Luo Qi’s wedding was magnificent and grand.

Guests descended upon the Luo estate today in droves, and the reception dinner lasted until the early morning with no sign of stopping.

Luo Qi was half drunk when his two younger brothers ushered him to his bedroom.

“Big brother, you just take your time with the missus,” Luo Ze patted his own chest, making a promise to Luo Qi, “Those guys who’re trying to sneak a peek(1) won’t get past me.”

Luo Wei was congratulating Luo Qi on one end while trying to drag Luo Ze over to stop the rowdy bunch outside.

Luo Qi stood outside the bead curtains for a long while before pulling them open and going through to the inner chamber.

The bride, still in her wedding garments sat quietly beside the large bed.

Luo Qi didn’t think too much longer before he walked to the bride, pulling off her red veil(2) while apologizing profusely, “Sorry, I’ve let you, let you wait too long, how…” Luo Qi didn’t manage to bring the next few words out of his mouth. He saw what the bride looked like. Didn’t they say she was Zhao Jun Xiu? No, this is Ye Xiu!

Ye Xiu watched her man being startled into silence and started chuckling quietly. She’s not a terribly pretty girl, but that smile as she chuckled was the most beautiful thing Luo Qi ever saw.

“Xiu?” Luo Qi really thought he was drunk now. How could the bride be Ye Xiu?

Ye Xiu stood, reaching out and pinching Luo Qi’s cheek, “Shocked? My great commander!”

The slight pinching pain at his cheek told Luo Qi that this wasn’t a dream, this really was Ye Xiu!

“Husband,” Ye Xiu addressed Luo Qi finally, face fully flushed red.

Luo Qi’s fingers let go, dropping the red wedding veil onto the ground as he reached to pull Ye Xiu into his arms, “How did this happen? I thought I’d never see you again!”

Outside the window, Luo Wei peeked at the two inside embracing with a smile. He quietly closed the window, and left Luo Qi’s part of the estate. He still didn’t know how the two of them came to meet or how they fell in love. He didn’t ask, and Ye Xiu didn’t tell him. But Luo Wei knew that Luo Qi was fortunate. There was a woman in this world who, without blood relations, without the promise of marriage, would be happy to accompany him til death do they part. Not every man could meet someone like this in their lifetime.

Down the hall, Xu Yue Miao passed a bowl of soup to Luo Ze, wiping the sweat on his forehead with the side of her sleeve, whispering, “It’s not even warm yet and you’re sweating a puddle! Drink some soup, don’t just try to get drunk with that group of friends of yours. This is Luo Qi’s big day, we can’t let anything go wrong.”

“Daddy,” The three year old Luo Yiu ran headlong into Luo Ze’s knees and wrapped his little arms around them, “Up!”

Luo Ze downed the soup in a few big gulps and reached down to pull his son into his lap, “You were so good today,” He pressed a little kiss to the boy’s cheek, “I’m going to give you a reward!”

“Daddy,” Luo Yiu asked Luo Ze, “Do I need to go and keep company with uncle Qi today?”

Luo Ze burst out laughing, “You daft boy, do you think your uncle needs you to keep him company today?”

Xu Yue Miao was smiling, but she still gave Luo Ze a little punch on the shoulder, “What are you teaching him? Don’t be so improper!”

“Oh! Daddy’s made mommy mad again!” Luo Yiu clapped and grinned.

“Laughing at my misfortune?” Luo Ze bumped his head against Luo Yiu’s, “You’re gonna get it today!”

“Mommy, save me!” Luo Yiu could only kick his feet at his father, laughing and yelling all at once, reaching out to Xu Yue Miao with his little hands, “Mommy, save me!”

This three person family played and laughed, joking around with each other joyously.

Luo Wei stood near the rockery in the garden, watching them from afar, feeling the joy rub off on him. His second oldest brother, Luo Ze, was also fortunate. He managed to meet someone who’d also accompany him for the rest of his life in the time when his life was at its lowest point. If it weren’t for Luo Wei’s existence, they would have grown old together in the past life, with a great family full of children and grandchildren. Luo Wei resolved to not make the same mistake this time around. Perhaps they could grow old together this time? Luo Wei was sure this must be true.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Sneaking a peek during weddings – A Chinese custom where guests banter with and play pranks on the newlyweds when they’re supposed to consummate the marriage.

2. red veil – The color for weddings in China is red, and the bridal garments are all red, topped off with an opaque red veil that obscures the face of the bride. The bridegroom is supposed to be the first one to see her face that night, and will take off the veil when he returns to their bedroom after revelry.