Prompt Me

MGFFF: The Wedding (Extended Version)

It was a beautiful night in Sanya.

A warm glow spread over the empty beach as the sun slowly set, casting its reflection against the water and causing an explosion of pink, purple, yellow and orange to splash across the sky. A gentle breeze danced about the air as if it too was celebrating the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another. Ah Si took a deep, calming breath as he gazed steadfastly into the horizon. Today was the day.

In exactly one hour, he would be marrying the love of his life right here on this beach – in the exact same place where they shared their first kiss over two years ago. Dong Shancai was finally, finally going to be Daoming Shancai. She would be his, and he would be hers, and everything would be right in the world.

A brotherly hand suddenly rested on his shoulder and he glanced up to see Lei smiling at him. "Are you ready?" his oldest friend asked, sitting down next to him and admiring the spectacular sunset.

"Yu Sao would not be pleased to know that the best man is getting sand all over his custom Valentino suit," Ah Si warned ominously even as a smile hovered over his lips.

"Then don't tell her," Lei replied easily, his expression carefree until a mischievous glint appeared. "But just in case, I'll need backup." He pulled out his cell phone and snapped a picture of Ah Si sitting carelessly on the beach with his perfectly coiffed hair blowing in the wind and his charcoal gray suit lined with sand. Satisfied with the photo, he began compiling a text message.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Ah Si demanded as peered over Lei's shoulder to see what he was writing.

"Collateral. I'm sending this to Shancai." Lei grinned. "She'll send Yu Sao after you. Who cares what the best man is wearing when the groom is a mess?"

Rather than throwing a fit as expected, Ah Si merely flashed him a serene smile and settled back into his previous peaceful position, leaving Lei aghast at his calm demeanor. "You're not worried about what Shancai will think?" Lei asked curiously, eyeing his old friend with open interest.

Ah Si simply shook his head as his smile broke into a soft chuckle. "I can be a mess, but I'm her mess, and she loves me just the same."

Lei let out a low whistle of appreciation and threw some celebratory sand in the air. "Finally! Took you long enough to figure it out."

Now it was Ah Si's turn to look surprised. "Figure what out?"

"Ah Si, it's always been you. Even when you two were determined to be each other's worst enemy, it has always been you. I think Shancai's heart chose you long before her head even came close to recognizing what was in front of her all along."

Those words filled Ah Si's heart with gratitude as he fondly regarded his best friend. For the longest time, he believed Lei to be an obstacle to his happiness with Shancai. But now he fully appreciated that Lei had always been one of their staunchest supporters, a guiding force that always brought him and Shancai back together even when they stubbornly tried to stay apart.

"Thank you, Lei."

***

It was a small and intimate wedding but no expense had been spared in the decoration of the joyous occasion. A large lavender carpet rolled down the center of the walkway and guests sat in rows of elegant white chairs lining the sides. Pale yellow roses were scattered at whim across the ground and large candles and delicate bouquets of lavender roses filled the empty spaces. At the end of the walkway, a large arch held a spectacular array of florals in varying shades of purple and yellow. Multiple tables were set up for the reception a few meters away. A large raised platform stood in the center, a DJ on standby, ready to transform it into a dance floor. The entire area was brightly lit with thousands of strung lights twinkling like glowing stars in the darkened sky. The air was electric and alive with anticipation.