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Chapter 100is out!!!! +40 advanced chapters monthly
Bai Shui had never believed the old adage that a man's hair could turn white overnight.
But looking at the Mayor now, he finally believed it.
"It's good to have you back! So good to have you back!" the Mayor said, his voice trembling with emotion as he gripped Bai Shui's hands tightly.
"Cough! Cough!"
Perhaps overwhelmed by his own excitement, the old man suddenly broke into a harsh coughing fit. Alarmed, Bai Shui quickly patted him on the back, gently smoothing out his breathing.
"Haha... getting old. I'm just not what I used to be," the Mayor panted, though his face remained alight with pure joy.
He had genuinely thought Bai Shui would never return, resigning himself to taking that heavy regret to his grave. He never expected to see the young man standing before him again.
"How long are you staying this time? If you need anything at all, just say the word. I'll get it sorted for you!" the Mayor asked, his eyes filled with grandfatherly affection.
"Haha, Grandpa Mayor, please don't worry about it. I'm not lacking in anything. Actually, I came back this time to hold my wedding."
Bai Shui smiled warmly. "You know how it is. It was delayed two years ago, and with my duties, I might not have the time to do it later. Aqi and I aren't getting any younger; if we keep putting this off, we'll end up as an old bachelor and a spinster. I don't want to delay it any longer."
"So, I'll be staying on the island for about a week. When the time comes, I want everyone to attend my wedding! It'll be right in the courtyard of my old house."
Upon hearing the announcement, the Mayor's eyes widened. "Oh, oh! I see! Well then, do you need any help? You certainly can't manage all that by yourself!" he offered enthusiastically.
"I appreciate the sentiment, I really do, but there's no need. I've already hired a professional team to handle the preparations. All I need from you is to be our officiant and witness! And of course, I hope everyone here will do me the honor of attending. I only plan on doing this once in my life; miss it, and it's gone!"
Bai Shui cupped his hands in a respectful, traditional greeting to the surrounding villagers, chuckling brightly.
"Yes, yes, yes! Absolutely! We wouldn't miss your wedding for the world!" the Mayor promised, shaking Bai Shui's hand with renewed vigor.
"Alright then, it's a promise!" Bai Shui smiled. "We'll be going on ahead. Get some good rest, Mayor."
Bidding his farewells, Bai Shui linked arms with Aqi. They walked toward his old home, drawing stares from the crowd like a match made in heaven.
"Aqi is so lucky," one of the village girls whispered, her eyes shining with absolute envy as she watched them walk away. "To find a man as amazing as Bai Shui, and one who dotes on her so much... I'm so jealous."
When they arrived at the house, Bai Shui was surprised. "We've been gone for two years, but the place looks brand new. It seems someone has been coming by to clean and take care of the house for us. That was incredibly thoughtful of them," he sighed in appreciation.
"Alright, that's enough talking. I'm exhausted. Let's go inside, I just want to sleep," Aqi muttered, dragging him through the front door and making a beeline straight for the bedroom. The journey had clearly drained her.
"Hold on, there's a ton of dust settled on everything. Give me a second to clear it out!"
Helplessly, Bai Shui caught Aqi just before she could collapse onto the mattress. Moving like a whirlwind, he began aggressively patting down the bedsheets, blankets, and pillows.
"Cough, cough!" Aqi covered her mouth as a cloud of dust plumed into the air, quickly retreating out into the hallway to wait for it to settle.
"Scatter!"
Bai Shui threw open the windows. Behind him, a pair of shimmering, light-particle wings unfurled. With a single, powerful flap, a fierce gale swept through the room, blowing every speck of dust straight out the window.
"Alright, come on. Time for bed."
Bai Shui stepped into the hallway, scooped Aqi up into his arms, and carried her back inside. He gently set her down on the now-clean bed and pulled the covers over her.
"Get some sleep. I'm going to finalize the wedding plans and go drop an invitation off for T-Bone," Bai Shui said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead with a warm smile.
After waiting for Aqi's eyes to drift shut, he quietly closed the door and left.
Ship-Cutter's Island.
"Hahaha! It's been far too long, my friend! Look at you, making quite the name for yourself. Promoted to Major already, I see!"
Captain T-Bone sat across from Bai Shui, letting out a dramatic, booming sigh. "Alas! Your older brother here has been serving for so many years, and I am but a humble Captain! Ah, to compare one man's success to another is to invite despair!"
"So, out with it," T-Bone continued, leaning forward with curiosity. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit? I imagine you didn't come all this way just to see me."
"Haha, nothing gets past you," Bai Shui laughed. "You're right. I'm getting married, so I came to personally deliver your invitation!"
Reaching into his coat, Bai Shui pulled out an elegant, crimson-red wedding invitation and slid it across the table.
"Oh? Impressive. I must say, I've never seen an invitation of this particular style before," T-Bone noted, raising an eyebrow as he inspected the rich, Eastern-style card.
"Of course you haven't! Just look at who's giving it to you. If it's coming from me, it's bound to be top-tier!" Bai Shui boasted, bursting into laughter. The invitation was a pure, traditional Huaxia design, quite distinct from the standard aesthetic of this world.
"Excellent. I will absolutely be there!" T-Bone carefully tucked the invitation into his coat like a treasured artifact before raising his glass. "Come! Let us drink to your happiness! I'll down mine; drink at your own pace!"
"Cheers!" Bai Shui clinked his small glass against T-Bone's massive mug, and they both downed their drinks in one go.
By the time noon rolled around, Bai Shui was standing at the docks, ready to depart.
