The wife returned silently. Zhang Zhongquan appeared to be chatting about everything with the others at the table, but he was actually watching his wife’s reaction out of the corner of his eye.

No need to say.

The communication wasn’t too pleasant, undoubtedly.

"I said, don’t go."

Detaching from the idle talk at the table, he spoke with an all-knowing stance.

"It’s all your fault, isn’t it?"

"My fault? Without me, would the money be returned?!"

Just a few days of truce and now they’re turning on each other again. Zhang Zhongquan gritted his teeth in anger."

"Isn’t there a more prudent way? Must we really offend the Fang Family? Even if you had communicated with them after reaching an agreement with Green Land, the relationship wouldn’t be this stiff."

Zhang Zhongquan wanted to slam the table in frustration, but being mindful of his image to avoid becoming a laughingstock, he restrained his volume.

"People should know contentment! Don’t expect to take advantage of everything in the world! Buying from Old Tong’s son is the same, isn’t it?"

Mai Encui didn’t argue further. Indeed, time can’t reverse, and saying these things now is meaningless.

Her brows furrowed like an overloaded old clothesline, yet she shifted the topic abruptly.

"You’ve seen the Fang girl’s boyfriend, haven’t you?"

"I have. What’s the matter?"

"Didn’t he seem familiar to you?"

"Familiar? Familiar how?"

"The person I just mentioned is the Fang girl’s boyfriend."

She wasn’t deliberately overthinking, just the feeling, like a naughty cat clawing everywhere in her heart, chased away but always sneaking back in.

"So what?"

Knowing that the breach is a done deal, Zhang Zhongquan involuntarily straightened his back and spoke in a low but firm voice, "There’s nothing a person can’t lack, except dignity!"

Mai Encui remained silent.

The setting sun pushed the clock hands.

Table after table gradually filled up.

Half-past six.

Amidst the changing lights, Tie Jun appeared in the center of the floral arch without anyone noticing, holding a bouquet in one hand and a microphone in the other.

As expected, simple, even sparing the need for an emcee.

With the warm and festive background music playing, the wedding photos scrolling on the surrounding screens became even clearer.

"Thank you, distinguished guests, friends, and family for attending my wedding. I know everyone must be hungry, so to save time, let’s promptly welcome our bride to enter."

No lengthy sentimental segments.

The straightforward and concise program sparked laughter and enthusiastic applause from the guests.

The door opened.

Wen Rong, draped in a grand wedding gown, gracefully stepped forward under the gaze of blessings from all present.

Ji Ailin and Tong Dan assisted with the gown’s train.

After walking through the floral-decorated aisle, the couple joined under the arch of love.

The two bridesmaids quietly left the stage.

"Today may not be the first wedding you attend, but for us, it’s one of the most important moments in our lives. So please allow me to keep it short."

Tie Jun handed the bouquet to Wen Rong, then held his wife’s hand, faced the audience with a radiant smile and enthusiastic voice.

"—We’re married!"

Covering her mouth, Wen Rong laughed, her gaze shining brighter than the beautiful roses and the starlight crafted by the overhead lights.

"Bravo!"

The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

Ji Ailin returned to her seat, witnessing her sister’s happiness, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Next stage, exchange of rings."

The procedure proceeded swiftly.

Hong Xiaoyu quickly carried the wedding rings to the stage.

"Diamonds are just decorative pieces, how did such a good girl end up with Tie Jun?"

"Miss Tong, don’t you know, Jun has always been the wisest among us."

Sitting by the arch, Tong Dan asked, "Then who is the fool who acts wise?"

Fu Zili calmly replied, "It’s definitely not me."

Boss Jiang, unfazed, watched the newlyweds exchange rings, then was the first to shout loudly, "Kiss!"

Just like the first falling domino piece.

Wu Yubin also followed up, grinning broadly, and shouted, "Kiss!"

"Kiss! Kiss..."

The surrounding voices echoed unanimously, each wave louder than the last.

"Smooch!"

Tie Jun, straightforward, embraced his wife and kissed her passionately.

Boss Jiang clapped with fervor, raising his hands above his head like... a monkey on Mount Emei.

Tong Dan laughed along.

Sitting nearby, Tie Jun obviously noticed his applause and, perhaps influenced by the mood, held his wife’s hand and whispered something to Wen Rong.

Wen Rong seemed surprised by what she heard, her eyes flickered as she turned to confirm with him.

Tie Jun nodded, then picked up the microphone.

"Life is just 30,000 days. Finding someone to hold hands with for a lifetime is happiness and also luck. This luck cannot be solely enjoyed and should be passed on."

Wen Rong handed him the bouquet.

"Regrettably, this luck is only one piece, so please allow me to be selfish this time."

Hearing this, Boss Jiang had a bad premonition.

Sure enough.

"Jiang Chen, come up, my brother!"

"Haha!!!"

Fu Zili burst into wild laughter, clapping his hands forcefully, the applause seemed to come with its own sound effects.

"Go on, everyone is waiting."

Tong Dan rejoiced at his misfortune.

Having been called out, Boss Jiang couldn’t escape, nor could he run away, so he had to stand up.

The intelligent lighting system immediately spotlighted him.

Under everyone’s gaze and amidst enthusiastic applause, he walked to the newlyweds, smiled, and embraced the bride first.

"You’ve got it."

"No need to thank me."

When he embraced Tie Jun, the two men who grew up together exchanged a brief conversation nobody understood.

Tie Jun handed him the bouquet and, at the same time, the microphone.

"Thank you to the bride for giving me such a precious gift. Wishing the newlyweds a happy, harmonious life together till old age."

Boss Jiang clearly didn’t want to steal the spotlight and hurried to retreat, so he was rather perfunctory.

Tie Jun seemed dissatisfied, stopping him.

"Who do you plan to give such a precious gift to?"

Others might not sense anything, but sitting nearby Tong Dan, Fu Zili, and Hong Xiaoyu, obviously were "astonished".

Tie Jun’s personality is more reserved, never meddling in others’ lives.

However.

Today is his wedding. Can’t he be impulsive just once?

Not only the three, even Ji Ailin and Wu Yubin intentionally looked towards Fang Qing on the stage.

Cornered, Jiang Chen gave the groom a "stern" look.

Tie Jun pretended not to see, "Is that girl here?"

Can he say she isn’t?

Facing the microphone, Jiang Chen let out a "Hmm."

"Please say her name!"

Tie Jun seemed to get into character too, truly seeing himself as the emcee.

Jiang Chen "smiled faintly", took a breath, and didn’t follow the directive, then called out to someone, "Come catch the bouquet!"

True affection isn’t about naming names, it’s about a mutual journey.

Fang Qing snapped to attention.

Tong Dan and the old friends got distracted.

And in another corner of the wedding venue.

A couple watched the young man, whose full name was suddenly known on stage, dumbfounded as if struck by lightning, frozen in place.