Against the Light - Chapter 180
Chapter 180: The Wedding
Early in the morning, before the sky had even brightened, everyone was up and bustling about.
The wardrobe, makeup, and props departments were already in position, and the photographers and videographers were working against the clock.
Their wedding was a grand affair, and Yu Hua was treating it with the intensity of a film shoot, determined to turn their wedding into a blockbuster they could rewatch for years to come.
In the dressing room, Gu Xinran and her bridesmaids sat in a row, letting the makeup artists work their magic.
The lineup of bridesmaids this time was unprecedentedly star-studded. They were all friends from the industry and also established couples: Qin Qiong and Lin Guo, Qi Qiuyan and Qi Yuwei, Xue Yuexian and Ming Zhen, and Huo Jie and Yan Xi. Su Yu had also wanted to be a bridesmaid for Yilan, but because Fang Yi flatly refused to wear a bridesmaid's dress, Lin Yuqing took her place and became one of Gu Xinran's bridesmaids.
"Sister Ran, you've got some serious pull. How did you manage to invite the big boss Xue?" Huo Jie asked in a low voice. "From what I know, she's been keeping a low profile these past two years, not even showing up to manage her company's affairs."
"It's for Ming Zhen's sake, of course," Gu Xinran said with a smile.
Lin Yuqing glanced in the mirror at Xue Yuexian, who was sitting quietly on the sofa reading a newspaper. She leaned closer to Gu Xinran's ear. "Seeing her look so prim and proper, I'm really not used to it."
"Me neither."
The two exchanged a look and smiled.
Suddenly, a series of gasps and waves of laughter erupted from the dressing room next door where Yilan and the others were.
The women in Gu Xinran's room all turned to look at the door in unison. "What are those rascals plotting?"
Qin Qiong tilted her head, listening carefully. "Mm, Guozi's laugh is the loudest. That one is definitely up to no good again. Sister Ran, you'd better watch out."
Of course, Gu Xinran was already on her guard. She nodded in acknowledgment.
A tiny figure ran past the doorway. Xue Yuexian looked up. A moment later, the small figure ran back and was stopped by Xue Yuexian as she passed the door.
"Come here."
Little Xue Bao stood at the door and looked at her for a moment, then suddenly broke into a grin and ran over to her.
The moment Xue Yuexian saw her daughter, her expressionless face broke into an exceptionally gentle smile. She lifted the little one onto her lap.
"Yo, Xue Baby, tell Godma, what are your mommy and the others discussing?" Gu Xinran asked.
Little Xue Bao looked at her and tilted her head back. "Can't say."
"Tsk, keeping little secrets from your godma?"
"Tell Mama," Xue Yuexian coaxed the little girl softly, picking up a piece of candy from the fruit platter on the table and waving it in front of her.
However, Little Xue Bao was surprisingly resolute this time.
"Mommy gave me two candies and said it was hush money!"
Xue Yuexian paused, then chuckled in amusement. "Alright, alright." She grabbed a handful from the fruit platter and laid three candies in her palm.
The little girl stretched out a tiny finger and repeatedly counted the candies, whispering, "One, two, three." When she realized her mother had given her more, she beamed with delight, stuffing them into her pocket one by one to hide them.
"Mommy wants to hide Godma so you can't find her!"
"Oh?"
"Mhm! And have someone pretend to be Godma."
"Isn't that going too far?"
"Well, that sounds like something Ming Zhen would do," Gu Xinran chuckled.
"Anything else?" she asked Little Xue Bao again.
"One question for…" Little Xue Bao held up one finger, thought for a moment, then changed it to two. "Two candies!"
"…Are you trying to take advantage of the situation?" The group burst into laughter.
Xue Yuexian watched the little one with a smile in her eyes. With such a clever mind, it would be a shame if she didn't go into business.
Little Xue Bao was happily arranging the candies on the table one by one, her face alight with joy as she counted them with gusto.
"Hey, what's this little one doing here?" Ming Zhen, passing by the door, spotted the child inside and glanced at the table.
