That night, I barely slept. If I were to ask myself honestly, I wanted to return to the past, to those days when she still loved me, when we held hands and felt joy in each other’s silent company.
But I ultimately live in the present, in the shadow of her turned back, and I miss her fiercely, only to mock her for her heartlessness.
The night turned into morning, and at some point, sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains and shone into my room, finally resting on the glass bottle holding flowers, creating a colorful halo, as if heralding that it was another wonderful morning.
Yes, even without the sun’s heralding, it was a wonderful morning, because a couple would tie the knot today. I shouldn’t spoil this morning or their wedding with anxious emotions. I told myself I must maintain a sunny demeanor.
I took out my sharpest suit from the wardrobe, shaved off my stubble, used a hair dryer to style my hair neatly, smiled at the mirror, and after confirming my sunny appearance, I was finally ready to leave this house to wish Fangyuan and Yanyan all the best for their wedding.
…
By nearly noon, I was waiting with other guests outside the hotel for the wedding convoy and, more specifically, for Jianwei, who would accompany Yanyan as the maid of honor.
The wedding convoy was late; apparently, there was traffic. For me, it was torture. At this point, I actually wished to see Jianwei sooner. What was unbearable was the anxious waiting before meeting her. Since we inevitably had to meet, I preferred to get it over with quickly. Perhaps after meeting, we would silently treat each other like strangers, which would be best!
I pushed my way out of the crowd and sat on a stone bench across from the hotel, my anxiety increasing. This anxiety was hard to put into words. I always felt that Fangyuan and Yanyan’s wedding, symbolizing a happy ending, was a harsh interrogation for me.
This interrogation was not only emotional but also material. Why, after graduating from the same school and starting from the same point, did Fangyuan now achieve small success in his career and finally win the love of his life, while I was so down and out, living an unsettled life and constantly in debt?
In this self-interrogation, my heart was filled with unbearable loneliness and disappointment. At this moment, I truly wished for a woman to be by my side to help me mask this loneliness and disappointment, allowing me to go and bless Fangyuan and Yanyan with at least a seemingly happy smile.
After smoking a cigarette, I finally took out my phone and dialed the number of my female tenant, Mi Cai.
After a short wait, Mi Cai answered. I quickly asked, “Have you gotten up yet?”
“What’s up?” Mi Cai’s tone was somewhat cautious.
I smiled, trying to first help her relax, and then said, “Actually, I want to invite you to have a meal…”
“There’s no need for that; we’re not that close.” Mi Cai seemed to refuse without even thinking.
“There is a need. Think about it, you’ve lent me money and taken me in, which is practically a great favor to me. If I don’t treat you to a meal, won’t I really become the scum you call me?”
Mi Cai was silent for a moment, and I seized the opportunity to press on, “Come on, I’ve already picked the place. I sincerely hope you’ll give me a chance to completely shake off the lowly title of ‘scum.'”
After another silence, Mi Cai said to me, “Where is the place for the meal?”
“Yaming Grand Hotel.”
“Yaming Grand Hotel? Did I hear that right?” Mi Cai asked in confusion.
“Of course you heard correctly. Only a five-star hotel can show how sincere I am about treating you to dinner. So… you must come. This meal will cost me a week’s salary!” I emphasized with sincerity, adding a feigned sense of “pain.”
“I see. Give me 20 minutes.” She paused and then added, “Don’t be so extravagant in the future. The sincerity of treating me to a meal is the same no matter where it is.”
I hadn’t expected Mi Cai to consider my financial difficulties. I hesitated for a moment before replying, “I see. I’ll wait for you outside the hotel.” With that, both Mi Cai and I hung up the phone, and I finally felt a sense of relief. I thought: tricking Mi Cai into coming to accompany me, I wouldn’t seem so lonely and down and out later!
…
Fifteen minutes passed, and the wedding convoy still hadn’t arrived. It seemed they had encountered an unprecedented traffic jam, and at this point, I wasn’t as anxious as before, which made me feel that calling Mi Cai was a wise decision.
Another five minutes passed, and I saw the red Audi Q7. Mi Cai had really kept her promise and arrived. She parked her car in the outdoor parking lot, and I immediately walked towards her.
Standing next to the fountain in the hotel square, I spoke first, “I was a bit worried you wouldn’t come, but you actually arrived right on time, exactly 20 minutes.”
“I’m not like certain people who make breaking promises a habit.” Mi Cai took the opportunity to tease me.
I laughed nonchalantly, “You’re referring to me, right? It’s fine, you can just say it directly; I won’t get angry with you.”
“You’re not angry because you have a thick skin!” Mi Cai retorted again.
I smiled once more but didn’t speak.
Mi Cai glanced at the hotel across the way and asked, “Can we go eat now?”
“Of course, but we need to wait a little longer for a few more people.”
“Are there other people coming?”
Before Mi Cai had even finished speaking, the waiting crowd began to buzz with excitement. Then, eight cars decorated with red wedding stickers and ribbons drove into the hotel courtyard in single file. They had finally arrived!
I didn’t have time to speak with Mi Cai by my side. My gaze was uncontrollably drawn to the bridal car, knowing that Jianwei was sitting inside. My breathing instantly became erratic.
Fangyuan, dressed in his groom’s attire, stepped out of the bridal car first, then went to the other side to open the door for Yanyan. He scooped her up in a princess carry, and this gesture was met with applause and cheers from the crowd. The happiness radiating from them instantly overwhelmed me.
Amid the surging crowd, I finally saw Jianwei step out of the car. She was holding a bouquet, wearing a sapphire-blue dress. The noon sunlight fell on her arms, making them sparkle. Her face was still as beautiful as ever, with willow-shaped eyebrows and peach-blossom eyes that seemed to shimmer with water. Among all the women I knew, her eyes were the most beautiful.
Jianwei handed the bouquet to Yanyan, who was in Fangyuan’s arms, and then joined the crowd in clapping and cheering. Throughout, she didn’t look in my direction, or perhaps she simply didn’t care that I was present at the scene.
I remained silent for a long time and took a deep breath, then said to Mi Cai, who was somewhat confused by the situation, “My friends have arrived… let’s go in for the meal.”
Mi Cai’s expression turned cold, “You came to attend your friends’ wedding, not because you sincerely invited me for a meal, right?”
“I was sincere! It’s just that there are a few more people.”
“Scum!” Mi Cai cursed me, took the car key from her handbag, and turned to walk towards the car parked not far away.
I couldn’t let Mi Cai leave. Yes, I had tricked her, but this trick didn’t hurt her at all. At least she could enjoy a wedding banquet. Since she had already come, it would be unreasonable for her to leave now.
I reached out and grabbed Mi Cai, my tone involuntarily becoming harsher, “Why do you have to be so nitpicky! What’s wrong with inviting you to my friends’ wedding banquet? Just eat and drink to your heart’s content, it won’t make you lose any weight!”
Mi Cai hit me with her bag and walked away, saying, “Let me emphasize again, I don’t like being deceived… From now on, I don’t want anything to do with you, this fraud and scum. Please, when you go back, move out of my house immediately.”
Although I hadn’t expected Mi Cai to react so strongly, I still grabbed her arm, not letting her leave. As we struggled, a figure stood in front of us.
My hand was still tightly holding Mi Cai’s arm, and I looked up at the person who had come, my heart pounding violently… Standing directly in front of Mi Cai and me was none other than Jianwei!
At this moment, three years later, we finally stood face to face once again.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage