The Ceremony-2

"How can you badmouth like that Xiaoxi? I missed you too. I know I am at fault so I'll treat you and your beautiful friend to dinner this weekend ok?"

Fang Sa was really happy to see Chen Xixi again. After meeting the Chen family, it seemed like she returned to the good old days. This was a euphoric feeling.

Fang Sa noticed that the girl whom Xixi dragged with her was staring with her at astonishment and she doesn't really looked like a fan. Rather the girl's open-mouthed look screamed that she was lost in a world where only she knew what was happening. Fang Sa cleared her throat to snap the beautiful girl out of her daze.

"Hello, beautiful. I'm Fang Sa, Xiaoxi's childhood friend. Nice to meet you."

Shen XiaoLi stared at Fang Sa, who was smiling. Her smile was natural and genuine. She felt guilty for hating this sweet woman just because of jealousy. Her eyes shifted to Fang Sa's hand and she shook it.

"Hello. I'm Shen XiaoLi. and I'm friends with Xiaoxi for the past 5 years. We met at her college. It feels like I'm introducing myself to my girlfriend's parents. Hahaha."

"Your friend is pretty, cute and funny. You got a whole package Xiaoxi."

Fang Sa's praising made Shen XiaoLi blush.

"Ya! Fang Sa! Are you hitting on my friend now? What's with that line? It's creepy, you lunatic!" Chen Xixi shoved Fang Sa away from her in fake disgust.

Everyone was having fun when the MC announced that the ceremony will start soon. Mr. and Mrs. Chen were walking down the aisle, Mrs. Chen hand holding Mr. Chen's arm. Everyone were cheering and showering them with flowers.

The couple stepped on the stage and instead of wedding vows, they shared how grateful they were for each other's presence in their lives and promised to be even more loving in their old age. They put a ring on each other's left pinky as an indication of it being the promise ring. at last the couple kissed each other's cheeks while the crowd cheered them and some even encouraged them to go for a lip lock. But the Chen couple declined it claiming that there were many young children. It was a harmonious evening and every person was having a blissful moment despite their reason for attending the ceremony.

As the saying goes, beautiful souls can glow up the it's surrounding. This was exactly what everyone present at the ceremony hall. The Chen couple ended the celebration by cutting the cake and everyone was now busy in socializing.

"Mrs. Chen congratulations! You both make such a lovely couple. I'm envious of you. You're still so beautiful, your husband is whipped for you and your children are all filial and successful. You must be so proud of them."

Mrs. Xi was complementing Mrs. Chen but everyone can sense her real motive just by how her daughter was all dolled up and stealing glances at Chen Lisheng. But who were they to complain, when all most every person present there was trying to matchmake someone with the other. This was somewhat a harsh and bitter reality of the riches. Here only few gather to cheer for your happiness. Others are just there to grab a chance of opportunity. Chen Lisheng was silently standing beside his mother while staring at nothing in particular. The ladies were trying very hard to gain his attention but he seemed to be lost in his own world. One of them mustered her courage and reached out to hold his arm.

"Young master Chen. I would like you to take me for a dance."

The lady felt gleeful and other ladies felt envious of her when Chen Lisheng started moving towards the dance floor. Shen XiaoLi can feel her blood pressure reach the roof and she had a murderous look in her eyes. Strangely it wasn't directed towards that lady, but towards the man holding her hand.

"XiaoLi why are you looking at my brother like that? It's scary you know?"

As if Chen Xixi had pushed some explosive button, Shen XiaoLi blasted off.

"This bastard! He acted all shy and reserved when I held his hand. He retracted his hand from mine as if I was some untouchable creature! His reason? A woman shouldn't recklessly hold a man's hand who wasn't her family?! What era is he living in?! Joseon? And that bi*ch is his family?! I'm gonna chop off his third leg!"

Shen XiaoLi was about to charge towards the dance floor but stopped abruptly causing Chen xixi, who was following her, bump on her back.

"Ya! Shen XiaoLi! My nose----"

Chen Xixi was shocked silly when she saw how her brother untangled the lady's hand from is and bowed.

"Dance as much you want. The DJ will play the music till 12 am"

He bowed again and left her on the dance floor. The lady's face was bright red and she run away crying.

"Hahahahaha. Xiaoxi how can he? Even if he dosn't like her touching him, how can he embarrass her like that. So heartless. But it's a nice way to keep thirsty hoes at their place. That's my man"

Shen XiaoLi's mood had taken a u-turn. She was beaming with happiness.

Affection is such a powerful emotion that it takes control of every other emotion.

Shen XiaoLi happily skipped towards Chen Lisheng. It doesn't matter if he isn't lovey-dovey with her, as long as he ignores other women, she's happy. All she needs to do is to melt his ice berg-like heart. And after their 'date' today, she can see him thawing towards her advances. He just needs to realize his feelings too.

Only if XiaoLi knew that Lisheng realizing his feelings towards her will be something which will drew them apart.