65. A wedding
Early Saturday morning, Chi Jin got up before daybreak.
Outside the window was the quiet blues hour of the city. She looked at herself in the mirror wearing her nightgown and took a deep breath.
Today is Liu Xiaoke’s wedding day, and she is the bridesmaid.
Her fingers unconsciously traced the exquisite bridesmaid dress in her closet—champagne-colored, satin, and elegantly styled. Liu Xiaoke had personally chosen it, the size perfect, and the rental price had clearly been high. Next to it lay the brand-name high heels she'd painstakingly purchased to match the dress. Everything about it matched Xiaoke's current lifestyle, a far cry from the girl she remembered, who'd shared cafeterias and Taobao shopping.
While she was putting on makeup, her phone screen lit up.
Chen Yisheng: "Good morning. Are you going to be busy all day today?"
Chi Jin looked at the screen, the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously, and her fingertips quickly replied: "Well, the bridesmaid's hard work day has begun. I just got up and put on makeup."
Chen Yisheng's message came back quickly, with a concise and to-the-point message: "Thank you for your hard work. I'll pick you up after you're done?"
Chi Jin's heart skipped a beat and he subconsciously wanted to refuse.
She quickly replied: "No, no! The location is remote, it ends late, and I must be very tired. I can just take a taxi back." followed by an emoticon of a cat lying limply.
Chen Yisheng seemed to have seen through her little thought and didn't insist. He just replied, "Okay. Contact me anytime."
Putting down her phone, Chi Jin looked at herself in the mirror, her makeup becoming increasingly refined, and a complex ripple rose in her heart. If... if she and Chen Yisheng... would there also be a day like this?
The thought flashed through her mind and was quickly suppressed.
How long have you been together?
It was too far away, and besides, she shook her head, concentrating on the ceremony before her.
The wedding venue was a prestigious manor-style hotel on the outskirts of Jing City. When Chi Jin arrived at the bridal lounge according to the address, it was already bustling with activity. Makeup artists and hairstylists were circling around Liu Xiaoke, dressed in a pristine white wedding gown. The other bridesmaids were already in place, chattering and laughing.
"You're here!" Liu Xiaoke saw her in the mirror, his eyes lit up, and he immediately waved, "Come here! I've been waiting for you!"
Liu Xiaoke was undoubtedly beautiful today. Her delicate makeup enhanced her already gentle features, while her expensive wedding dress accentuated her graceful figure. She seemed enveloped in a halo of happiness. The diamond ring, which had once glared under the grilled fish restaurant lights, now complemented her wedding dress beautifully under the bright makeup lights, appearing to be a perfect match.
"The bride looks so beautiful today." Chi Jin walked forward and praised sincerely, trying to make his smile look sincere and without any grudges.
"You're the only one who can talk," Liu Xiaoke scolded with a smile, her tone intimate, as if the estranged conversation six months ago had never happened. She instructed naturally, "The dress is over there, go change into it. You're the only one who's far away, and you're almost late."
Chi Jin changed into her dress and high heels, blending in with the bridesmaids. She listened as Liu Xiaoke and her new friends discussed the details of the wedding reception game, the placement of the wedding rings, and the facial expressions they would need to manage later. They were warm and familiar, sharing a common excitement and anticipation for the wedding.
Chi Jin stood among them, maintaining a perfectly composed smile and occasionally chiming in, but she clearly felt an invisible barrier. She couldn't get a word in on many of the topics they discussed, and she couldn't resonate with some of the jokes they shared.
The wedding reception was lively and boisterous. Song Chi arrived with his groomsmen, appearing full of energy and arrogance, and the games were filled with laughter and playfulness. Chi Jin, one of the bridesmaids, dutifully played the role of "embarrassing" the groom. She smiled, but felt a sense of detachment, like a bystander. She looked at Song Chi, dressed in a sharp suit and meticulously combed hair. He was indeed more composed than in his student days, but the hint of arrogance between his eyebrows, nurtured by his wealthy family, still made Chi Jin dislike him.
However, when he had overcome many "difficulties" and finally walked in front of Liu Xiaoke who was sitting on the edge of the bed, knelt on one knee and said the oath loudly, Chi Jin saw the real tears that instantly welled up in Liu Xiaoke's eyes and the huge happy smile that could not be concealed on her face.
At that moment, Chi Jin's heart couldn't help but relax. No matter what had led to this path in the first place, at least at this moment, Xiao Ke's happiness was real.
