Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 95 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 95.2 Extra [Last Chapter About the Family]
Lin Jingzhe finally realized the bustling activities that came with marrying into the Xiao Family.
From selecting wedding attire to booking the banquet venue, sending out invitations, finalizing the menu, coordinating with the wedding company, and choosing a trustworthy master of ceremonies—the retired parents from both the Xiao and Shen Families were once again fully immersed in enthusiastic preparations.
As the elder brother, Lin Jingzhe found himself responsible for numerous details, such as greeting guests on the wedding day and ensuring the well-being of Grandma Xiao to prevent her from indulging in excess sweets.
"Grandma!" The elderly lady no longer feigned mobility incompetence after she had been previously caught red-handed. Wielding a cane, she moved with a surprisingly swift speed when no one was paying attention. It took a while before Lin Jingzhe discovered her in a corner, where she was smiling and extending her hand towards the plate of chocolate balls.
Upon realizing she had been caught, Grandma Xiao, instead of stuffing the chocolates into her own pocket, offered them to a child being led by his parents to the banquet. The child was taken aback but quickly accepted the chocolate, expressing gratitude to the enthusiastic elderly lady.
Grandma Xiao straightened up and gazed at her grandson as if nothing had happened. "Oh, Jingzhe? Why are you calling Grandma?"
"... " Lin Jingzhe was mentally and physically exhausted as he guided her away from the dessert table. The saying 'the older the ginger, the spicier it gets' was proving too true; he felt very outmatched.
Xiao Chi took charge of entertaining the media at the entrance. Given Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe's current social status, the wedding of their younger sister had undoubtedly become highly anticipated news. Additionally, the influence of Xiao Miao's boyfriend's family was also quite exceptional. The most prominent media outlets in Yan City and even the entire country had gathered a few hours before the banquet began. They crowded around the red carpet at the hotel's entrance, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newlyweds, hoping to capture a photo for their reports.
Dealing with this group of people was challenging, but fortunately, Xiao Chi's skills were sufficient to handle them with ease.
Hu Shaofeng observed Xiao Chi's calm and composed demeanor with a sense of admiration. "Brother Xiao is still Brother Xiao. He never gets nervous about anything. I remember he was also like this when he married Jingzhe over ten years ago."
Fang Wenhao shared a similar sentiment. In fact, this time, Xiao Chi appeared even more relaxed. Despite marrying his only sister, he seemed so calm, as if he were just attending an ordinary dinner.
Lin Jingzhe, who politely exchanged greetings, shook hands, and then invited another guest inside, just smiled at their observation. Not nervous, hmm?
He glanced at his watch and looked outside. Xiao Chi, having finished dealing with the media, had discreetly left.
Lin Jingzhe couldn't help but recall the memory of accidentally stumbling upon a large, undeleted collection of photos of Xiao Miao trying on wedding dresses when casually exploring Xiao Chi's phone the other day.
Hu Shaofeng scanned the surroundings with confusion. "Huh? Where's Brother Xiao?"
Fang Wenhao provided a sensible response, "I suppose he went to the restroom."
***
The hotel's rear courtyard was a tranquil space, contrasting starkly with the bustling crowds in the front.
In the quiet corridor, only the subdued echoes of leather shoes tapping against the floor and the soft strains of music from overhead speakers could be discerned.
Behind a closed door, the dressing room buzzed with activity. Mother Xiao stood behind her daughter's seat, gazing at the reflection of her daughter's beautiful, made-up face in the mirror. Her smile, though filled with joy, carried an undercurrent of reluctance. In the past, she had worried about her daughter remaining unmarried, fearing the prospect of her living a solitary life. However, as the long-awaited day arrived, the anticipated joy couldn't entirely mask the bittersweet emotions in her heart.
An aged hand and a youthful hand intertwined, as if symbolizing the convergence of two lifetimes.
Mother Xiao, holding a comb, gently ran it through her daughter's hair, tears shimmering in her eyes. Wishing to avoid tears on this significant day, she shifted her focus to the wedding details that left her dissatisfied. "The veil isn't exquisite enough. You should have requested a larger one with more embellishments."
"The gown is too weighty. There are steps at the entrance. Be cautious when you go out later; don't trip over yourself."
Xiao Miao felt her mother's sorrow and remained silent, nodding obediently with a lowered head.
As the auspicious time approached, her mother couldn't bear the melancholic atmosphere and left temporarily, citing the need to check the decorations outside. Xiao Miao was left alone in the spacious dressing room, feeling unmotivated and staring blankly at the mirror.
Suddenly, the quiet room was filled with the sound of footsteps, jolting her out of her reverie. When she turned around, she was met with an unexpected sight—a finely sculpted face and a composed gaze.
"Big brother?"
Xiao Chi held a small paper box in his hands and stood a few steps away, gazing at her in silence. His tall figure resembled a distant mountain in the subdued light. After a prolonged moment, he responded with a snort.
Xiao Miao was accustomed to this, as this was their way of interacting for years. The sorrow lingering from her mother's melancholy demeanor somewhat lessened due to her brother's indifferent approach. "Why are you here? Didn't you mention that you were dealing with the media outside?"
