Is it a coincidence or remembering the promise

  It was early in the morning, and An Lan's alarm clock set for 8 o'clock hadn't gone off yet when Qin Xiangyi knocked on the door.

  "An Lan, hurry up and get out of bed. I want to take you to your grandfather's grave to pay respects and tell him the news that you're getting married today." Qin Yiyi shouted from outside the door.

  "Oh, I know," An Lan responded while quickly getting out of bed. Her mother had told her about this last night, but she had forgotten after sleeping.

  Waiting for her to wash and change clothes, Qin Xuan was already waiting for her at the Qingyuan Gate. Seeing her coming down, she hurriedly urged: "Hurry up, hurry up, seize the time, or else the Yi family's wedding procession will arrive soon."

  An Lan nodded and walked with her mother towards the direction of the Qinyuan Garden gate. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw Lin Sao opening the courtyard door, followed by a group of people coming in.

  "We are from the wedding company," said a man in a suit, looking at Qin Xiangyi and An Lan. "It's time for makeup and dressing now. Miss Gu, please don't go out yet. Let the makeup artist help you with your makeup right away. Mr. Yi will arrive promptly at 9:19 to pick up Miss Gu."

  An Lan's face was filled with helplessness, while Qin Xinyao also had a hint of regret. They hadn't expected the Yi family to schedule their time so early, thinking that no one would arrive until after 10 o'clock.

  Qin Xuan let An Lan hurry up and lead the makeup artist into Yunyuan, while the makeup artist was followed by a costume designer, who was carrying a slightly heavy box at this time, which was estimated to be wedding dresses and other things.

  Yunyuan is the master of Qin Garden, before Qin Yini and Gu Yunbo both lived in Yunyuan, later she moved to Qingyuan to live, that's because she wanted to believe in Buddhism and recite scriptures there, so Yunyuan has always been where Gu Yunbo lives alone.

  But An Lan is her daughter, Qin Yini's successor, and today she is getting married, so naturally she will be married out from the main building.

  An Lan also had a room in Yunyuan, and she lived there until she was ten years old. Later, because her mother wanted to move to Qingyuan to recite scriptures, An Lan accompanied her mother and moved together with her.

  The box was opened, and to everyone's surprise, it was a large red vintage phoenix coronet and veil. The makeup artist who had just opened the makeup box was stunned for a moment, because she hadn't expected the costume designer to bring Chinese-style wedding clothes for the bride.

  When An Lan saw the dress lying quietly in the trunk, she only felt a sour nose and a slight stinging sensation in her eyes, and she couldn't help but quickly do the supine sky flower board movement.

  Six years ago, when they passed by a wedding dress shop in Toronto, he held her and asked: "Anna, after we get married, let's come back to this store for our wedding dresses, okay? Look at that diamond-encrusted one, isn't it beautiful?"

  "No," she directly rejected his proposal without thinking: "I am Chinese, I will wear a red traditional Chinese dress on my wedding day, and I don't want this white gaudy wedding dress. Besides, white is unlucky in the eyes of Chinese people."

  He sneered at her words: "White is a symbol of purity, and bright red is too tacky? Wearing it makes you look like an old country bumpkin."

  "It's just a peasant hat, anyway," she said carelessly. "A woman only gets to be queen for one day in her life, so what if it's a bit rustic? The key is that red symbolizes happiness and auspiciousness!"

  He smiled and said: "Alright, when the time comes, I'll use a phoenix crown and a red veil to welcome you as my bride!"

  Now, six years have passed, she really is going to marry him, and he has also sent her a phoenix coronet and a cloud-patterned cape.

  Is this just a coincidence suggested by the wedding company or did he remember his promise six years ago?

  Compared with Western-style wedding dresses, Chinese traditional cheongsam is actually more complicated, and the makeup is not that simple, because it needs to be matched with the overall Chinese traditional cheongsam.

  An Lan usually doesn't like to wear makeup, so she felt a bit uncomfortable throughout the entire process. Her hair was styled in a cloud-like bun because of the phoenix crown, and pulling her hair back also hurt a little.

  After being tormented by the makeup artist and the dresser for an hour, her Chinese wedding dress was finally put on her body, and the phoenix crown was also worn on her head. The dresser and makeup artist couldn't help but exaggeratedly praise: "Really beautiful, she is the most beautiful bride we have ever seen!"

  An Lan only felt embarrassed, it seemed that at this time she should have given red envelopes to the makeup artist and the dress designer, but she thought the wedding was too simple, thinking that as long as Yi Shuihan came to pick her up in a car this morning, everything would be fine. The makeup and dress change would probably take place in the hotel's bridal room, so she hadn't prepared any red envelopes at all.

