The Ending of the Story, My "I Do" at the Wedding

Spring has arrived again, but it seems to be a little later than in previous years.

It has been almost a full year since Hua Xin and Xia Yan graduated and left campus to enter society.

For them, transitioning from student life to adulthood where they need to work hard to earn money to support their families isn't particularly difficult to accept.

After all, because they were able to save their energy to work and earn money while studying, whether it was Xia Yan assembling computers or Hua Xin working hard in the cat cafe, they had already accumulated experience in independent work.

(However, this experience may end a little earlier than that of other people of the same age.)

Xia Yan is a very strong and determined man. Whether it is the small family he has just formed with Hua Xin, the blood ties he has shared with his grandfather since childhood, or the relationship with Xia Fen, his half-sibling, he tries his best to handle each one well.

Hua Xin is not the kind of housewife who stays at home and does nothing. After Sister Li Xue and Brother Shan Qing had a child, she was promoted to store manager. She did not take it easy and just sit back and collect her salary. Instead, she worked hard to fulfill every responsibility of the store manager.

But even under these circumstances, Hua Xin and Xia Yan seemed to have inadvertently broken free from this state.

The sudden influx of a large deposit seemed to free them from the prospect of being separated due to work. In fact, the grandfather had indeed somehow managed to obtain a sum of money from his son, Xia Zhongshan, that would ensure Xia Yan wouldn't have to worry about the rest of his life.

After not having to go to work, Hua Xin and Xia Yan's mental state visibly improved significantly.

Both of them wanted to have more time together, so after they both quit their jobs, they went on their honeymoon and enjoyed their time together to the fullest, allowing Hua Xin and Xia Yan to be able to spend their time together wholeheartedly.

Hua Xin has now visited all the mountains and seas that she once longed to go to.

With Xia Yan by their side, the camera, which captured so many beautiful moments, was filled to capacity time and time again, leaving behind album after album filled with their smiling faces.

After several months passed slowly, the spring I had promised my friends arrived as scheduled.

That very important day.

A bright and sunny day in May.

Several men dressed very formally in suits and ties sat in a row.

Although it was said to be a group of men, there were actually two other people, a cat and a dog, lying on the lawn, bored and waving their tails back and forth as if playing.

Although Landmine and Chun Qiu rarely had the chance to meet, they had long since memorized each other's scents, so when they met again, they were as at ease as old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time.

Because of the addition of a human cub to the family, Landmine, who now has to take on some responsibility of caring for the child, has become much less lively and mischievous than before. The white fur that is gradually appearing on its face seems to be telling the story of the passage of time.

Five years have passed since the night I first met the Landmine.

Chun Qiu seems to have remained unchanged; its weight is still so heavy that it needs to be measured in units like a car. However, since it doesn't like to move around much, it was taken on a trip by Hua Xin and Xia Yan recently, which really helped it burn off some fat, making it look a little more normal now.

But for the small animals, they are no longer young.

A fashionable elderly woman, sitting on a bench, chewing on a blade of grass, wearing sunglasses, and with her gray hair styled in a slicked-back manner, slowly removed her sunglasses. She then turned to the refined-looking man beside her and asked:

"You two are Xia Yan's friends?"

Right now, in this venue with only a few people, there is only one couple getting married today. It's more accurate to say that such low-key, niche weddings are rare these days.

So it's obvious that the people who can come here are probably all friends of Hua Xin and Xia Yan.

As always, Grandpa Liu didn't have any generation gap with the young people. On the contrary, he looked like a very handsome and fashionable old man today, not at all like the old man who usually wears a security guard uniform and works as a doorman.

After all, he still lives in a certain upscale residential complex, so he's quite powerful. Being a security guard is really just a hobby for him.

"Uh, sir, you're one too?..."

Xiang Guan looked at the old man beside him with some surprise, not expecting that he also shared the same goal as him...

Best man?

Once the word formed in his mind, Xiang Guan almost couldn't help but admire Xia Yan's social skills.

Fortunately, he didn't say it aloud; he just thought it to himself.