Xiao Chi remained silent, advancing toward her with measured steps—neither hurried nor sluggish, maintaining his composed expression.
Xiao Miao observed him with vigilant eyes. What was his intention? Was he plotting something again?
How despicable of him, exploiting this vulnerable moment to pull a prank while she was in a wedding dress. He truly earned the title of a wicked brother!
Xiao Chi stood behind her, motionless for a moment. Then, after a brief pause, he extended his hand, opened it, and gently placed it over Xiao Miao's head.
Xiao Miao's arm muscles tightened, poised to retaliate. Her gaze remained fixed on the reflection of the opponent's face and hands in the mirror, anticipating the right moment to strike back.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Chi's palm simply caressed her head gently; the warmth of his hand was palpable through her hair.
"Brat." He made sure not to disturb his sister's hairdo. After patting her head, he let out an almost imperceptible sigh, then lowered his head to open the box he had brought.
The box was small, with a plain exterior and no fancy ribbons or wrapping paper. It appeared as if it had been hastily grabbed from somewhere and used to contain something seemingly insignificant.
However, when she saw what he pulled out, Xiao Miao's eyes sparkled.
Xiao Chi shook the veil in his hand, allowing it to unfold. The small diamond embellishments and embroidery on the ivory-colored gauze, resembling the wedding dress, were equally as intricate. He placed the veil on his sister's head, then extracted two clips and meticulously secured it in her hair, tidying up the look.
The veil resembled an invisible breeze, delicately brushing against the tip of Xiao Miao's nose, seamlessly covering her face. It fit even better than the coordinated piece that came with her wedding dress. Xiao Miao was momentarily stunned, and her expression gradually turned serious. "...Brother?"
Xiao Chi gazed at his sister in the mirror, his fingers still fine-tuning the veil's position. After a moment, he emitted a soft snort. "Hmm?"
As Xiao Miao met his calm gaze, tears inexplicably welled up in her eyes, uncontrollable and streaming down. This troublesome brother, this mischievous brother, who had teased and bullied her since childhood in countless ways—how did he suddenly turn so brother-like?!
Turning around, she hugged her brother's waist, and for the first time, he didn’t push her away in disgust. Xiao Miao sniffed the scent of Buddhist incense on Xiao Chi that she had known for decades, and her nose turned red. "Big Brother!"
Xiao Chi remained silent and didn't hit or scold her. After a moment, he patted his sister on the back of the head, his voice steady, "Enough already. I'll just tolerate you for a few seconds. Any longer, and your tears and makeup will smudge on my clothing."
Xiao Miao angrily wiped her eyes and, without hesitation, used Xiao Chi's jacket to do so.
Xiao Chi's cold voice, akin to a death sentence, swept over Xiao Miao's neck like a cold knife, "Do you want to die?"
Xiao Miao let go of him, intent on fixing her makeup, sniffling but maintaining a defiant look. She didn't believe that ‘resting bitch face’ Xiao Chi, would actually dare to do anything drastic, especially with her needing to go out in a few minutes.
The brother and sister engaged in a fierce staring contest for a moment, yet the atmosphere surprisingly wasn't tense. After a while, Xiao Chi conceded, albeit with an air of reluctance. "I'll put up with you for just this one day."
Xiao Miao held back her tears and couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. After decades, she had finally won one of their endless battles.
Xiao Chi turned his head in response to his sister's laughter, wearing a very unhappy expression, until the bell rang and the door to the dressing room was pushed open.
Mother Xiao, who was still quite somber earlier, held a wedding baggie with a determined expression and led a large group of people into the room while urging, "Hurry, hurry, hurry, Xiao Miao! Don't linger when the auspicious time is about to arrive. Get up quickly!"
The sounds of the celebration and music from outside the door wafted in with their footsteps. Xiao Miao immediately felt nervous. Amid her mother's encouragement, she rose from her seat, holding her skirt, and quickly made her way towards the door with everyone’s assistance.
Perhaps the skirt was too voluminous, obstructing her view of her feet, or maybe the high heels were too towering, causing her center of gravity to waver. Despite her careful steps towards the door, she stumbled on the steps, letting out a surprised cry as she teetered towards the ground.
Anticipating an inevitable mishap, she closed her eyes, resigned to her misfortune. Then, in a split second, she sensed warmth enveloping her arms, and before she knew it, her feet were lifted off the ground.
Xiao Miao, who has not yet come to her senses: "...Huh?"
Mother Xiao, engrossed in her bustling preparations, only became aware of her son's presence and was immediately stunned. Xiao Chi, unceremoniously held his sister up—who felt as weighty as a pig with the added burden of the wedding dress—lightly shook his arm in disdain. Impatiently, he instructed those nearby, "Someone should come quickly and help hold her train!"
Maid of Honor Shen Tiantian, recovering from her momentary shock, swiftly gathered Xiao Miao's long train and enlisted someone to assist. With the path now clear, Xiao Chi proceeded directly towards the venue.
This marked the inaugural instance in Xiao Miao's existence when her brother lifted her up. The sensation was peculiar, yet it bestowed upon her an indescribable sense of tranquility.
