Little Meteor Chapter 43

Chapter 43 I Do (Main Story Complete)

Song Zhe’s wedding was scheduled for Sunday. He had deliberately chosen a date that avoided the peak wedding season around the October holiday. Jiang Chengxuan couldn’t attend, so he asked Shen Mu to go in his stead.

Shen Mu wasn’t close with Song Zhe, but he was quite familiar with Xu Nian. They were classmates in college and belonged to the same photography club. Xu Nian was one of the few girls who didn’t find his personality strange and could actually hold a conversation with him. That evening, Song Zhe created a group chat, and Xu Nian was in it. They spent a long time arguing over whether Shen Mu should represent Xu Nian’s side (the bride’s family) or be part of Song Zhe’s groomsmen team.

Xu Nian: You guys already have enough groomsmen. I invited Shen Mu, so he must be on my side. He needs to help me block the door. I can’t let you take me away that easily.

Song Zhe sent a crying emoji: Brother Xuan can’t make it, so we’re already short a person, and now you’re stealing another one? Wife, be reasonable.

Zhang Chenyang: Hahaha, they’re fighting over him.

Li Wei: I support Niannian! Shen Mu was in our class, so of course he’s family.

Wang Lei: Song Zhe has a point too. Since Brother Xuan isn’t here, Shen Mu should logically be the substitute groomsman.

The group chat was buzzing with heated debate, which Shen Mu found amusing. Xu Nian directly @-ed him, asking which side he was on.

Jiang Chengxuan was still asleep. Shen Mu typed his reply: “Xu Nian’s side, since she’s the one who invited me.”

“What’s so lively?”

Jiang Chengxuan’s voice was thick with sleepiness. He had been working overtime frequently lately and was severely sleep-deprived. Today, he finally managed to leave work on time, and after eating dinner, he showered and went straight to bed.

Shen Mu said, “Did I wake you up?”

Jiang Chengxuan sat up and yawned. He wrapped his arms around Shen Mu from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, and said with his eyes closed, “The phone was vibrating so frequently, it was hard not to wake up.”

Jiang Chengxuan held him for a while before opening his eyes to grab his phone. He scrolled through the group messages. Song Zhe happened to @ him: Brother Xuan, you tell us, whose side is Shen Mu on?

Jiang Chengxuan smiled and typed his reply: He makes his own decisions. My opinion doesn’t count.

Song Zhe sent a look-of-contempt emoji: Got it, love-drunk idiot.

Jiang Chengxuan put down his phone and reached out to pull Shen Mu closer into his embrace. “Sleep. I’m exhausted.”

“You sleep then.”

Shen Mu didn’t have the habit of sleeping so early. Worried that the phone light might bother Jiang Chengxuan’s eyes, he turned over, facing away from him, and continued playing on his phone. After a short while, Jiang Chengxuan suddenly spoke again: “Is Xu Hansheng going?”

Shen Mu jumped slightly. “Aren’t you tired?”

“I am very tired,” Jiang Chengxuan asked again, “Is he going?”

Shen Mu put down his phone and turned to face him. “Xu Nian said she invited him, but she doesn’t know if he’ll come.” After saying that, he couldn’t resist reaching out and poking Jiang Chengxuan’s cheek. “Why are you so petty now? Besides, I never even noticed that Xu Hansheng liked me. How did you figure it out?”

“It’s simple. Because you can’t see anyone but me, of course you wouldn’t notice that he likes you.”

“Tsk,” Shen Mu pushed his head. “Doctor Jiang, have some shame?”

“No shame,” Jiang Chengxuan flipped over, pinning Shen Mu beneath him. “I want you.”

The next day, Shen Mu wore a turtleneck sweater to Xu Nian’s wedding. Fortunately, the temperature had dropped recently, so the outfit didn’t look out of place. When he found Xu Nian, she was having her makeup done. Shen Mu handed her the red envelope and sincerely praised her, “Xu Nian, you look truly beautiful today.”

