The Reception

The double doors of the reception hall swung open, revealing Lingling and Orm hand in hand. The room erupted into applause as the newlyweds stepped inside, bathed in the warm glow of fairy lights and surrounded by elegant floral arrangements. Their love and happiness radiated through the air, drawing every eye to them.

From their table, Becky, Freen, and Suzy were already chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Orm, never one to shy away from theatrics, smirked at Lingling and dipped her dramatically. The crowd cheered as Orm leaned in for a kiss, her lips brushing Lingling's softly before deepening it just enough to leave everyone applauding louder.

Lingling, blushing furiously but smiling, whispered as she straightened up, "You're ridiculous."

As the couple took their seats, Becky grabbed the microphone with a wicked glint in her eye. She stood confidently in front of the crowd, tapping the mic for dramatic effect.

"Well, well, well," Becky began, eyeing Orm and Lingling. "Look at you two—actually managing to tie the knot. Honestly, I didn't think it was possible. Not because you're not perfect for each other—oh no, you two are so perfect it's borderline nauseating—but because, let's face it, Lingling, you've been married to your spreadsheets for years. And Orm? You're basically the human equivalent of a pancake."

The room burst into laughter, while Orm chuckled and Lingling raised an eyebrow, though her faint smirk betrayed her amusement.

"Now, don't get me wrong," Becky continued, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "I always knew Orm was capable of great things—managing Blooming Beans, surviving Freen's jokes, dodging all her admirers—honestly, a miracle in itself. But Lingling, I have to give it to you. You're the real MVP here. Not only did you survive Orm's sass, but you tamed her wild side. Sort of."

Orm grinned, leaning closer to Lingling. "She's not wrong."

Becky wasn't done. "But on a serious note—and yes, I'm capable of being serious—I've watched you two grow into something truly special. Lingling, you've melted in ways none of us thought possible, and Orm, you've shown us all what unconditional love looks like. Together, you're a reminder that even the Ice Queen can find her happily ever after—and that lattes, somehow, can become the foundation of a love story."

Becky raised her glass, smirking. "To Orm and Lingling: may your spreadsheets always align, your pancakes never burn, and your love continue to defy all logic. Cheers!"

Freen stood up after Becky, adjusting her blazer with an air of mock seriousness. "Tough act to follow, but here we go."

She paused dramatically, then smirked at Lingling. "First of all, I'd like to thank Lingling for proving me right. I've always said she's not as cold and composed as she pretends to be, and look at her now—married and crying on her wedding day. Truly a day for the history books."

The crowd chuckled, and Lingling gave Freen a pointed glare while subtly dabbing at her eyes.

"But seriously," Freen continued, her tone softening just a touch. "I've known Lingling for years. She's brilliant, focused, and, let's face it, a little scary sometimes. But seeing her with Orm? It's like she's finally found her match. Orm, you've managed to bring out a side of Lingling that none of us knew existed—warm, loving, and surprisingly funny."

She turned to Orm with a grin. "And Orm, let's not forget what you've accomplished here. You charmed Lingling so much she willingly left her office one morning to come to your café. That, my friends, is nothing short of a miracle."

Freen raised her glass. "To Lingling and Orm—proof that even the busiest CEOs can find time for love. And Ling, I hope you know how lucky you are to have someone who keeps you grounded and makes you happy."

Lingling's father stood first, his usual reserved demeanor giving way to rare warmth. "I'll admit, I never thought I'd see this day. Not because I doubted Lingling, but because she always seemed too busy conquering the world to care about anything else."

The crowd chuckled, and Lingling's mother nodded in agreement.

"But then Orm came along," he continued, smiling at his new daughter-in-law. "And suddenly, Lingling wasn't just about work anymore. She was happier, lighter, and—dare I say—less scary. Orm, thank you for loving our daughter the way she deserves."

Orm's mother followed with a playful yet heartfelt speech. "Lingling, you're a brave woman. Marrying Orm? That's no small feat. But you didn't just handle her—you matched her. You bring out the best in her, and for that, we'll always be grateful."

The room erupted into laughter, and Orm groaned, burying her face in Lingling's shoulder.

The lights dimmed as the music began to play. Lingling and Orm stepped onto the dance floor, moving gracefully in sync. Their eyes locked, and it was as though the rest of the world disappeared.

At their table, Becky leaned toward Freen, whispering, "This is disgustingly romantic. Pass me a tissue."

Freen smirked, handing her a napkin. "I thought you didn't cry at weddings."

Becky dabbed at her eyes. "Shut up."

As the song ended, the newlyweds pulled each other close for one last kiss before the guests flooded the dance floor, turning the atmosphere into a lively celebration.

The centerpiece of the room was a towering wedding cake, meticulously designed to match Lingling's exact specifications. The couple approached it together, grinning as they picked up the knife.

Orm made the first cut, but instead of feeding Lingling gently, she smirked and smeared a bit of frosting on her nose.

Lingling gasped, her icy façade cracking into laughter. "You're going to regret that."

Orm grinned mischievously. "Worth it."

The music cut suddenly, and Becky and Freen stepped onto the dance floor wearing matching, ridiculous sequined jackets. The crowd immediately knew chaos was about to ensue.

With Suzy reluctantly joining in, they launched into an over-the-top dance routine, complete with props and dramatic spins. Lingling buried her face in her hands, laughing despite herself, while Orm cheered them on.

"Encore!" Orm shouted, clapping enthusiastically.

Freen, catching her breath, pointed to Becky. "This was all her idea."

Becky smirked. "No regrets."

As the reception continued in full swing, Lingling and Orm slipped outside, hand in hand, finding a quiet spot beneath the canopy of stars. The soft glow of fairy lights from the venue illuminated their faces, and the distant sound of laughter and music created a serene backdrop.

Lingling leaned against Orm's shoulder, letting out a soft sigh. "I think this is the happiest I've ever been."

Orm pressed a kiss to the top of Lingling's head, her arms wrapping securely around her waist. "Me too. And the best part? This is just the beginning."

Lingling turned to face Orm fully, her eyes glistening with a mix of joy and emotion. "I love you," she whispered, her voice soft but unwavering.

Orm's lips curled into a smile as she cupped Lingling's face. "I love you too. More than anything. More than I ever thought was possible."

Lingling's fingers brushed against Orm's cheek, her touch lingering. "You've given me everything I didn't even know I needed. You've made me happier than I ever thought I could be."

Orm leaned in, her voice dropping to a tender murmur. "And you've shown me what it means to love and be loved, completely. I promise, every day, to keep showing you how much you mean to me."

Their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling in the cool evening air. Lingling's voice broke slightly as she repeated, "I love you, Orm. So much."

Orm kissed her softly, a kiss filled with all the unspoken promises they shared. "I love you more."

Lingling smirked through her tears, her tone playful yet genuine. "Not possible."

Orm chuckled, pulling her even closer. "Oh, it's absolutely possible."

The kisses continued—gentle, lingering, and filled with all the love they felt for each other. In that quiet moment, wrapped in each other.