"Oh? Did you accept a bribe?" Ming Zhen raised an eyebrow and walked in.
When the little girl saw her, her expression visibly stiffened. She swallowed nervously, looking a bit awkward, and reached behind her to grab onto Xue Yuexian.
"Hm? What bribe?" Xue Yuexian played dumb decisively, looking at Ming Zhen with a puzzled expression.
"Ming Baby, where did you get these candies?" Ming Zhen asked.
The little girl pursed her lips. "Ma-Mama gave them to me."
"Oh? And why did Mama give you candy?"
"I… I'm pretty!"
"Pah! Vain little thing!" Ming Zhen was amused by her daughter's antics. She scooped the little girl up. "Let's go. No playing in here." As she spoke, she shot a look at Xue Yuexian and Gu Xinran.
Xue Yuexian's face was full of doting affection.
"How are the preparations going? The auspicious time is almost here," Jin Shuang said, rushing in to check on them.
"We're ready, we're ready," the makeup artists quickly replied.
Everyone stood up, lining up to look at each other. Jin Shuang clicked her tongue and swallowed. A lineup like this was truly a rare sight!
Jin Shuang took a few photos of them as keepsakes, and then the group headed to the wedding venue in a grand procession.
The lawn was already filled with friends and family from both sides, most of whom were mutual friends from the entertainment industry. There were popular movie stars as well as crew members who had worked with them on multiple occasions.
When the bridal party arrived, they noticed all the guests whispering among themselves.
Gu Xinran listened in and gathered that the topic was mostly about their parents.
She glanced at the parents' seating area. Yilan's adoptive mother, Jiang Ning, was seated on Yilan's side, while the seats on her own side were empty.
Ye Nan was serving as the master of ceremonies for the wedding. She wore a tasteful, form-fitting, off-white suit and effortlessly energized the atmosphere.
Yilan and Xinran stood on opposite sides of the red carpet, not yet having seen each other, waiting for Ye Nan to call them out.
After delivering her opening remarks with grace and poise, Ye Nan turned to the large screen behind her. A clock was displayed, its hands slowly turning. The crowd spontaneously began a countdown along with the clock's movement.
"Five, four, three, two, one!"
"The auspicious time has arrived! Please welcome the brides!"
"—" A cheer erupted from the audience. Everyone looked toward the end of the red carpet behind the stage. A line of people stood along the carpet, ready to set off party poppers as the two passed, sending a sky full of colorful ribbons fluttering down with the wind.
Amid the applause and cheers, Gu Xinran stepped onto the red carpet. Lin Yuqing followed behind, holding the train of her dress. Gu Xinran's flower girl was Little Xue Bao. The little one carried a small flower basket, dressed in a fluffy princess gown, standing there with perfect, model-like obedience. Heaven only knew how many candies Gu Xinran had just stuffed her with to bribe the little girl.
As Gu Xinran made her entrance, a wave of cheers came from the audience, but they weren't for her.
Gu Xinran glanced back and saw that Yu Hua had appeared behind her at some point, wearing a corsage identifying her as the mother.
A warmth spread through Gu Xinran's heart. "It's your daughter's big day. Can't you smile a little more?" she asked quietly.
Yu Hua glanced at her and pursed her lips into a smile.
"Teacher Yu is so beautiful today!"
"Hmph, when am I ever not beautiful?" Yu Hua shot back with a glare, making everyone laugh.
Gu Xinran turned her head to look at the other end of the red carpet, her eyes full of anticipation, waiting for her bride to appear. However… when she saw six bridesmaids rush out in a group, Gu Xinran was dumbfounded.
The women walked over in perfect unison, then immediately turned their backs to her. Each had a wedding veil covering her head, so Gu Xinran couldn't see their faces. Judging from their backs, they must have coordinated to wear heels of different heights, because they all looked to be the same height in a row!
They had identical hairstyles, and even their figures were nearly the same…
Gu Xinran's vision went dark. She pressed a hand to her forehead, remembering what Little Xue Bao had said about their plan to hide Yilan…
Isn't this joke a little too much???