The ceremony took place on the manor's outdoor lawn. Sunlight streamed through the vast glass dome, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and melodious string music. The room was packed with guests, all elegantly dressed. Chi Jin, the bridesmaid, stood to one side, holding the bouquet. She watched Liu Xiaoke's father—a simple, even reserved, middle-aged man in a suit that clearly didn't fit him well. He nervously held his daughter's hand as he walked towards Song Chi at the end of the flower corridor.
When the father handed his daughter's hand to the groom, his hand trembled slightly and his lips stammered a few times. In the end, he just patted Song Chi's arm hard and stepped aside with red eyes.
Liu Xiaoke's mother was secretly wiping away her tears.
The music changed and the priest began to read the vows.
"Ms. Liu Xiaoke, are you willing to marry Mr. Song Chi as his wife? Are you willing to love him unconditionally and be faithful to him forever, no matter good times or bad, rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad?"
Liu Xiaoke raised her head, looked at Song Chi with a firm and loving gaze, and said in a clear and gentle voice: "I do."
"Mr. Song Chi, are you willing to marry Ms. Liu Xiaoke? Are you willing to love her unconditionally and be faithful to her forever, no matter good times or bad, rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad?"
Song Chi looked at Liu Xiaoke deeply and said solemnly: "I do."
At the moment of exchanging rings, the sunlight hit their hands, and the platinum rings sparkled. When Song Chi carefully put the ring that symbolized marriage on Liu Xiaoke's finger, Chi Jin saw Xiaoke's tears fall again, and this time, Song Chi reached out and gently wiped them away for her.
At that moment, Chi Jin's heart seemed to be gently hit by something.
She suddenly remembered that many years ago, in the shabby little auditorium of the school, they watched an old love movie together. When they saw the hero and heroine finally together after going through hardships, Liu Xiaoke also leaned on her shoulder and cried. At that time, they also joked about being each other's bridesmaids in the future and how the wedding would be.
As time goes by, the joke has come true in this way, carrying the weight of reality and the traces of choice, but the desire for "long-term" and "certainty" seems to have never changed.
The groom kissed the bride. The guests stood up and applauded, their applause and blessings pouring down on the newlyweds like a tide. Ribbons and flower petals were thrown into the air, fluttering in the sunlight.
Chi Jin stood at the edge of the cheering crowd, watching Liu Xiaoke and Song Chi hugging each other amid everyone's blessings, and seeing the bright smiles on their faces that showed that everything had settled and they belonged to each other, an unprecedented and complex emotion quietly gripped her.
She secretly wiped away a tear, because she was happy for her.
At the same time, she also re-examined "marriage", something she had always kept a distance from. It turns out that a wedding that is sincerely blessed and full of rituals has the power to move people.
During the flower tossing ceremony, Liu Xiaoke turned around, swept her eyes among the bridesmaids, and finally landed accurately on Chi Jin. She winked at her playfully, and then threw the bouquet towards her with force.
Chi Jin took it subconsciously. It was a bouquet of extremely beautiful lily of the valley, a symbol of the return of happiness.
Good-natured laughter and applause rang out around them. Liu Xiaoke ran over, holding up her skirt, and hugged her, whispering quickly in her ear, "Chi Zi, you're next! Be sure to be happy!"
Holding the heavy, fragrant bouquet, Chi Jin stood there, looking at her friend's beaming face, a mixture of emotions. All the thoughts about "settling for second-best" gifts, the rift between their values, the loss of being kept secret—in that moment, all seemed to be slightly diluted by the immense, undeniable atmosphere of happiness at the wedding.
The dinner was grand and lavish. As a bridesmaid, Chi Jin was busy accompanying the newlyweds in toasts. Her high heels rubbed her heels sore, but she still maintained a proper smile.
When toasting at a certain table, Liu Xiaoke pulled Song Chi and specially toasted a middle-aged man with extraordinary demeanor: "Uncle, thank you for coming today."
Song Chi also seemed particularly respectful.
The uncle smiled and patted Song Chi's shoulder: "Xiao Chi has grown up and started a family. Your father was happy today and drank a few extra glasses. I'll keep an eye on you for him. The bride is very beautiful, congratulations!"
His eyes casually swept over the bridesmaids beside him and lingered briefly on Chi Jin. He seemed to think that she looked a little familiar, but he didn't think much about it.
