Chapter 23 — Fake Lover Turns Out to Be Fiancee

Six months after the day Chief Huyen Van returned to the mountain, the wedding of Ky Bach Dang and Duong Gia Khue was officially held, an event that uniquely combined Tieu Dao Coc's traditional rituals and modern wedding rituals, attracting a lot of attention from the media and the public, who have been following the couple's dramatic story for many months.

The ceremony is divided into two parts, the first part takes place right at the foot of Vo Danh mountain, where Bach Dang was born and raised, according to the traditional rituals of the sect. Gia Khue, in a custom-tailored ancient costume in Tieu Dao Coc's style, stood next to Bach Dang in front of the ancestor's shrine, where incense smoke wafted all year round, performing the sect's ancestral worship ceremony under the chairmanship of Daoist Huyen Van.

"In the presence of Tieu Dao Coc's ancestors, I declare that Ky Bach Dang and Duong Gia Khue have officially become husband and wife, vowing to share the same hardships and hardships together for life." Daoist Huyen Van raised his voice solemnly, holding his sect's ancient sword in his hand, performing the rituals that had been passed down through many generations.

The villagers at the foot of the mountain, who had known Bach Dang since childhood, also came to congratulate him in large numbers, bringing simple gifts but filled with sincere feelings. The village chief, who helped Bach Dang and Gia Khue in building the herbal supply chain in the past, represented the villagers and presented the young couple with a set of traditional wine jars, a symbol of prosperity and lasting connection.

"Bach Dang has been loved by everyone in the village since he was a child. Now that he has found happiness, everyone in the village is equally happy." The village chief spoke, his voice filled with emotion as he witnessed the boy he once held as a child, now grown up and finding a happy destination in life.

After the ceremony on the mountain, the group moved back to Ho Chi Minh City to hold a modern wedding ceremony at a luxury hotel, where hundreds of guests from the business world and close friends were present to celebrate with the couple.

Gia Khue, in a pure white wedding dress, walked down the aisle to the sound of melodious music, arm in arm with her father, Mr. Duong Khac Nguyen, the man who raised her alone for many years. Now his eyes were filled with tears of happiness as he prepared to give his daughter to a worthy man.

"Dad is proud of you, Gia Khue." He whispered as the two approached the ceremony hall, where Bach Dang was waiting in an elegant suit, his eyes never leaving the beautiful bride approaching.

"Thank you, dad, for everything you sacrificed to raise me." Gia Khue replied, her voice choked with emotion.

The ceremony took place solemnly but warmly, mixed with memorable humorous moments when Bach Dang, still not completely familiar with modern rituals, accidentally recited the oath in a solemn tone as if he was swearing an oath before the sect's founder, making the whole hall burst into laughter.

"I, Ky Bach Dang, swear before heaven and earth, before our ancestors, to protect, love and cherish Duong Gia Khue for the rest of my life. Even if the mountains fall or the sea dries up, this oath will never change." He spoke with a solemn and sincere voice that made many guests, even though they laughed because of the somewhat archaic expression, could not help but be moved by the absolute sincerity in that vow.

Gia Khue, with happy tears in the corners of her eyes, responded with her own oath, her voice trembling but full of determination. "I, Duong Gia Khue, swear to always accompany and stand by your side in all difficulties and happiness, to be a solid rear base so you can rest assured to use your bravery to protect what we cherish."

When the two shared their first kiss as official husband and wife, applause and congratulations echoed throughout the hall, confetti flew into the sky, marking the official start of the married life of the couple who had gone through so many challenges to get together.

In the line of invited business partners, Bui Khac Son was also present, clapping as enthusiastically as anyone else. Since the night he was "dumped" in the middle of a blind date last year, he has never cared about the past, occasionally texting to ask about Duong Gia's business like a good-willed friend. "Congratulations you two." He smiled and raised his glass towards Gia Khue as she passed by to greet guests. "Thanks to the 'fake lover' scene that day, I now have the opportunity to have a wedding like this. Is it considered that I was also involved in it, right?" Gia Khue laughed and nodded slightly to thank the kindness of the person who was the reluctant "victim" of the drama that had brought her fate.