The audience was also baffled by this turn of events, but a second later, they understood the group's intention.
"Sister Ran, guess which one is your wife!"
"Be careful, Sister Ran, this is a life-or-death question!"
"Just marry whichever one you pick!"
"??? How can you say that!" Gu Xinran protested.
"Hahahaha!"
Gu Xinran took a deep breath and looked at Ye Nan on the stage, frantically signaling for help with her eyes.
"Since the bridesmaids are ready, why don't you go ahead and pick? I'd also like to see if you can recognize which one is Yilan," Ye Nan said, clearly enjoying the show.
"…"
Gu Xinran pressed her forehead again, walked closer, and examined them one by one. She sniffed gently. Damn it, they had all sprayed the same perfume. After looking them over, a smile played on her lips, as if she had already figured it out.
Everyone watched with expectant expressions, waiting for her choice.
Gu Xinran thought for a moment, then turned to her own group of bridesmaids and then to the audience. "I can't be the only one getting tricked, right? Hey, their bridesmaids are giving us a hard time, so we can't show weakness, can we?"
Gu Xinran's bridesmaids had been enjoying the spectacle, but hearing this, they immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Anyway, they're all your partners. Each of you pick one. Whoever you pick, you marry~" Gu Xinran took a step to the side, revealing a beautiful smile.
"…"
"Yes, yes, it's time to test if your love is true!"
"Awooo!"
"Sister Ran! Aren't we on the same team?!"
"Haha~" Gu Xinran beamed.
A staff member brought several microphones to Yilan's bridesmaids, who all raised them to their lips in unison.
"Xue Yuexian, if you can't recognize me, see if I don't bite you to death."
"Qin Qiong, if you pick me, I'll have a wedding with you!"
"Ahem, me too."
Then, a light chuckle came through the speakers.
Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow, recognizing Yilan's voice.
The remaining bridesmaids said nothing more. All eyes fell on Gu Xinran and her group of bridesmaids beside her.
Xue Yuexian was the first to step forward, drawing a round of cheers.
She walked behind the group and stood there, observing them silently for a moment. Then, the corners of her lips curved up. She walked behind the bridesmaid on the far right and slowly moved closer until her body was almost touching hers.
The next second, that bridesmaid raised an elbow, instinctively about to jab her, but she managed to control herself.
Xue Yuexian chuckled. "Instinct?"
Ming Zhen's pretty face flushed red as she huffed in annoyance. It was all this woman's fault for always sneaking up and hugging her from behind, to the point where she would instinctively use her elbow to fend her off.
"Wow! President Xue is amazing!"
Xue Yuexian glanced at the audience, her eyes curving slightly. She gently took hold of Ming Zhen's waist and led her to the side.
"Who's next?"
Hearing this, Huo Jie took two steps forward and sneakily took the microphone from Gu Xinran's hand. "Xiao Xi?"
"Eh?" Yan Xi subconsciously replied, immediately giving herself away.
"And with a brain like that, you're trying to play pranks on people," Huo Jie mercilessly quipped, stepping forward to lead her wife away.
Next, Qi Qiuyan also quickly identified Qi Yuwei and led her away.
Qin Qiong stepped up and paced back and forth several times, completely undecided. Finally, she chose one and stood behind her, but her gaze was fixed on the person next to her.
Lin Guo stood with her eyes closed and fists clenched. Feeling no one beside her, her face turned red with anger. "You damn Qin Qiong, if you can't recognize me, just you wait and see how I deal with you when we get back!!"
"Oh? Are you going to bite me to death?" Qin Qiong's voice came from behind her. Lin Guo froze and turned to look at her. "Didn't you pick her?"
Qin Qiong smiled and poked her forehead. "If I couldn't even recognize your body, I'd have looked at it so many times for nothing."
"???"
"!!!"
After saying that, Qin Qiong's expression stiffened. She cleared her throat, feeling a tiny bit awkward.
Lin Guo's face was completely red. Many in the front row had heard their exchange and were now trying hard to stifle their laughter. Lin Guo saw it clearly and, fuming with annoyance, gave her a sharp kick.
