tone became relaxed yet with a hint of subtle boasting. "In Chinese marriages, the man has to prepare a betrothal gift. 'Hardware, a diamond, a house, a car, and some money,' right? I've arranged everything."
He opened them one by one, as if showing off the empire he had painstakingly built.
"First, the betrothal gift." He pointed to an asset appraisal report at the top, which listed the equity interests of several well-known domestic and foreign companies and a huge amount of cash. "Seventh Brother said it needs to be a lot."
The corners of his mouth curled up into a proud smile that belonged to Keigo Atobe. "Recently, several new projects of the consortium have been very successful, and their market value is rising. You can use the cash check as pocket money, or deposit it in your Swiss account. These are several companies."
He pointed at a few names and said, "The equity transfer document has been drafted. When the time comes, it will be directly transferred to your name and considered your private property."
Turning the page, there was a satellite view of the azure sea and blue sky. "There's a small island in the South Pacific with beautiful scenery and clear ownership. I'll give it to you as a gift. You can go there anytime for vacation or when you want to get away to some quiet time."
I was stunned when I heard this. This was not a betrothal gift at all, it was simply the division of a business empire.
"Then there's 'hardware.'" Atobe took out a thick leather album and opened it. Inside was a dazzling array of gold jewelry designs in various styles, ranging from intricate and gorgeous court style to elegant and simple new Chinese style. Each piece was exquisite, and there were also real photos and museum collections for reference and comparison.
"I've looked at a lot of collections from the Palace Museum and provincial museums, and found several top-notch workshops to replicate and improve them. There are phoenix crowns, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, garland collars... they're all here. Which one do you like? Or," he added, his wealth dignified, "if you like them all, keep them all. Anyway, you have fair skin, and gold looks best on you."
At the end of the album, there are photos of several huge uncut diamonds, sparkling on black velvet.
"The diamonds are ordered directly from the South African mines, and then processed and cut in Amsterdam. What style do you prefer? A classic round diamond? Or a more unique, fancy-shaped diamond?"
He paused, his tone as natural as if he were discussing dinner. "Isn't a ten-carat stone a bit small for a ring? I've also ordered a few twenty-carat stones, either for necklaces or earrings. I want to give you the best."
"..." I looked at his matter-of-fact expression and couldn't help but hold my forehead, "Jingwu...you don't have to be so...exaggerated, right?"
A 20-carat diamond necklace? Would it really not blind anyone if you wore it?
"Yes." He answered decisively, his eyes leaving no room for doubt. "My bride deserves the best."
"Okay, finally it's the house, car and money." He seemed to enjoy the feeling of "reporting" and took out the real estate information and car catalog.
"My uncle mentioned that after marriage, you can't live in Japan all the time. You have to travel back and forth. I've looked at a few places to live in China."
He pointed to several villas of varying styles in the picture. "This one's modeled after the Suzhou Gardens, with a large courtyard and pavilions. Xiaokong will definitely like it; it's easy to run around. This one's in the French manor style, with a large garden. Or how about this modern, minimalist one, closer to the city? It depends on which one you like. Either one is fine."
"On the Japanese side, let's stay at the Atobe Manor. The location is convenient and the security is good. If you think it's not big enough," he thought seriously for a moment, "we can clear the woods at the back and build a annex to serve as your training room?"
I looked at the blueprints for the main building of the Atobe Manor, which covered a vast area and resembled a small park, and waved my hands repeatedly, "Enough! Expanding further... would be a waste!"
This is no longer a house, it's a castle, okay?
As for cars, there were all sorts of custom-made catalogs of top-tier luxury cars; as for money, it goes without saying, there were all sorts of certificates for trust funds and financial management accounts...
I watched him display the "bride price" he had prepared for many years, one by one, like a child showing off treasures. I was dazzled and my heart was filled with a huge warm current called happiness, almost overflowing.
"Keigo..." I grabbed his hand, which was still turning the pages, and looked up at him, my voice trembling with disbelief. "So many things... When did you start preparing them? How come... I don't know anything about them?"
Atobe paused and looked down at me. His gentle smile was like a deep sea filled with diamonds. He leaned over and placed a soft, yet cherished kiss between my eyebrows. His voice was low, filled with the deep affection of years:
"It started from the moment I put you on the plane back home after you graduated from high school."
