MQSP - Chapter 84
Chapter 84
"Wow…" It was the first time Gu Baiye had ever seen a wedding venue. The entire garden was filled with orchids, their stems and leaves standing tall and straight, petals completely unfurled, brimming with life and vitality.
Xiao Ye spread her arms and strolled through the sea of flowers. This was the scenery she had always dreamed of, planted for her by her mother, Gu Xinran, with her very own hands!
Dressed in a simple white linen dress, the little one looked like a pure, flawless angel amidst the sea of flowers.
The Flower Witch followed closely behind her, her eyes never leaving her.
Lin Yuqing stood at the beginning of the red carpet, watching Xiao Ye walk toward her, step by step. Her heart swelled with a satisfaction beyond words. This day had finally arrived!
The guests stood to the side of the stage, while Xia Nan sat on it. Xue Yuexian, the officiant, was also on stage getting ready. Su Yu shouldered a camera, filming the couple as they moved. Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion. The only thing that puzzled everyone was why the person walking with Xiao Ye wasn't Xia Nan, but this "Flower Witch."
"What's going on?" Lu Qing whispered to Jiang Boyan.
The latter shook her head, indicating she had no idea. She just gave the Flower Witch a few more assessing glances. "I heard she's a godmother Xiao Ye met here."
"This godmother seems even closer to her than her own mother…"
Jiang Boyan frowned. Closer than her own mother? This Flower Witch…
Just as she was pondering this, a round of applause broke out nearby. Jiang Boyan snapped back to reality and saw the pair—one in black, one in white—standing hand-in-hand at the beginning of the aisle. You had to admit, from a distance, they really did look like an angel and a devil.
They held hands, exchanged a smile, and turned to face the stage. Then, they each started down their own side of the heart-shaped aisle, their hands clinging until their fingers could no longer stay linked, only then reluctantly letting go.
One of Xiao Ye's hands rested on the Flower Witch's arm, her face perpetually graced with a serene and contented smile. Today, she was marrying her Auntie Lin, and with her mother by her side to give her blessing. She felt like the happiest person on earth, with her lover beside her, the doting affection of so many aunties, and… her mother, who she had lost and found again.
Oh, my mother, she thought. Her life has been so hard. I must take good care of her!
At the thought, her hand on the Flower Witch's arm tightened.
The Flower Witch turned to glance at her, just as the young woman was looking at her. They shared a smile.
"Godmother, are you nervous?" Gu Baiye asked softly.
"Hm?" The Flower Witch frowned.
"Look at you. You're standing even straighter than usual, and your arm is so stiff you barely dare to move." The little one gave her arm a gentle tug and winked playfully.
The Flower Witch suppressed a smile. You're a sharp one.
"Well… I'm about to get married. Isn't there anything you want to tell me?" Xiao Ye looked at her expectantly.
The Flower Witch was silent for a moment. "Yes. Your nature is too gentle, which makes you an easy target. So you must remember this: if someone bullies you, you must fight back. Your weakness won't earn you anyone's sympathy; it will only encourage them to become worse."
Gu Baiye's heart clenched. She subconsciously connected those words to her mother, Bai Yilan.
"Don't be weak. I'll remember," she said, nodding.
"And be happy. The way you look when you smile… it's so beautiful."
Gu Baiye glanced sideways at her. The Flower Witch was staring straight ahead, a film of moisture misting her clear eyes.
"Okay." She nodded, giving her solemn promise. She would face life with a smile. She would be happy, for her mothers' sake as well as her own.
Before long, they reached the end of the aisle.
Gu Baiye watched Lin Yuqing gracefully approach from the other side. She couldn't help but turn to glance at the Flower Witch, her face beaming with happiness.
"Go on." The Flower Witch released her hand and gave her a gentle push on the back.
Step by step, the young woman walked slowly toward Lin Yuqing.
They stood facing each other, taking in the sight of one another.
Auntie Lin is so tall. She looks absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress, Baiye thought. Black roses bloom all over it… but her arms are bare. She must be cold.
