Chapter 75: The Grand Finale (Part 1)
In front of the dressing table…
Ji Yunqi sat quietly, with two makeup artists arranged by Ye Lingyu beside her.
Ji Yunqi had experienced this scene many times, and she could calmly close her eyes and enjoy the “pampering” from the young ladies.
“Our lady has great natural beauty, no matter how she’s made up, she’ll look good~”
“Yes, today is the day Miss gets married, we must make her look her best.”
Hearing the praises from the young ladies behind her, Ji Yunqi felt very happy. She couldn’t believe that in just over half a year, she had actually become a little girl who would be happy to hear herself called beautiful.
“Thank you for your compliments~”
“Heh heh, Miss doesn’t need to be so polite, we’re just stating facts~”
“Hahaha.”
In the quiet makeup room, the laughter of the three girls added a touch of liveliness, making it not so lifeless.
This wedding still followed the traditional Chinese wedding, where the groom picks up the bride and takes her to the wedding venue.
This time…
Ji Yunqi chose Xia Zijie’s home as her “bridal home.”
She was the one getting married, and her final destination would inevitably be the old residence. Thus, she couldn’t start from there.
In this vast Kyoto, this place seemed to have become her only safe haven, and perhaps the only “home” that truly offered her shelter.
And in the living room next door…
Xia Zijie and Jiang You were sitting on the sofa discussing what to do next.
“Hey, I must say, this fan you made is really exquisite. You put a lot of thought into it, didn’t you?”
Xia Zijie gently stroked the gold-threaded round fan in his hand, his eyes full of tenderness.
“You could say that…”
“But for her, everything is worth it. I hope she likes it…”
Jiang You noticed the fleeting worry in Xia Zijie’s eyes and shook his head helplessly.
“What are you worried about?”
“I’m afraid she won’t like it…”
Jiang You snatched the exquisite gold-threaded fan from Xia Zijie’s hand and examined it carefully.
The fan in his hand had a red background. On the red surface, phoenix and other patterns were embroidered with golden silk threads.
Such an exquisite fan was perfect for the bride to cover her face with on her wedding day. Moreover, this was a purely handmade fan. If it were sold on the market, its value would likely not be low.
With such an exquisite fan, Xia Zijie felt that Ji Yunqi might not like it?
Come on, you’ve known and liked her for decades. Don’t you know her personality?
When has Ji Yunqi ever cared about so many things? Moreover, this was Xia Zijie’s heartfelt gesture. She would definitely like it.
“Why are you worried? Such an exquisite fan, would she not like it? Are you kidding me?”
“Brother guarantees it, she’ll definitely like it.”
Xia Zijie nodded. He wasn’t afraid of anything else, except that Ji Yunqi wouldn’t like what he did for her, especially something he hadn’t told her in advance.
Xia Zijie’s gaze shifted towards the not-quite-closed makeup room…
The makeup room was a room he had converted from where Ji Yunqi used to live. After all, she was about to get married and wouldn’t be living with him anymore.
As for the items in the makeup room…
The dressing table, cosmetics, and some makeup removers were all purchased by Xia Zijie based on Ji Yunqi’s medical reports regarding skin allergies, after consulting with professionals.
Whether they were very effective or not, they were definitely the most suitable for her.
As the woman he loved was about to get married, he couldn’t help but feel a little bit of sorrow. Xia Zijie was both happy and sad.
He was happy because she was about to get married and would soon have a complete home again, a home where everyone would love and protect her.
Even though the previous Ji Yunqi was also cherished, there were still many people who coveted her and tried to take her away.
Xia Zijie himself was one of them…
As for the sadness…
It was naturally because…
She was getting married, and the groom wasn’t him…
No matter how much Xia Zijie loved Ji Yunqi, or how willing he was to protect her, watching the woman he loved marry someone else was a great pain for any man.
If it were an ordinary man, he would have probably lost control and cut ties, never to care again.
However, for Xia Zijie, he couldn’t bear to…
He couldn’t bear to become strangers. He still wanted to look at her again, even if it was only for a few more hours…
He didn’t want to attend the wedding because he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to control his possessiveness and snatch her away. Xia Zijie would not let anything happen that could hurt Ji Yunqi.
This might…
Also become a lifelong regret for him…
“What, unhappy?” Jiang You teased.
Jiang You had always known about Xia Zijie’s feelings for Ji Yunqi, and even Ye Mingkong had known for decades. Only Ji Yunqi, the silly girl, had only found out recently.
