The moment the final words of the ceremony fell—
"Bow to each other!"
Han Fuji and Bai Ming turned toward one another beneath the lantern lights.
For a brief second, everything else in the courtyard seemed to disappear.
Even the lingering hostility at the entrance.
Then slowly, they bowed together.
Silence followed.
Not the tense kind this time, but the kind that comes after something irreversible has been completed.
A breath passed through the crowd.
Then another.
And suddenly, the courtyard erupted into whispers again.
"It is really done…"
"She actually married him…"
"After everything that happened, it still went through…"
Li Manman stood frozen for a moment, as though she could not accept what she was seeing.
Fu Fong's face darkened immediately.
Before either of them could react properly, Han Fuji slowly straightened up.
And this time, there was no nervousness on his face.
Only calm.
He turned slightly toward Bai Ming.
Then gently offered her his hand.
