Rebirth from the Ashes Chapter 789 Wedding Of The Century (2)

"Are you going to carry me the whole way?" Shen Xi leaned close to Li Yuan's ear to ask. The booming firecrackers nearby drowned out her words, forcing her to stay very near.

"Yes." A smile lit up Li Yuan's face as he nodded. He bent forward and whispered happily into her ear. "The bride's feet shouldn't touch the earth."

His beautiful bride looked stunning in the white wedding dress, and Li Yuan couldn't bear to look away from her. He longed to keep her in his arms and gaze at her forever.

Shen Xi pondered his statement. Nobody had mentioned she wasn't allowed to walk and needed carrying. At the entrance, she peeked over his shoulder and saw Song Wenye along with the other brides walking on their own. Shen Xi pinched the soft spot on Li Yuan's waist. "Liar."

The Li Mansion buzzed with excitement as friends and relatives of the brides and grooms gathered. Crowds stretched from the gate deep inside, showering flower petals to greet the joyful pairs. Nothing but the freshest, hand-selected petals were worthy of such a floral tribute.

Drones handled the flower shower too. Beneath the sun, it created a dreamlike spectacle.

Flower scents filled the air. The Li family estate brimmed with the freshest seasonal blooms, evoking an early spring paradise full of greenery.

A dense carpet of rose petals formed a crimson path from the entrance to the ceremony hall. Those roses had been flown in overnight from a rose valley.

Cradled in Li Yuan's arms, Shen Xi had him filling her vision, her heart, and her thoughts. His heartbeat echoed in her ears. She prodded his chest and inquired, "Brother, are you nervous?"

Li Yuan lowered his gaze to meet the girl's sparkling, inquisitive eyes. He nodded. "I didn't sleep last night."

This was pure fact.

"Lil' Ye and Tangtang were too nervous to sleep last night, but I rested perfectly," Shen Xi remarked.

Li Yuan teased her playfully in that voice that melted her, noting, "That's because you're worn out."

Catching his meaning, Shen Xi flushed red and shot him a glare. "Whose fault do you think that is?"

Li Yuan laughed softly with an indulgent grin. "Mine."

Shen Xi coughed lightly and gave him a nudge. "Let me walk. Maybe I can hold your arm?"

Li Yuan hugged her tighter. "I want to carry you."

Shen Xi got carried right into the wedding hall. Guests were already seated. Yet the brides needed to freshen up their makeup backstage.

Ruan Sisi arrived to gather the brides.

At last, Li Yuan set the girl down. As Shen Xi spun around to leave, he clutched her wrist, pausing a moment before releasing it.

The wedding hall brimmed with vibrant energy.

By the time Ruan Sisi pulled Shen Xi into the dressing room, Song Wenye and the rest of the brides were waiting. They grinned at her knowingly.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Shen Xi furrowed her brow. "Something on my face?"

"Toffeecito's Dad has amazing stamina." Song Wenye burst into laughter.

"Yes." Shen Tang nodded vigorously.

"That's right." Fu Junqiu agreed completely.

Even Li Yuan understood a bride's feet mustn't touch the ground. Fu Junqiu's clueless guy only copied after seeing Li Yuan do it right.

Shen Xi gave them a mock salute. "Likewise."

All the grooms started carrying their brides too. So why act like she was the sole one pampered that way?

The brides laughed and talked while Ruan Sisi directed the makeup artists for touch-ups. A knock sounded at the door—Fu Qingli checking if they were set.

Ruan Sisi hurried to open it, revealing the brides' families waiting outside. Besides the Fu and Song clans, Yuan Yu stood there too, stretching to peer in.

Shen Zhangqing and Yun Jinping stayed away. Hosting duties for groom Yu Yuanxi kept them dashing about. Otherwise, the ceremony might turn hectic.

The Fu family attended for Shen Xi and Fu Junqiu. With Qi Xiu orphaned and no kin, they stepped in as his family.

Song Wenye's parents squeezed in time from their packed days for their daughter's big day. They'd just shown up. Old Man Song joined them too.

Song Wenye, never one for fuss, noted her parents coolly without much emotion. She long accepted their absence.

Pei Xu felt sorry for Song Wenye, having grown up beside her. Her old friend held little regard for her folks.

They should've stayed away. Pei Xu planned to escort Song Wenye down the aisle and hand her to Yu Yuanxi as her stand-in brother.

Fu Qingxuan knitted her brows and leaned close to Pei Xu's ear, whispering, "Why do Lil' Ye's parents act this way?"

Showing up only now at their daughter's wedding was utterly inappropriate for parents. They had clearly fallen short in their duties. How unfortunate for Lil' Ye to have parents like these.

"Why don't we..." Pei Xu smirked slyly, running his tongue over his teeth. A wicked edge laced his tone. "Knock them out, tie them up, and take their place as the bride's family?"

"Are you serious?" Fu Qingxuan shot back.

"Totally." Pei Xu muttered casually, "Doesn't she tug at your heartstrings? Her folks just popped in for appearances."

"What connection do we even have to the bride?" Fu Qingxuan muttered softly.

"We're her... brothers." Pei Xu drawled with a grin toward Fu Qingxuan. Better to stop there. Pushing the joke more might make the young master explode on this happy day.

Song Wenye's parents came over to talk with her.

Her mom, a stunning, elegant, and self-reliant entrepreneur, gazed at her daughter in the bridal gown. Parental yearning and solace filled her eyes. Emotions surged so strongly that words escaped her. Finally, she uttered, "I hope you'll always be happy."

Song Wenye's dad cut a dashing and charming figure. Having been absent from her life, he felt little bond with her. Yet guilt stabbed at him deeply as he faced her. He took her hand and offered a smile.

Song Wenye appeared indifferent to their presence. After a brief exchange with her parents, she waved toward the rear. "Grandpa."

Smiling at her parents next, she said, "Dad, Grandpa's walking me to the hall. You and Mom wait up front."