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Right at the entrance of the art studio, two cats were curled up, basking in the sun, their tail tips idly sweeping. The owner of the studio, a marsupial-dad with his daughter in a baby carrier on his chest, sat at the doorway, painting.
He was painting the two cats at the entrance, himself painting, and the little princess in his arms.
Shi Yueming babbled and played for a while, then fell asleep in Luo Mingjing’s arms. Luo Mingjing lowered his eyes; a long drool dangled from his daughter’s chin, almost falling, glimmering with a rainbow sheen in the sunlight.
He smiled, his brush moving lightly, sketching his daughter’s sleeping face on the paper.
Shi Min returned from her run and walked straight to Luo Mingjing, reaching out to take Shi Yueming: “Let me play with her.”
“No, no, no,” Luo Mingjing tightly shielded his daughter with both hands. “She’s already asleep.”
“If she’s asleep, then never mind.” Shi Min smiled, kissed her daughter’s little head, and then naturally kissed Luo Mingjing.
Luo Mingjing said, “Again.”
“The wedding banquet is on the eighth of next month,” Shi Min twirled his hair and said, “Let’s finish it quickly before it gets too hot, so I can rest easy.”
Luo Mingjing suddenly realized: “Are all people named Shi eager to get married?”
He used to think Shi Chu was an exception, but in the past six months, even the usually calm Shi Min had been bringing up the wedding banquet almost every day.
“It’s different. He was anxious because he hadn’t gotten married yet,” Shi Min said. “I’m anxious because I’ve married him but haven’t had a chance to show him off.”
Luo Mingjing almost burst out laughing: “Shi Min, tomorrow I’ll take you to get a taste of it first.”
“Is tomorrow a special day?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Luo Mingjing said with a smile. “Because I love you every day, strictly speaking, every day has commemorative significance.”
Shi Min was slightly surprised, her eyebrows raised in a smile: “What are we doing tomorrow?”
“We’ll go to that mountaintop again,” Luo Mingjing winked, hinting, “That one, on the snowy day, before the road was cut off, where we recorded our warmth under the moonlight.”
Ah, that night.
Shi Min’s heart stirred.
Luo Mingjing added, “Tomorrow, we’ll wear those traditional Chinese wedding outfits. This time, the wedding is just for us. I’ll celebrate with you.”
“Okay,” Shi Min immediately agreed.
Three seconds later, President Shi remembered they had a daughter: “Are we bringing the child? No, let’s not. Dump her with Shi Chu.”
Luo Mingjing considered the possibility and safety of carrying the child in front of him, and agreed to Shi Min’s suggestion: “Alright.”
________________________________________
The next day, Shi Chu arrived at the art studio on time to take over his niece. Upon entering, he saw the adults’ attire, silently closed his eyes, and took a long time to calm down.
He had heard that Luo Mingjing made three sets of wedding outfits, but he had never seen them. However, he could confirm that the wide-sleeved red and black vintage clothes, similar to Hanfu, that his sister and brother-in-law were wearing today, must be one of those wedding outfits.
The wedding outfits looked good. Both of them were like clothes hangers; everything they wore looked neat and stylish. What made Shi Chu unable to look directly was their makeup.
To be fair, the makeup this time was suitable and quite well done, but in Shi Chu’s eyes, it didn’t fully highlight their strengths, like a beautiful flower not yet in full bloom.
Especially Shi Min’s makeup, which was definitely done by Luo Mingjing. He had even drawn a crimson pattern in the center of her eyebrows.
Shi Chu said dejectedly, “Wash it off and redo it! It can look better! Hurry up, seeing you two ruin the art of makeup like this makes my eyes hurt and my hands itch.”
Shi Min: “Resist.”
Luo Mingjing carefully handed Shi Yueming to Shi Chu, reluctantly saying, “Daddy and Mommy are going out for a little while, we’ll be back soon.”
Shi Yueming clung to his vibrant red sleeve, refusing to let go. Luo Mingjing frowned slightly, also reluctant to let go. He held Shi Yueming again, gently patting her: “Don’t want Daddy to go? Tangtang, Daddy will be back soon.”
Shi Chu: “Can you go? Are you even going out anymore? If you want to go out and have fun, be decisive, stop dawdling.”
He was afraid that if these two didn’t leave soon, he would roll up his sleeves and re-wash their faces and reapply their makeup.
After Luo Mingjing finished bidding farewell to his daughter, Shi Min took over, going through the same process.
Shi Chu: “...Anyone would think you two were crossing over and never coming back. Enough! Give her here!”
He clapped his hands, and Shi Yueming giggled, opening her arms and throwing herself into her uncle’s embrace.
Shi Chu: “Quickly say goodbye to these two annoying people and tell them to leave immediately.”
The sky was clear and bright, with a few white clouds floating in it.
The Maserati drove towards the city’s edge. On closer inspection, the driver and passenger looked like time travelers, dressed in ancient, rustic clothing—red robes, long hair, and the female driver even had a strange smile on her face.
“You know the way well,” Luo Mingjing teased her.
“Naturally,” Shi Min said. “I’ve walked this path many times in my dreams, almost reliving it every night.”