  Just as she was getting a headache, the door was knocked open and a young woman in a red cheongsam walked in, holding two red envelopes, which she handed to the costume designer and makeup artist respectively.

  An Lan only felt that this woman was somewhat familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before, but for a moment, she couldn't think of it, so she stared at her blankly.

  "I'm your bridesmaid, Liu Yunxi," the young woman introduced herself with a smile: "We've met before. I was engaged to Shao Yifu and you came to our engagement party with Zhuo Bufan."

  An Lan suddenly realized that it was no wonder she thought the woman looked familiar, as it turned out to be Shao Yifu's fiancée, who would also become Yi Shuihan's future sister-in-law.

  "Thank you!" An Lan sincerely thanked her. If she hadn't come in just now, she really didn't know how to react.

  "Don't thank me, Second Brother has already arrived and is now downstairs giving them red envelopes. Hurry up and sit properly, I'll help you put on your shoes. He should be coming up to get you soon."

  As expected, just as Liu Yunxi's words fell, the sound of knocking on the door came from outside, followed by Yi Shuihan's low voice: "Are you all ready?"

  "Hurry up, just one more minute!" Yun Xi quickly squatted down to help An Lan put on the embroidered wedding shoes. As they were new shoes, they pinched her feet a bit, and An Lan was wincing in pain. The dressmaker and makeup artist rushed over to assist.

  The shoes were finally worn, the dresser went to open the door, An Lan endured the pain in her toes and stood up, and as soon as she looked up, she saw Yi Shuihan standing at the door.

  He wore a black horse jacket with red long gown and golden edges, at first glance, he looked like a prince from an ancient costume drama, of course, if he had braided a long braid.

  She didn't expect him to choose retro clothes to match her Chinese-style cheongsam, she thought he should still be wearing a suit and tie today.

  Behind Yi Shuihan was the best man, Shao Yifu. Perhaps to match the scene, Shao Yifu also wore a traditional Chinese long gown and a horse jacket that matched Liu Yunxi's.

  Yi Shuihan gazed at her, who was wearing a phoenix coronet and a cloud-patterned cloak. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, and a faint, imperceptible smile crept onto his cheeks, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by a swiftly rising expression of indifference.

  "Can we go now?" His voice was as flat as water, just like he was talking to a stranger.

  An Lan nodded, grasping the hem of her skirt with both hands and enduring the pain in her feet as she carefully made her way forward. She kept reminding herself to be extra careful when going down the stairs later, lest she trip and fall.

  "Do you want me to support you?" Yun Xi saw An Lan walking with some difficulty, after all, the shoes on her feet were obviously one size smaller, so she asked softly in her ear.

  An Lan hadn't even had time to respond when Yi Shui Han already stretched out his hands, exerting a bit of force to pull her into a tight hug, and then scooped her up horizontally, turned around, and walked towards the staircase not far from the door.

  Yi Shuihan's movements were extremely fast, and he picked up An Lan and turned around in almost one go, taking less than three seconds, leaving Shaoyifu and Liu Yunxi standing beside them momentarily stunned.

  An Lan let out a cry of surprise, her body suddenly lifted off the ground, and in a reflexive motion, she wrapped her arms tightly around Yi Shuihan's neck, afraid that if he didn't hold on tight, she would fall directly down the stairs.

  Yi Shuihan looked at the woman who was clinging to him in fear, and the smile on his lips deepened. He held her steadily and walked step by step towards the downstairs.

  Liu Yunxi followed behind Yi Shuihan, looking at Gu Anlan who was tightly hugged by Yi Shuihan, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. It seemed that the phrase "the world is unpredictable" was indeed very fitting when it came to Yi Shuihan.

  I thought he married Gu Anlan because of the helpless situation caused by that video, this wedding should be perfunctory, and Yi Shuihan, even as the groom, should have a reluctant and forced expression.

  Just look at the grandeur of this wedding, the rigorous procedures, where is there a slightest hint of perfunctoriness? It's clearly a meticulously planned and grand wedding!

  So, Liu Yunxi couldn't help but sigh: "It seems that this man's heart is really changeable. Just a few days ago, he was still showing affection to Yu Wei, and now, he has welcomed another woman as his wife with the most grand ceremony?"

  "Changed heart?" Shao Yifu raised an eyebrow and said lightly, "How do you know whether Shui Han is changing her heart or sticking to her true heart?"

  Yun Xi heard this and was slightly stunned, then faintly asked in response: "Your meaning is... you should go and stick to your true heart, is that right?"

