Chapter 299: His Day

Runze’s POV

Ling Yue cried during the vows.

He would deny this with his entire chest if anyone brought it up afterward, and I would let him, because I am a good friend. But I was standing close enough to see his face when Jin Hao reached the part about choosing him every day, and I watched Ling Yue’s composure slip for just a moment.

He recovered quickly. He lifted his chin, blinked twice, and pressed his lips together as if that would settle everything.

Jin Hao noticed too. He smiled and reached up to straighten Ling Yue’s collar before the officiant finished speaking. It was such a small, familiar gesture that I almost felt like I had walked in on a private moment.

Ling Yue looked at him, and whatever he had been trying to hide seemed to settle into something softer.

I had to look away before I embarrassed myself.

Siying was dressed in pale ivory, with small gold embroidery along the hem of her flower girl dress. Mrs. Wen had sourced it and kept it secret from me until this morning. She had also provided a small woven basket of white petals, which Siying had shown no interest in scattering properly.

She dropped three petals directly onto my shoe before we even reached the aisle.

I carried her the whole way down. She held the basket in one arm and rested her free hand on my shoulder, looking out at the assembled guests with Bael’s exact expression. Several people turned to watch her pass, and Mrs. Zhou smiled so widely that I thought she might actually come over to ask to hold her.

I kept walking and tried to look as though I had planned all of this.

Bael was waiting in the front row. He had arrived early enough to be surrounded by people hoping to exchange a few words with him, though most of them seemed to have learned quickly that he was not interested in making conversation for the sake of it.

I slid into the seat beside him.

“How many people have tried to talk to you?” I asked quietly.

“Enough.”

I glanced at him. “That’s not a number.”

“It is the only answer you need.”

I laughed under my breath. “You could at least pretend to enjoy yourself. It’s their wedding.”

“I’m aware.”

Siying turned toward him, studied his face, then leaned against my shoulder like she had decided he was behaving normally enough.

Bael glanced down at her and brushed a finger over her cheek. She caught his hand, held it for a moment, and then returned her attention to the guests.

I watched them with a smile.

For all his complaints about social gatherings, Bael had come early and stayed through the entire ceremony. He had even listened to every word of the vows without once checking his phone. I knew better than to point that out to him, but I was pleased all the same.

***

Jin Hao finds us during the reception.

He has barely had time to enjoy a quiet moment since the ceremony. Guests keep stopping him to offer their congratulations, and he has been accepting every greeting with a smile that never seems forced. Even when someone pulls him into another conversation, his attention keeps returning to Ling Yue, who is standing a short distance away speaking with a group of relatives.

Jin Hao finally makes his way over to us.

“Bael!”

He approaches with his arms already opening for a hug.

Bael raises one hand and plants his palm against Jin Hao’s forehead, stopping him before he gets any closer.

“You couldn’t let me have this one moment, could you?”

Bael keeps his palm there for another second before lowering it. “No.”

Jin Hao bursts out laughing.

I cover my mouth, but the laugh still escapes me.

Jin Hao catches my expression and points at me. “Don’t encourage him. He’s been doing this to me for months.”

“Then why do you keep trying?” I ask.

“Because one day, I’m going to get that hug.”

“Keep dreaming,” Bael says.

Jin Hao laughs again, then lowers his arms. His expression settles into something more sincere as he looks at Bael.

“I’m glad you came,” he says. “Really.”

Bael holds his gaze for a moment before giving him a short nod.

Jin Hao’s smile returns. He doesn’t press for a warmer response or try to force another hug. He seems perfectly content with that small acknowledgment, and I find myself smiling at the sight.

They have come a long way from the days when Jin Hao had to work for every scrap of Bael’s attention. Bael still refuses to make things easy for him, but Jin Hao never seems to take his coldness personally. He knows when to push and when to leave him alone, and Bael, for his part, has stopped treating every attempt at friendship as an inconvenience.

Siying begins making excited little sounds in my arms.

