148, The Only One, The Red Wedding

What does it mean for a man to kneel? In an era where women’s rights are still in their infancy, a man kneeling on one knee for a woman speaks volumes of his sincerity and heart.

To the women watching, the scene was moving and enviable; to the men, it was a source of astonishment. One might ask: would they ever go to such lengths for the woman they love? Some felt admiration, some confusion, and others were simply bewildered. Yet, none of this mattered to Gao Shen and Jing Qingxin, who were lost in each other’s gaze.

Jing Qingxin was naturally surprised. She had never expected this, nor had she ever expressed such a desire, yet he had done it silently. At this moment, she was moved by his genuine devotion. Given his personality, doing this for her was more than enough. For this wedding, he was the only thing she truly longed for.

Jing Qingxin took the roses with both hands, a blissful smile on her face as she said, "In this life, I, Jing Qingxin, will be no one’s wife but Gao Shen’s!"

Hearing this, Gao Shen felt his breath hitch, his chest overflowing with a sensation of pure happiness. Gazing at her beautiful face, he felt an urge to kiss her, but the sudden eruption of enthusiastic applause broke the romantic spell. Regardless of what had been thought before, at this moment, everyone in the room was offering their heartfelt blessings to the couple.

Hearing her answer, the smile on Gao Shen’s lips deepened. He rose, bent down, swept her into his arms, and led the way out. The wedding procession followed closely behind the bride and groom.

Jing Qingxin wrapped one arm around Gao Shen’s neck while clutching the roses in the other. Looking at his sharp, chiseled profile, a surge of pride and joy swelled in her heart. This man belonged to her—to Jing Qingxin! How wonderful!

Stepping out of the Li family courtyard, they were met with a bustling, noisy crowd. People gathered on both sides, and as they saw the newlyweds emerge, they began to laugh, joke, and tease. Jing Qingxin lowered her head slightly, feeling a touch of feminine shyness. Yet, feeling the solid, powerful arms holding her and the sturdy chest she leaned against, she felt an overwhelming sense of security—as if, with him there, he would hold up the sky even if it were to collapse.

Glancing down, she was surprised to see that Gao Shen had been carrying her over a red carpet. When had he prepared this? He must have put a great deal of thought into securing it. To think that while she was unaware, he had done so much, acting with such thoughtfulness and care, always putting her feelings and needs first. He had spared no effort to give her a beautiful wedding.

A fine union bound by fate,
A love story written early on,
Vows made by the sea and mountains, deep and lingering,
Mutual respect and joy, lasting forever.

The red carpet stretched from the gate of the Li family home all the way to the Gao family’s small courtyard. On either side of the Gao gate hung lanterns decorated with the double "happiness" character, and a red silk ball was tied above the doorway. Red cloth draped naturally from the door frame, creating the rich, festive atmosphere of a traditional wedding.

As they walked, everyone caught sight of the brilliant red bridal gown in Gao Shen’s arms; it was so dazzling that people could not look away. In the courtyard, the production team leader stood at the end of the red carpet, right in front of the main hall. A portrait of the leader hung on the wall, and red fabric was draped over the rafters, bathing the entire courtyard in a sea of crimson.

A wooden platform had been erected in front of the main hall, and the red carpet covered it perfectly. Gao Shen stepped onto the stage with Jing Qingxin in his arms and gently set her down.

Captain Li stood before them, with the villagers crowded behind. Because the courtyard was small, some of the young people had even climbed onto the walls to get a better view. It was such a rare event that everyone wanted a good spot, making the scene lively and crowded.

The production team leader raised his hands to signal, and the noisy crowd fell silent. Clearing his throat, Captain Li began, "Today, I am honored to serve as the officiant for the wedding of our two comrades, Gao Shen and Jing Qingxin. Now..."

After the opening remarks, Gao Shen and Jing Qingxin read their vows while holding their little red books of quotations. Jing Qingxin found this revolutionary red wedding quite novel. Born into a military family, she held a special affection for the armed forces, and now, she was personally experiencing a red wedding steeped in the atmosphere of the era. This experience was truly precious.

The wedding process was simple: they read their vows before the leader's portrait, the officiant gave a closing summary, and the ceremony was complete. The crowd below kept their eyes fixed on the couple on stage—the man tall and handsome, the woman elegant and fair—a picture of perfect harmony. Looking at her in that red bridal gown, many had the fleeting illusion of having stepped into an ancient scene of a maiden being wed, a sight of hazy, ethereal beauty.