“……But, don’t be afraid……You aren’t worth dying for……This world is too beautiful……I will live well……And I will watch to see if you will ever regret it……” The sunlight that day was unnervingly bright, almost blinding.
He stood with his back to her.
A solitary yet rigidly straight silhouette.
Slowly.
He walked away from her, step by measured step.
The wind that day was fiercely strong, whipping her white veil into violent streamers against the air.
Petals from the flower crown she wore were stripped away by the gusts, spiraling down—translucent white petals, catching the sun, drifting, twirling lightly, gently, carried far away by the wind’s whim…… “I……will never bless you……” White.
The engine of the BMW roared, suddenly vanishing like a desperate arrow into the road’s vanishing point, leaving only those cold words echoing relentlessly in her ears.
Light and shadow danced wildly as shaken by the leaves overhead.
She squeezed her eyes shut, her body shuddering in spasms.
A suffocating tightness in her chest brought on a sharp pain that made her clutch her sternum, punctuated by ragged coughs.
“Jie (Sister)……” Yin Cheng rushed out of the accompanying vehicle.
He steadied Xia Mo, his gaze flicking anxiously toward the direction where Luo Xi’s car had disappeared, then dropping back to her.
Her pale complexion and soft coughs startled him.
He gripped her shoulders tightly, repeating urgently: “Jie, if you don’t like it, if you can’t let go of Brother Luo Xi, we won’t go to the church!
I’ll explain to Brother Ou Chen, I’ll say you’re unwell, say you still need more time to consider it……Jie……” “……I’m fine……” After a long moment, a faint, dry sound emerged from Yin Xia Mo’s pale lips.
She forced herself to rally, managing a weak smile for Yin Cheng before turning toward the long, white Rolls-Royce.
“Let’s go.” Inside the car, Zhen En watched Yin Xia Mo enter with a look of contained tension.
Her lips moved as if to ask something, but she ultimately held it back.
Pan Nan felt a sinking emptiness; once Luo Xi’s car was gone, she knew the matter was settled irrevocably.
“Miss Yin, may we proceed?” The driver turned, polite and deferential, as if he had witnessed nothing of the preceding scene.
“Yes.” Yin Xia Mo readjusted the bouquet of lilies and daisies in her arm.
She gazed silently at the passing scenery outside the window.
Save for the lingering pallor of her lips and the scattered blossoms on her crown, there was little to betray what had just transpired.
* St.
Peter’s Grand Cathedral.
Guests, elegantly dressed, began to file in.
Sunlight streamed through the massive stained-glass windows, casting the interior in hues that were both magnificent and sacred.
Guests offered smiles as they shook hands with Ou Chen, who stood at the church entrance, congratulating him on his imminent role as the happy groom.
The guest list for this wedding was not extensive.
Most attendees were from established, prestigious families with long-standing ties to the Ou Group.
From the entertainment industry, only a handful of close colleagues and artists from Yin Xia Mo’s own company had received invitations, alongside some of Yin Cheng’s classmates and friends.
Reporters had been entirely barred; a private security firm had cordoned off the main thoroughfare leading to the cathedral to ensure the ceremony could proceed peacefully, smoothly, and without disruption.
“Congratulations.” “Thank you.” “Wishing you and Miss Yin a happy marriage.” “Thank you.” “May you have a hundred years together.” “Thank you.” “……” At the cathedral entrance, nearly every guest who shook Ou Chen’s hand offered him a surprised look.
Ou Chen’s joy was so palpable that his usually aloof and proud expression had softened in a remarkable way, as if enveloped by a golden light, his lips curved into a smile of happiness that he made no attempt to conceal.
Bubble Summer III
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