After having a child, Shan Qing became noticeably gentler.

He was originally a very gentle man, but after he finally had his own little family, the sense of composure that he exuded was hard to miss.

He smiled slightly, then said softly, "My partner and I met when Xiaohua was working."

"Hahaha, then we're on the same side, come on, let's chat..."

Grandpa Liu sat down very familiarly, patted Xiang Guan on the shoulder, and showed no signs of social anxiety or generation gap.

Even though he was at least twenty years older than Shan Qing.

Not long ago, Xiang Guan exam, finally paid off.

He successfully made it ashore.

Although childhood dreams may include becoming Ultraman or a scientist—professions that sound prestigious—it's only when you actually enter society that you can truly know what you want to do.

The big guy who used to focus on fitness and dating during his college years has now found his own path.

Attending Xia Yan and Hua Xin's wedding was not only because they were very good friends, but also because it gave them a sense of "returning home in glory after achieving some success since becoming independent."

At least you can't watch your best friend get married and have a happy life while he's still just a big muscle guy, right?

But actually...

While chatting with Shan Qing and Grandpa Liu, Xiang Guan looked around.

I have another good brother in my college dormitory.

How is Mu Feng doing now?

Since we parted ways at university, he seems like a completely different person. He rarely sends messages and hasn't even updated his WeChat Moments. What has become of that shut-in who used to play games, immerse himself in 2D, and post about every character he pulled on WeChat Moments? Almost a year after we parted ways, what will he be like now?

He was quite moved when he thought about how Mu Feng already had a considerable number of followers on social media platforms.

Although Xiang Guan didn't understand many profound principles, he also lacked high emotional intelligence.

But he genuinely hoped that Mu Feng, Xia Yan, and Hua Xin could all live happily ever after.

"Xiang Guan! You've grown so much in just one year!"

Suddenly, a slightly teasing voice rang out, causing the three people who were chatting to pause. For Xiang Guan, this voice was all too familiar.

Filled with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation, Xiang Guan quickly turned around. Just as he was about to catch up with his long-lost good brother, the sincere words of greeting were already on the tip of his tongue...

But he saw someone else, dressed in a suit and tie, squatting on the lawn angrily rubbing Landmine's head.

My initial excitement instantly turned into the noisy and disgusted feeling I had back in the dorm.

"Long time no see, Xiang Guan."

After the joke was over, Mu Feng looked away from the two small animals on the ground and slowly got up.

When Xiang Guan saw Mu Feng again, he couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

In his memory, Mu Feng had always been a rather thin and weak guy, a shut-in whose skin was sickly pale from staying at home for so long. He was not the type to be described as tall and strong, and even the word "normal" didn't quite fit him.

So...

Who is this man standing in front of him now, with a rugged face, a flamboyant hairstyle, and a clearly weathered and story-filled appearance?

"How..."

Don't you recognize me?

"Sigh, that's what charismatic people are like. I feel like someone still hasn't grown up."

Mu Feng straightened his clothes; his confident eyes and upright posture spoke of his transformation.

After clearly understanding what he was pursuing, Mu Feng resolutely chose to pursue the freedom in his heart.

If you want to pursue something, you will naturally need to give up something else.

He traveled to many, many places, away from others and social interactions, free from the worries of work and the pressure of studies. After seeing so many mountains and rivers and meeting all sorts of people along the way, Mu Feng realized that he might have really changed a lot.

The fist that was about to hit Mu Feng's shoulder slowly loosened, and then turned into a pat.

Xiang Guan withdrew his surprised and sarcastic mood. Even without many words, they could both feel the joy of their reunion.

"I haven't congratulated you in person yet. You must have been doing a lot of practice problems, right?" Mu Feng chuckled, put his arm around his shoulder, and sat down.

"Nonsense, the first thing I'll do when I become a high-ranking official is arrest you."

Xiang Guan pursed his lips, but his eyes were full of laughter.

He has grown up, but he is still himself.

"Oh, everyone's here so early?"