  Run Run Shaw gave her a cold glance: "This is Shui Han's wedding, let's not discuss such boring matters."

  Yun Xi couldn't help but laugh bitterly, another boring question, then what problem between her and him would be interesting?

  An Yu wore a pink dress and stood in the living room of Yunyuan, her small face scrunched up tightly due to anger and annoyance, staring fiercely at Gu Anlan being held in Yi Shuihan's arms.

  Yi Shuihan is her heartthrob, she dreams of marrying a man like him. Now, she's actually been married off to Gu Anlan, that old woman, how unwilling she is!

  Originally, I wanted to take the opportunity to be a bridesmaid for Gu Anlan and stand on the wedding stage with her, to see if Yi Shuihan would hold hands again today, but unexpectedly, I ended up putting the wedding ring on my own finger as a bridesmaid. Just like last time at the matchmaking meeting, Yi Shuihan inexplicably put the ring on Anlan's finger.

  But who would have thought that her only hope was also shattered, Yi Shuihan not only came to welcome Gu Anlan personally, but also brought a bridesmaid, and this latest fashion dress she wore had no chance of standing on the stage to steal the spotlight from Gu Anlan.

  Besides, Gu Anlan was dressed in a phoenix coronet and a crimson skirt today, just like the bride in an ancient costume drama. Her presence was enough to overshadow any young socialite wearing modern wedding attire. Who could possibly steal her thunder as the bride?

  Yi Shuihan carried An Lan to the first floor hall of Yunyuan and put her down, while Gu Yunbo and Qin Xinyi were already seated in the first place under the arrangement of the wedding company, waiting for the newlyweds to serve them tea and bid farewell.

  Yi Shuihan and Gu Anlan took the tea cups handed over by the wedding company's etiquette girls, and under the host's indication, they knelt down together to offer a farewell tea to Gu Yunbo and Qin Xin.

  An Lan thought that Yi Shui Han would still be driving his Jeep today, but when he carried her to the entrance of Qin Garden, she found out that the wedding car was a big red Audi Q7, and she didn't know if it was his own or rented from the wedding company.

  She was held by him on this red Audi Q7, the two sat in the back row together, the co-pilot seat was occupied by bridesmaid Liu Yunxi, and the driver was groomsman Shao Yifu.

  An Lan had always thought that her reluctant marriage to Yi Shui Han would be simple and perfunctory, so she never had any expectations for this wedding.

  However, when Yi Shuihan personally came to the Gu's house to welcome her, and carried her down from the second floor of the Yunyuan where she had grown up, when she saw the luxurious fleet of 19 cars, she vaguely felt that this wedding would not be simple and hasty.

  It's also expected that although the wedding was held against their will, it still represents the face of the Yi family. If it were too simple and hasty, then it would be the Yi family who loses face.

  19 luxury wedding cars drove two laps on Bincheng Avenue and Binhai Avenue, and when the wedding cars arrived at the wedding venue, the Lily Hotel, it was already after 11:00.

  The Lily Hotel has been booked by Yi Shuihan today, with a circular arch made of lily flowers at the entrance, 99 champagne roses forming a heart shape, and inside is a photo of Yi Shuihan putting a ring on Gu Anlan.

  An Lan was taken aback when she saw the photo on the bus, she clearly remembered that Yi Shuihan had grabbed her hand at the matchmaking meeting and was emotionally agitated and angry, while she was even more frightened and flustered.

  Why is it that in this photo placed at the hotel entrance, her expression seems to be shy, while Yi Shuihan is gazing deeply at her with lowered eyes?

  As for the layout of the entire hall, Anlan had no idea what it was like, because she was covered with an ancient headscarf before getting off the car, a large piece of red cloth with gold edges completely covering her head.

  She couldn't see the road ahead at all, and could only lower her head to look at the soles of her own feet. Her left hand was being held by Yi Shuihan's right hand, and she felt his scorching temperature passing through his palm to hers. The temperature was too hot, and between them, both palms were slightly sweaty.

  From the parking lot to the hotel entrance, on the steps at the entrance, and then to the banquet hall on the second floor, all the way to the podium, Yi Shuihan's hand never let go of An Lan's hand.

  Until the host's voice sounded: "It is now 11:55, I am here to hold the most solemn wedding ceremony for this new couple, please ask the groom's parents to take their seats."

  Yi Shuihan's parents didn't know whether they had taken their seats or not, because her entire head was covered with a red veil, and she only turned in the direction indicated by the bridesmaid Liu Yunxi's gentle push and reminder.