Gu Baiye turned and took the wrap the Flower Witch handed her. She had spent the last few days on the mountain sewing it from leftover fabric. It matched the style of the wedding dress, complete with similar embellishments, and she had prepared it specifically because she was worried Lin Yuqing would be too cold in the dress alone.
Lin Yuqing took the flower crown from Fang Yi, eager to place it on Xiao Ye's head. It was, after all, something she had made for Xiao Ye with her own hands!
They looked at what the other was holding and exchanged a smile.
Lin Yuqing raised her hands, and the young woman immediately leaned forward, dipping her head slightly to let Lin Yuqing place the crown on her.
As she straightened up, Lin Yuqing tipped her chin up and, without a moment's hesitation, leaned down to kiss her. Mmm, these soft, tender little lips. How long has it been!
"Hey, hey, hey! Aren't you in a hurry!"
Lin Yuqing suppressed a smirk.
Gu Baiye draped the wrap over Lin Yuqing's shoulders. "Are you cold?" she asked, touching her arm. It was ice-cold. How could she wear so little on such a cold day and not feel it?
"Of course I'm cold. But if you hug me, I won't be," Lin Yuqing said, winking mischievously.
Seeing her act like this, the young woman didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Oh, Auntie Lin, do you realize your entire image has collapsed?
The young woman stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lin Yuqing's waist, resting her head in the crook of her neck and sinking into the warm embrace she had missed for so many days.
The guests hugged themselves and rubbed their arms for warmth. They, too, had changed into formal attire for the occasion, completely disregarding the temperature. Now, the happy couple was cuddling for warmth, leaving the rest of them to shiver in the cold wind.
"Alright, you two, that's enough…" Xue Yuexian shivered. As the officiant, she had naturally dressed to impress, which meant showing a little skin. She was wearing the least of anyone.
Lin Yuqing shot her a glare and deliberately held Xiao Ye even tighter for another moment.
"Alright, Auntie Lin," Baiye murmured. "Stop bickering with Auntie. You're acting like a child."
Gu Baiye let go of Lin Yuqing, took her hand, and the two of them walked onto the stage together.
Xue Yuexian stepped forward, wedging herself between them with a grin. She looked out at the guests. "Today is a joyous day for our precious Xiao Ye. I know everyone here loves her like their own daughter. Now that our girl is getting married, I'm sure you all have something you want to say to her… and to this old fellow here," she said, flicking a glance at Lin Yuqing.
The latter showed no temper. Fine, Lin Yuqing thought. You have the microphone. I'll put up with you for a little while longer.
"I'll start," Xue Yuexian announced.
"This niece of mine is wonderful in every way, but she's just too soft-hearted, too easy to bully. And as for this Lin Yuqing… well, we all know she's at that… predatory age. Tsk, I'm genuinely worried."
The guests below all suppressed their laughter.
"Auntie, what are you saying…?" Gu Baiye's face flushed red. Who talks about things like that in public?!
"No, no, what I mean is, if Lin Yuqing ever dares to bully you, you just tell me. I'll tear into her so badly she'll question her own existence!" Xue Yuexian proclaimed.
The guests chuckled.
"I'd like to say something, too," said Fang Yi.
"You two are the most authentic and bravest people among us. I hope that in the future, you'll continue to live without fear of gossip. Since you've chosen this path, you must walk it with conviction. I will always be by your side."
"I was your mother's manager. Besides Yilan, I should have been the person she trusted and relied on most, but I failed to protect her. That is the greatest regret of my life. To be honest, when I saw you choosing the same path, I really wanted to stop you. I even wondered, if Xinran were here, what would she do?" Fang Yi paused, her gaze drifting unconsciously to the Flower Witch.
"She would support you without a second thought. Even if you were to fall and get badly hurt, she would want you to do what you truly desire."
The Flower Witch pressed her lips together, the corners of her mouth, hidden by her scarf, lifting slightly. How wonderful, she thought, to still have such a dear friend.
"Auntie Fang, please don't worry. Now that I've chosen this path, I won't have any regrets."
"Good."
"Speaking of which, I have something to say, too," Lu Qing chimed in.
"Lin Yuqing, I'm sorry. I've misjudged you all these years. You didn't betray Xinran; I was the one who was too biased. I apologize." Lu Qing gave her a slight bow, which left Lin Yuqing rather stunned. The woman was usually so stubborn; she never expected her to apologize.