Luo Mingjing rubbed his face, his smile full of resignation.
Shi Min could still deliver provocative sweet talk subtly and naturally.
“Luo Mingjing, hold still,” Shi Min turned her face to admire his attire again. “Like a young noble, refined and elegant.”
“Me?” Luo Mingjing smiled, like a spring breeze swaying peach branches, truly as Shi Min said, like a graceful young noble, with white teeth and red lips, dark hair tied back with a deep red ribbon, and gentle light contained within his dark eyes.
He said, “Shi Min, when I made this wedding outfit, what I had in mind was wearing such clothes and having a formal wedding ceremony with you.”
“Did you bring scissors?”
Luo Mingjing chuckled: “I prepared them. Would you be willing to cut a lock of your hair for me?”
Shi Min mimicked his usual reply and said, “It’s all yours, take whatever you want.”
They arrived back at the same mountaintop where they had once fallen in love under the moon, the road now broken. Shi Min stopped the car and saw the familiar tree, saying, “It should still remember us.”
The moon that night, the snow that day, the tree that day, every gentle breeze that day—they should all remember the two infatuated people.
“Are you going to bow to the tree for the ceremony?”
“First, the hair-tying ceremony,” Shi Min said. “I can’t wait to show off to the land and plants here.”
Luo Mingjing untied his hair ribbon, held it in his mouth, separated a lock of his hair, snipped it off, placed it on the open ribbon, and then looked at Shi Min: “Miss Shi, may I borrow a lock of your long hair to tie with mine?”
Shi Min, however, narrowed her phoenix eyes and, with hands clasped behind her back, corrected him: “If I were in ancient times, I’d at least be an imperial merchant, rich in all directions.”
“...” Luo Mingjing corrected himself, “Your Majesty Shi Min, may this humble subject cut a lock of your long hair to tie with this humble subject and become husband and wife?”
“I shall confer upon you the title of Empress,” Shi Min continued the banter, “There will be no other concubines, for the Emperor’s eyes will only hold you.”
She took the scissors, snipped off a lock of her hair, placed it on the ribbon, entwining it with Luo Mingjing’s hair.
“You’re very cooperative.”
“Isn’t this our wedding?” Shi Min said. “Quickly tie a knot, so I can announce it to all these flowers and plants.”
“Announce it to the world?” Luo Mingjing chuckled as he wrapped the two locks of hair in the ribbon, carefully placing it in his pocket over his heart.
“Keep it warm over your heart,” Luo Mingjing said. “Go ahead and announce it to the world.”
Shi Min smiled slightly, wrapped her arms around his neck, and with a light jump, declared her sovereignty witnessed by the mountains and waters.
Afterward, she and Luo Mingjing sat side by side on the car hood, gazing at the blue sky and the faint, smoky clouds. Leaning on each other, they closed their eyes, feeling each other’s calm breathing and heartbeats.
“It’s like a dream,” Luo Mingjing whispered. “Two years ago, I hadn’t met you yet. I didn’t know what kind of life I would have, having a home, you, and a child—I couldn’t even dare to imagine it.”
At that time, I thought my life would be wasted in black and white, growing old alone with unfulfilled dreams and wishes.
“Life is a dream,” Shi Min said. “When the dream ends, people die; when people die, the dream ends. Since it’s all a dream, let me show you what a beautiful dream is. Luo Mingjing, you are the one I love. I want you to live in a beautiful dream until the day you die, when this dream will end.”
“Shi Min, you...” Luo Mingjing slightly opened his eyes and whispered, “You truly are like my... love. Only with you did I truly know how beautiful a dream could be...”
“I love you,” Luo Mingjing whispered in her ear, “It will never change. My heart is entirely yours, faithfully devoted.”
“This ray of light of mine is powered by your love,” Shi Min opened her eyes, her red clothes reflected in her dark eyes, like two flames burning, her gaze fervent, “Your love will never change, and I, as your light, will never be extinguished.”
________________________________________
That night, both of them caught a bit of a cold.
Shi Chu looked at them with both contempt and envy: “You’re both adults now, and you have a child. Take it easy! Wearing nice clothes and going into the wilderness, look at all the grass stuck to you, and look at your hair.”
It was fine until he mentioned their hair. Shi Chu focused his eyes and immediately noticed something amiss.
In the morning, when they left, their hair was fine, at least neat. But coming back at night, it was not only messy but also had missing sections.
“Are you two sheep? Why are you chewing on your hair?”
“Hair-tying ceremony, understand?” Shi Min provoked him. “I know you don’t understand, because you haven’t had the chance to experience it.”
Shi Chu suppressed the urge to curse his sister and said, “...You two, come find me for a haircut in a month!”
On May 8th, Shi Min and Luo Mingjing officially held their wedding.
Early in the morning, Shi Chu was doing Shi Min’s makeup, unusually quiet.
Shi Min: “Sentimental?”
Shi Chu concisely said, “Bullshit.”
“I thought not,” Shi Min said. “After all, it’s just a wedding, not a separation.”