Ling Yue has finished speaking with his relatives and is now looking in our direction. The moment Siying sees him, she stretches one arm toward him and babbles loudly.

Ling Yue raises his eyebrows.

“Is that a formal request to be carried by the groom?”

“She has been trying to get everyone’s attention all evening,” I tell him.

“Then she has excellent taste.”

He comes closer and lets Siying catch his finger. She grips it with both hands, looking pleased with herself.

Ling Yue turns to me. “Come on. Let’s get some air before she decides to take over the reception.”

“Are you sure you aren’t trying to escape your guests?”

“Runze, I am the groom. I can do whatever I want for five minutes.”

He catches my arm and leads me toward the terrace before I can answer. I glance back at Bael, who gives me a small nod before turning back to Jin Hao.

“Don’t let him steal you for too long,” Bael says.

Ling Yue looks over his shoulder. “It’s my wedding day. I’m allowed to borrow my best friend.”

“Borrow him, then,” Bael replies.

I laugh as Ling Yue pulls me through the glass doors.

The terrace overlooks a garden lit with small, warm lights strung through the hedges. The music and conversation from the reception become quieter once the doors close behind us. A few guests are scattered along the far side, but there is enough space for us to stand by the railing without being disturbed.

Ling Yue releases my arm and rests his hands on the railing.

Siying has settled against my shoulder. She watches the lights below us, her small fingers resting against the fabric of my top.

For a while, neither of us speaks.

Then I turn to Ling Yue.

“You looked happy up there.”

He glances at me. “I was.”

“Hmm.”

He looks back at the garden, a small smile appearing on his face.

“I still am,” he adds.

I smile too. “Good. I hope he keeps making you that happy.”

“He’d better.” Ling Yue smiles faintly.

Then he looks down at Siying, who has one hand resting on my shoulder and is rubbing her cheek against my neck.

“She’s getting big,” he says, reaching over to straighten the back of her dress.

“She really is.”

He smiles at her before looking back at me.

“Thank you for being here,” he says.

“Where else would I be?”

“I know.” He gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I just wanted to say it.”

I cover his hand with mine for a moment. “I’m happy for you, Yue.”

His smile grows, and he looks away before I can say anything else.

The music from inside changes, and a brighter melody carries through the glass doors. Jin Hao appears a moment later, looking toward us with a smile.

“There you two are.” He steps onto the terrace and holds out his hand to Ling Yue. “They’re waiting for our first dance.”

Ling Yue looks at him, then takes his hand.

“Already?”

“You knew it was coming.”

“I was hoping they’d forget.”

Jin Hao laughs. “I’m afraid you’re not getting out of this one.”

Ling Yue shakes his head, but he is smiling as Jin Hao draws him closer.

I adjust Siying in my arms and step aside to give them room.

“Go on,” I tell Ling Yue. “Enjoy your day.”

He looks back at me with a grateful smile before following Jin Hao inside.

I remain on the terrace for another moment, watching them through the glass as they return to the reception. When the music begins, Jin Hao draws Ling Yue into his arms, and the guests gather around the dance floor to watch them.

Siying shifts against me, her fingers playing with the edge of my collar.

“Ready to go back inside?” I ask her.

She answers with a happy babble, and I laugh softly before carrying her back into the reception.

***

Bael is standing near our table when I return. He looks up as I approach, his gaze moving from my face to Siying’s.

“Everything alright?” he asks.

“Of course.” I settle beside him. “He’s happy.”

Bael glances toward the dance floor, where Jin Hao and Ling Yue are moving together to the music.

“Good,” he says.

I watch them for a while. Ling Yue is smiling, and Jin Hao keeps looking at him as though the rest of the room has become unimportant.

I’m glad we came.

Bael’s hand settles at the small of my back, and I lean against him while Siying rests comfortably in my arms.

Across the room, Ling Yue catches my eye. I smile at him, and he smiles back before turning to Jin Hao.

He looks happier than I’ve seen him in a long time.

It is a good evening.