As a man, Jiang You understood what Xia Zijie was thinking. This kind of scene must be very painful for Xia Zijie.
Jiang You also stepped forward, patted Xia Zijie’s shoulder, and comforted him, “Brother, it’s okay. There are plenty of fish in the sea, why be devoted to just one flower? Although you’re getting old, maybe you can still have a second spring~”
Xia Zijie sighed slightly, “You don’t understand. Don’t try to persuade me. I know my limits.”
He had no other desires now. The only thing he wanted was to spend a little more time with her before the wedding officially began. Other than that, there was nothing else.
After all…
In the future…
After Ji Yunqi got married, to avoid suspicion, she probably wouldn’t have much contact with him. At that time, she would be a married woman, and he would be an outsider. Moreover, everyone knew he liked her, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for Ji Yunqi to get too close to him.
Therefore, this period might also be the last time Xia Zijie could see Ji Yunqi frequently…
As time passed by…
The bride in the makeup room completed her final touches, and the sky outside began to brighten, no longer as dark as before.
With the completion of the last step, Ji Yunqi’s makeup was also finished.
This time…
Ji Yunqi’s makeup was different from her usual youthful appearance. Now, she looked elegant and gentle.
Her makeup highlighted Ji Yunqi’s beauty and also brought out her unique temperament to the fullest.
It could be said that she had achieved the feat of having both the fish and the bear’s paw!
Creak…
When Ji Yunqi walked out of the makeup room, the two men in the living room both turned to look at her. In just one glance, they froze in place.
Perhaps “breathtakingly beautiful” was fitting…
The young lady before them, dressed in a red wedding dress, with the hem of her skirt concealing the shortness of Ji Yunqi’s legs. The perfectly applied makeup also elevated her overall appearance and temperament by a notch.
The stray strands of hair on her forehead were held back by some simple accessories, making her look neat and tidy, not messy. The entire person seemed to be…
The standard look of a bride.
“Why aren’t you two talking?”
“This…”
“Cough cough…”
Xia Zijie and Jiang You both realized they had lost their composure, and their expressions instantly became unnatural. It was too embarrassing.
Both of them, in their forties, were captivated by an 18-year-old girl!
“You look very beautiful. Today, you will be the most beautiful bride.”
“Oh? Is that so? You know what to say. I won’t hit you this time.” Clearly, Ji Yunqi was still very receptive to these words; a compliment was enough.
Xia Zijie’s expression suddenly changed from embarrassment to nervousness, and then he took out the fan he had made.
“This is something I made myself. I thought you might need a veil fan when you get married, so I made it myself. What do you… what do you think?”
After saying this, Xia Zijie didn’t even dare to look down at Ji Yunqi’s eyes. This kind of nervousness was perhaps only understood by young Chu Nan who had never been in love.
Ji Yunqi reached out and took the fan.
Although Ye Lingyu had already prepared a veil fan, it was just something collected casually from outside. The only thing brought from home, besides the wedding dress she was wearing, was nothing else.
This fan…
Ji Yunqi really liked it…
“Thank you, I really like it.”
Ji Yunqi picked up the fan and gently touched her nose. This fan was exquisite, and it was obvious that Xia Zijie had spent a lot of effort on it. Otherwise, how could it have been made so easily?
“Really… really?”
Xia Zijie suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and looked at Ji Yunqi with eyes full of wonder.
“Of course, it’s true. I’ll use it for my wedding~”
Seeing that Ji Yunqi truly liked the fan he had made, Xia Zijie felt relieved. As long as she liked it, it meant his efforts were not in vain.
“How much longer until they arrive?”
Jiang You checked the time on his phone. There were still half an hour left until the scheduled pick-up time.
This meant that Ye Mingkong’s wedding procession would arrive in half an hour.
But…
Jiang You looked around… the house was so empty, with hardly anyone around. This bridal home was truly desolate!
With so few people, it meant they couldn’t replicate the fun “door-blocking” games played during Ji Chengyun’s wedding, as there weren’t enough people to block.
However, letting Ye Mingkong take her away so easily made Jiang You somewhat unhappy. After all, he was a good brother he had taken care of for decades!
His good brother of decades was about to get married. It was different before.
Before, she was still a boy and could be rougher, do more things, and endure more hardships. But it’s different now!
The brother he had taken care of for decades was now an 18-year-old young lady who had also endured hardships for decades. If she was just taken away so easily, Jiang You wouldn’t agree.