Her family, tightly woven into the fabric of her life, held a special place in her heart. Clutching the bouquet in her hand, she gazed at her brother's determined visage from head to toe. Such a poignant moment unfolded, akin to the emergence of continuous springwater from within her being.
Xiao Chi cast a downward glance at her, and their eyes met. In that moment of connection, Xiao Miao's eyes sparkled, and she spoke softly, "Big brother..."
Before she could express her gratitude, Xiao Chi interjected with a disdainful look, "You're so heavy, are you a pig? You must weigh at least 90 kilograms."
"……………………" The emergence of continuous springwater ebbed instantly. Xiao Miao's teary eyes quickly dried up, and her throat and nose were no longer sore. Squinting at the relatives and friends strolling around, she used her free hand, released from bouquet duty, to give her brother's chest a firm pinch.
The muscles on Xiao Chi’s arms tightened, and his eyes were filled with a threatening glare.
Xiao Miao gritted her teeth and shot her brother a defiant smile. "Go to hell!"
A handsome older brother, as regal as a prince, tenderly held his sister, radiant like a princess, and together they strolled slowly from the end of the corridor. The spotlight captured this heartwarming scene, and after Xiao Miao was gently lowered, she took her father's arm.
Xiao Shenxing's eyes welled up with emotion as he held his daughter's slender hand. The heartfelt applause echoed for a while before he took hesitant steps forward.
The red carpet stretched endlessly, a path so long that their unhurried pace would take several minutes to traverse. Yet, the same red carpet seemed too short, as in just a few minutes, the daughter he had cherished and nurtured for decades would officially become someone else's wife.
Zhuangzhuang, along with another child of the same age, served as flower girls. She displayed remarkable strength, throwing petals high into the air with a sweeping motion of her arms, and they gracefully descended one by one.
The lengthy train trailed behind her, capturing and reflecting the diverse lights in the auditorium, creating an effect reminiscent of a radiant galaxy.
Walking past her brother, Xiao Miao halted and glanced back. Locking eyes with Xiao Chi, whose anger was evident, she pursed her lips, offering a subtle smile.
"You wouldn't guess." Lin Jingzhe applauded with the others, as if transported through time to witness the scene of his marriage to Xiao Chi more than a decade ago. Today, the Xiao and Shen families' parents sat at the same table, their bonds strengthened by the passage of time, merging into a unified whole that defied easy distinction.
He inquired of Xiao Chi, "Did you arrange for the veil on Miaomiao's head? What did you two converse about on your way here?"
Xiao Chi remained silent, merely rubbing the area on his chest where he had been pinched, his gaze unwavering on his sister, who was being handed over by her father to the groom and his family with solemnity.
Lin Jingzhe observed him, noticing his gloomy expression. He sighed sympathetically and gently patted his partner's back to offer comfort.
The entrance of the brother and sister had been so heartwarming that Lin Jingzhe and those around him were almost brought to tears. If not for Tiantian being among the bridesmaids, Lin Jingzhe would have considered carrying his sister like a princess as well. Family, shared an inseparable bond like flesh and blood. Even Xiao Chi, who had once engaged in daily battles with Xiao Miao, now appeared to be so deeply affected that he could hardly breathe.
Lin Jingzhe understood that feeling all too well.
Xiao Chi, who was struggling to breathe, endured the lingering pain on his skin. He clasped his partner's cold hand in his own, fixating his gaze on the newlyweds exchanging rings in the light. The intentionally provocative smile Xiao Miao had given him as she walked past still played vividly in his mind.
Just you wait.
He mentally jotted down this grudge in his imaginary ledger.
After Xiao Miao, that troublesome brat, finishes her wedding, he must find a chance to give her a good beating!
The ceremony on the stage finally concluded, and the master of ceremonies initiated some games to uplift the atmosphere. The bride stood on the stage, facing away from the crowd, and tossed her bouquet high into the air.
The round bouquet traced a smooth arc through the air, and the long ribbons swayed gently in the wind. Unmarried girls below the stage screamed in excitement, extending their hands to catch this symbolic blessing from the cultural tradition offered by the joyous bride.
Shen Tiantian observed from a distance, choosing not to partake in such activities. As she glimpsed her brothers standing on the opposite side, a surge of emotion welled up within her, stirred by the profound significance of the wedding.
She navigated through the crowd, making her way gradually toward her family.
However, the bouquet, originally intended to be tossed in a different direction, unexpectedly soared too high. Just as it was about to descend, it collided with the crystal chandelier. Amidst a chorus of exclamations, it altered its course and plummeted swiftly, catching the attention of countless hopeful eyes.
"Ah—"
Lin Jingzhe, catching sight of this unexpected turn, promptly stood upright. "Tiantian——"
Grandma Xiao, situated in the corner, couldn't resist lifting her head upon hearing a familiar voice. Observing a commotion in that direction, she noted that no one seemed to notice her side. Hastening her efforts to stash chocolates into her coat and hat, she simultaneously waved her hand, signaling the bewildered children on the table not to pay attention to her.
Amitabha, Amitabha. May Bodhisattva please shield me from discovery this time, and that everything proceeds smoothly!