Clad in a white Vera w.a.n.g gown, she glittered, just like the diamonds adorning her throat. At 5'5, she was the same age and lean built like her husband-to-be. Her shoulder length black hair had been coiffed up and the style enhanced her angular cheekbones. The make-up was subtle and showcased the dress and her jewels to the maximum advantage. There was a hint of haughtiness in her demeanour.

"G.o.d bless you, my child", said Mrs Xie as Mei Zhen hugged her warmly.

Mr. Xie came and patted her shoulder with a smile. He had become very fond of her in the recent past and had begun to treat her like his own daughter.

"Hi sister in-law, welcome to your own party. Can you see how handsome is my brother looking today? He went through all this effort just for you", exclaimed an excited Xie Chu, Xie Tang's younger sibling.

Xie Chu was six years younger to her brother and was his anti-thesis. Short in stature, she made up for it with her spitfire personality. Fair like her brother, she had the same chocolate brown eyes and smile, albeit it was found lurking at the corner of her mouth perpetually. Her short hair and a curvy figure had driven many men crazy after her.

The basic princ.i.p.al of her life was – oppose everything that her parents wanted and expected from her. Her rebellion had started at teenage and continued till date. The only person that she never could or had refused was her big brother. He was her champion. He had always saved her from their parents' wrath and provided the freedom to grow into a person of her choosing.

She was currently working with an international news channel as part of their production team. The job kept her travelling back and forth between America and China. And it was during one of these trips, that she had met Ethan. He was the top investigative journalist for the channel and was a wonderful person.

For the first time in her life, Xie Chu was in the real danger of falling crazily in love. They had been seeing each other for some time and wanted to take it to the next level. Ethan was coming for the wedding and she had all her fingers crossed in the hope that Xie Tang would approve of him.

"I think we should start with the ceremony now", suggested Mrs. Liang, shaking Xie Chu out of her musings.

Mrs. Liang believed in auspicious time and dates for even the smallest of things. Xie Tang and Liang Mei Zhen moved towards the dais, which had been placed at one end of the room.

"Did you really think you can get hitched without our presence, Xie Tang?" shouted a voice from a currently dark corner.