Page 165 of He Is My Bride

“Okay. I’ll be here.”

Li Ying felt more present now, although for him it could as well have been hours or no time at all.

“And the veil?” Li Ying asked.

“Yes, I’ll put it on now.”

Anne attached a red, gorgeously cascading sheer veil to Li Ying’s bun and made sure it stayed on firmly. It was longer in the back, covering but not hiding his bare back where the dress had an opening, and flowing all the way down to touch the train of the dress. Anne lowered the front part over Li Ying’s face: it was shorter, not covering the front of the dress but only thinly veiling Li Ying’s face, and he could perfectly see through it still.

The concierge called.

“They’re here,” Anne said. “Sit tight, we’ll come and get you soon.” Anne left Li Ying sitting with a glass of water and went to get the door.

Li Ying sat there, head buzzing and thoughts scattered, but as he sat in Hanjun’s bedroom in silence, just waiting for the door games to be over, he started herding those thoughts together like wayward rabbits.

It’s going to be alright.

Meanwhile, Anne opened the door for Hanjun, who had come alone.

The groom stood there in a traditional red Tang suit made from red silk and embroidered with golden dragons, a counterpart to Li Ying’s phoenix. It was tailored to Hanjun and sat well on his form. This was combined with black dress pants, and Hanjun’s black oxfords were polished to a perfect shine. Anne smiled, happy on Li Ying’s behalf because she knew he would be delighted to see his handsome groom. But first:

“Hello, Sir Hanjun.”

“Hello, Lü Anne. I have come to get my bride.”

“First, I suppose I should put you to a test. Where are Wu Hanrong and Yiyi?” Anne looked left and right, but didn’t see the best man or the groomsman in the corridor.

Hanjun smiled. “I chose to come alone. I wanted to thank you for all her help in making this happen, and for being there for Li Ying through it all. You have been an invaluable friend.” Hanjun bowed to her from the waist, and Anne flustered:

“Please, Sir Hanjun, there is no need!”

But Hanjun stayed down for a moment more, and when he straightened himself, he said: “Yes, there is.”

“Well…” Anne brushed a nonexistent hair from her face. “I thank you as well, for giving me so many opportunities. Rest assured, there is no debt between us.” Anne returned the bow, and Hanjun received it gracefully.

Once Anne got up in turn, she said, “After everything you and Li Ying have been through, I would feel silly to make you play too many games before you can see your bride, so I will only ask one question from you, as Li Ying’s bridesmaid. Li Ying deserves happiness and security in his life, someone who will cherish him and not leave him. I understand he has been through a lot, and even if he’s sometimes been a rascal, he’s a good person, and I wish him only the best. So: Wu Hanjun, do you promise to make Li Ying as happy as he can be in this life?”

Hanjun didn’t answer immediately. He truly seemed to weigh the meaning of his answer before giving it:

“I promise I will do everything to make Li Ying as happy as he can be.”

Anne nodded, then stepped aside to let Hanjun in. “Your bride awaits.”

Chapter 35: The Wedding

From this day on, Li Ying,Hanjun thought,I will do everything to make you as happy as you can be.

Having answered the bridesmaid’s question, Hanjun entered and waited in the hall for Anne to fetch his bride.

“It’s time: your groom is here.” Anne beamed at Li Ying from the bedroom door. “Are you okay?”

Li Ying looked up, his heart jumping out of his chest, even if he knew exactly what to expect. All the anxiety and fear were now giving way to hopeful expectation, and his belly tingled and turned in excitement, sending butterflies all over his body.

“I’m ready. Take me…” Li Ying’s mouth spread into a smile, “yo my groom!”

Li Ying jumped up from the bed and rushed to Anne, who took his hand and led him to the hall. Li Ying saw Hanjun, and Hanjun saw him.

Finally they were without fear.