"As long as you stop encouraging Xiao Ye to throw little tantrums at me, I'll forgive you," Lin Yuqing joked.
Lu Qing shot her a look. "That's something Xue Yuexian would do."
"Ahem!"
After speaking, Lu Qing glanced at Jiang Boyan beside her. She didn't seem to be paying attention, lost in thought, so Lu Qing quickly nudged her.
Jiang Boyan looked up at the couple. "I'm sorry…"
Then she lowered her head and bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry…"
It wasn't just Xiao Ye; even Lin Yuqing was stunned. Jiang Boyan looked incredibly somber, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. Her two apologies were heartbreaking to hear.
Gu Baiye hurried off the stage to help her up. "Auntie Jiang, what's wrong?"
Jiang Boyan shook her head. As she looked at Xiao Ye, her eyes filled with tears, and she reached out to stroke her cheek.
"Auntie Jiang, please don't. If you cry, I'll start crying too." Her heart had already ached seeing the tears in her mother Gu Xinran's eyes. Now, with Auntie Jiang like this, the atmosphere felt heavy.
"I wasn't this emotional when I married off my own daughter. Compared to you all, I'm starting to feel like I'm not the real mother here," Xia Nan quipped from the stage, making everyone laugh.
Hearing that, Gu Baiye immediately pulled Lin Yuqing into it. "That's right! We haven't even heard our lecture from Mother yet! And speaking of which, Auntie Lin, you have to start calling her 'Mother' from now on. No more slacking off."
Lin Yuqing was completely caught off guard by the little rascal. "What?" she asked, looking utterly lost.
"That's right! It's time to change your form of address!" Xue Yuexian immediately started heckling.
So, you're using me to lighten the mood, are you? Lin Yuqing thought. Is this what a loving wife does?
"I don't have much to add. Everyone has already offered so many blessings. I just have one request: please don't forget about me, alright? I'm still counting on you to take care of me in my old age!"
"Mother, how can you say that!"
"What am I saying? The honest truth! Look at you! Ever since you came here with her, you only call me once in a blue moon. Sometimes half a month goes by with no word, and I can't even get in touch with you! What if one day I just drop dead—"
"Mother! Don't say such awful things!" Gu Baiye rushed to cover her mouth. "I was wrong, okay? I'll never forget you. You're my mother!"
"I bet it's mostly Lin Yuqing's fault! She's monopolizing Xiao Ye!"
"Yeah, it's her fault!"
"…" Lin Yuqing was at a complete loss for words.
As the group bickered playfully, the atmosphere gradually lightened. Gu Baiye glanced back at the Flower Witch, then turned to face the sea of flowers once more.
The guests fell silent, their laughter dying down as they all turned to look at her.
"Mother Yilan, I'm married. Can you see me?"
"I finally married the person I love. I hope you're happy for me!"
Gu Baiye took Lin Yuqing's hand and raised it high, as if showing it to Bai Yilan in the heavens. "Mother, please watch over me from up there. Please bless me… bless us."
Lin Yuqing turned to look at Xiao Ye and squeezed her hand back. Her gaze flickered past her to the Flower Witch, who was secretly wiping away tears.
"Yilan, Xinran, you can rest assured. I will take good care of her. I'll never let her suffer even the slightest bit."
The two brides looked at each other and smiled.
At the right moment, the Flower Witch presented the rings woven from flowers. Lin Yuqing saw them and quickly took them. "Your godmother wove these especially for you."
Hearing this, Gu Baiye looked at the Flower Witch. She wrapped her arms around her waist in a tight hug, pressing her cheek against the older woman's. "Thank you, Mother," she whispered.
…
As a shower of petals rained down, the simple wedding ceremony came to a close. Gu Baiye took Lin Yuqing's hand, and the two of them strolled alone through the sea of flowers.
"I think I finally understand why Lu Qing made us stay apart for so many days," Lin Yuqing said.
"Hm? Wasn't it for tradition?"
"I don't know, but I have to thank her. She taught me the meaning of 'a brief separation surpasses the honeymoon,'" Lin Yuqing said with a wicked grin.
