Due to the rain that had come over Imperial, the temperature lingered in coldness as the breeze picked up by a little. The once empty parking lot to the private lake was filled with cars and white canopy tents as the subordinates of Yue Ling and Lu Tian scattered to get their tasks done.
Yue Ling had changed into a silk robe and sat in a chair inside one of the canopy tents. In front of her was Lian Ni Shang doing light touches on her makeup and behind was Ju Suo fixing her hair.
Lian Ni Shang looks at her boss, and she smiles in awe. Her eyes glisten with tears, but she does not cry. Instead, she looked like a mother who was proud of her daughter.
"I can't believe that this day has come…."
"I know. It's like a dream."
Ju Suo held a curling iron in one hand while her other hand was placed on her chest. She also looked like a proud mother as she gazed at her boss.
"I want the whole world to know that boss is the most beautiful woman in the world!"
The two women held soft yet melancholy expressions. Helping Yue Ling get ready reminded them of the past, but neither would dare bring up such a tragic topic.
Yue Ling never spoke a word and stared at her subordinate's reflection in the large mirror in front of her. Even without the need to ask, she was able to guess what they were thinking.
"Are we ready?"
The entrance to the canopy tent opens, and Yang Yang interrupts with a bright smile on his face. He walks over to the three women, and his expression brightens up more when he sees Yue Ling.
He clasps his hands together and inhales a gasp.
"Oh my. Miss Han, you are truly a work of art."
He placed one palm on his chest while his other hand began to fan his eyes.
"I just want to cry."
His lips tremble, but he holds back the urge to choke sob.
"Never in the many years that I've worked with brides have I been this thrilled. I can't believe I'm able to work with my idol."
Yue Ling didn't know how to respond but smiled at the man. She was surprised to see Yang Yang here with her subordinates when she arrived here. She asked Lu Tian what they were doing here, but he kept telling her it was a surprise.
From her observation, she had a hunch of what was going on. However, she decided to keep quiet and follow along with his plan.
Lian Ni Shang finishes with the touch-up and puts the brush in her hand inside the makeup case. She takes a step back to stand side by side with Yang Yang, and her lips curl up in satisfaction.
"Alright. Makeup, done."
At the same time, Ju Suo turns the curling iron off and places it down. She also walks to join the other two people and smiles a wink at them.
"Hair, also done."
Yang Yang, Lian Ni Shang, and Ju Suo stood at the side of Yue Ling, and the three individuals decided to use this time to admire the retired model.
Feeling their intense gazes on her, Yue Ling was put in a slightly awkward position. However, she pretends not to notice their eyes on her and looks at her reflection in the mirror.
Lian Ni Shang had added light and neutral makeup touches on her. As for her hair, Ju Suo put the top half into a braid while the bottom half curled down her back with a few added pearls.
She stood up from the chair and turned to face the two women with a smile.
"Thank you. You both have done a wonderful job."
Lian Ni Shang kept her composure and nodded her head. However, unlike her, Ju Suo giggles like a little girl who has been praised by her mother.
"Aiya, you're making me blush."
She grins at her boss and crosses her arms over her chest.
"This privilege is only for you."
Yang Yang felt envious of Lian Ni Shang and Ju Suo. He also wanted to be praised by his idol.
He dashes away to a clothing rack set up at the side and grabs a garment bag. He quickly returns to Yue Ling and widely smiles at her.
"Miss Han, please change into the first dress. Lu Tian and your subordinates informed me that you like simplicity, so I chose the most simple but elegant dresses in my store."
He held the garment bag out to her, and the smile on his face widens until it reached his eyes.
"I promise, this will not disappoint you at all."
Yue Ling stares at the man for a long second before taking the garment bag. Noticing he was looking at her with eyes like that of a puppy waiting to be praised, she chuckles.
"Thank you. I trust your judgment in what you chose."
She says no more and heads for the changing area inside the canopy tent.
While she disappeared behind the curtains, Yang Yang held his chin high. He glances left then right to the two women.
He spoke no words, but his expression was as if saying, 'See. I also did a great job.'
Ju Suo and Lian Ni Shang rolled their eyes at the man. Neither utter a word and turn to work on their other assigned tasks in the tent.
Outside of the tent, Lu Tian had finished changing into a tailored black tuxedo that wrapped perfectly around his body structure well. His hair was styled back with a side part, enhancing his facial features.
However, despite the calmness on his outer appearance, inside, he was more nervous than ever.
It wasn't their wedding day, but he was worried that his plan might backfire. What if something happens? What if it rains again? Should he have chosen a different location? What if…
"Attention, everyone."