He had to cause some trouble for Ye Mingkong. Didn’t he do the same decades ago? He accompanied Ji Yunqi through several obstacles set by Ye Lingyu.
If that was the case before, it must be like this now!
Even if they were outnumbered, they couldn’t back down easily.
“Son!”
“Yes, yes, yes, what is it, what is it?”
With Jiang You’s shout, a young man with a steamed bun in his mouth ran out from the kitchen.
Seeing Jiang Beiyun in this state, Ji Yunqi helplessly covered her face. This kid… why did he look like he was being mistreated by Old Jiang?
Ever since they arrived in Kyoto a few days ago, he had been like this, eating immediately whenever there was food, without any hesitation!
At Xia Zijie’s house, with only the three elders present, this kid was even more unrestrained.
“Beiyun, have I been starving you these past few days?”
“Ah?”
“No.”
Ji Yunqi sat on the sofa, “Then why do you look like a starving ghost reincarnated?”
“I’m hungry~”
“You rascal!” Jiang You was angry. Hungry? He wasn’t growing anymore. At this point, he should be preparing to welcome the wedding procession.
How dare that brat keep eating!
Ji Yunqi also stepped in to restrain Jiang You, “Alright, alright. If the child is hungry, let him eat more. Don’t let the child go hungry.”
“You just spoil him…”
Jiang You’s words were harsh, but seeing Jiang Beiyun’s capacity to eat, an idea suddenly struck him!
Who said that only a few people weren’t allowed to block the door?
Wasn’t this kid a ready-made Pokémon?
“Hey, son, stop eating for a moment. Dad has a question for you.”
Jiang Beiyun stopped his movement towards the kitchen and turned to look at his father.
“What is it?”
Jiang You silently walked forward and hooked Jiang Beiyun’s neck, acting like a close buddy.
“Come, come, come, Dad asks you, how many more steamed buns like this can you eat?”
“Hehe, Dad, I’m not eating anymore~”
“Tsk! I’m asking you seriously. Speak!”
Jiang Beiyun realized that his father wasn’t deliberately lecturing him. Combined with his father’s earlier worry about how to block the door, Jiang Beiyun immediately guessed what his father intended to do.
Sometimes, you had to say that college students’ brains, besides studying, were useful for everything.
“Dad, you’re not thinking of making me block the door by eating steamed buns, are you?”
“Yes! Tell me, how many more can you eat?”
Jiang Beiyun rubbed his stomach and then said, “I was running around Kyoto yesterday and forgot to eat dinner, so I’m a bit hungry. I just ate one steamed bun. With buns like this, I can eat at least ten more!”
As soon as he said this, Ji Yunqi and the others were startled.
Ten?
These steamed buns were not small. Let alone ten, Ji Yunqi herself was already full after eating just one.
Xia Zijie and Jiang You exchanged glances, and they also found it hard to believe Jiang Beiyun’s words. Four or five such buns would surely be enough for them, two grown men.
This kid ate so much by himself?
“Can you really eat all that? That’s ten steamed buns!”
Unexpectedly, Jiang Beiyun became emboldened at this moment. He immediately jumped away from Jiang You and hid beside Ji Yunqi.
“Old man, let me tell you, I’m just that capable. If you don’t believe me, then you’re useless~”
“You little brat! Who are you calling useless!”
Jiang Beiyun looked at Ji Yunqi beside him. Seeing that Ji Yunqi had no intention of moving away, he became even more presumptuous.
“Talking about you, old man, you’re useless~ You’re old, I’m still young, I’m capable! I just eat a lot, and eating ten steamed buns is nothing!”
“You…”
“You little brat, you’re asking for a beating! Watch me teach you a lesson today!”
Saying that, Jiang You pulled out the leather belt from his waist and walked aggressively towards Jiang Beiyun.
“Wow! Uncle Ji, save me! Dad is going to beat me to death~”
Seeing Jiang Beiyun hiding behind Ji Yunqi, and Ji Yunqi standing in front of him, looking bewildered, Jiang You instantly deflated.
“You little brat, get out of there! Don’t hide behind her.”
“Hmph, hmph, old man, today is the day my Uncle Ji gets married. You still want to hit someone? That’s very inauspicious. Do you think you’re worthy of my Uncle Ji?”
“I…”
“Hey, alright, alright…”
Ji Yunqi saw that the father and son were still arguing at this moment and intervened to stop them.
