Chapter 915 His Vow
Everyone followed the beautiful bride and her proud father with their eyes as the two walked down the aisle until they finally reached the groom. The romantic music continued playing in the background, intensifying the emotions of all the people present. It felt like magic was being weaved into the fairy-tale-like scene playing in front of them.
Long Tengfei personally placed his daughter's hand on top of Jin Liwei's waiting palm.
"Take care of my daughter." His voice was rough and his eyes glistened with emotions.
"I will, for the rest of my life," Jin Liwei replied in a solemn voice.
Iris smiled at Long Tengfei. "Thank you, Father."
Long Tengfei nodded before shaking hands with Jin Liwei. Then he stepped back. There were no hugs between them because he wasn't the type of person to engage in such displays of affection. Despite this, he conveyed all his feelings as a father in that single handshake to his son-in-law. Within that handshake, there were silent congratulations, gratitude for making his daughter happy, a hope for an even happier life for his daughter, and most importantly, a warning to keep his daughter happy or else he would make his son-in-law pay.
Jin Liwei understood Long Tengfei's meaning even without words. He gave the older man a serious and reassuring look before finally claiming his bride.
The music reached crescendo at this moment as the bride and the groom stared deeply into each other's eyes. Their guests sighed at the picture-perfect scene. [This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you're not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It's very discouraging to see thieves profiting from my hard work. Please support the original author, ArriaCross. Thank you! Also follow me on Instagram @arriacross]
When the music slowed down and transitioned into a piano tune, Jin Liwei placed his bride's hand on his arm but didn't let go of her with his other hand. Then they began walking together to the final part of the aisle, the pathway on top of the pond leading to the islet at the centre. From a certain angle, they looked like a celestial couple walking on top of the water.
Finally, they reached the beautifully decorated islet where the officiant was waiting to wed them. The music petered out like the last drops of fine drizzle before the sunlight helped reveal the rainbow in all its pure glory.
The officiant began the wedding ceremony.
"Family and friends, we are all gathered here today to witness the joyful union of Jin Liwei and Long Xiulan…."
The ceremony mostly followed a Western-style wedding format all throughout.
"Jin Liwei and Long Xiulan, please join your hands, look at one another, and remember this important moment in time."
The two faced and looked deeply into each other's eyes. It was Jin Liwei who chose the thinnest veil for Iris so that he would be able to clearly see all the emotions playing on her face just like now.
"Jin Liwei, do you take Long Xiulan to be—"
"I do."
Almost everyone couldn't stop themselves from laughing. A particular loud booming voice shouted, "That's my boy! Bahahaha!"
The officiant cleared his throat and said in a dry tone, "I know that you are excited but please allow me to finish speaking first before giving your response."
Jin Liwei nodded. And so they tried again.
"Jin Liwei, do you take Long Xiulan to be your rightfully wedded wife and share the rest of your life with her?"
"I do." Just like before, there was no hesitation in his voice.
"Long Xiulan, do you take Jin Liwei to be your rightfully wedded husband and share the rest of your life with him?"
"Oh yes, I do," she said in a soft but clear voice.
"Jin Liwei and Long Xiulan, the symbolic vows that you are about to make in front of each other with your family and friends as witnesses mean that things will never be the same between the two of you. For after these vows, you shall face the world together as husband and wife. Now please say your vows."
Jin Liwei held Iris' hands higher and gave them a gentle squeeze.
"I, Jin Liwei, take you—" He silently mouthed 'Evelina Armanovna Vetrova' before continuing out loud, "—Long Xiulan to be my rightfully wedded wife…."
Iris' eyes watered when she saw him mouth her real full name. She also squeezed his hands back. She was shaking a little because of the overwhelming love for him flooding through her at the moment.
"In front of our family and friends, I promise to love you, take care of you, protect you, cherish and treasure you.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.
"Trust that I'm your strongest ally, no matter if you're right or wrong, you can count on me to always be there for you. If someone dares to bully you, I'll help you bully them back…"
The officiant cleared his throat while some of the guests laughed nervously. However, the groom and the bride's families were all nodding in approval.
The familiar booming voice shouted once again. "That's right, my boy! Bahahaha!"
"Your happiness is my happiness. Your pain is my pain. Your anger is my anger. Everything that you are, your past, your present, and your future, I accept all of them. I accept who you are with all my heart because you are mine and I am yours.
"If you want to fly, I'll fly with you. Forget wings. I'll give you a rocket booster with unlimited fuel supply."
Iris laughed along with everyone. As she was laughing, her eyes watered even more. This man who was known as a cold and ruthless tyrant in the business world was professing his love to her using such adorable words.
"You are a very strong, intelligent, talented and independent woman—my genius wife. I promise not to cage you but to encourage you to fly freely and achieve all of your dreams because your successes are mine, too."
Her eyes trembled and a drop of tear fell down from her eye. She was now gripping his hands tightly.
"I'll love you and cherish you without any reservations until the end of time, for as long as our souls exist, even death will never keep us apart. This I promise you."