"Sister Ran, the rest is up to you. A fifty-fifty choice shouldn't be too hard, right?"
Gu Xinran nodded with a smile and walked behind one of the bridesmaids. "Su Yu."
"Wow!" Someone in the front row saw Su Yu's face and gasped when they heard Gu Xinran call out her name so easily.
"Tsk, how did I give myself away?" Su Yu asked, lifting her veil.
"You're fat."
"…"
Gu Xinran confidently strode over to the last person and stared at her for a moment.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't wear a wedding dress? And you're even wearing a wig?"
"Eh?"
"Fang Yi? Still trying to fool me?" Gu Xinran walked over and patted her, confidently turning her around. She lifted the veil and, sure enough, it was Fang Yi, who had indeed worn a wig as a disguise.
"Go on, you two go play over there." Gu Xinran pushed Fang Yi toward Su Yu, then looked at Ye Nan.
Just then, the wedding march began to play. Yilan emerged from backstage, arm in arm with Shi Qing.
"Wow, Sister Lan is so beautiful!!"
"Stunning!!"
"Hey, hey, hey? Is that person next to her… Shi Qing? Is that the big boss Shi?"
"It is! Wait, why is the big boss walking Sister Lan out? Shouldn't she be accompanied by her family at this time?"
"!! I knew it! I guessed right, Big Boss Shi is Sister Lan's mother!!"
"What??"
For a moment, the crowd gasped in unison, staring dumbfounded at Shi Qing on the stage.
Hearing the crowd's discussion, Gu Xinran suddenly remembered that this was probably the first time her mother-in-law was appearing in public as Yilan's mother.
Watching the two of them approach, Gu Xinran stood quietly in place, her gaze never leaving Yilan for a second.
Soon, they were standing before her. Gu Xinran took two steps forward and looked at Shi Qing.
"Today, I solemnly entrust Yilan to you. I have seen your devotion to Yilan these past few years, and I know you will not fail her." Shi Qing was uncharacteristically emotional, clutching Yilan's hand tightly.
"Mom, I won't let her down, and I won't let her suffer even the slightest grievance. Our family motto is: Yilan is the heavens, and she must never be angered."
Hearing Xinran's vow, Yilan smiled softly, pursing her lips.
Their eyes met, and in their gazes, they saw only each other's reflection.
Ye Nan called out to them several times from the stage, but neither of them heard. It wasn't until Yu Hua gave a loud cough that Gu Xinran snapped back to her senses with a jolt.
Gu Xinran took Yilan's hand from Shi Qing's, holding it tightly as they walked onto the red carpet together.
Images of her life with Yilan flashed through Gu Xinran's mind. Countless times, they had been just like this, hand in hand, forging ahead bravely.
Gu Xinran unconsciously intertwined their fingers.
The two flower girls, Xiao Ye and Little Xue Bao, walked ahead of them, scattering petals all the way. The people on either side of the carpet, afraid of scaring the little ones, aimed their party poppers at the sky. With a series of pops, countless colorful ribbons drifted down from above.
The two came to a stop on the stage, still holding each other's hands tightly, unwilling to let go.
"Come on, come on, it's not going anywhere. You can hold hands again later," Ye Nan said, standing between them to temporarily separate them.
"I have a few questions for you first."
"Who does the chores in your family?"
"I do them when I'm home. When I'm not, Xiao Ye does!"
"Hahahaha!"
Xiao Ye, suddenly called out, looked completely bewildered.
"So who's in charge between you two?"
"Yilan, of course," Gu Xinran answered without a second thought.
"And what does she manage?"
"She manages everything. Not just our affairs, but me too~" After saying this, Gu Xinran winked at Yilan, instantly making a whole crowd of people swoon.
"Ahem." Yilan shot her a helpless glance. So improper.
"Alright then, I have no more questions." Ye Nan, who had probably never seen someone so spineless, turned to the audience. "Do any of you have any questions?"
"If Xiao Ye and Yilan both fell into a river, who would you save first?"