He raised his hand, and gently brushed the loose hair on my forehead with his fingertips, his eyes so focused as if he was staring at a rare treasure.
"I'm very happy to prepare these for you." He paused, a childish, slightly proud smile curling up his lips. "If you want the moon in the sky in the future, you must tell me first."
"I have to get there before Seventh Brother... and pick it for you."
"Puchi——" I couldn't hold it in any longer and leaned into his arms, laughing so hard that tears almost came out.
The sense of helplessness in my heart caused by the huge list of betrothal gifts was completely dispelled by his childish words "grab the moon", leaving only sweetness and comfort in my heart and eyes.
The tide of memories quietly receded.
In the mirror, the bride's smile grew ever brighter, a halo of happiness emanating from the depths of her heart. The makeup artist finally placed a heavy, pure gold phoenix crown, inlaid with countless pearls and gemstones, and featuring a golden phoenix holding a pearl, firmly on top of my bun.
The tassels hang down, and the jewels shine, reflecting the shy yet determined eyebrows of the person in the mirror.
There was a gentle knock on the door, and the bridesmaid's voice with a smile came: "The auspicious time is almost here, the bride is ready——"
I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror, who was about to become Mrs. Atobe. It was as if I saw myself across time and space, the silly yet affectionate man in the study who was carefully planning the "three books and six ceremonies" and "mountains of gold and silver" for me.
Ready, Keigo.
The heavy door to the wedding preparation room slowly opened, and the cool morning air, carrying the delicate fragrance of the courtyard's vegetation, streamed in. The bridesmaid's warm, strong hands held my arms firmly, and the hem of her bright red and gold wedding dress brushed against the threshold, making a subtle rustling sound.
The tassels of the phoenix corona drooped, pearls and jade clashed gently, and the view was cut into tiny, shimmering squares. A long corridor led to the most solemn and majestic ancestral hall deep in the Long family's ancestral home. Under the corridor stood the clan members, their heads bowed and their breath held. The air was so quiet that one could hear their heartbeats.
The heavy wooden door of the ancestral hall slid open silently, and a quiet scent mixed with aged incense, candles and wood wafted in the air.
On the high shrine, the stacked ancestral tablets stood like a silent forest, the flickering candlelight illuminating the gilded inscriptions. A solemn atmosphere weighed heavily on my heart.
As the groom, Keigo Atobe was blocked outside the ancestral home by the rules, but the team of professional photographers he sent was silently capturing every detail inside the ancestral hall, and faithfully transmitting it to the wedding party and guests from various countries who had been waiting outside for a long time through live broadcast signals.
Outside the ancestral hall, the huge courtyard and the viewing area further away are now filled with faces from all over the world - business tycoons, political dignitaries, tennis stars past and present, and the Atobe family's large group of relatives and friends.
Everyone wore a sophisticated simultaneous translation device in their ears, making it like a miniature joint press conference.
"The auspicious time has arrived!" The voice of the ritualist, full of energy and with an ancient charm, rang out loudly, penetrating the silence of the ancestral hall and also spreading inside and outside through the live broadcast.
"I bow down to the great achievements of our ancestors, which have led to the prosperity of their descendants; the virtues of our ancestors have spread far and wide, which have led to the growth of our grandchildren..." The ritualist recited aloud, and the ancient syllables echoed between the beams and pillars of the ancestral hall.
I, dressed in my elaborate and ornate wedding gown, slowly bent my knees before the futon, kneeling solemnly. The heaviness of the phoenix crown now transformed into the weight of a responsibility.
Lower your eyes, concentrate, and listen respectfully to the ancestral teachings.
The ritualist finished reciting and his eyes fell on me.
I took a deep breath, folded my hands before my forehead, and in a clear and calm voice, I slowly recited the words I had already memorized. My voice came through the microphone, clearly reaching every corner:
"The Long family, in her seclusion, hereby informs our ancestors: I have been taught by my family since childhood, and have diligently studied day and night, always thinking of loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness. I have strictly adhered to the family rules and ancestral teachings, and have never dared to forget them for a single day."