Gu Baiye was exasperated. She shot her a look. "Oh, you!"
"Come here, let me have a look." Lin Yuqing took the young woman's arm, pulled her close, and turned her from side to side. "You really have put on some weight. You've filled out a bit."
"Oh? And you seem to have gotten thinner, Auntie Lin. Was it because you missed me?" the young woman teased with a playful smile.
A cold wind gusted past. Lin Yuqing pulled the young woman into her arms, opening her wide overcoat to shelter her inside. They pressed their bodies together for warmth.
Xiao Ye was just about to praise her Auntie Lin for being so thoughtful when she felt a mischievous hand roaming over her body from inside the coat.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing, in broad daylight!"
"What? I'm just checking to see if you're cold. Is something wrong?" Lin Yuqing asked, the very picture of innocence.
"My, what sort of lovely things are going through that little head of yours?" Lin Yuqing grinned, a sly glint flashing in her beautiful eyes.
"Pfft! I'm not the one who's always thinking about strange things like you are…"
The words were barely out of her mouth before Lin Yuqing's arms clamped tightly around her waist.
One of Lin Yuqing's hands slid down to the young woman's pert bottom, giving it a lift and a couple of shameless squeezes.
Gu Baiye tried to push her away, but after struggling for a moment against Lin Yuqing's superior strength, she gave up. She yielded to the pressure, rising slightly onto her toes.
Lin Yuqing lowered her head and rubbed the tip of her nose against Baiye's. Her little cheeks were cold.
Lin Yuqing then raised a hand and pressed the young woman's head into the crook of her neck, warming her cold cheek with her own skin.
"Hiss!" A sharp pain suddenly shot through her neck. Lin Yuqing quickly pulled back and looked down to see the young woman grinning mischievously. You little brat!
Lin Yuqing reached out and pinched her cheek until it was nearly distorted.
"Mmph… Auntie Lin!"
"That's what you get for misbehaving."
"Hmph! You're bullying me! I'm going to tell Auntie!"
Lin Yuqing raised an eyebrow at that. "Go on then. Cling to your precious auntie's leg all day. Just wait until she's not around. We'll see how I take care of you then!"
The young woman flinched. "Okay, I won't tell, I won't tell…"
Hmph. As if I can't handle you.
After bickering for a bit, they settled back into a comfortable embrace. The young woman rested her head on Lin Yuqing's shoulder, watching the orchid stems sway in the wind. Life was truly beautiful.
They stood in silence for a long time before the young woman's brow suddenly furrowed, as if she were troubled. Lin Yuqing glanced sideways at her. "What is it?"
"Hm?"
"Um… Auntie Lin, I don't want to leave here yet. But Mother said we have to go back after the wedding. Is there any way we could stay a little longer?"
"What's this? It's only been a short time, and you're already used to this life?"
"It's not that. It's… Godmother. I'm worried about her living here all alone."
Lin Yuqing's expression cleared with understanding, and she nodded.
"Or maybe you could convince Godmother to come with us? I'll take care of her!"
This put Lin Yuqing in a difficult position. It wasn't that she hadn't considered it, but Gu Xinran showed absolutely no intention of leaving. From the way she acted, it seemed she planned to stay here, watching over these orchids and growing old alone.
"Sigh." She couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.
While the others were preparing a feast, the Flower Witch was silently dismantling the stage. Fang Yi stuck close by her side, helping her with the task.
"You don't need to feel indebted to me," the Flower Witch said with a sigh, looking at the hard-working Fang Yi beside her.
Fang Yi shook her head. "If I had been by your side then…" At least you wouldn't have been so helpless and alone.
"Fine. In that case, take good care of Xiao Ye for me. We'll call that compensation."
"I would do that even if you didn't ask!"
"You should all leave in a couple of days. Don't come back. This isn't a place for people like you."
Fang Yi shook her head. "I'm not leaving. Let them go back. I'll stay here and keep you company."
"You just promised you would take care of Xiao Ye for me."
"I…"
Fang Yi lowered her head in silence.
As she hesitated, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Jiang Boyan.
"Fang Yi, Xiao Zi is calling for you in the kitchen. I can take over here."
