Chapter 17
The soft lighting gently fell upon each pristine, flawless wedding gown, each unique in style yet equally exquisite and splendid.
Store manager Yao Yuchen warmly led a young couple into the showroom, explaining as they walked, her face bright with a smile as she introduced the design philosophy and advantages of their wedding dresses. She lavished praise on the customers, skillfully heightening the emotional value of the experience.
The store, named Vera, was a renowned global chain, highly regarded in the bridal industry and a preferred choice for many wealthy clients. All the gowns on display were one-size-fits-all, meant for showcasing. Once a purchase was decided, a deposit was made, measurements taken, and the dress was custom-made to perfectly fit the customer. Fabric quality ranged across six grades, with prices varying accordingly. Of course, customers were always welcome to discuss their own ideas with professional designers, who would do their utmost to ensure satisfaction.
...The service was attentive, the quality reliable. While top-tier magnates might dismiss it, ordinary affluent clients were quite pleased.
“Take a look at this one—the A-line wedding gown is very classic. It beautifully accentuates your figure, making you appear more elegant and graceful.”
“The princess-style ball gown is also stunning, crafted from high-quality French lace. Every detail is meticulously designed, adorned with natural hand-carved rhinestones and gemstones… Paired with a pearl necklace and silk gloves, it’s perfect for a charming lady like yourself.”
“All the gowns can be virtually tried on through our dedicated app on the tablet, so you can see if they match your expectations. If you have any ideas or suggestions, Vera is always ready to tailor them for you.”
Qin Yijue released her grip on He Yushuo’s arm and approached one of the dresses, lifting its skirt to examine it closely. It was evident she quite liked the style.
Yao Yuchen immediately began extolling the gown’s merits, while subtly observing the man in the couple with a sidelong glance.
His gaze at the woman was tender beyond words, his attention unwavering throughout. They seemed to be a deeply affectionate couple.
—The lives of the wealthy were far more dramatic than ordinary people’s.
Due to the nature of her work—Vera’s clientele mostly wealthy—Yao Yuchen had encountered plenty of affluent individuals: some pregnant before marriage, scheming to gain status through childbirth; others without love but with arranged marriages, walking through the motions with sullen faces; some with spouses at home yet still shopping for wedding dresses, only to be caught by the original partner amidst flying curses...
Too many stories piled up in her mind.
Thus, seeing a genuinely loving couple was a rare breath of fresh air, lightening Yao Yuchen’s mood somewhat.
Though their happiness had nothing to do with her, it was natural to feel uplifted by witnessing something beautiful.
“He Ge, what do you think of this one?”
Qin Yijue held the dress up against herself and asked the man.
He Yushuo nodded and smiled, “Very beautiful.”
They didn’t hesitate much longer; after trying on a few gowns, Qin Yijue made her choice. Normally, it would take two months to make the dress, but since their wedding was next month, they asked if it could be expedited. Yao Yuchen assured them it could.
After paying the deposit and rush fee, they left the bridal shop hand in hand, close and affectionate.
Yao Yuchen watched them go, about to turn away, when staff member Lin Yuni’s cheerful voice came from nearby, “What’s this, manager? Are you jealous? Thinking about falling in love and getting married yourself?”
Yao Yuchen, who had indeed felt a twinge of envy, quickly denied it, “No, no! I’m a proud singleton. I just like seeing couples who get along well. You know us—we always run into some... well, you know.”
Lin Yuni leaned on the counter, nodding in agreement, “True. Surrounded by chaos, and it never ends.”
She loved this job.
Silently concealing her wealthy background, Lin Yuni thought this to herself.
The Qin family.
He Yushuo stopped when he reached the door after escorting Qin Yijue. Her smile faded as she tried to pull him inside, but he stood firm, like an immovable anchor.
“He Ge, why won’t you come in?” Qin Yijue softly asked, pinching her palm nervously.
“I don’t want to disturb uncle and aunt.”
“We’re getting married soon. How could mom and dad think you’re disturbing them?”
“Still, no. Let’s leave it at that for today.”
Qin Yijue inhaled quietly, the smile returning to her face as she said gently, “Alright, see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll watch you go in before I leave.”
“Okay.”
She turned, the smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a shadow of gloom.