  And the funniest thing is, Liu Yunxi also stuffed a red silk cloth into her hand and said with suppressed laughter: "This is the big red cloth used for worshiping the ancestors' hall, you must hold on tight, absolutely cannot drop it."

  "One bow to heaven and earth!" Along with the host's voice, Liu Yunxi reminded her to quickly bow down beside her.

  "Two bows to the high hall!"

  "Husband and wife bow!"

  An Lan was pushed by Liu Yunxi and spun around in circles, covering her head. She spun a few more times and couldn't even tell which direction she was facing. The shoes that pinched her feet made them ache, and she didn't know if it was because she had been standing on the stage for too long, but her legs were numb.

  When the couple was bowing, she was pushed by Liu Yunxi to stand in the opposite direction. Just as she bowed down, someone suddenly pushed her from behind, and she leaned forward, then plunged straight ahead, almost falling flat on her face.

  Yi Shuihan, who was originally holding the other end of the red ribbon, saw the sudden arrival of the bride and was so frightened that he didn't even have time to bow. Almost instinctively, he stretched out his hand and caught her.

  The whole scene erupted in thunderous applause, followed by cheers and uncontrollable laughter. It was clear that everyone had never seen such a classic wedding before, and the novelty of it all made it even more hilarious.

  "Don't be too excited," Yi Shuihan straightened Anlan in his arms and whispered in her ear, "This tedious wedding ceremony hasn't even ended yet. Even if you want to rush into the bridal chamber, you'll still have to wait until the end of the ceremony before being sent into the bridal chamber."

  Anlan's face immediately turned bright red, fortunately a large piece of red cloth covered her head, and her reddened face was not exposed in public, otherwise she estimated that she would have to find a seam on the ground to drill into.

  Supported by the bridesmaid, she heard the host shouting again: "Next, husband and wife worship!"

  An Lan carefully made her way down, fortunately this time she passed smoothly, what she was thinking in her heart was that the wedding ceremony was finally over, she had to be sent into the 'bridal chamber', which was the hotel's bridal suite.

  But before she could even catch her breath, the host shouted again: "Lift the veil and exchange wedding rings!"

  She was stunned, wasn't this a traditional wedding? Why didn't the proceedings match those in TV dramas? In TV dramas, it seemed like the male lead would lift the veil for the female lead only after entering the bridal chamber.

  She hadn't reacted yet, and Yi Shuihan had already slowly lifted the large red cloth embroidered with the Chinese character for "double happiness" from her head. As she raised her eyes, they coincidentally met his downward gaze.

  For a moment, neither of them looked away, staring at each other in confusion and incomprehension, shock and unease... all transmitted in an instant.

  "Exchange rings!" The host's voice finally pulled them out of their brief eye contact.

  Yi Shuihan took the gold ring handed over by the best man, Shao Yifu, pulled An Lan's left hand, and naturally put the golden ring on her ring finger.

  An Lianming clearly remembered that the ring she tried on yesterday was just right, not loose or tight. But why did this ring fit so tightly on her ring finger now, constricting it painfully, as if suffocating?

  She took the ring handed over by Liu Yunxi, pulled his hand to put on the ring for him. She didn't know if it was the staff of Jindabao Jewelry Store who got the size wrong, but she also felt that the ring on her hand was a bit small. When putting it on Yi Shuihan's ring finger, it was obviously very difficult, and it was finally squeezed in with great difficulty.

  "The ceremony is completed, let's send them into their bridal chamber!"

  As the host's voice fell, this torturous retro wedding finally came to an end. An Lan secretly let out a sigh of relief; she no longer had to perform like a monkey on stage.

  An Lan thought that the so-called 'sending into the bridal chamber' was just sending her to the hotel's bridal room, where she would change into another set of clothes and then go with Yi Shuihan to toast the guests.

  However, in fact, she was not sent to the bridal suite of the hotel, but was taken directly to Yi Shuihan's car, and Liu Yunxi helped her open the passenger door and supported her as she got in.

  "I'll send you back first," Liu Yunxi smiled and explained to her: "Let the men take care of the wine, Second Brother said that in a traditional Chinese wedding, the bride should stay in the bridal chamber and not come out, no need to show up and toast guests."

  An Lan nodded, letting out a long sigh of relief. Although this retro wedding was somewhat comical, it was estimated that the entire wedding ceremony gave people a feeling more like a farcical comedy.

  However, overall, the retro wedding made her very satisfied with one thing that she didn't have to toast at the banquet, which was what she disliked most - being forced to smile and exchange cups.