304 TUG-OF-WAR

The clock ticked by the second.

At first, all the people – both family and guests – wore such cordial, cheerful faces at the wedding venue, patiently waiting for the arrival of the entourage.  All were excitedly chitchatting about light, trivial things like bees.

However, minutes by minutes, the clock's hand kept on turning into myriads of full circles.  Those who were present to tell the tale started to lose their jovial mood.  Some even wantonly expressed their annoyance.  Others chose to leave silently, as there were busy, important people present, and such waiting was a waste of precious time.

Shi Fan Hai stood proud and happy, but underlying the mask of polite decorum, he was anxious and angry… and still hopeful.  At long last, Man Rui would be his forever.  At long last, his father succumbed to his lifelong wish, his only bidding.

Yet…

'Where is she?  Did something happen?'