After all, today was her wedding day. If these two were to continue their “father-son affection,” she would get angry.
Moreover…
Jiang Beiyun was still a child.
How could he be beaten so violently?
After all, Ji Yunqi had watched him grow up. Even though the kid was now older than her, she still wanted to protect him.
Wasn’t it like this before?
Every time this kid argued with Jiang You and was about to be beaten, he would come to her for protection.
“Old Jiang, don’t be angry. He’s still a child. Don’t mind him so much.”
“This…”
“Aiya…”
Seeing that Ji Yunqi was still protecting Jiang Beiyun in this way, Jiang You immediately lost all his temper and had to give up the idea of beating Jiang Beiyun.
Seeing that Jiang You was no longer pursuing the matter, Ji Yunqi turned around and looked at the young man behind her, “Beiyun, then it’s settled. You’ll help me block the door later, okay~”
Seeing Ji Yunqi flash him such a warm smile and wink her left eye, Jiang Beiyun immediately turned his head away, not daring to look at Ji Yunqi’s face.
His Uncle Ji…
Was truly a danger to the nation and its people…
“I… I understand. I will definitely help Uncle Ji guard the door and won’t let him pick you up easily.”
“Great~”
Unlike Jiang You, who constantly questioned Jiang Beiyun’s education style, Ji Yunqi had often been by Jiang Beiyun’s side over the years. She had always encouraged Jiang Beiyun and believed his words.
In a sense, they were playing the good cop and bad cop roles for him.
……………
Now, only the four of them were left in the entire house. Even the two makeup artists had left. After all, they were outsiders and could go to the wedding venue in advance to wait for the feast.
As time ticked by, Ye Mingkong and his group arrived downstairs…
As the group descended from the cars, a group of people in the residential area cast curious glances.
After all…
This time, they were not low-key at all. They were all driving Maybachs, and even Ye Lingyu’s car with the special license plate was part of the wedding procession.
Today, Ye Mingkong was wearing a bright red wedding attire identical to Ji Chengyun’s back then. Even his hairstyle had been specially styled, making him look like a standard groom from a poster.
However, this time, there were not many unfamiliar faces in the wedding procession; most of them were family members.
Of course, the main team that would enter the house would be their entire family.
“Mom, do you think Uncle Xia and Uncle Jiang will make things difficult for you?”
Ji Chengyun suddenly worried about this. Today was the wedding day of his father and mother. According to tradition, the bride’s family would test the groom.
Although the decades-long relationship between the couple didn’t involve these issues, Uncle Jiang and Uncle Xia were there.
Ji Chengyun had witnessed the attitude of these two towards his father over the years.
Uncle Jiang and his father had grown up together and had been by his father’s side when he had no family. The Jiang family had taken care of his father during his entire helpless period.
The bond between his father and Uncle Jiang was no different from that of brothers. The only difference might be… that the affection between ordinary brothers couldn’t compare to theirs.
As for Uncle Xia…
That was even more unnecessary to say…
He had liked his father for so many years and had never given up on this love, which showed the depth and sincerity of his love.
Moreover, his father had now become an 18-year-old girl. With the helpless and pitiful look that his father occasionally revealed, coupled with Uncle Xia and Uncle Jiang’s feelings for his father,
It was almost inevitable that they would protect his father, the poor little thing. It would probably not be easy for his mother to successfully pick him up.
However, it was okay!
Their entire family had come. They could completely help his mother break through the blockade to ensure that his mother successfully picked up his father!
“Alright, son. It doesn’t matter if those two make things difficult for me or not, I accept it. This is what I should do.”
Ye Mingkong’s words also expressed his feelings.
Over the years, although she had given up her life as a young lady and accompanied Ji Yunqi to build a career from scratch, it was mainly Ji Yunqi who had worked hard.
She had not been too tired. Instead, she had enjoyed a happy life for so many years, watching Ji Yunqi toil for so many years.
And now…
The two people who cared most about Ji Yunqi were guarding him. If they were to test him, it was inevitable, and it was something he had to experience. If his true feelings were not tested, how could he be worthy of taking away that beautiful young lady?
Looking at the family behind him, Ye Lingyu, Jiang Hua, Luo Yao, Ji Chengyun, Zhang Xinrou, Ye Xuan, all were in place. These were the people who would go upstairs.
Other family members could wait downstairs. After all, their relationship was something only their own family members needed to know.
“We… depart!”
………..