"I'll be heading out now. Make sure you show up!" Bai Shui called out.
"I wouldn't miss it!" T-Bone roared back, a rare, genuine smile cracking across his skeletal, zombie-like face.
When Bai Shui finally returned to Kuro Island, the wedding planning team he had hired was already waiting at the port.
"Alright, everyone. Follow the itinerary we previously discussed. I am not rushing you for time, but the quality must be absolute perfection. Take it slow if you need to, just get it right," Bai Shui instructed.
His words elicited a collective sigh of relief from the planners.
"Understood, Mr. Bai Shui. Please don't worry, we will deliver the exact results you're looking for!" the team leader promised with a nod. With that, the crew scattered and immediately got to work.
When Bai Shui returned home and peeked into the bedroom, he found Aqi still dead to the world.
"Little lazy pig, you're still asleep?" Bai Shui shook his head, a helpless, fond smile on his face. Giving a soft sigh, he left her to rest.
Time slipped by. Two days later, the big day arrived.
The entirety of Kuro Island was buzzing with festive energy.
"Welcome, welcome!"
The villagers of Kuro Island poured into Bai Shui's courtyard, their faces plastered with wide, joyous smiles. Flanking the entrance were two beautiful, young ushers, expertly hired by the wedding planners to greet the guests.
"Thank you all for coming. Please, take a seat!"
As the groom, Bai Shui was busy playing the perfect host, greeting everyone with impeccable politeness.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Aqi sat nervously on the edge of the bed. She was dressed in a breathtakingly elegant white gown, her makeup flawlessly done, idly watching Bai Shui handle the crowd through the window. Surrounding her were four bridesmaids provided by the wedding company.
Aqi was already a naturally beautiful girl, but with the bridal makeup and the stunning dress, she looked like an ethereal fairy descended to the mortal realm. She completely outshone the four bridesmaids beside her.
Finally… the day has come, Aqi thought, her heart swelling with an indescribable joy. She had waited so, so long for this moment.
"BWAHAHAHA! You finally tied the knot, you little brat! I've come for the booze!"
Suddenly, a booming, boisterous laugh echoed across the courtyard, entirely drowning out the chatter of the other guests. Who else could that voice belong to but Garp?
"Old Man Garp! I thought you weren't going to make it!" Bai Shui hurried toward the entrance, greeting the legendary Marine Hero with a massive bear hug. "Please, come on in!"
Of course, joking aside, Bai Shui maintained his utmost respect. This was Monkey D. Garp—a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, the Hero of the Marines, and a man two or three generations his senior.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!" the entourage of Marines behind Garp chimed in, saluting and clapping Bai Shui on the shoulder.
"Thank you, thank you all!" Bai Shui replied, cupping his hands in gratitude to each of them.
"Bai Shui! I have arrived!"
Before Bai Shui could even turn around, he spotted a tall, lanky figure waving at him from a distance. A grin broke out across Bai Shui's face as he waited by the door for the newcomer.
"Glad you made it!" Bai Shui held up a fist, meeting T-Bone's knuckles in a solid fist bump.
"Mm!" T-Bone nodded, a rare hint of warmth showing on his gaunt face as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Come on, head inside," Bai Shui ushered him in. In the courtyard, a specially designated table had been prepared for him, right next to Garp and the other high-ranking Marines.
"Marine Headquarters Captain, reporting to Vice Admiral Garp!" The moment T-Bone saw Garp, he snapped off a rigid, textbook salute.
"Bwahaha! Drop the stiff act, kid! Have a seat!" Garp waved him off dismissively. "Today is a day of celebration, forget all that formal nonsense. Just eat until your stomach bursts and be happy, got it?!"
"Yes, sir!" T-Bone replied, though for a man as fiercely disciplined and tightly wound as him, simply "dropping the act" was easier said than done.
Hooooonk!
Just then, the resounding blast of a warship's horn echoed from the coast. An imposing Marine vessel—even larger than Garp's—was slowly dropping anchor at Kuro Island's port.
And walking off that ship were two people Bai Shui genuinely hadn't expected to see.
Captain Smoker, and Admiral Aokiji.
"Arara... congratulations, Bai Shui. This was a bit last-minute, so I didn't prepare a gift. Hahaha, I hope you don't mind," Aokiji drawled lazily as he approached, scratching his head with a sleepy smile. He looked completely devoid of the intimidating presence an Admiral usually commanded.
"Haha, Admiral Aokiji, please! Your presence alone is more than enough face for me. Come in, come in!" Bai Shui beamed, gesturing for the Admiral to take a seat. Aokiji gave a lazy nod, strolling into the courtyard and making a beeline for Garp's table.
"Smoker, you made it too!" Bai Shui turned to the white-haired Captain, offering his hand.
"Hmph. You're getting married, figured I should drop by and take a look," Smoker grunted, two lit cigars clamped firmly between his teeth. He shook Bai Shui's hand with his usual gruff demeanor. "It's not that far from my post anyway. Happened to run into Aokiji floating around on the sea, so we came together."
"Hahaha! Well, get in there and grab a seat!" Bai Shui laughed, clapping Smoker on the back and leading him into the venue.
Inside the house, the bridesmaids were peering out the window in absolute awe.
"Wow... the groom is incredible! Look at how many high-ranking Marines showed up. Even Admiral Aokiji is here! I'm so jealous," one of the bridesmaids whispered, her voice practically dripping with envy.
"I know, right?" another bridesmaid sighed wistfully. "The bride is so unbelievably lucky to find a man this outstanding. If only I could find someone like that..."