72 What Do You Mean Today?

"Well, Mei found him. You know the rest."

"Hmmm." Midori knew how fond the couple is of the little guy. "Did you also get your clothes dirty?" She was indirectly questioning his change.

"Hmmm." He just nodded.

Midori looked around them. The garden was vast, and there was a pool adjacent to the house that would be an infinity when viewed against the lake. The garden was filled with bushes of different flowers. "It's so beautiful here." She had a bright smile as she took in the surroundings.

She turned to him. "I wonder who owns..." She gasped on the sight.

Right there, in front of her, he was down on one knee.

"I know that we have talked about this, but I'll ask again anyway. Midori Xiu, will you be my wife starting today?" He opened a red velvet box containing a ring.

The ring had a pea-sized round cut diamond, with a pinkish center, and as she looked closer, she could see a sakura flower seemingly trapped among the prisms. It was held atop a rose gold twisted band adorned with smaller diamonds.

She nodded her head as she cried, "Yes! It's still a yes!"

Dan took the ring from the box and put it on her left ring finger.

Midori was teary as she admired the ring. Then she remembered something.

"Did you just say today?" She looked at Dan skeptically.

He stood up then kissed her forehead as he whispered, "See you there." Then he walked away.

Before Midori could chase him, Michelle appeared out of nowhere.

Midori was thinking if she was hiding in the bushes.

"CEO Xiu, let's go inside for a bit." Michelle led her to the room where she had previously changed clothes in.

However, contrary to the quiet room that she saw earlier that day, it became a bridal suite, with makeup artist, her bestfriend, and several attendants.

As she was already wearing the dress and the crystal embellished white satin Manolos on her feet, she will only need improvements on her hair and makeup. The attendants were there to cater to her other needs like a glass of water, some accessories and to take care of her bouquet.

Her bouquet is a Carmen Rose or a composite flower type, with an ombre look, composed of red, pink, light pink, and white rose petals going outwards. It looks simple, like a single large flower, but it is relatively costly.

The vintage look was completed with a short tulle veil, just covering half of her face, revealing the upgraded makeup of lighter eyeshadow but heavier eyeliner and the bloody red lips.

Mei had gone to the garden ahead of her so she could also welcome the bride along with the small wedding party.

Midori was escorted by several attendants further into the back garden, where she saw white tall curtains, hanging from an arch of flowers, obscuring the view beyond them.

Then, a violin started playing Rest of My Life by the artist BM. As it hit the last note of the first line, two attendants simultaneously pulled to draw the curtains.

Dan was staring at the curtain the whole time, waiting in anticipation.

From looking down, Midori looked up straight into the tall man standing at the end of the short aisle when the curtains were drawn.

He met her gaze. Dan's eyes watered. As tears fell, he immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe them off his cheeks. He was crying, but his dazzling bright smile was there.

It was a short trip towards the place where he was standing. The officiant was also there, standing under the shade of a large tree.

There were only six guests, plus Manta. The Lu couple, their assistants, Long Yun, and as per agreement, Madeline Song.

The tree was large enough to take them all under its shade, as they form a half circle, surrounding the bride and groom.

When Midori had reached Dan's spot, she instinctively reached to wipe the still flowing tears from his cheeks.

"CEO Zhou, you've come this far. Please hold it in." She chuckled then had a gentle smile.

He also chuckled, managed to reduce his tears to sobs, and took her arm in his.

The marriage officiant started, "We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest relationships – the union between man and woman that we call marriage.As you, Verdan and Midori, are joined together in this marriage, I ask you both to search your hearts for the wisdom of this covenant, which has from ancient times been expressed with those ideas that come from the heart."

It was a non-religious ceremony, so after a few words of advice, it continued with the declaration of intent.

"Do you, Verdan, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife and will you be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Dan answered immediately, then stared back at Midori.

"Do you, Midori, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband and will you be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

Midori shot Dan a look and smiled gently before answering, "I do."

The officiant looked at them both. "I believe you have prepared vows."

"Yes." Dan answered back and looked at Midori.

She glared at him with a questioning look. 'These are all surprises to me! How dare you put me on the spot?!'