Honored Guest - Chapter 3
Bridesmaid
Lan Yan had imagined many ways they might meet again: at a street corner, in a supermarket, or near Jiang Jin Yue’s home. She never imagined it would be like this.
She was being commissioned to design a bridal suite.
Jiang Jin Yue’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, her red lips curving upwards. Her eyes seemed to speak. She sat beside Chen Lin, facing Lan Yan.
They used to sit like this. When they first met, they would sit face to face in the cafeteria. Later, Jiang Jin Yue would sit beside her – in the cafeteria, small restaurants, milk tea shops. She would always slip her hand into Lan Yan’s, sometimes openly on the table, sometimes beneath it. She would whisper, “Does holding hands count as a date?”
Lan Yan wouldn't reply, just lower her head. Jiang Jin Yue would whisper even softer, “Lan Yan, you're blushing.”
Now, she was sitting opposite her again.
As if they were back where they started.
Chen Lin said, “You can ask Lan Yan anything. She knows a lot. She just helped me choose tiles.”
Jiang Jin Yue tilted her head. “Which ones did you choose?”
“The ones you said you liked.” Chen Lin asked, “Do you want to get those too? Lan Yan said she can help us contact the manufacturer directly.”
Jiang Jin Yue smiled. “Okay, let me see.” She looked at Lan Yan. “You have quite the connections.”
Lan Yan also wanted to smile, but couldn't. She explained, “I’ve worked with them before.”
Jiang Jin Yue said, “That’s great. I’ll have to trouble Designer Lan in the future.”
Her tone was teasing, but Lan Yan felt a thorn pierce her heart, deepening with each word Jiang Jin Yue spoke. Jiang Jin Yue had used the word "trouble" before.
Lan Yan had always been bad at math, and it became even more challenging after they were divided into different classes. When she heard Jiang Jin Yue was looking for a tutor, she volunteered to help.
Jiang Jin Yue would tease her, “Thank you, little teacher.”
Lan Yan closed her eyes briefly. “It’s no trouble.”
Chen Lin enthusiastically pulled Jiang Jin Yue into a discussion about the apartment details. “I want to have a separate exercise area at home.”
She looked at Jiang Jin Yue. “You’re lucky. You don't have to worry about that. Your rooms are more than enough. I wish I didn’t need a nursery.”
Lan Yan looked up at Jiang Jin Yue, whose face held a gentle smile. Her voice was soft and gentle, her formerly clear voice now laced with calmness and tenderness. “Then don't have one.”
“That’s impossible.” Chen Lin said, “I’m sure I’ll be pressured to have kids soon.” She looked at Jiang Jin Yue. “You have it good.”
Lan Yan listened to their conversation in silence.
Jiang Jin Yue said, “I haven't decided on a design plan yet.”
“Talk to Lan Yan,” Chen Lin said, remembering her presence. “Lan Yan is a professional; she can definitely give you some expert advice.”
Lan Yan saw them both looking at her and spoke, “Do you have any specific requirements?”
“Not really,” Jiang Jin Yue said. “I just want it to feel cozy and homey.”
Lan Yan remained silent.
“If we live together in the future, I’ll want a bigger house.”
“A dog and a cat would be ideal.”
“I’d also love a bay window.”
“And also…”
Compared to before, her requests were indeed much simpler. Lan Yan nodded and asked, “No nursery?”
It sounded like a probe.
Jiang Jin Yue’s expression remained calm. “No, he doesn't like children.”
A bucket of ice water seemed to be poured over Lan Yan, chilling her to the bone. Her fingers trembled around her chopsticks. She said, “It’s good not to have one.”
“Exactly, it’s better not to have one. Having kids ruins your figure, and then there are all those gynecological problems…” Chen Lin complained. Lan Yan barely listened, only remembering that Jiang Jin Yue used to love children.
During their senior year, she accompanied Jiang Jin Yue to tutor a relative’s child. The child, a primary school student, was learning English for the first time, and the parents were anxious for her to learn ahead, so they asked Jiang Jin Yue to tutor her during the summer break. Lan Yan went along.
Jiang Jin Yue had said, “This child is so cute.”
And then, “It would be even cuter if it were a girl.”
She’d asked Jiang Jin Yue, “You like kids a lot?”
Jiang Jin Yue smiled. “Yeah, quite a lot. When I was little, I always wished I had a younger sister.”
She’d looked at Lan Yan and said, “If, if we don’t have children in the future, can we adopt one?”
Now, just because her fiancé didn’t like children, she didn’t want them either. Such compliance. She must love him very much.
Lan Yan lowered her head, feeling restless. Suddenly, she heard Chen Lin call her name, “Lan Yan?”
She snapped back, “Huh?”
Chen Lin said, “I’m going to get some milk tea. What flavor do you want?”
She thought for a moment. “Anything is fine.”
Chen Lin smiled, “Okay.”
She got up, brushed past Lan Yan, and swayed away on her high heels. Her bag remained on the chair. Jiang Jin Yue tidied it up, looked at Lan Yan, and said, “You’re back. Are you planning to stay here for good?”
Lan Yan nodded. “I’m not sure yet. This place has changed a lot.”
Especially the person in front of her. She’d changed so much.
In truth, she had no particular attachment to this city, only that Jiang Jin Yue was here.
Now, there seemed to be no reason for her to stay.
Lan Yan added, “I’m not quite used to it yet.”
Jiang Jin Yue said, “It’s normal to feel that way since you’ve just returned. If you need anything, you can come to us.”