Chi Jin's heart tightened, and she instinctively dropped her eyes. She had once seen this uncle from a distance in the media interview area of a forum. He was an executive at a large cultural industry group and seemed familiar to Chen Yisheng. She quietly took a half step back, hiding herself behind another bridesmaid.
This little incident made her even more distracted. This circle was actually quite small. How long could she keep her relationship with Chen Yisheng secret? If it were truly made public, how would others perceive it? Would they, like she had viewed Liu Xiaoke's choice, be subjected to all sorts of realistic speculation and considerations?
As the evening progressed, the newlyweds began their first dance. The lights dimmed, spotlights followed them as the music played, romantic and lingering. Liu Xiaoke nestled in Song Chi's arms, her skirt fluttering and her smile captivating.
Chi Jin finally got a break and found a corner seat to sit down and rub her sore calves and ankles. She took out her phone and saw a message from Chen Yisheng a few minutes ago.
"Did the ceremony go well? Is your foot about to break?"
Looking at these words, Chi Jin suddenly felt a surge of grievance and longing. She lowered her head and typed, her voice a bit coquettish, even though she didn't realize it. "It's not just about to break, it feels like it's no longer mine. [crying] And I'm so tired..."
Not long after the message was sent, Chen Yisheng called directly.
Chi Jin was startled and quickly stood up, covering his phone with his hand and quickly walked to the quiet terrace before answering it.
"Hello?" Her voice was still a little nervous.
"Are you really that tired?" Chen Yisheng's low voice came through the receiver. The background was quiet. He should be at home or in the office.
"Hmm..." Chi Jin leaned on the railing, looking at the bright lights of the city in the distance. The night breeze blew her somewhat messy hair, and her mood strangely calmed down. "I stood in high heels for most of the day, smiled until my face was stiff, and had to help block the wine... Getting married is really a physical job."
He chuckled softly from the other end of the line: "Do you understand how hard it is now? Will you easily agree to be a bridesmaid next time?"
"That depends on who it is." Chi Jin muttered softly, "If it's a very good friend..."
"For example?" he asked, following her lead.
Chi Jin paused. A particularly good friend? She looked at the lively scene of light and shadow, singing and dancing in the banquet hall, and suddenly felt a little melancholy.
Once upon a time, Liu Xiaoke was that "especially good friend." But now, she seems to have no especially good friends.
She sighed softly and changed the subject: "Nothing. I just suddenly felt that a wedding seemed to gather the energy of all relatives and friends, just to bless two people."
Chen Yisheng listened quietly on the other end without interrupting her.
Chi Jin continued, as if gathering his thoughts: "Watching them exchange rings and say 'I do', it was as if all the practical considerations and previous hesitations were paused at that moment. Only two people who wanted to be together were left. That sense of certainty, witnessed and blessed by everyone... It was actually quite touching."
After she finished speaking, there was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.
Chi Jin's heartbeat suddenly lost its rhythm. Worried that he might misunderstand, he coughed lightly to cover up, "Ahem, just... some thoughts on the scene. How are you doing over there? Are you still working overtime this weekend?"
"Yeah, I have some things to take care of." Chen Yisheng changed the subject. "It will probably take a while. When will you finish over there? Are you sure I don't need to pick you up?"
"No, no, really." Chi Jin said quickly, "It will probably take another hour or two. I'll tell you when it's over."
"Okay. If you're tired, just find a place to sit down. Don't force yourself." He advised, with natural concern in his tone.
"I know." Chi Jin felt warm in his heart.
After hanging up, she stood on the terrace for a while, holding the phone. The evening breeze blew away some of her fatigue, and the complex and subtle yearning for marriage that had arisen in her heart from attending the wedding became even clearer.
It was still early days, but would Chen Yisheng be willing to marry her? Or was he actually a non-marriage advocate? It seemed the two had never discussed such a question.
She lowered her head and looked at the bouquet of lily of the valley in her hand, which looked even more pure and white in the moonlight.
Perhaps, while marriages come in many forms, and the paths to them vary greatly, what matters is not how others perceive it, nor how it all began, but whether the person standing by your side gives you the courage to firmly say "I do" in front of everyone.
Although Chen Yisheng's idea was the first thing that came to her mind, was she also ready to face such a heavy "certainty" that required great courage and luck?
The music in the banquet hall changed to a cheerful tune. Some people were singing, some were dancing, and the atmosphere was bustling. Chi Jin took a deep breath of the cool night air, adjusted her expression, and put on her standard bridesmaid smile again, then turned and walked back into the bright lights.
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