Sunshine Filled with Thoughts

about their registered marriage were Linlin and An Jinmo, many friends and teachers attended their wedding.

The ceremony took place in a church located in a small town near Las Vegas, positioned to the west of the village. A not-so-tall mountain stood nearby, covered with lush greenery that looked like a painted canvas from afar. Villagers claimed that wild roe deer and elk lived at the mountain’s summit, flourishing under legal protection from hunting. This mountain was off-limits to hikers, so few had the chance to see those animals. However, it was said that small creatures often ran down to steal muffins and cheese from people’s kitchens. Some children enjoyed placing a plate outside their doors for those animals to feed on while they hid upstairs, peeking down curiously.

In front of the church flowed a shallow, clear river, so transparent that one could count the pebbles at the bottom. Although small, the stream never ran dry; it was said to connect to a snow-capped mountain upstream, thus providing a constant supply of water year-round. The river teemed with small fish and crabs, and local kids loved to catch them. Most locals were devout Christians, so even if the children caught fish, they would eventually release them back into the river. Nonetheless, many kids enjoyed playing in the water. Momo had fallen in love with this place at first sight, and having their wedding in such a picturesque location promised to create unforgettable memories.

Without any family present, both Momo and Zhaozhao felt the significance of their relationship. While their families back home knew about their romantic involvement, marriage was still a matter of familial approval. Yet, despite this, being able to love one another in the ways they could and wanted was a beautiful thing. The guest list was small, comprising a few elderly teachers of Momo and Zhaozhao, and a few friends who traveled from New York. Nonetheless, the presence of these loved ones did not hinder the couple’s completion of this sacred ceremony.

As the wedding march began to play, Momo held onto Lu Jia’s arm, dressed in a stunning snow-white strapless wedding gown topped with a delicate princess crown. Her face was adorned with an exquisite makeup look that showcased her noble aura. She had always presented herself with the perfect and proud demeanor, especially on such an important day. Everything about her appearance and poise was flawless, and a subtle smile graced her lips, radiating genuine happiness without being exaggerated. Her eyes were fixed on Zhaozhao, their determined gaze causing him to forget, for a moment, that he was at his own wedding. Momo walked toward Zhaozhao, looking like a noble princess who had stepped out of a fairytale.

Today, the princess was marrying her prince.

Momo’s mentor was an elderly professor, his face lined with wrinkles, yet his blessings for his student were heartfelt and abundant. Leaning on his arm, Momo guided the old professor as they made their way to Zhaozhao. She walked slowly, her heart overflowing with happiness as she looked at Zhaozhao standing in front of the minister. This moment was one she had imagined many times before, and when it finally arrived, it felt more beautiful than anything she had ever dreamed. Flower girls scattered petals from their baskets, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers. Sunshine filtered through the woven floral arch, casting a dreamlike glow on Momo’s enchanting wedding gown. The scene was so beautiful that everyone present couldn’t help but bless the couple. Girls in white dresses and boys in little suits beamed smiles of pure joy, their cobalt blue eyes shining with innocent happiness.

The elderly mentor placed Momo’s hand in Zhaozhao’s, leaning in to whisper something in Zhaozhao’s ear-a gentle reminder, as if he were a father speaking to his son-in-law. Momo looked at the kindly old man with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love.

She hugged her mentor and kissed him on the cheek, her eyes shimmering with tears that sparkled like a mirage in the sunlight.

The old gentleman reciprocated with a kiss on Momo’s cheek, conveying his heartfelt blessing.

The priest, clad in a black robe, gazed softly at the couple before him. Sunlight cast a holy light upon him, enhancing the sacred atmosphere. In his eyes, there was a sense of prayer and joy.

He opened the Bible and began to read, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here on this glorious day to witness the union of Zhaozhao and Momo.”

The priest then turned to Zhaozhao and Momo, saying, “Please repeat after me.”

“I, Zhaozhao, take you, Momo, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and cherish as long as we both shall live…”

With a genuine American accent, Zhaozhao repeated the words after the priest, his gaze filled with deep affection for Momo. His eyes sparkled like a clear green lake, mesmerizing Momo and drawing her in deeper. She found herself lost in his gaze, and memories of their sweetest moments together flooded her mind.

Momo then echoed the same words.

When they both exclaimed, “Yes! I do!” tears welled up in each of their eyes. Their love may not have been marked by any grand gestures or dramatic moments, but through their shared journey, they had discovered that they were each other’s destined partners for life.

Zhaozhao and Momo pressed their foreheads together, lost in an intimate moment where the air around them was thick with a syrupy happiness. In this heartfelt embrace, they exchanged rings, sealing their commitment to one another as they vowed to remain loyal for a lifetime. As they made this promise, celebratory fireworks began to explode against the clear sky, adding to the lively atmosphere surrounding the newlyweds.

The guests who had been witnessing the ceremony rose to their feet, erupting into applause. Each face reflected the unique warmth and sincerity characteristic of American culture.

Finally, in the presence of God and their friends, they kissed and embraced. Petals rained down around them, and the joy swelling in their hearts was far beyond what words could capture or express.

This wedding brought Momo the truest sense of happiness and made her love for Zhaozhao even deeper, to the point where she felt she could hardly contain it.

Not long after getting married in Las Vegas, they returned to China, where they learned that Linlin had fallen head over heels for a student from Australia she had met online. They had met in person, and for Momo and Zhaozhao, Linlin was their best friend. It was a surprise to hear her excitedly announce that she had fallen in love with someone named Na Xuan, and he would soon be returning to Beijing, where they planned to be together forever.

