Suddenly, the music onstage stopped, and so did the guests' applause.
It was as though someone had pressed mute on the entire wedding. Everything froze, and the younger Lin Dagang and Xiao Rou onstage disappeared.
The present-day Lin Dagang and Xiao Rou now stood in their place.
One wore a groom's suit, the other a bridal gown.
They looked just like a newlywed couple.
Facing Lin Dagang's grandmother, they bent their knees, knelt, and bowed their heads to the floor.
Duan Xiu stood there, looking at the two young people in their wedding clothes, tears streaming down her face.
She reached out with trembling hands, first taking hold of Xiao Rou, then Lin Dagang, saying over and over,
"You're both such good children. Such good children. Get up now, the floor is cold."
Lin Dagang did not get up. Instead, he pressed his forehead firmly to the floor again.
"Grandma, I owed you this. Today, I've finally made up for it."
Xiao Rou bowed with him.
"Grandma, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him for you from now on."
Duan Xiu cried so hard she could not speak. She could only nod repeatedly, taking one of them in each hand and pulling them to their feet.
The old woman's palms held no warmth, yet Lin Dagang felt a burning heat on his arms.
Wen Ning stood at the other end of the red carpet, watching with a faint smile.
He walked over to Lin Dagang.
"Do you still have any regrets?"
Lin Dagang slowly turned to look at Wen Ning. His eyes were as red as a rabbit's, but he managed a smile.
"I'm all right now. All right."
He looked as though he had finally set down a burden he had carried for half his life.
Duan Xiu