“I always wanted to kick you out of the house,” Shi Chu retorted stubbornly, “Didn’t expect you not to leave, but to bring someone else into the house, adding another mouth to feed.”
After finishing Shi Min’s makeup, Shi Chu stepped back two paces, tilting his head to examine her.
Shi Min smiled slightly and said, “Thank you, Brother.”
Shi Chu rubbed his face, looking tired, and said, “Let’s discuss something.”
“Go ahead.”
“For the sake of our many years as siblings,” Shi Chu said, “When you throw the bouquet, throw it at Yang He.”
Shi Min was stunned, then suddenly burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at!” Shi Chu said. “She saw Shi Yueming and was a little moved.”
“Her? Longing for a family?” Shi Min asked.
“Perhaps,” Shi Chu’s tone was low. “Her current physical condition doesn’t allow her to work as hard as before. The entertainment industry updates quickly, so her thoughts might have changed.”
Shi Min shook her head: “I’m not throwing the bouquet.”
“What?”
“Mingjing will throw it,” Shi Min said. “Be prepared, his family has two more people eager to get married.”
Xu Qianqian and He Xi!
Shi Chu immediately felt a sense of crisis.
So, while styling Luo Mingjing’s hair, Shi Chu held back for a long time, finally made up his mind, put his poker face aside, and kindly said, “Brother-in-law, there’s something I’d like to ask of you...”
Luo Mingjing said with a smile, “Go ahead.”
“You’ll be throwing the bouquet, right?”
“The final flower toss?” Luo Mingjing asked. “Whoever catches it gets married next?”
“Yes.”
“Mm, that’ll be me,” Luo Mingjing said. “Shi Min is lazy; she just said to let me do it. Why are you asking? Do you want me to throw it to you?”
“...Yes.”
“Then you’ll have to aim carefully,” Luo Mingjing said. “My brother-in-law also really wants it, so he’ll definitely fight you for it.”
Shi Chu: “Can you go easy on me and cooperate?”
“I’ll be blindfolded and turning around when I throw it,” Luo Mingjing said. “Fair and square.”
Shi Chu: “Do you believe I’ll draw a turtle on your head?”
“It’s a big day,” Luo Mingjing was completely unafraid and chuckled, “Don’t let Shi Min hit anyone, it’s quite scary.”
“You’ve changed,” Shi Chu said, pointing a trembling finger at him. “You weren’t like this before, you’re too mean!”
________________________________________
The ceremony hall was filled with guests. Around the high stage were vibrant red roses.
The wedding officiant announced the start of the wedding in three languages.
The lights suddenly dimmed, plunging the hall into darkness. The guests gradually quieted down.
Suddenly, the spotlight in the center of the stage lit up, a single beam shining on the bride on the stage.
Shi Min wore a pure white wedding gown. The gown was like a blooming flower, delicate light tulle cascading down the edge of the high stage. Light flowed gently over her, then blossomed layer by layer.
The guests applauded, yet wondered why the bride wasn’t walking down the aisle. And where was the groom?
Another beam of light spread out from one end of the hall, like a path paved with light, extending all the way to Shi Min’s feet.
The guests saw the groom. He wore a tailored suit, tall and straight, his long hair tied back. A silk ribbon covered his eyes.
A tall girl with facial features similar to the groom, holding his sleeve, slowly led him to this path of light, then let go and quietly left.
Luo Mingjing stopped, looking somewhat lost and unsure. He took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and asked, “Shi Min, where are you?”
“I’m right here.” For some reason, looking at Luo Mingjing standing alone at the other end, Shi Min felt like crying.
“I’m right here, Luo Mingjing. Not far from you, just ahead on the path. Come quickly.”
I was once lost in darkness, bewildered.
I was once alone, unable to see the path beneath my feet.
If at that time, I had known that at the end of the path, a radiant girl was waiting for me at a turn of fate, to become the light illuminating my life, I would have rushed to you without hesitation, a little earlier, even a little earlier, to embrace you.
Luo Mingjing walked faster and faster. He was smiling, eventually almost running, using all his might to embrace Shi Min, who had opened her arms to him.
“Thank you for loving me.”
Shi Min gently removed the silk ribbon from his eyes, and their tender gazes intertwined.
“I will always be here,” she said.
“I will always be by your side,” Luo Mingjing held her tightly, closed his eyes, smiling, and softly said, “Always love you.”
________________________________________
After the wedding, the officiant shouted, “Groom, throw the bouquet!”
Luo Mingjing re-blindfolded himself, turned around, held up the flowers in his hand, and said, “Those who want to get married, give it your all!”
He threw the roses.
The fiery red bouquet drew a graceful arc in the air.
Luo Mingjing turned around and saw He Xi and Shi Chu, one on the left and one on the right, jumping up, desperately reaching for the bouquet. Meanwhile, Xu Qianqian and Yang He, one smiling and cheering for He Xi, the other looking horrified but incredibly nervous.
In life, there are many moments of happiness.
The first encounter, the moment of love at first sight.
The birth of a child, the moment of their first cry.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Luo Mingjing slightly lowered his head and shared a deep kiss with Shi Min.
This moment, in the long journey of life, will be forever etched in memory.
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