"Now, blessed by the protection of our ancestors, I have found a good husband. From now on, I will diligently manage the household, support my husband and raise my children, live in harmony with my relatives, and bring honor to our family. I humbly hope that the spirits of our ancestors in heaven will bear witness to my heart and bless our Long family, bringing them long-lasting blessings!"
The awkward ancient sayings echoed inside and outside the ancestral hall, translated into different languages by translators and reaching the ears of guests from various countries. Some looked solemn, some stared in amazement, and some whispered to their companions to inquire about the deeper meaning of the words.
After the ceremony, I slowly stood up. With the help of my bridesmaid, I turned around and walked step by step towards the high threshold of the ancestral hall, which symbolized the boundaries of the family.
Take a step forward.
The resounding voice of the celebrant resounded through the sky like a proclamation: "The daughter of the Long family is getting married. May all ancestors bless and protect her!"
The moment the words fell!
“Ouch!”
A vast and distant dragon roar, as if coming from the ancient times, tore through the early morning sky without any warning!
Everyone looked up in horror!
Above the azure sky, a huge dragon phantom, with a jade-like luster all over its body, suddenly condensed into shape!
It has an agile posture, scales and claws flying, circling and dancing among the clouds. The huge dragon head overlooks the Long family's ancestral home, majestic and kind. The sunlight penetrates its translucent body, reflecting a dreamy halo!
"Oh My God!!!" a blond politician exclaimed, almost dropping the champagne glass in his hand.
"This... this special effect?! Is it a drone..." Ozuki Yuushi pushed his glasses, and the look behind the lenses was filled with incredible shock.
"Help, I don't dare to move..." Rie Tanaka covered her mouth, shaking with excitement, and tears instantly burst out.
"Incredible..." "I'm getting goosebumps!" Low exclamations and gasps echoed among the crowd.
The shadow of the green dragon circled in the air for several times, and finally let out a long and clear cry. Its figure gradually faded away, turning into dots of green light and dissipated between heaven and earth.
What was left behind was the silent shock in the audience and the lingering emotions.
I suppressed my inner excitement and continued to follow the guidance of the ceremonial master and walked towards the main hall under the gaze of countless awe and amazement.
"Respect your parents again for the grace of giving birth to you——!"
In the main hall, there are tablets for my parents who died young, and the tablet for my master is also placed together.
As the current head of the family, my uncle and my aunt sat on the high hall and accepted the farewell on behalf of my parents.
My uncle's face was solemn, his eyes filled with an indescribable complex of emotions—relief, reluctance, and a hint of relief at having had a heavy burden lifted off his shoulders. My aunt's eyes were slightly red as she fought back tears.
I knelt down deeply again.
The uncle's voice was steady and powerful, carrying the dignity of a head of household and the advice of an elder: "You are now returning home, and you should be a good family man. Rise early and sleep late, and do not disobey your husband."
"Hold your mind like a balance, and stand firm like a sword. Do not betray the Long family's tradition."
The eldest aunt's voice was gentle and choked with sobs, full of love: "Xiaojiu... I hope you and your spouse will live in harmony and peace. Your safety and happiness are your parents' greatest wish."
She stood up, helped me up herself, and held my hand tightly with her warm palm.
When I stepped out of the main hall again, the world in front of me was completely submerged in the overwhelming festive red.
The red carpet, winding like a long dragon, stretched from the ground to the end of the sight. At the end of the red carpet, separated by a distance blurred by the hustle and bustle of the crowd, stood Atobe Keigo and his wedding procession.
I couldn't see his face clearly, but the huge and imposing team behind him, and his gorgeous and flamboyant aura that I could feel from a long distance, made me extremely sure of his existence.
The former members of the Hyotei Tennis Club were dressed in uniform dark blue uniforms, like the most loyal guards; the elites of the Atobe Zaibatsu were dressed in suits and had a strong aura; and there were also countless of his fans from all over the world who came after hearing the news... The scene was spectacular and jaw-dropping.
At this moment, the tall figure of Brother Seven stood in front of me. He turned around and half-knelt in front of me, his broad back as solid and reliable as a mountain.
"Xiaojiu," his voice was low and slightly hoarse, "Seventh Brother will carry you to get married."
My eyes instantly felt hot.
I gently lay on his warm back, my arms around his neck. He stood up steadily, each step he took was very steady and heavy.