Crossing the villa’s front yard, she ascended the steps, placing her finger on the sensor to verify. With a beep, the door opened, and her pure, sweet smile reappeared. She waved at He Yushuo standing at the gate, then entered and closed the door behind her.
“You’re back.”
Her father, seated on the sofa, spoke.
“Yeah, Dad. Where’s Mom?”
“She’s cooking in the kitchen.”
“Why is Mom cooking? Isn’t Aunt Pan here?”
Her father was silent for a moment before replying, “Mom’s been in a bad mood lately. Let her do whatever she wants.”
Today was July 17th, more than a month before August 24th.
That date was not only her wedding day but also Qin Jinhua’s death anniversary.
—that was no coincidence.
Because they felt indebted to her, her parents had no choice but to agree after her strong insistence.
Qin Yijue resented and envied her twin sister.
Why had she been taken by traffickers from the stroller, sold off to a poor mountain family, beaten and scolded from childhood, nearly sold to a brutal old man in another village at fifteen, only to be rescued by the Qin family just in time?
Meanwhile, her sister was raised delicate, gentle, elegant, and refined. Looking at her own rough hands and battered body, Qin Yijue’s jealousy boiled over, channeling all her bitterness toward Qin Jinhua.
She believed that if it hadn’t been her, her sister would have suffered instead.
What made it worse was that Qin Jinhua had a handsome, outstanding boyfriend—why did all the good fortune go to her sister? What about her?
Sensing her family’s guilt and indulgence, Qin Yijue began to compete relentlessly with Qin Jinhua. No matter who was right or wrong, the family always sided with her. Soon, Qin Yijue claimed everything for herself.
Starting with small things like clothes and bags, escalating to stealing the spotlight at birthday parties: whenever attention turned to Qin Jinhua, Qin Yijue pretended to feel ill to draw focus.
Ultimately, she even stole Qin Jinhua’s boyfriend outright.
“Big sister, please give He Ge to me. You already have everything else.”
Initially, her parents tried to dissuade her, but after her frequent weak displays and suicide threats, they relented.
Qin Jinhua opposed them for the first time and decided to leave home for a while.
But Qin Yijue forced her back with threats of death.
“It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, sister wouldn’t have run away.”
Her parents frantically called, weeping, begging Qin Jinhua to return.
With no other choice, Qin Jinhua came home after just two days.
Later...
Qin Yijue discovered that He Yushuo still loved Qin Jinhua and regarded her only as a sister. During a seaside trip she suggested, she feigned despair and tried to jump into the sea. Qin Jinhua rushed to save her, but in the struggle, both were pulled into the water.
Qin Yijue couldn’t swim; Qin Jinhua could.
This was a calculated risk by Qin Yijue: if He Yushuo saved Qin Jinhua, her death would leave a painful mark and discomfort for Qin Jinhua.
If He Yushuo saved her instead, Qin Jinhua would be disappointed in him.
In any case, she would gain.
Sure enough, He Yushuo chose to save the one who couldn’t swim—Qin Yijue.
She felt triumphant but turned to find no trace of pain on Qin Jinhua’s face. Enraged, she grabbed He Yushuo’s head and kissed him fiercely.
He Yushuo, struggling to stay afloat, was unable to resist.
Only when pushed away forcefully did Qin Yijue look back to see Qin Jinhua had vanished into the vast sea.
Her parents were inconsolable, hiring people at great expense to search. After half a month of desperate searching, they found her on the beach near the area where she disappeared.
Forensic examination concluded that Qin Jinhua likely drowned due to a leg cramp.
Qin Yijue hadn’t intended for her sister to die—at worst, she had contemplated it—but never expected it to come true.
Was she happy?
Qin Yijue admitted she was.
She feigned sorrow, often speaking of how kind her sister had been and how He Yushuo should have saved her instead—implying her sister’s death was partly his fault.
Finally, she claimed she no longer wished to live, blaming herself, and pressured He Yushuo into marrying her to prevent her suicide.
Of course, Qin Yijue knew how deeply He Yushuo loved Qin Jinhua.
After two years of persistent pursuit, He Yushuo went from reluctant acceptance to proposing.
During those two years, Qin Yijue deliberately mimicked some of Qin Jinhua’s mannerisms, working on two fronts until He Yushuo’s gaze finally held love—for Qin Jinhua.
