Qin Ya was more anxious than Lin Xinyan. She clenched her fists, fretting over the possibly dangerous item in the box.
The tissue paper was removed, revealing a very sensual lingerie set in bright pink.
Shen Peichuan turned away immediately after noticing what it was. Qin Ya, on the other hand, was still worried about the possibility of a concealed bomb. She checked the contents of the box thoroughly, only for her search to come up empty.
With furrowed brows, Qin Ya asked, “Who sent this?”
Lin Xinyan didn’t know either. Why else would she be this worried otherwise? Putting the lingerie back into its box, she said, “Don’t tell Jinghao yet.”
She didn’t want to trouble him at this time. Instead, she opted to wait till after the wedding to tell him.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asked Shen Peichuan. He was worried that something bad would happen. If that were the case, how would he explain himself to Zong Jinghao?
“What’s wrong with waiting? I’m worried we’re making a fuss over nothing. Wouldn’t it look ridiculous if it turns out to be someone we know after all?” queried Lin Xinyan.
She had made her decision. Lin Xinyan would inform Zong Jinghao herself after the wedding.
She wasn’t really hiding it, anyway. Truthfully, she just wanted the wedding to be over and done with first before bringing it up.
Just then, the makeup artist knocked at the door. “It’s almost time! Let me touch up your makeup!”
Glancing at Shen Peichuan and Qin Ya, Lin Xinyan said, “That’s sorted then. We should cheer up since it is my wedding day after all!”
Qin Ya nodded and gestured for the makeup artist to be allowed inside. She picked up the bouquet on the table and gave it to Lin Xinyan, saying, “I’ll go check on the kids.”
Lin Xinyan nodded.
When it was almost three o’clock, Lin Xinyan stood outside the entrance, awaiting her cue to enter.
Qin Ya and the staff fussed over her wedding gown, while Zong Yanchen and Zong Yanxi stood next to her.
Her late father might not have been able to walk her down the aisle, but at least she had her kids.
They seemed to be obedient, sensible kids, having been made aware of the importance of this task. Both kids stood there with their heads held high.
At exactly three o’clock, the doors opened. Spotlights shone at the entrance, illuminating Lin Xinyan and her two kids.
All eyes were on them immediately.
The hall was packed with guests on both sides of the room. The Zong family might be small in number, but there were plenty of business partners and other affiliates in attendance.
A red carpet lay out the path she had to take. The aisle was decorated with flowers on each side, and the decorations gave the room a romantic and dreamy air, very much like a fairytale wedding.
Lin Xinyan clutched the hands of both kids tightly and stepped in. Right on cue, the wedding march began to play.
The hall burst into thunderous applause as she made her way to the stage.
In addition to a few media outlets, the public relations department of Wanyue Group tweeted pictures of the event with the following caption: It’s our President’s wedding day! Let’s wish the couple a blissful marriage!
It was either the music or the heady atmosphere that suddenly reinforced Lin Xinyan’s desire to be married.
She stared at the man waiting for her at the end as she approached him a little at a time.
Zong Jinghao was also observing her. She was on her own for now, with nobody to rely on but her kids as she slowly advanced toward him.
The sight both moved him and caused his heart to ache a little.
During the days without him, this woman gave birth to his kids alone, raised them, and had to suffer through the stigma of being a single mother.
He marveled at how brave and strong-willed she was.
“Stop,” said Zong Jinghao abruptly.
Everyone was confused, wondering what was going to happen next. Wasn’t the groom supposed to wait for her at the stage?
Lin Xinyan stood perfectly still. She didn’t understand what he meant but chose to obey anyway.
Just as the room was afire with gossip and curiosity, Zong Jinghao said, “I’ll walk the rest of the way. Just stand there and wait for me.”
Having said that, he made his way toward her.
She had been alone for so long and had suffered so much in his absence. It would do her justice for him to walk toward her instead.
The gesture might have gone against tradition, but symbolically it made for a touching scene.
Marriage was work. It was the joint efforts of two people in equal measure working together. How could one wait at the end and do nothing while his significant other toiled away to reach him?
As Zong Jinghao came toward Lin Xinyan, he offered her a hand.
Lin Xinyan looked up at him.
His lips curved into a gentle smile. In a low voice, he said, “Let’s walk the rest of our lives together.”
Lin Xinyan’s lips trembled and a sudden ache filled her chest. Her eyes were blurry with emotion.
In spite of the tears that threatened to fall, she smiled faintly at him.
Slowly, she placed her palm in his outstretched hand.
Zong Jinghao encased her hand in his and slowly guided her the rest of the way toward the stage.
A warm round of applause filled the room.
It truly was a heartwarming scene that made people feel envy and longing for a love like that.