“Thank you,” Xu Nian smiled gently and accepted the red envelope. “You’re too polite. Just a token gesture would have been fine.”

Shen Mu smiled. “It’s from both of us.”

“Oh—” Xu Nian drew out the sound. “In that case, I won’t be modest.”

Shen Mu hadn’t majored in screenwriting in college and initially lacked confidence. Once, when the club needed to film a promotional video, Xu Nian saw a few passages he had casually jotted down in his notebook and immediately recommended him to the club president.

That was Shen Mu’s first formal attempt at writing. After the promotional video aired, many people came asking who had written the script. Gradually, other clubs sought him out: the drama club needed short play scripts, the anime club wanted original plots, and even the student union asked him to write transitional dialogue for their events. Later, he tried writing a short film, which won Best Screenplay at the campus film festival, further confirming that being a Screenwriter was the career he was willing to dedicate his life to.

In a way, Xu Nian was his first patron. If it hadn’t been for Xu Nian, he might really have chosen to take civil service exams and live a conventional life.

Xu Nian’s eyes curved into smiles. “I should also congratulate you on achieving your dream.”

Shen Mu laughed. “Yes, I never dreamed I’d have this day.”

The wedding proceeded smoothly. During the door-blocking segment, Shen Mu alone held the line against five people. Zhang Chenyang shouted from outside, “Shen Mu! That’s not fair! We used to play basketball together, at least!”

Shen Mu leaned against the door, responding with a smile, “Sorry, but today I only recognize Xu Nian’s door.”

Shen Mu had always disliked attending weddings. In his view, entering marriage required great courage, and even then, it didn’t guarantee happiness or fulfillment. He didn’t understand why so many people willingly jumped into something they knew could be a trap. Yet, watching Xu Nian and Song Zhe exchange rings on stage, his eyes grew a little moist.

Xu Hansheng arrived just three minutes before the banquet started. Shen Mu was in charge of taking photos today. Xu Nian had specially reserved a table for the makeup artist and the photographer, knowing Shen Mu didn’t like socializing, and told him to sit there after he finished shooting, as it would be less crowded. When Shen Mu saw Xu Hansheng looking for a seat, he waved him over.

Like most people, Xu Hansheng chose to take civil service exams after graduation and now worked at the Procuratorate.

Xu Hansheng smiled. “Traffic was bad on the way. I’m a little late.”

“It’s fine,” Shen Mu handed him a set of tableware. “The food hasn’t even been served yet. You arrived just in time.”

Xu Hansheng was holding a paper bag. “The photos I mentioned last time—sorry, I’ve been too busy lately and haven’t been able to give them to you.”

Xu Hansheng had been the club’s vice president at the time. Good cameras were too expensive for students, so they had agreed to pool money and share one. Later, by junior year, everyone was busy with graduate school entrance exams or job hunting, and many left the club. The camera remained with Xu Hansheng, as he had paid for half of it. He had announced in the group chat that anyone who wanted their photos could contact him.

Shen Mu wasn’t a person who enjoyed dwelling on the past, but seeing the old photos still made him feel sentimental. There was even one of Jiang Chengxuan, though only a back view. At the time, he had messaged Jiang Chengxuan saying he was hungry after watching a food video and wanted a late-night snack. Jiang Chengxuan had lectured him about how unhealthy late-night eating was and that the dorms would close soon, but he still waited for him downstairs. The photo showed Jiang Chengxuan looking down at his watch, the streetlamp outlining a soft halo of light around him.

Shen Mu felt his ears warm up and quickly flipped to the next picture.

The next one was of himself, directing actors during a drama club rehearsal. The one after that was also him, accepting an award on stage at the campus film festival.

Jiang Chengxuan had said Xu Hansheng was interested in him, and Shen Mu had always thought Jiang Chengxuan was overthinking it. Now, he felt… Jiang Chengxuan might have been right.

It was fine when he didn’t know, but now that he did, Shen Mu felt a little sad. He understood the feeling of unrequited affection all too well. “Xu Hansheng, I…”

“You don’t need to say anything.” Xu Hansheng interrupted him, giving a gentle smile. “It’s all in the past.”