Come to us.
Lan Yan pondered these words, finally just giving a faint smile. “Okay.”
She faced the light, a smile on her face, but her complexion was slightly pale. However, because her skin was naturally fair, it wasn't very noticeable. Jiang Jin Yue lowered her head to eat, chewing slowly and deliberately. Lan Yan thought that she couldn't be so composed, so at ease.
She gripped her chopsticks, then abruptly put them down. “I need to use the restroom.”
Jiang Jin Yue nodded, “Okay.”
Lan Yan hurried away, quickly entering the restroom. She turned on the tap, and the water gushed out, mirroring her turbulent emotions. She splashed cold water on her face, the icy sensation calming her slightly. But even then, she couldn't stop her eyes from welling up.
Despite considering countless possibilities, she hadn’t anticipated this. Jiang Jin Yue was getting married.
Lan Yan looked up at her reflection, her face covered in tiny water droplets reflecting a cold light. She took a makeup remover wipe from her bag, removed her makeup, and reapplied a light layer, carefully covering her slightly red eyes before leaving the restroom. Chen Lin had returned.
Seeing her, Chen Lin smiled. “I got you orange flavor. Yue Yue said you like it.”
Her outstretched hand hesitated slightly. Lan Yan felt a pang of pain in her throat. She looked at Jiang Jin Yue, whose expression was still gentle, unchanged, as if she’d said the most ordinary thing. But in Lan Yan’s heart, a storm raged.
So, she still remembered her favorite flavor.
Lan Yan said, “Thank you.”
She also remembered Jiang Jin Yue’s: blueberry-flavored drinks and milk candies. Lan Yan found them too sweet, but Jiang Jin Yue loved them. “They’re not sweet at all. They’re delicious and fragrant.”
She would offer them to Lan Yan. “Have a sip.”
Lan Yan thought, no one could refuse such a request.
She would take a sip, and Jiang Jin Yue would ask, “Is it sweet?”
She would honestly reply, “Yes.”
Jiang Jin Yue wouldn’t be satisfied. “Answer again, is it sweet?”
She would have a fierce expression, but her eyes would be smiling, softening the effect. Lan Yan would say, “Sweet…”
Jiang Jin Yue would suddenly kiss her cheek, and she would freeze, the next word caught in her throat. Jiang Jin Yue would say, “A bribe. Say it’s not sweet.”
She would lower her head, her heart sweet, and say, “Not sweet.”
In fact, the drink that day was the sweetest she’d ever tasted.
Lan Yan glanced at Jiang Jin Yue, who was holding a blueberry-flavored iced drink, condensation clinging to the outside. She swirled the straw, clinking against the ice. Jiang Jin Yue checked her watch and asked, “When are you going to see the apartment?”
Chen Lin said, “We’re going now. Do you want to come along?”
Jiang Jin Yue said, “Sure, I’m free. I’ll come with you.”
Chen Lin said, “Maybe you should call him, so he doesn't worry when he can’t find you.”
Him.
Was that her fiancé?
Lan Yan looked at Jiang Jin Yue and saw her smile faintly. “I’ve already messaged him.”
Lan Yan’s heart lurched, sinking into an icy abyss. The cold, the pain, was acute.
Jiang Jin Yue stood up, gathering several shopping bags from her chair. Lan Yan instinctively said, “I’ll help you.”
She lowered her gaze, hiding her sudden surge of emotion.
Jiang Jin Yue smiled at her. “Thank you.”
She handed Lan Yan some of the bags. Lan Yan’s fingertips brushed against the back of Jiang Jin Yue’s hand, her skin warm. Jiang Jin Yue naturally shifted the bags in her other hand, using her now free hand to hold her drink, and walked towards the exit with Chen Lin. Lan Yan followed behind her.
Jiang Jin Yue didn't look back.
Lan Yan paused for a few seconds, then followed.
On the way, she heard them discussing wedding details. Chen Lin said, “You’ll be my bridesmaid. I’ve already bought your dress.”
Jiang Jin Yue smiled. “Great.”
Chen Lin grinned, “It’s not as pretty as mine, so you’re not allowed to look too beautiful that day!”
Jiang Jin Yue shook her head. Chen Lin said, “I’ve also asked Le Le, but I don’t know if she’ll be free. Her mother needs her at the moment.”
She looked at Jiang Jin Yue. “When is your wedding? Haven’t you set a date yet?”
Jiang Jin Yue said, “No rush. We’ll decide after the apartment is finished.”
Chen Lin sighed, “That’s a shame. I won’t be able to be your bridesmaid.”
Her gaze shifted, landing on Lan Yan. “Hey, but there’s a perfect candidate right here.”
Lan Yan stumbled slightly, looking at Chen Lin with a frown. Jiang Jin Yue said, “Don’t be silly.”
“Why is it silly?” Chen Lin, oblivious, continued, “I remember you two were really close back then. Lan Yan, didn’t you stay at Yue Yue’s place during the summer break?”
It was the first summer break of their first year of high school. Lan Yan hadn't wanted to go home. When Jiang Jin Yue found out, she invited her to stay at her place. They got summer jobs together. Lan Yan said, “Yes, I did.”
She looked at Jiang Jin Yue, trying to decipher her calm expression, hoping to find some clue, but Jiang Jin Yue revealed nothing, her expression natural. “Would that be too much trouble for you?”
Trouble for what?
To be her bridesmaid?
Lan Yan faltered, a lump forming in her throat.
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