"Remember," he said, his voice low enough for only the two of us to hear, word by word, with undeniable determination, "you will never be wronged again. That brat... if he dares to make you shed a single tear, Brother Seven will take you away immediately!"
"No matter where you are, the Long family will always be your support."
"Yeah." I nodded vigorously and buried my face in his shoulder and neck, and my hot tears silently soaked his crisp suit jacket.
This brother who has protected me since I was little, fought for me, taken the blame for me, and even wanted to pick the moon for me...
My seventh brother carried me on his back and walked step by step towards the sedan chair in the center of the courtyard that was the focus of everyone's attention.
It was not a traditional enclosed sedan chair, but a gorgeous sedan chair with no cover on all sides. It was inspired by the legendary "Wangong sedan chair", but it was more magnificent and majestic.
The entire structure is made of precious red sandalwood, and is carved with extremely complex patterns of auspicious dragons and phoenixes, and flowers of wealth. It is inlaid with countless pearls, agates, jadeite, and various gems, reflecting dazzling brilliance in the sunlight.
The sedan chair's roof resembled the eaves of a palace, adorned with golden tassels and delicate crystal wind chimes. Eight equally intricately carved poles sat quietly waiting.
When Seventh Brother carefully placed me in this dazzling sedan chair and helped me sit down, a burst of uniform gasps suddenly sounded on both sides of the courtyard.
Eight men, dressed in top-quality black haute couture suits and with different figures and temperaments, walked out of the crowd calmly as if they had agreed.
It was my eight brothers.
The eight men, like eight unsheathed swords, or eight steady mountains, marched in unison, their momentum astonishing, to the four sides of the sedan chair. Working in pairs, they firmly grasped the eight heavy poles.
"Xiaojiu!" The eldest brother's voice was steady and powerful, penetrating the whole place. "Brothers, it's time to send her off!"
"Get up!" The eight people shouted in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles!
They lifted the heavy and magnificent sedan chair steadily and easily off the ground.
"Oh my god! Eight brothers carrying a sedan chair to get married?!"
"This grand spectacle... is unprecedented!"
"Each of them... is a rare talent!"
"As expected, a dragon gives birth to nine sons, and each one is different!" A guest who was familiar with the Long family whispered this to a foreign friend beside him, his tone full of pride and awe.
Exclamations and praise spread among the guests like a tide. Oshitari Yuushi stood beside Atobe, looking at the eight imposing uncles. He smiled and nudged Atobe with his elbow, "Eight brothers are here to protect you... Atobe, you must be under a lot of pressure."
A close friend of the Atobe family also sighed, "A woman's family is her greatest source of confidence. Master Atobe, you've married a girl you absolutely cannot mess with."
Atobe Keigo rode on the back of his favorite pure white horse "Elizabeth", wearing a perfectly tailored and lustrous black haute couture suit, his posture as straight as a javelin.
His eyes were fixed on the red figure in the sedan half-hidden by the beaded curtain. Upon hearing this, the corners of his mouth curled up in a proud and solemn arc: "I couldn't ask for more."
As the eight brothers took steady and powerful steps, the entire wedding procession officially started.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The ancient cowhide drum was beaten, and the heavy sound was like the heartbeat of the earth.
“Woo-woo-woo!” Several huge bronze horns were blown, and the desolate and majestic sound soared into the sky.
"Crackle, crackle!" Countless specially made red salutes were ignited at the same time. What exploded was not smoke, but red petals and golden ribbons flying all over the sky, like a festive rain.
The string instruments and wind instruments played together, and the ancient and solemn wedding music was cleverly combined with modern symphony to create an unprecedented grand movement.
The ten miles of red makeup truly shows its shocking power at this moment.
The dowry procession stretched endlessly, carrying boxes and baskets tied with red silk, on which were placed symbolic models of land deeds, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and even miniature garden models...
It was as majestic as a flowing red river, moving slowly forward amidst the blaring of drums and trumpets, the flying petals and golden raindrops, and the steady steps of the eight Long brothers.
The sedan chair was getting closer and closer to Atobe.
Through the swaying bead curtain, I finally saw him clearly.