Momo had wanted to tell Linlin that she could never marry a man named Na Xuan. When they were young, they had played together at the old master’s house. Back then, Linlin was shy and unaware of the gossip circulating in their circle about the old master’s grandson returning to inherit the family business.

But Momo spent a lot of time wandering around the old master’s enormous European-style mansion while Linlin and Zhaozhao played together. Ultimately, Momo got what she wanted: a chance to meet the younger An Jinmo.

The scene of their first meeting was quite amusing.

Although Momo was only around eleven, she already knew how to assert herself, while An Jinmo, at fifteen or sixteen, was even more adept at putting on airs. Their interaction felt like a duel between skilled opponents, neither willing to back down. If Momo were a boy, she would have charged at the arrogant guy without hesitation.

“Are you the old master’s grandson?” she asked defiantly.

“Hmph!” An Jinmo dismissed her with a sneer, the contempt in his tone making Momo feel an unprecedented sense of disdain. To be honest, it felt terrible.

“Just because you claim to be the old master’s grandson doesn’t mean you’re special. He hasn’t publicly acknowledged you, so you’re nothing. Right now, you’re nothing at all!”

Momo was indignant. She didn’t want to engage with this guy; she had come to check if Linlin was really as great as the stories suggested-that the old master treated her so well because he wanted a capable daughter-in-law for his grandson.

Although their confrontation ended in an argument with An Jinmo, Momo realized something crucial: Linlin would likely end up with this guy.

However, Momo kept her thoughts to herself until An Jinmo suddenly appeared in Linlin’s life. Momo saw him, and while he seemed harmless, her sharp intuition told her that her childhood suspicions were correct.

If that were the case, Linlin’s relationship with Na Xuan would be a grave mistake. In the end, it wouldn’t just be Na Xuan who got hurt; Linlin would be the one who suffered the most.

But there was no way to prevent this from happening. Momo had far too many things to consider. For instance, she had just returned to Beijing and had gone to Linlin’s home, but her family had already called, urging her to come back quickly.

Zhaozhao’s family had also called, but since Zhaozhao was with Linlin, they didn’t press her further.

Look at this-it’s the high hopes parents have for their children. Momo’s family business was better than Zhaozhao’s, so they needed to attach themselves to even larger trees. Zhaozhao’s family needed to connect with Linlin’s, and this is why adults have always encouraged these children to play together. They wished for love to grow over time, they hoped for a childhood romance, and they hoped for too much.

Zhaozhao didn’t linger. After borrowing Linlin’s car to take Momo home, he went back to his own house.

That day, a major conflict erupted in Momo’s home. When Linlin’s father attempted to visit Momo’s family to address a matter, he heard such loud arguments that he halted in his tracks and retreated.

“I already told you I don’t like that man! He has a fat head and a beer belly at such a young age. Did he start drinking while he was still in his mother’s womb? Or does he drink alcohol for every meal? A big head is already a big problem, and he doesn’t even have a single hair on it. You believe him when he says he’s twenty-seven! Did he bribe someone at the police station to change his ID? Or did you help him?”

Momo’s father had originally been in the political arena before going into business. He was familiar with many people in politics, and connections certainly made things easier.

This remark, laced with sarcasm, left Momo’s father momentarily speechless.

“What are you saying?” Whether it was because his daughter wasn’t obedient or because he had lost his authority at home, Momo’s father quickly became infuriated.

“I’m speaking the truth! I understand clearly, and I have to tell you, I will not marry that man. If someone’s going to marry him, let someone else in the family do it…”

After Momo made that declaration, she summoned Xiaoyan to help carry her suitcase upstairs. Without looking back, she walked away, her posture reminiscent of a stately black swan-irritating to look at yet impossible to defy.

Shortly after Momo left, a woman who was only slightly older than Momo emerged from the kitchen. She had deliberately dressed in a mature fashion, but it created an unsettling sense of discord.

“She…” the woman wanted to say something, but she held back, noticing the fury and inexplicable emotions in the eyes of the middle-aged man beside her. This left her feeling bewildered.

This woman was Momo’s stepmother, a title Linlin had never used. When Momo’s father married another woman, she had never referred to him as “dad” again.

During her days at home, Momo spent most of her time looking for Zhaozhao. Now that they were married, they should be living together. As second-generation wealthy individuals, they had no shortage of money. While most people in Beijing were pinching pennies to save up for a tiny apartment, Momo and Zhaozhao could easily withdraw a sum from their personal savings and buy a home anywhere within the city.

As a result, Momo and Zhaozhao had already set up their new place in Beijing less than half a month after arriving. It wasn’t overly luxurious but was simple and comfortable.

They had two main tasks to accomplish during this trip before returning to the United States. Once sorted, they would start looking for jobs and beginning life in America.

They had been contemplating immigration for a long time, primarily to escape their families. Once they were out of reach, their families wouldn’t have as much control over them. A few days before returning to the U.S., they planned to reveal their decision to their families. If everyone objected, they would really choose to stay away for good.

This was a secret only Momo and Zhaozhao shared.

The weather was beautiful that day, and it was rare to hear birds singing amid the bustle of Beijing’s city life. A refreshing breeze flowed in through the window, making the oppressive summer heat feel a little more bearable.

Momo woke up in Zhaozhao’s arms, her eyes landing on his not-so-muscular chest. As a slight man, he was doing well enough. Though he was a bit thin, he was still in decent shape. At the very least, his large hands were always warm whenever he held hers, especially during the cold winter months. Back when they were in the U.S., even when he faced bullying, he had bravely stood up, taking on a couple of well-built African American men, despite paying a hefty price for it.