"For this scene, please do whatever feels right."
Cheng Yue stared at the closed door before him, his throat suddenly tightening.
After snapping a shot, the young photographer reminded him, "You can open the door now."
Cheng Yue clenched his fists, his nails pressing crescent-shaped marks into his palms.
He could not remember how he pushed the door open. Only when his vision brightened did he come to, as though waking from a long dream.
The first thing he saw was a room full of red wedding candles, arranged at varying heights, their flames swaying gently in the breeze that slipped inside.
At the far end, a "bride" wearing a phoenix crown and embroidered wedding robes, his head covered by a red veil, sat on the edge of the bed, quietly awaiting his groom.
Cheng Yue pressed his lips together and walked toward him one step at a time, his feet feeling weightless.
Time continued to pass, yet as he gazed at the mandarin ducks embroidered on the veil, he felt as though even the wind had stilled.
After a long while, one of the red candles gave a sharp crackle, stirring the emotions within him.
Cheng Yue bent down and picked up the ceremonial balance rod set to one side. Taking a deep breath, he slowly lifted the veil with it.
The familiar chin, lips, and tip of his nose came into view, until at last those smiling eyes were fully revealed.
Cheng Yue's grip suddenly loosened. Just before the rod fell, the "bride" caught it securely.
Beneath his phoenix crown, a gentle, radiant smile blossomed on Ji Huaijin's breathtaking face.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cheng."
Whether in the fast-paced modern world or an age of arranged marriages between strangers, as long as it was you, I