Qin Yijue didn’t care. She clung to He Yushuo solely to fight with Qin Jinhua, to claim everything that belonged to her sister.
Even though Qin Jinhua was dead, Qin Yijue refused to let go—of her sister or herself. She had become twisted, obsessive, and possessed.
As for choosing the wedding date on Qin Jinhua’s death anniversary, she had a reasonable excuse: “I believe my sister would be happy to see the two people she loved come together.”
Her family, feeling indebted, would not refuse any suitable reason.
Why He Yushuo agreed, Qin Yijue didn’t know. She had expected strong opposition but was surprised when he consented immediately.
Qin’s mother brought the cooked dishes to the table.
Snapping back to reality, Qin Yijue opened her mouth to speak but bit her tongue, tasting blood.
A strong metallic tang spread through her mouth.
She forced herself to remain calm—her sister was already dead. Yet jealousy burned on like an unquenchable flame, scorching her soul.
It was fine. She swallowed the diluted blood and comforted herself again.
No need to quarrel with a ghost.
August 15th.
The monthly market day.
Xia Lingze told anyone and everyone—especially the supernatural—that his sister was getting married.
The spirits observed his joyful expression and came forward to offer congratulations.
Xia Lingze was in high spirits, his eyes crescent-shaped with happiness, promising to relay their blessings to the bride.
August 23rd.
Guiyi Village.
Qin Jinhua sat gracefully before her dressing table, slowly adorning herself in a traditional red and white Chinese wedding gown.
August 24th.
Having stayed up all night, Xia Lingze eagerly awaited the groom’s arrival to fetch the bride. When no sign of him appeared, he scratched his head in confusion and decided to check Qin Jinhua’s home. Xia’s father stopped him.
“Where are you going?”
“Isn’t today Sister Qin’s wedding?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is there no news at all?”
“Not time yet.”
“I’ll go see.” Without hesitation, Xia Lingze sprinted away, too fast for his father to call after him.
Usually a half-hour trip, this time it took only minutes.
From afar, Xia Lingze saw a bridal sedan chair outside Qin Jinhua’s home, its top draped in red silk, the sides adorned with wind chimes that tinkled melodiously in the breeze.
In front and behind the sedan stood two paper effigies, painted red with black paper hats. Their lifelike features could easily fool a casual glance.
Xia Lingze blinked, not stopping but drawing closer. Then a procession of paper figures emerged from Qin Jinhua’s house.
Some were male, some female; some held baskets covered with white cloth—contents unknown—others held suona horns or other instruments, while some carried nothing at all...
Clearly, these paper effigies were playing the role of the wedding procession.
Seeing Xia Lingze, the paper figures’ expressions drooped; they had been tormented by this little rascal before.
Fortunately, Xia Lingze’s main target wasn’t them this time. Like a gust of wind, the boy dashed into the courtyard.
“Sister Qin! What’s going on? Surely you’re not having paper effigies as your wedding procession! Our village... well, at least there’s me.”
Xia Lingze had meant to say there was no one else, but reconsidered. Except for him, most villagers had some physical ailments. Sending a bride a short distance might be possible, but a long journey was out of the question. Besides, Guiyi Village was remote—it was obvious it couldn’t be close by.
Qin Jinhua emerged from her room, fully dressed and adorned. Her phoenix crown gleamed, her makeup bold and radiant, like a blooming red rose.
“Lingze,” she smiled faintly, “Are you coming with me?”
Without hesitation, Xia Lingze replied, “Of course!”
Qin Jinhua nodded, extending her right hand toward him.
Puzzled, Xia Lingze hesitated but took her hand at her urging.
Together, they stepped outside, her embroidered red shoes stepping into the bridal sedan.
Suddenly realizing, Xia Lingze stopped abruptly. “No, this isn’t proper.”
“Lingze, I see you as a brother. I have no family; you are the only one I have. Riding together is not improper.”
“Ah...” Embarrassed but reassured, Xia Lingze climbed into the sedan.
The chair was spacious, enough for two comfortably.
Once seated, the paper men dressed as sedan bearers lifted the chair. The procession arranged itself: the basket holders in front, the musicians in the middle, and the guards last.
The sedan began to move, music playing.
The suona’s plaintive and piercing melody sounded like a mournful lament, and the paper figures seemed to glide swiftly, covering over ten meters in the blink of an eye...