He was riding on a majestic white horse, his face was extremely handsome, his eyes pierced through the noisy crowd and fell accurately on me, his eyes were filled with deep love, pride and a great satisfaction of having a long-cherished wish fulfilled.
When the sedan chair reached his horse, he gently pulled the reins and "Elizabeth" turned gracefully.
Like a prince leading his princess, he rode ahead, leading this huge team that brought together the ancient and modern, the East and the West, family honor and personal affection, towards the banquet venue where the final wedding ceremony would be held.
The memories that followed were like a painting soaked in the most intense colors, unfolding amidst the roaring drums and bustling voices of the people.
How we walked hand in hand down the long shrine path paved with flowers and a red carpet; how, amidst the assembled guests and the gazes of the crowd, we listened to the MC's solemn and elegant Han-style wedding speech announcing our union; how, face to face, amidst the blessing gazes of the crowd, we lifted the wedding cups made from split gourds, tied together with a red string, and drank the wine that symbolized our shared joys and sorrows, our union as one...
Too many details, too much touching moments and happiness, all coming together to form a brilliant sea of light.
As the president and chief recorder of the "Fog Disperses the Scenery" fan club, Rie Tanaka's fingers practically danced on her phone screen, updating every sweet moment of the scene in real time. The accompanying text was filled with screams and countless exclamation points:
"My CP is the best! The main characters are so sweet! Officially certified! It's perfect!!"
I felt like I was walking on clouds, lifted up by great happiness, walking step by step towards my lover, towards the future we promised each other.
The prosperity will eventually come to an end and the noise will gradually subside.
It was late at night, and the wedding ball was still in its final revelry in the banquet hall.
Melodious dance music, cheerful laughter, and the crisp sound of clinking wine glasses drifted in. I quietly left the brightly lit and noisy place and walked alone into the quiet garden behind the main house.
The moonlight is like water, sprinkling on the carefully manicured garden scenery.
Pavilions, towers, bridges, and flowing water all took on hazy, elegant silhouettes under the moonlight. The air was filled with the delicate scent of tuberose. I leaned against a small stone arch bridge and took a deep breath of the cool air, trying to calm my heart, still beating with joy after a day of excitement.
A familiar sound of footsteps came from behind, with a barely perceptible hint of tipsiness.
Atobe walked over, he had taken off his suit jacket and was only wearing a white shirt with two buttons undone on his collar. There was a noticeable blush on his face - he had never been good at drinking, and he had been forced to drink quite a bit today.
He smiled, with a strong intoxication and overflowing tenderness, hugged me from behind, buried his hot cheeks in my neck, and said in a vague and satisfied voice: "Are you tired?"
I turned around and raised my hand to rub his slightly hot temples, my fingertips feeling the heat beneath his skin. "I'm not tired. It's you who's been forced to drink so much, so you should be the most tired, right?"
He closed his eyes comfortably, like a lazy cat, resting his entire weight on me with confidence. Moonlight streamed across his handsome profile, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes.
The garden was very quiet, with only the faint sound of music in the distance and the chirping of insects on a summer night.
In this rare tranquility, the question that had been lingering in my mind for a long time was finally asked softly, with a hint of curiosity and sweetness:
"Keigo," I leaned into his embrace, looking up at the stars twinkling on the dark blue sky, "When did you... fall in love with me?"
His arms tightened slightly around me, and his chin rubbed against my head, his voice heavy with nasal humour and a hint of drunkenness. There was a moment of silence, as if he were looking back on the long river of time.
After a while, his low, laughing voice rang in my ears like a whisper:
"When we first met..."
"You said I... 'If you're not good at it, practice more'..."
He paused, as if he could still feel the impact of those four words. His voice was filled with a hint of helpless laughter and clear throbbing:
"My heartbeat... just got out of rhythm."
He lowered his head, his eyes shone startlingly bright in the moonlight. With a drunken haze and unprecedented frankness, he stared at me intently:
"Later... I admitted that I was a 'bad boy'."
"At the beginning... I always make you angry..."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, his warm breath brushing against my earlobe.
"So... I need to practice more..."
He tightened his arms, holding me tighter, as if embracing the most precious treasure in the world. His voice was low and solemn, with a certainty that transcended time:
"Practice...how to love you better."
"Spend your life... practicing."
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