Martha sat quietly in front of the vanity mirror, letting the makeup artist apply exquisite makeup to her face.
She saw the beautiful girl in the mirror, who seemed somewhat unfamiliar. She wore a diamond-encrusted headband that blended seamlessly with her snow-white, soft veil and wedding dress, sliding down her body and flowing slowly across the floor like milk.
The makeup artist was very skillful, making her face look exquisite without being overly glamorous. The light foundation subtly revealed the faint freckles on her cheeks, maintaining a touch of playfulness and cuteness amidst the solemnity.
Martha couldn't help but laugh at the thought of her groom being styled and manipulated by a makeup artist, just like her. She longed to rush over and see what the groom looked like after his makeover, but a maid told her that she couldn't see her beloved before the wedding.
The maids weren't there specifically to serve her. They were all servants hired by Master Wolf's household, and they were all her sisters. However, she had grown up on the manor and was treated like a daughter by Master Wolf, and she and Little Wolf were like siblings. But she was well aware of her status and was never arrogant or disrespectful. She got along very well with everyone, and now that she was getting married, her sisters naturally couldn't help but tease her a bit.
A gentle breeze lifted the curtains, letting the warm sunlight and cheerful birdsong dance in through the window. Martha took a breath of the fresh air blowing in from the distant mountains—what a beautiful and anticipated day!
She had been waiting for this day for three years.
Ever since that chance encounter in Stanley Park, she had fallen in love. She had been waiting for that man to propose, to kneel down with bright red roses and say, "Marry me, my dear Martha!"
But the man hesitated to speak. Every time he stood in front of Martha, Martha felt he was about to speak, only to be interrupted by some inexplicable emotion. Martha could sense his worry; it seemed he always felt anxious and hesitant when faced with this juncture. At first, she suspected he had someone else in his heart, or that he had a painful past in China or Europe.
She told him: I don't care about your past. She encouraged him: You must be brave enough to face the future and face your own heart.
He seemed to be moved by her. Just as he was about to say those words, Mr. Wolf's condition worsened again.
Originally, Mr. Wolf had recovered almost completely thanks to Huang Liang's treatment. He had not only gotten rid of his wheelchair but could also ride his bicycle to Stanley Park to fish. Of course, when he rode his bicycle, he was always followed by a large group of bodyguards and servants. Mr. Wolf complained to his son, "I'm not the president. I handed over the family business to you long ago. Nobody cares about an old codger!" But young Master Wolf continued to do as he pleased, even increasing the number of patrol boats on the nearby sea.
Mr. Wolf often met Professor Dickinson in Stanley Park. The two old men would always burst into hearty laughter by the sea, which would carry far on the sea breeze, even reaching the distant seagulls, who would occasionally let out a couple of annoyed cries.
Martha always quietly followed Mr. Wolf, ready to serve at any time. Sometimes Huang Liang was also there; he had become integrated into the Wolf Family, and Mr. Wolf treated him like a son. When he was there, the old man would always say, "Hey Martha, why are you always following me? Eavesdropping on us two old men's conversation? Go pick a few roses for me, and have Huang Liang go with you to shield you from the thorns. Remember, they should be half gold and half red."
Martha and Huang Liang went to pick roses, but where could they find roses that were half gold and half red? They walked and searched in the rose garden, and before they knew it, the Sun had set.
When they couldn't explain themselves, Old Wolf wasn't angry. He just said, "If you can't find it, it's because you haven't put your hearts into it. You need to search with your heart, with your heart! Only when two hearts are united can two colors bloom on the same flower!"
Martha knew that Mr. Wolf was doing this to make things happen for them. Neither he nor she said anything, and neither did Huang Liang. Every time Mr. Wolf went fishing, they would go to the rose garden to find roses that were half gold and half red.
But before the rose could be found, Mr. Wolf's health deteriorated again. Although he no longer went mad as before, nor did he exhibit werewolf-like symptoms, he lay in bed, growing thinner and older day by day.
This time, Huang Liang was also helpless.
Martha stayed by Old Wolf's bedside every day. One day, Old Wolf opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling with his dark, sunken eyes, and said, " Martha, I'm afraid I can't wait any longer. I promised your mother I would find you a good husband. My child, hurry up and marry the one you love!"
Martha was extremely upset. She didn't know how to answer Mr. Wolf's question. Just then, Huang Liang entered, carrying a bouquet of roses.
To her surprise, each rose in the bouquet was half gold and half red. The two colors were not clearly distinct, but rather blended together. Some petals were gold, some were red, some were red with gold flecks, and some were gold with red edges.
"Where did you pick it?" Martha asked, her eyes wide.
Huang Liang said, "There aren't any half-gold, half-red roses in the rose garden, but I remembered a rainbow rose I saw in the Netherlands. They put water-soluble dye inside the flower stem, and once the petals absorbed the dye, it would bloom with a rainbow of colors. So I secretly experimented, hoping to make a half-gold, half-red rose. Heaven didn't disappoint me, and I finally succeeded!"
He suddenly knelt down on one knee, raised his head, and said, " Martha, marry me! I love you!"
Martha was listening intently when she suddenly froze. Her heart pounded, tears welled in her eyes, and her hand froze, half-extended and half-retracted, her fingers trembling as they touched the rose petals.
She had been anticipating this moment for so long, but when it finally arrived, she didn't know how to face it. Until she heard Mr. Wolf on the bed say, " Martha, say yes, Martha!"
The makeup artist finished her work. Martha snapped out of her reverie and saw the girl in the mirror with a sweet smile on her face.
"We can set off now, Miss Martha!" a maid said as she entered the room.
Martha stood up, her long wedding dress trailing behind her, and went out. She first went to Mr. Wolf's room and kissed the old man's thin, withered face on the bed.
"Master Wolf!" she called softly.
Old Wolf opened his eyes, a slight movement at the corner of his mouth. "Go, go, Martha. I can't get up, but I bless you. I saw your mother, and I told her you were getting married. She thanked me very much, saying she's already tending to my rose garden in heaven, waiting for me to come."
Martha left with tears in her eyes, but walked into the church with a smile.
The church was not large, but it was solemn enough. A well-known Pastor from Vancouver West officiated at their wedding. Mr. Wolf, his colleagues from the Wolf Manor, several local gentlemen, and Professor Dickinson were among the witnesses.
As Huang Liang was putting the ring on Martha's finger, he suddenly stopped and asked her in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You really won't regret it?"
Without a second thought, Martha looked into his eyes and said in a soft but firm voice, "No."
Huang Liang said, "I am not an ordinary person."
Martha said, "I know."
Huang Liang said, "My past is too painful to recall."
Martha said, "I don't care."
Huang Liang said, "If you stay with me, you might suffer a lot, and it might be very dangerous."
Martha said, "As long as I'm happy."
Huang Liang said, "Can suffering also bring happiness?"
Martha said, "Being together is happiness."
Huang Liang was about to say something when he suddenly caught a glimpse of an old woman in the last row of the church. She was smiling at him and giving him an approving look.
He smiled, said nothing more, and gently slipped the ring onto Martha's ring finger.