Chapter 29 — Back Before The Wedding Day

The wedding day finally arrived, a clear late autumn morning, with gentle golden sunlight spreading across the small garden on the outskirts of the city where the ceremony was held. Strings of pure white daisies are skillfully woven along the walkway, combined with small traditional lanterns - all designed and decorated by Khanh Linh and Bao Ngoc together over the past few days.

"Are you ready?" Bao Ngoc asked, standing behind Khanh Linh in the small dressing room, skillfully adjusting each fold on the wedding dress that Khanh Linh had sewn herself for many weeks.

Khanh Linh looked at herself in the mirror, the reflected image was a radiant bride in an ivory white dress embroidered with delicate brocade motifs, her hair neatly tied into a bun, dotted with a few small flowers. "I think, I've never been more ready than I am now," she replied, her voice trembling with both happiness and nervousness.

Outside, the guests had arrived one after another - both families, Thu Ha and her fiance, the Tam Viet team, some close customers who had become friends over time, and Dang Khoa, standing quietly in a corner, his eyes following all developments with a sincere smile, without any lingering traces of the complicated emotions of the past.

When the wedding music sounded, Khanh Linh held her father's arm, walked slowly step by step on the path covered with flower petals, towards Lam Quoc Bao who was waiting under the flower dome made of the flowers that her mother loved the most.

"I'm so proud of you, Khanh Linh," Mr. Tai whispered in his daughter's ear as they approached the altar, his voice choked with emotion. "You have become a brave, kind woman, worthy of all the happiness you have today."

"I am what I am today thanks to my parents who have taught and loved me over the years," Khanh Linh replied, holding her father's hand tightly, trying to hold back the tears of happiness that were about to flow.

Arriving in front of the ceremony platform, Mr. Tai gave his daughter's hand to Lam Quoc Bao. The two men's eyes exchanged a deep trust and respect. Lam Quoc Bao held Khanh Linh's hand, his eyes were filled with love and respect that could not be expressed in words.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice shaking with emotion.

"Thank you," Khanh Linh replied, smiling brightly, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks.

The ceremony took place in a cozy, simple but meaningful atmosphere. When it came to exchanging vows, Lam Quoc Bao held Khanh Linh's hand tightly, his eyes did not leave her for even a moment.

"Khanh Linh," he said, his voice rang out clearly, filled with emotion in front of everyone, "I swear to always be by your side, sharing all the joys, sorrows, and difficulties in life. I swear to cherish and protect you and the values you pursue, until the end of this life."

"Mr. Quoc Bao," Khanh Linh replied, her voice also trembling with emotion, "I swear to always trust and accompany you on every journey ahead, building a happy family, full of love, just like how we overcame all challenges together to find each other."

When the two exchanged wedding rings, applause and cheers of congratulations rang out throughout the garden. Bao Ngoc, standing next to Thu Ha in the passenger row invited, could not hold back her tears of happiness, and Mrs. Hanh leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, both looking at their daughter with the most proud and satisfied eyes.

After the official ceremony, the reception took place warmly under the gradually falling sunset, bustling laughter and chatter echoed throughout the small garden. Dang Khoa came to congratulate the bride and groom, the smile on his lips was sincere, not forced at all.

"Congratulations, you two," he said, shaking Lam Quoc Bao's hand tightly before turning to Khanh Linh. "You deserve this happiness, Linh. I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you for coming," Khanh Linh replied, smiling sincerely. "That means a lot to me."

During the congratulatory speech, Bao Ngoc stepped up, holding a glass of wine, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked towards her best friend. "Two years ago, if someone told me that the person who was an opponent at work, the person I accidentally hurt, would become the closest friend in my life, I definitely wouldn't have believed it. But Khanh Linh taught me to understand that tolerance and sincerity can heal even seemingly irreparable cracks." She turned to look at Khanh Linh, tears rolling down her eyes. "I wish you, both of you, a happy and fulfilling marriage like what you deserve."

Next, Thu Ha also stood up, her voice mixed with humor and emotion. "As a friend who has witnessed Khanh Linh since her days as a shy student, I can confirm that this is the first time I have seen her so radiant and confident. Mr. Bao, thank you for bringing that to my friend. Wishing you two a hundred years of happiness!"

Lam Quoc Bao, when it was his turn, held Khanh Linh's hand tightly, his voice was warm but full of sincerity. "I'm not good at saying beautiful words, but I want everyone here to know that Khanh Linh is not only the wife I love, but also the person who taught me how to trust again after a breakup. Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate with us today."

The party continued with dancing and melodious music resounding in the sparkling garden lights. Khanh Linh and Lam Quoc Bao stepped onto the dance floor for the first time as husband and wife, their eyes never leaving each other, as if the whole world around them had disappeared, leaving only this moment of complete happiness.

"Do you remember the first time we danced together?" Lam Quoc Bao asked, gently turning around with her to follow the music.

"I remember," Khanh Linh replied, smiling, "the project kick-off gala, even though at that time we were just new colleagues."

"From that moment on, I felt something special about you," he whispered, pulling her closer. "It's just that at that time, I didn't dare to believe that one day, I would be lucky enough to stand here and be your husband."

As the party gradually got late, Khanh Linh stood in the middle of the garden, looking around at the dear faces that had accompanied her throughout the long and meaningful journey - family, friends, and her newlywed husband standing next to her, holding her hand tightly. She smiled slightly, fully feeling the complete happiness she had found after everything she had experienced, from the fateful rainy night of her previous life, to this brilliant moment of her second life.

Mrs. Hanh came closer, took her daughter's arm, and they both looked out at the area garden where small lanterns are shimmering and shining in the night. "I never thought I would see this day," she said, her voice still filled with emotion. "There are times when I worry whether you will find true happiness or not, amidst the busy work cycle and the turmoil you have to face."

"I was also worried like that," Khanh Linh admitted, leaning her head on her mother's shoulder. "But now looking back, I realize that those turbulences helped me find the right path, find people who are truly worthy of respect and trust."

Mr. Tai walked over and stood next to the mother and child, his eyes looking out at the garden bustling with laughter and chatter in the distance, where Lam Quoc Bao was chatting happily with Bao Ngoc and Thu Ha. "My son-in-law seems to fit in well with your friends," he commented, a gentle smile on his lips. "That's a good sign, showing that he really integrates and values the important relationships in his child's life."

"I think so too, dad," Khanh Linh replied, looking at her husband with eyes full of love.

From afar, Lam Quoc Bao met Khanh Linh's eyes, gently raised his hand to wave, the bright smile on his lips could not hide his happiness. Khanh Linh waved her hand in response, her heart filled with a warm, complete feeling that is hard to describe in words - the feeling of belonging, of being loved by the most sincere people in her life.

The last night of autumn gradually fell completely, the stars began to dot the sky, witnessing the complete happiness of a family that had overcome so many challenges together to find true peace.

At the end of the party, when the guests gradually left, only close family and the closest group of friends remained to clean up, Khanh Linh stood in the middle of the now quieter garden, the lantern light still shimmering under the starry night sky. She looked back at the entire journey she had gone through - from a poor girl who was confused on the first day she stepped into Bao Tin Group, to the confident, happy woman standing here today, in the loving arms of her family and friends.

Lam Quoc Bao walked over, put his arm around his wife's shoulders, and they both looked up at the starry night sky. "Congratulations, Mrs. Tran," he whispered, calling her by her new title with special affection.

"Congratulations, Mr. Lam," Khanh Linh replied, laughing softly, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, fully enjoying the most peaceful and happiest moment in both of her lives.