Gu Xinran laughed. "Although they both know how to swim, I'd still choose to save Yilan first. A child won't grow up without learning some lessons. Someone needs to teach her not to go running around dangerous places like rivers and seasides for no reason!"
The crowd roared with laughter and all looked at Xiao Ye. The little girl, with the air of a tiny adult, heaved a heavy sigh, pressed a hand to her forehead, and shook her head. It seemed she had long had a clear understanding of her status in the family.
The bridesmaids from both sides brought the wedding rings. The two solemnly placed the rings on each other's fingers and then gazed at one another.
Gu Xinran took Yilan's hand and stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Her hands unconsciously wrapped around Yilan's waist.
Seeing their noses touch, the audience instinctively covered their mouths, afraid of making even the slightest sound. They were dying to see the two be intimate in public!!!
"Happy wedding, Director Bai."
"Mm, happy wedding, President Gu."
They bantered softly with each other.
Gu Xinran's gaze drifted down to Yilan's soft, pink lips, which were slightly parted. She unconsciously lowered her head and gently pressed a kiss upon them.
"Ooh-wah!" Little Xue Bao let out a gasp, her little mouth wide open.
"Babies can't look." Xiao Ye reached out and covered Little Xue Bao's eyes, not letting her see, though she herself was watching with great interest. The next second, her own big eyes were covered by a warm hand.
"You can't look either," Lin Yuqing said softly.
"Mmph~"
The mothers from both sides came onto the stage. Yilan formally introduced her mother, Shi Qing, to everyone.
With the two mothers seated, Yilan went down to invite her adoptive mother, Jiang Ning, onto the stage as well. Then she had Ye Nan sit next to Shi Qing.
Yu Hua looked at the three of them on the other side and felt a little nervous. "Doesn't it look a bit shabby with just me sitting here??" she asked Gu Xinran.
Gu Xinran glanced over. "It's fine. You make up for it in weight :)"
"!?" Yu Hua's eyes widened. Gu Xinran immediately soothed her with a beaming smile.
The couple served tea to the elders of both families and paid their respects, calling them "Mom" in unison. The scene was warm and full of love.
Before long, their wedding of the century came to a close in this joyous atmosphere.
The two went backstage to change their clothes, and the banquet officially began. Some of their singer friends went on stage to perform for them, pushing the wedding atmosphere to its peak once again.
In the afternoon, the guests began to leave one after another. The couple saw each person off at the manor's entrance, watching them get into their cars and drive away.
Soon, the once-bustling manor grew quiet.
Gu Xinran let out a long sigh.
"Tired?"
"Yeah. In comparison, I much prefer this quiet state. This bunch is way too rowdy."
"Well, there's still another bunch," Bai Yilan said, glancing at the group of bridesmaids not far away.
Gu Xinran pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Oh, my head hurts. I need a kiss from my wife to make it better."
"Go on, you're never serious."
"We're an old married couple now, and the wedding is even over. What's the point of being proper?" Gu Xinran hugged Yilan. "Tonight is our wedding night, you know~" she whined, rubbing against her shamelessly.
"Hey, aren't you afraid of people seeing?"
"Mmm~~ I'm tired, let's go back to our room~"
"Stop fooling around…"
"Tired~"
"Even Xiao Ye doesn't whine as much as you do."
"That's because her skills aren't refined enough yet. She hasn't learned my tricks," Gu Xinran said, not a hint of shame in her voice, but rather pride.
"Pah, you rogue~"
Gu Xinran chuckled, taking her roguishness to the extreme. She scooped Yilan up and ran toward the house.
"Hey, Sister Ran, where are you going?" Lin Guo, with her sharp eyes, spotted her and quickly asked.
"To our wedding chamber!"
Without looking back, Gu Xinran strode forward. The next second, she heard a chaotic patter of footsteps behind her. She turned to look and was stunned. All the bridesmaids were holding up their skirts and running after her in their high heels.
"What are you… doing?"
"Crashing the wedding chamber!"
"…"
Truly terrifying :)
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