The atmosphere at the church was charged with vigor and excitement as the happiness of two weddings drove in the air. All the families had gathered to witness the couples take the beautiful wedding vows and become each other's forever.
From the right most corner, Jun saw Jian standing at the altar, inhaling and exhaling rapid and shallow breaths. He frequently adjusted his tie; that was just a sign of how nervous he felt. Eventually the ticking waiting time ended and from the far end of the church, a beautiful woman in a white wedding gown stepped into the church, her arms locked with Xu Liang's.
Gasps echoed at the sight of Leina who walked with delicate steps with a white transparent veil covering her face and walking down the aisle as if a Goddess had descended.
Caihong laughed, observing Liang's twisted expression which he was trying to hide for the best part of the walk. "Smile a little, Liang. It's your daughter's wedding."
He pinched his lips harder. "That's why I cannot smile. It's her wedding, not her birthday!"
Everybody burst into laughter.
On the way, he didn't forget to throw deadly beams of his frustration at the Liu family who apparently were the culprits behind stealing his precious daughter.
Liu Hai and Jing smirked and only did the job of adding oil into the already burning rage. Nana gave them a narrowed stare to warn them of stopping their bullying to which they heavily pouted. It was only Jinhai who gave a nod of understanding being the father of a daughter himself.
Leina pouted and inched closer to him. "How can I be happy if you are not happy, Dad?"
He pursed his lips. "I-I am very happy…for you…"
Shuang chuckled from the other side. "Try saying that without clenching your jaw."
"Impossible!"
They reached the altar and when it was time for the father to hand his daughter's hand to the groom, he resisted a lot.
Xinyi shook her head, helpless. But she was more dumbstruck seeing Zhiyuan sniffling and crying tears. "Why are you crying?"
"Because I understand him…How will I ever be able to hand my precious Shui's hand to someone!?"
Shui and Siying, who were seated beside their parents, cleared their throats. Shui pinched Zhiyuan's cheeks and wrapped her arms around him. "You are thinking too far, Dad. I am not gonna marry so soon and leave you!"
"Really?"
She pecked his cheek and grinned. "Yes!"
She glanced at Jin among the crowd who accompanied Jun on the other side of the church. Her heart skipped a beat with how handsome he looked in his attire and quickly darted her gaze away.
Jian offered his hand and cleared his throat. "May I?"
"No!"
"..."
Liang immediately felt pointed and stabbing glares from his wife, and his tone softened by only a small fraction. "I mean...…..yes."
The yes came after a long, long pause. He squinted his eyes at Jian and coldly reiterated. "Keep Leina always happy or I will kill you."
"It will never come to that point, Dad," he grinned.
"Don't call me Dad!"
"..."
Leina tried to hold in her laughter with all her might. From the right end of the chapel where Ai was watching Jian and Leina's wedding unfold, she could only thank her stars that Zhou Yichen wouldn't torture Jun like that.
"Poor Jian," Xie Nuying sighed. "I feel for him."
"Indeed."
Ai coughed and sneakily tried to find Jun in the crowd. But Guiying pulled her back. "Sit straight. You won't see Jun until it's your time."
"Just a little peak."
"No," Xing Bi rejected her wish this time.
"Don't you two love me?" She slightly widened her eyes in a puppy manner.
"Don't use that gaze on us! It will be useless," she harrumphed.
Guiying touched her chin. "Is Ai becoming more dramatic ever since she became pregnant?"
She got a ping from Zixin and her mouth twitched as she read the message.
"You two really match, don't you? Jun is also secretly trying to find you. Two peas in a pod."
"Thank you," Ai sheepishly grinned with the compliment.
"It wasn't a compliment."
"..."
The priest started with his sermons on the altar as Jian and Leina faced each other. The ceremony began and the couple soon exchanged vows and then rings. Leina felt her eyes redden as Jian's beautiful and firm vow of togetherness and protection shook her heart.
The priest then pronounced them husband and wife and asked the groom to kiss the bride. Jian spared no second in lifting her veil and capturing her lips in a deep kiss of promise that would forever bind their hearts.
With the kiss, thunderclaps resounded in the church and roars of congratulatory wishes reverberated in the air. Nian jumped on the altar to press the couple in a tight hug.
"I am so happy for you two."
Jian grinned and bumped his forehead against his. "Thanks, bro."
Liang watched his daughter twirl in Jian's embrace with the brightest smile he had ever seen stretch across her lips. He lowered his gaze, wiping the corner of his eyes. He then felt a soft hand holding his trembling one.
"Our Leina will be super duper happy in the Liu family," Ah Cy smiled a gentle smile as she squeezed his hand, whispering softly to him. She understood the mixed emotions a father was going through who had raised his daughter with all the love and affection of this world.
"I know…" he hoarsely replied. "She will be very happy. Jian…is a good man. Don't tell him that I said this though or he will become more cocky."
"Haha. My husband is the sweetest!" She rested her head on his shoulder, watching the bliss in Leina's eyes with a misty gaze.
As the ceremony of the newly wedded couple Jian and Leina came to a close, it was now the time for the second couple to make their way to the altar.
Jin glanced at Jun. "Ready Bro?"
Jun took a few silent breaths closing his eyes and remembering every moment between him and Ai that finally led to this day.
"Yes. I am ready."
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