Just then, Xu Nian and Song Zhe came over to toast. Xu Nian smiled. “Xu Hansheng, you finally made it! We missed you during the photo session earlier.”

Xu Hansheng stood up and clinked glasses with her. “It’s not too late now. I wish you eternal happiness.”

Shen Mu had always had a low tolerance for alcohol; he would start feeling dizzy after three small glasses. Today, Song Zhe and the others, still holding a grudge from the door-blocking, forced a few extra drinks on him. Shen Mu was completely tipsy, unable to walk straight. Jiang Chengxuan was still in the operating room and couldn’t come to pick him up. There was still a casual dinner planned for the evening. Song Zhe escorted Shen Mu to a hotel room to rest, then went off to play cards with a few classmates.

Jiang Chengxuan didn’t arrive until the evening. Song Zhe was also drunk, slurring his words: “Brother, that’s not cool! You were late for my wedding? You have to drink one!”

Jiang Chengxuan apologized with a smile and symbolically took a sip, but Song Zhe remained insistent. Xu Nian finally smacked his head. “Get lost, you! Doctor Jiang can’t drink!”

Xu Nian dragged Song Zhe away, thoughtfully telling Jiang Chengxuan Shen Mu’s room number before leaving.

Only the bedside lamp was on in the room. Shen Mu was lying on his side, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol. Jiang Chengxuan took a warm towel and gently wiped his face. Shen Mu’s eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes. “You’re here?”

Jiang Chengxuan smiled. “You drank so much. Do you feel bad?”

Shen Mu turned his head and rubbed it against the back of Jiang Chengxuan’s hand. “A little dizzy, but okay.”

Jiang Chengxuan kissed him on the lips. “Drunkard.”

Shen Mu chuckled twice, sat up, and clung to him like a sloth. He rarely acted this clingy. Jiang Chengxuan wrapped his arms around his waist. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Shen Mu tilted his face up in his embrace. “I just feel that in this vast sea of people, meeting anyone is fate. If you separate, you separate. If you miss out, you miss out. In reality, there aren’t that many broken mirrors being put back together, so there’s no need to cling to the past or chase after it. But seeing you come to pick me up, I just feel really good.”

Shen Mu’s voice was slightly husky from the alcohol. Jiang Chengxuan couldn’t help but gently rub the corner of his reddened eye with his thumb. Shen Mu smiled. “Suddenly, I feel that if there’s a trap ahead, jumping into it with you wouldn’t be so bad.”

Outside the window, the wedding fireworks bloomed in the night sky. With the atmosphere set and Shen Mu having spoken his heart, Jiang Chengxuan immediately knelt on one knee and pulled out a box. “I’ve been carrying this around for a long time. I never knew when the right time was to take it out, and I was afraid you’d refuse. Saying this now might lack ceremony, but I really can’t hold back anymore.”

“Mumu,” Jiang Chengxuan looked into his eyes. “Will you be with me, until you get tired of me?”

Shen Mu stared blankly at the ring box in Jiang Chengxuan’s hand. Another firework exploded outside, illuminating Jiang Chengxuan’s features clearly. Those eyes, usually steady and calm, were now filled with nervousness. Jiang Chengxuan hadn’t used the word ‘forever,’ instead handing all the choices over to him, even letting him decide the duration of the commitment.

Shen Mu reached out his hand, allowing Jiang Chengxuan to slide the ring onto his finger, and whispered, “Yes, I do.”

[Author’s Note]

The main story is complete! It took three months. There should still be a few college-era extras. I never expected to successfully sign a contract. I didn’t write the college section in detail because I didn’t think it was the main focus, but when I reread it later, I felt it needed more detail. However, adding it anywhere felt abrupt, and revising the text was troublesome, so I decided to put it in the extras. Thank you to the few readers who have followed along. Your continued support is my motivation to update.

Thank you all for reading this far. See you in the extras.