Fang Yi hesitated for a moment before nodding and leaving.
Jiang Boyan came to a stop beside the Flower Witch, watching Fang Yi walk away.
"I'm sorry, Xinran. I'm so sorry…"
The Flower Witch paid her no mind, but her hand gripping the edge of the rug tightened unconsciously.
"I know it's too late to say this now. I was only targeting you. I never thought… I truly never thought… By the time I got there, she was already…" As she spoke, Jiang Boyan's eyes reddened.
"Back then, you were taking one film after another, with no intention of fulfilling your promise to her. I truly felt she deserved better, so I… I did something foolish."
"I know you'll never forgive me. What's done is done, and it can't be fixed. I don't expect your forgiveness."
Jiang Boyan took a deep breath, forcing down a sob. "I'm sorry." She bowed deeply toward Gu Xinran's back.
After a long moment, she straightened up, only to be met with a resounding slap across the face.
"So it was you!" Lu Qing's fists were clenched in fury, her words spoken through gritted teeth. She could never have imagined that the person who betrayed Gu Xinran, the person who destroyed Bai Yilan's life, was Jiang Boyan! The woman she had loved for half her life!
Hearing the slap, the Flower Witch finally turned around to see Lu Qing trembling with rage.
She hadn't wanted to bring it up precisely because she knew Lu Qing was truly in love with Jiang Boyan. She was afraid that if Lu Qing learned the truth, her entire world would collapse. She knew that feeling all too well—the utter despair, the loss of all will to live.
Just as Gu Xinran had feared, tears streamed down Lu Qing's face, splashing onto the ground. She was truly heartbroken. To discover that the person she loved was the one responsible for her friend's ruin was more than she could bear.
"Jiang Boyan," Lu Qing demanded, wiping away her tears, "all these years, you had countless chances to tell me the truth. Why didn't you?"
Jiang Boyan opened her mouth to speak, but then lowered her head in silence.
She didn't dare. She lacked the courage. She couldn't face it. She… was afraid.
She couldn't bear to remember the person she had been, couldn't stand to think of her own monstrous actions. If she could, she would have rather died herself!
"Jiang Boyan!" Lu Qing cried out in fury, slapping her again.
"What are you two doing? Arguing? Do you have to resort to violence!?" Gu Baiye stepped between them, grabbing Lu Qing's hand.
Lu Qing glared at Jiang Boyan, her expression a mixture of fury and bitter disappointment. Her gaze then fell upon Xiao Ye, and her eyes filled with guilt. She couldn't bring herself to meet the young woman's clear eyes.
"What's going on? Auntie Jiang, what did you do to make Teacher Lu so angry? Why is this so serious?"
"Oh my, look at her face. You shouldn't hit someone like that." She gently touched the clear handprint on Jiang Boyan's cheek. "Auntie Jiang, are you alright?" she asked, concerned.
That simple question was the final straw for Jiang Boyan. Tears streamed down her face, dripping onto Gu Baiye's hand.
"What is going on!? Somebody say something!" Gu Baiye was frantic. One was crying, the other was furious, and no one would speak.
"Xiao Ye," Jiang Boyan said, her voice hoarse. She placed a hand on Xiao Ye's shoulder.
"There's something… you should know." Jiang Boyan paused, pressing her lips together as she summoned her courage.
"What is it?"
Lu Qing watched them, unsure of what to do. Should they really tell Xiao Ye? This was an auntie she deeply respected.
"Auntie Jiang, what is it?"
"Your… your…" Jiang Boyan opened her mouth. "Your mother…"
"That's enough. If you're going to argue, take it somewhere else. Don't do it here," the Flower Witch snapped. She turned her head, refusing to look at Jiang Boyan. Xiao Ye will be devastated if she finds out. I don't want to see her hurt.
Jiang Boyan froze. She looked at the Flower Witch and opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Just as Xiao Ye was trying to make sense of it all, the ground began to tremble violently. She grabbed onto Jiang Boyan in front of her. "Wh-what's happening!?"
Startled by the sudden tremor, they all dropped into a crouch to keep their balance.
"Is… is this an earthquake!?"
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