Chapter 6.1: Mariage d'Amour

Time flew by, and autumn arrived—along with Yuan Cheng’s thirty-ninth birthday. 

In an ordinary family, a father’s birthday might be spent with his children, gathered around a table with cake and gifts, singing celebratory songs, enjoying a warm and cozy evening. 

But to Yuan Cheng, that was a waste of time. He had far more important matters to consider. The guest list for his birthday banquet was essentially a roll call of the arms industry’s key players—friends, foes, those to be courted, those soon to be discarded by the Yuan family. Each name was meticulously marked, waiting for next year’s reckoning. 

This year’s celebration was entrusted to Yuan Zhui. At eighteen, the eldest son was old enough to shoulder responsibilities. 

On the afternoon of the banquet, the gates of the Yuan family’s sprawling garden slowly swung open. Guests arrived in sleek black cars, gliding toward the imposing main residence. Every attendee underwent two rounds of metal screening at the entrance—no metallic objects were permitted inside, save for the ladies’ exquisite jewelry. 

Yuan Zhui personally greeted the VIPs in the grand hall. A live band played on a small indoor stage, the colossal crystal chandelier twinkling like a sky full of stars. The marble floor gleamed like the faceted surface of a diamond magnified a thousandfold. 

Yuan Cheng stood before the surveillance console backstage, where sixteen small screens displayed every corner of the hall from multiple angles—leaving no blind spot, not even for an ant. 

From here, he could observe every guest—and Yuan Zhui’s every move. Truth be told, Yuan Cheng was somewhat curious about how his heir would perform. 

The old butler hurried over after taking a call. "Sir." 

"What is it?" 

"Bai Shao is on the internal line for you." 

Yuan Cheng took the call. "Ah Bai?" 

"Dad, it’s me! I’m waiting for you upstairs in the hall—can you come over?" 

The elderly butler coughed discreetly and whispered, "Sir, the young master just sent someone to fetch you. The formal banquet is about to begin… Priorities, sir!" 

Over the phone, Lang Bai seemed to hear something. "Dad?" 

"Be good and wait for me there. I’ll come up later." 

Lang Bai seemed about to say more, but before he could speak, Yuan Cheng’s tone hardened slightly. "Ah Bai, be obedient." 

A pause. Then, softly, "...Yes." The line went quiet as Lang Bai hung up. 

Yuan Cheng’s thirty-ninth birthday banquet followed a strict schedule: opening remarks, cake-cutting, meetings with key suppliers and government officials, audiences with long-serving subordinate families, announcements of next year’s major plans, a celebratory dinner, and finally, Yuan Zhui seeing off the guests. 

Yuan Cheng had initially planned to go upstairs to see his youngest son after his speech. But this was Yuan Zhui’s first time hosting such an important event, and minor hiccups were inevitable. What should have been a brief gap after the speech vanished when government officials immediately pulled Yuan Cheng aside for drinks. 

Compared to the weight of the Yuan family’s grand occasion, a fourteen-year-old’s birthday gift was trivial. Yuan Cheng had meant to remember Lang Bai waiting upstairs—but once busy, he forgot. 

No one else in the Yuan household would spare a thought for the illegitimate young master at such a time. Lang Bai’s name wasn’t recorded in the family registry. He didn’t even bear the Yuan surname. 

Everyone knew Yuan Cheng doted on him—but in formal settings, his presence or absence changed nothing. 

The banquet lasted well into the night. When the final guest finally departed, Yuan Zhui yanked off his tie, exhausted. "Damn, I’m wiped." 

Yuan Cheng nodded in approval, then turned to retire—only to freeze mid-step. 

"Father? What’s wrong?" 

"Where’s your brother?" Yuan Cheng’s voice was taut. "Where’s Ah Bai?" 

Yuan Zhui blinked. "...Huh? Ah—Ah Bai?" He spun toward his subordinates. "Where’s our Bai Shao?" 

Before anyone could answer, Yuan Cheng was already striding away, leaving his entourage behind. He took the stairs two at a time—this feared arms dealer had never moved so quickly. Anyone seeing him now would’ve thought they were dreaming. 

Outside the second-floor concert hall, moonlight spilled over the marble pillars, casting a pale glow. The deep, gentle notes of a piano drifted through the corridor, like waves lapping softly against the shore on a moonlit night. 

Unconsciously, Yuan Cheng slowed his steps, following the music until he reached the concert hall doors. He pushed them open gently. 

The hall was unlit, the piano bathed in silvery moonlight. Lang Bai sat before the keys in a white shirt and black trousers, his head slightly tilted. Hearing the door open, he looked up—and smiled.

Behind him, the enormous moon slowly drifted past the French window frames. The delicate fragrance of water lilies from the midnight garden wafted through the air with the night breeze, as gentle and sweet as a dream.

Yuan Cheng walked up behind Lang Bai and rested his hands lightly on the boy’s slender, elegant shoulders.

"Mariage d'Amour"—Wedding in a Dream. One of the piano pieces composed in 1976 by Paul de Senneville for the virtuoso Richard Clayderman, its melody soft and solemn, brimming with the composer’s sincere blessings and love.

Lang Bai pressed the final note, then drew a deep breath.

"Happy birthday, Dad."

Yuan Cheng gazed at his fourteen-year-old child, his lips parting slightly as though something were lodged in his throat. He had so much to say, yet not a single word could escape.

"Do you like it, Dad?"

Yuan Cheng closed his eyes briefly, then offered a faint smile. "...Ah Bai, do you know the story behind this piece?"

Lang Bai shook his head. "A story?"

"Yes. It tells of an ordinary fourteen-year-old boy who fell in love with a princess, but his love was hopeless, so he left the country altogether. Six years later, when he returned to his homeland, he found the streets adorned with lanterns and banners, everyone brimming with joy. The princess was about to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom.

"The young man was heartbroken. He stood among the crowd, watching from afar as the prince took the princess’s hand and led her through the masses toward the castle. As they passed him, the princess’s gaze inadvertently met his. At that moment, the young man suddenly rushed forward, throwing himself between them with outstretched arms.

"The crowd erupted in uproar. The guards drew their swords—but in that very instant, an arrow shot from the opposing crowd pierced the young man where he stood shielding the princess.

"‘Don’t be afraid,’ he told her. ‘I’ll protect you.’ And then he fell."

Lang Bai inhaled sharply, covering his mouth.

"The young man collapsed into the princess’s arms. She was clad in her wedding dress, and angels sang their blessings above them. It was as though a wedding was being held in a dream—and that is the origin of Wedding in a Dream."

Yuan Cheng gently pulled Lang Bai’s hand away from his mouth and knelt beside the piano bench. His expression was unreadable in the shadows, but his voice, rich as aged wine, resonated softly in the air.

"I love this gift, Ah Bai. Dad will protect you. No matter what happens in the future, remember this."

He cupped Lang Bai’s head and pressed a tender, yet inescapably firm kiss to the corner of his lips.

"Dad loves you."

< >