Bao Tran and Tuan Kiet, sitting next to each other in the guest row, could not hide their joy when witnessing the happy moment of two close friends.

"The day has finally come." Bao Tran said, her eyes also red with emotion. "Remembering the first day Ms. Khue brought a strangely dressed guy to the company, who would have thought this day would come."

"It's truly fate, no one can predict it." Tuan Kiet smiled and raised his glass to congratulate everyone around him.

The wedding party lasted until late, filled with laughter, sincere blessings, and even tears of happiness from those who had accompanied Bach Dang and Gia Khue throughout their recent tumultuous journey. Master Huyen Van, although unfamiliar with the bustling atmosphere of modern weddings, still stayed until the end of the party, sitting and chatting happily with Mr. Duong Khac Nguyen, reviewing old memories between two soulmates who had been apart for twenty-five years.

"Looking at these two happy children, I see that all the hardships of the past were worth it." Master Huyen Van said, raising his glass of wine towards his old friend.

"That's right, brother." Mr. Khac Nguyen replied, his voice full of emotion. "Our old promise has finally come to fruition in the most beautiful way we could have hoped for."

That night, when the wedding party ended, Bach Dang and Gia Khue stood together on the hotel room balcony, looking down at the city sparkling with lights at night, hand in hand, their hearts filled with happiness and gratitude for the journey that had passed.

"From a guy with nothing in a strange street, to today becoming the happiest husband in the world, I never thought my life could change so miraculously." Bach Dang said, his voice full of emotion as he looked back on the entire journey.

"And I never thought that an impulsive decision to escape the trouble of a blind date would bring me the most wonderful husband I could wish for." Gia Khue replied, leaning her head on his shoulder, enjoying the peaceful and happy moment in the middle of the wedding night.

The two stood quietly together under the city night sky, knowing that there were still many new things waiting ahead, but with love and trust that had been forged through many challenges, they believed that they could overcome anything together, building a completely happy home in the heart of this prosperous city.

Before that, while the wedding was still going on, there was a moment that made many guests moved to tears. When it came to the family's speech, Mr. Duong Khac Nguyen stood up, his hands trembling, holding an old photo of Gia Khue's mother when she was young, solemnly placing it on a small altar prepared separately in the corner of the hall.

"Today, I want your mother to also witness this happy moment." He spoke, his voice choked, his hand gently placed on the photo frame. "Bich Thuy, our daughter has found true happiness, you can rest assured in nine streams."

Gia Khue walked to her father, hugged him, tears rolling down her cheeks even though her lips were still smiling happily. The whole hall was silent for a moment before that sacred moment, before encouraging applause rang out, giving the bride strength to overcome her emotions to continue the ceremony.

Bach Dang walked over, gently held Gia Khue's hand, and bowed with her in front of her mother's portrait. "I promise to take care of and love Gia Khue all my life, mother." He spoke with a sincere voice that made Mr. Khac Nguyen nod emotionally.

That moment, although short, became one of the most memorable memories of the wedding party, a reminder that today's happiness is not only the achievement of the two people alone, but also the continuation of the love and sacrifices from the previous generation, the promises kept over the years to finally bear fruit in the most complete way.

After that emotional ceremony, the wedding atmosphere quickly returned to a joyful and bustling rhythm. The band started playing exciting love songs, the guests took turns taking each other to the dance floor, and Bach Dang, even though he was unfamiliar with modern dances, still tried to learn the basic steps from Gia Khue, causing the two to step on each other many times amidst the bustling laughter of their friends around them.

"You dance harder than when you first learned to walk in high heels." Gia Khue teased and giggled when he saw Bach Dang awkwardly turning around in the wrong rhythm.

"I'm confident in martial arts, but I really have to learn this from the beginning." Bach Dang smiled, not at all embarrassed by his clumsiness. Just holding her hand in the middle of those messy dance steps made him feel happy.

The party lasted late into the night in such a warm and joyful atmosphere, each moment became a precious memory that both of them will forever cherish throughout their upcoming marriage journey.