The group looked up at each other and saw Xia Yan with a bright and happy smile on her face, looking at them with a smile in her eyes.

"It's been so long since we last met!"

"Sister Hua Xin..."

"If I were a man, there would be absolutely no chance for you, bro."

Xia Fen looked at Hua Xin, who had just finished her makeup and put on her wedding dress, with a hint of amazement in her eyes. Her unusually bright eyes were full of information.

If she had to pick the most beautiful person in the world, she would definitely choose her most beautiful, charming, and perfect sister-in-law without hesitation.

What's more, today we have some kind of special buff.

"Well, you'd better consider whether you can beat Xia Yan first."

"But it's alright..."

Hua Xin looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in a wedding gown, but her face showed no particular expression.

After all, she had already seen herself like this when she went to choose a wedding dress and suit with Xia Yan. However, when she saw Xia Fen and Sister Li Xue, who were skilled in makeup, add a touch of narcissism to her look, she couldn't help but feel a little narcissistic.

After all, no one dislikes being beautiful.

After accepting her new self with Xia Yan, Hua Xin had always fantasized about wearing a wedding dress and completing the ceremony of growing old together with Xia Yan.

"Sigh... I wish I were younger."

"I feel really awkward standing next to Xiaohua as her bridesmaid like this."

Looking at the youthful and beautiful Xia Fen and Hua Xin, Li Xue could only feel a sense of regret for her own gradual aging.

"No, Sister Li Xue, do you want Brother Shan Qing to take a look at you now?"

"I think I'll definitely be daydreaming about the day I marry you, right?"

Xia Fen said with a hint of slyness.

Xia Fen, who was in college at the time, was as lively and mischievous as ever.

It's hard to imagine what kind of guy this rich young woman will fall for later.

Preparations were almost complete. Xia Fen and Li Xue seemed to be infected by the atmosphere and chatted with light laughter. As the protagonist of the day, Hua Xin looked tenderly at the ring on her finger.

A ring...

She might take the ring off again, but for the person who bought her the ring and put it on her, they will never be apart again in this lifetime.

The joy of reunion always makes people forget the long years that have passed since they last met.

Reunited, everyone seemed to have their own goals to pursue.

Whether it's Mu Feng who found freedom, Xiang Guan went ashore, Xia Fen who is always lively and playful, Shan Qing and Li Xue who have their own love child, or even Grandpa Liu guards the security booth...

Or perhaps it's every single person.

"Mr. Xia Yan, will you always love your wife and officially marry her today?" Grandpa Liu asked softly.

Standing before a gate made of garlands, there were no microphones, no large screens, and hardly any audience members in front of them.

In that instant, Xia Yan thought of many things.

The hardships from childhood to adulthood, the fall of the family, the passing of the grandfather, and the erosion of loneliness.

Along this journey, there have been so many things that cannot be expressed in words.

But now that he has Hua Xin, no matter what the future holds, the person he loves most will always be by his side.

"I will love her forever, I do."

Xia Yan said softly with utmost seriousness.

"Miss Hua Xin, will you always love your husband and officially marry him today?" Grandpa Liu asked the young woman in front of him with a touch of emotion.

For Hua Xin, all the feelings she wanted to express were revealed on the night she made up her mind to tell Xia Yan the truth.

Whether it's stepping out of the Little Black that confined her, experiencing a normal life at university, having the courage to go to work, or facing her true self.

Thinking about it carefully, if she hadn't had those strange occurrences four times that day, none of this would have happened at all.

Fate and destiny...

That's really interesting.

Hua Xin smiled happily, looked at the man beside her who was also looking at her, parted her lips slightly, and uttered those words with all her love:

"I will love him forever, I do."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause broke out.

Along with a group of students who seemed to be on a spring outing, a few of the bolder ones cheered and applauded.

Hua Xin only had eyes for Xia Yan, and Xia Yan felt the same way.

He kissed her gently, and then their lips parted after a long while.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and then she said softly again:

"I am willing to become Xia Yan's wife."