In the middle of his thoughts, Yang Yang calls out and gets everyone's attention. He walks out from the canopy tent and takes a step to the side while holding the curtain open with a bow.
"Our beautiful bride-to-be."
Yue Ling steps out into view with the help of Lian Ni Shang and Ju Suo.
Lu Tian turns his head to look at the tent, and before he knows it, his surrounding seems to have become a massive blur. His mind focuses only on the woman he loves, like they were the only two people in the world.
The silk robe Yue Ling was wearing had been replaced with a white dress. The demure long-sleeve top is an ode to the elegance of minimalist tailoring. A plunging V-neck and keyhole back gave the dress a unique but seductive quality, but the front lace hid any body part that should not be seen. Soft tulle formed the skirt in a whimsical and weightless design, allowing one to move freely with ease.
Yue Ling gradually approaches Lu Tian and smiles when she sees him stuck in a daze. She doesn't wake him up but engraves how charming he looks at the moment.
"Ahem."
From the side, Xu Long clears his throat while Liu Shan sounds a cough, reminding them that they are not alone.
Lu Tian ignores the two assistants and reaches his right hand out. He gazes into her bluish-green eyes and smiles at her.
"You are very lovely."
No matter how many times he sees his wife, she will always take his breath away.
"Be it yesterday, today, or tomorrow. You are the loveliest in my eyes."
Yue Ling's heart skipped a beat when she came into contact with his words and smile. Her cheeks flush a shade of pink, and she could confirm that his killer smile could blind a person.
She inhales a small breath to calm her mind and place her hand on top of his.
"I can say the same for you."
Lu Tian was mesmerized by her beauty but knowing that time was not waiting for them, he held onto her hand and walked in the direction of the lake.
"The surprise I have for you might take you by surprise."
As the couple approached the path, Yue Ling was indeed in for a surprise. The scene she remembered from before had changed.
The trees were decorated with lights and slightly swayed in motion like dancing to a rhythm. The once clear path was now covered in red rose petals.
"I hope you like it."
Lu Tian never pauses in his steps but looks down at his wife walking next to him. His hand wrapped around her hand slightly tightens, then loosens a bit.
"If you don't, we can make some changes to your liking."
Yue Ling takes in the scene before her and then looks at the man next to her.
"I like it."
Her bluish-green eyes gaze into his, and she smiles with her teeth.
"Your surprises always have a way of amazing me."
Lu Tian gazes into her eyes, and he can see the love behind them. He smiles with her and leans in to kiss her on the forehead.
"This is only one of the many surprises."
"Perfect."
The clicking of a camera sounds from behind as Liu Shan was able to capture the romantic moment of the couple. He held the camera like his life depended on it but kept a steady distance between them.
He quickly checks the camera screen to see the photo he had taken. A satisfying smile curls on his face when he had captured the moment when Lu Tian kissed Yue Ling on the forehead.
He clicks back to capture mode and raises the camera to his eyes. However, he quickly lowers his hands and frowns disapprovingly.
"Xu Long, move! You're in the way!"
Xu Long, who had unknowingly blocked Liu Shan's view, was carrying the camera equipment. When he hears the man's words, he turns his head enough to see Liu Shan.
"I'm not in the way. Who told you to stay behind me?"
He stopped in his tracks and pursed his lips like he had eaten something sour.
"And when did I become your assistant?"
Liu Shan's nostrils flare, and he smacks the man on the back of the head.
"You were the one who asked me to the photographer. The least you can do is be my assistant for the time being."
He wanted to continue lecturing Xu Long but seeing that Yue Ling and Lu Tian were walking further away, he storms after them.
He was afraid of missing the opportunity to capture more perfect images for the photoshoot.
"Hurry up. I'm not paying you to do nothing."
Xu Long's jaw dropped to the ground while watching Liu Shan walk away. He scoffs a broken chuckle in disbelief then shakes his head.
"I'm not even getting paid to be your assistant."
"Bro, we're not getting paid too."
Walking past the assistant, Tang Zhonghui chimes with Gui Tian Lan and Gui Zhongmin following not too far behind him. The three men stared at Xu Long as each person carried other necessities for the photoshoot.
Xu Long was left speechless as he watched the three men carry on with their way. He takes a deep breath to calm his mind but seeing Qi Li from the corners of his eyes, he looks at the man with knitted brows.
"Isn't your task the same as ours? How come you're not carrying anything?"
Qi Li was casually walking with his hands in his pockets. He shrugs his shoulders indifferently without the need to think about his response.
"I did my task. I brought my boss here."
"…"
