Chapter 20 - A "Joyful" Wedding

As it turned out to be, their marriage was fixed.

Ai tried her best to make a beautiful wedding with the limited guests that were invited.

Jian strictly told his parents to not gather a large crowd and make it a straightforward and simple celebration to which Ai directly refused by saying,

"A child's wedding is one of the most awaited days for us parents. It's when we realize that our children have grown up and I'm sure Mei's mother would have wanted it to be as glamorous as possible too."

Determined to do her best, she organized a rustic vineyard, owned by her sister, and decorated it beautifully from top to bottom. She invited their closest and most trusted family members that vowed to not speak a word about the marriage to anyone.

Balloons and streamers fluttered around the railing and banisters, a festive mixture of pink, light blue, and white. The smell of fresh-cut flowers filled the air.

When Mei had walked down the aisle, everybody was stunned. The voices of gasps and the cameras shuttering were heard all around.

She wore a strapless peach and blush-infused wedding gown with embroidery on her bodice. Rhinestones and pearl beads were sewn on her dress. She also wore a two-tier veil, that she had specifically asked to be re-touched for it once belonged to her mother.

She felt at ease as she rubbed on the end of the material, reminiscing her fondest memories.

Before walking down, Ai had placed a matching crystal blush headpiece on the back of her hair and beamed at her before rushing back to her husband.

At that time, Jian, who had worn a regal and chic black and grey tuxedo with a red rose pinned up near his left arm, also was in awe. His breath started to haste when the beautifully dressed bride came up, holding a pink rose bouquet, and stiffly stood beside him. During the ceremony, Jian's eyes didn't leave Mei's face, he kept looking at her from the corner of his eye and whenever she felt his gaze on her, looked ahead at the pastor.

At the end of the ceremony, it was Mei's turn to say the dreaded words,

"I do."

She paused and hesitated. She could hear the horrid whispers behind her and looked over at Feng, sitting alone next to the two empty seats that were reserved for Suyin and Xinyi who didn't bother to make an appearance.

He made a slightly tensed face with a fierce scowl starting to visibly appear slowly. Glimpsing at her father, Mei quickly regained her energy and composure and blurted loudly,

"I DO."

As Jian came to kiss Mei, she instinctively backed away. His icy blue eyes deepened with a frown and became colder. He held her wrist and pulled her towards him and gently brushed his soft plump lips against hers.

Seeing the long-awaited kiss, the small crowd went ballistic.

Hooting sounds applauds, and screams were heard all over. As quickly as it happened, he pulled back, and Mei was red in the face for it was her first kiss in years.

She didn't glance up but instead looked ahead to everyone cheering them and then her father clapping wildly next to Chen, her now father-in-law, who hugged Feng from the side.

As they left the vineyard, her father tried embracing her, but Mei gracefully stepped back, excusing herself by stating that the wedding dress was uncomfortable. Feng blinked back in surprise, realizing her feelings, and sighed while nodding with a glum smile.

Chen patted Jian, while Ai whispered something in his ears when an elegant black car stopped in front of them.

As soon as they stepped into the car, Jian moved away and put on his earphones, completely ignoring his new wife.

Mei, who was extremely tired at the time, took off her crystal blush headpiece with the veil and poured some champagne that was kept on the side table near her. Sipping on the drink, she placed her head back on the soft leather seat and then put the glass back down, slowly falling to a deep and peaceful slumber as she tightly held on her mother's veil.

Mei woke up when she felt a light tapping on her shoulder.

Jian stared back at her with an empty expression and said, "We're here," stepping outside of the vehicle, not looking back.

Sighing, she looked out the window to see that it was already late evening.

Realizing that they had already arrived at their destination, she got up to leave, her mind utterly blank and devoid of any thoughts forming in her head.

Mei gazed at the large building that she knew would now be her new home.

Chen had lent Jian's childhood house in the countryside for them to settle in as a new couple till they would officially announce themselves to the public.

It was surrounded by trees and anyone arriving there would require permission to go through the gate that led up to the entrance.

The housing plan consisted of five bedrooms, three bathrooms, an open space composed of a large living room that was connected to the kitchen, a huge garden filled with exotic plants, and some smaller storage rooms.

Mei wasn't very used to all this luxury, even when Feng was a wealthy businessman in China. She lived humbly with her father before Suyin decided on a lavish life for her and her daughter.

Pulling up her gown and stepping on the platform, an elegantly dressed elder woman in all black came rushing towards her.

"Good Evening Ma'am, My name is Bao Zhai, I will be at your service from now onwards," she smiled while bowing down.

Mei smiled at her petite face, telling her to not worry about anything for she just wanted to get out of the dress and freshen up.

Bao Zhai quickly ushered her into the grandly made building and guided her through the corridors.

As she showed her to the bedroom, they passed a room with a bunch of musical instruments inside. Mei peeped in, however, the door slammed in her face when Bao Zhai explained calmly,

"Ma'am, Jian is inside his music room right now and advised to not disturb him."

"Couldn't have been more subtle about it, haha," Mei laughed, awkwardly.

Looking at her sarcastic reaction, the old woman nodded, leading her to the staircase and pointing at it,

"Your room is the second room on the right with the beige door. You will find everything you need for today, if you require anything else, just give me a call from the telephone that is kept on your bedside table, by pressing Number 1, and you would get connected to me," she clarified, walking back and leaving Mei near the bottom of the stairs.

Picking up the heavy dress with a sigh, she stepped on the stairs and went up, immediately finding her room.

Every other door was brown, but only hers was in beige.

Her favorite color.