The angry voice resounded in the neighborhood. On this peaceful morning, not even a litter could be seen on the street.
Hearing the noise, people started poking their heads out of their apartments’ windows. While some of them even came out to have a look. Among them was Mrs. Ming who looked anxious.
Inside the Limo, the driver glanced back at the people in the backseat. “Mrs. Lin, this…” the man was a bit confused.
The teenage boys looked a bit strange, and the boy who seemed like their leader looked out of his mind.
“Annie, wait in the car. And you!” Mrs. Lin snapped at Dylan. “Let’s go and see what that boy is up to.”
Dylan was shrinking in his seat and he trembled from his mother’s gaze. He left the car with her, signaling to the boy to be silent.
“Hey, Chen, what were you talking about? When did I promise you my sister’s hands?” Dylan approached him before his mother could.
“You, Dylan!” The boy pointed at him. “Have you forgotten our agreement? Do you want me to tell the whole neighborhood that–“
Dylan covered his mouth before he continued speaking. “Hehe, Little Chen, come on. Aren’t we friends? You know I don’t have a say in Big Sister’s marriage.”
“But you promised me!” Chen slapped his hand away. Although the boy was shorter, his eyes were fierce and slightly red.
Chen was deeply offended. He only heard the news yesterday while some neighbors were gossiping. The news hit him like a heap of rocks, and he couldn’t wait to gather his gang this morning.
“What is he talking about, Dylan? Since when did you have a say in Annie’s marriage?” Mrs. Lin looked at him quizzically.
“Aha, Mum, it’s only a misunderstanding.” Dylan scratched his head. “I think Little Chen is a bit confused.”
“You’re the confused one! Your whole generation is confused, Dylan. How dare you go back on your words!?” The boy was hopping mad.
“Ah, Chen, please stop.” Mrs. Ming scurried forward. “Don’t you know this can spell bad luck? Who teaches you to do these kinds of things? Is it these bad friends of yours?”
“Mum, shut up! You know I’m also mad at you! You colluded with your hypocritical friends and hid the news from me!”
Mrs. Ming instantly shut her mouth. She hoped she could get her hand on those neighbors who dared talk about the wedding in her son’s presence. Now her precious boy was mad. If he got into trouble, how could she answer to her ancestors?
“Little Chen, this is not child’s play. Please tell your friends to pack these car tires away.”
“Mum, don’t say another word. Unless Pretty Ann wants to marry me instead, I won’t leave this place!”
“You, Little Chen.” Mrs. Lin pointed at him. “I will call the police if you don’t stop this nonsense!”
“Mrs. Lin, it is Dylan that deserves to be arrested! Can you believe–“
Dylan covered his mouth again. “Little Chen, please stop making trouble. Let’s settle this after the wedding, okay?”
“Bah! You’re also hypocritical! In fact, I’ll burn down this neighborhood! No car will pass here today!”
The neighbors watched in delight. They even laughed at the boy’s claims. No one took his words seriously until they saw one of the boys retrieve a lighter from his pocket.
Another boy came with a small gallon filled with fuel and started pouring it on the tires.
“Ah! Mrs. Ming!”
“Someone, stop him!”
Gasps spread across the neighborhood and people started shouting.
“Little Chen, you’re going to put us both in trouble!” Mrs. Ming wailed. “Please put that down now, do you want your mother to suffer a heart attack?”
But Chen was not listening. He lifted his hand, signaling the boys to light up the tires.
“This is getting serious, Annie.” Mrs. Lin returned to the car. “Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”
However, before Annie left the car, the sounds of police sirens rang in the neighborhood, and they all watched the police take the boys away.
Apparently, one of the spectators, who was a good samaritan, had alerted the police when the chaos started.
Dylan joined them in the car and sighed in relief, patting his chest. He avoided his mother’s scrutiny and looked out of the window. Mrs. Ming also did not mind him. Right now, she had more important things in her mind.
Annie looked out of the other window as the Limo drove down the city. The car approached the event hall and her heart couldn’t stop beating.
“Eh? Why are they outside?” Mrs. Lin sounded confused, seeing the neighbors who had driven ahead waiting outside the hall.
“Mrs. Lin, are you sure this is the right hall?” Mrs. Tan came forward. “No wedding is happening here, just some business congregation.”
Even Annie was confused. This was the hall they booked for their wedding.
“I– I think something is not right here. Did they perhaps give us the wrong address?” Mrs. Lin quickly brought out her phone. This was the location given to them. Time was also going.
She dialed the Ju’ans’ Residence and after ringing for a long time, someone finally picked up the phone.
“Am I speaking with Mrs. Ju’an?” Mrs. Lin started.
But the voice at the other end did not belong to Mrs. Ju’an. “This is Mrs. Ju’an’s sister? Who am I speaking with?”
Mrs. Lin didn’t have time to introduce herself. She looked at the time and said, “Why did you give us the wrong address? We’re at the venue but the people–“
“Ah, the venue has been changed. Please come down to the Ju’ans’ Residence for the wedding.” The person sounded busy and she instantly cut the call.
Mrs. Lin frowned. “Annie, didn’t Jason tell you anything about changing the venue?”
Annie shook her head. They all entered the Limo and the car took another route, heading to B District.
“So many unfortunate things are happening today.” Mrs. Lin held her chest. “Annie, what is this bad feeling I’m having?”
“Relax, Mum.” Dylan laughed. “Quit being apprehensive always.”
Annie wanted to reassure the woman with the same words if only her heartbeat would ease down.
The Ju’ans’ Residence was filled up with people. Strangely, there weren’t noises coming from the inside.
Mrs. Lin held Annie’s hand and they proceeded inside, heading to the wide field at the right side of the building.
Chairs were lined up. The place was decorated with white and pink flowers. No one turned around to look at them. Because standing at the altar was Jason in a white suit. And standing with him was none other than Priscilla Wang.
They were exchanging vows.