The next morning, Li Chen woke up to the cool winter air drifting through his slightly open window, refreshing away any lingering drowsiness. A smile spread across his face as he rose and headed downstairs. He found Sun Lixia, and said, "Mom, did you check with Aunt Lingling about how Zhang Mei is doing?"

Sun Lixia replied, "Yes, I called, and they said Zhang Mei is doing well and ready for the wedding." Li Yanyan chimed in, "You should start getting ready. Zhu Fengrui, Li Xinjie, and Tang Ziyi will go with you to fetch the bride. You’ll meet us at the hotel."

Zhu Fengrui joked, "I hope you have enough cash for the red envelopes." Li Chen assured them, "Everything is prepared. I’m just awaiting the auspicious hour so we can go pick up my future wife."

Li Xinjie remarked in disbelief, "I can’t believe you’re getting married today. You’ll be a married man in just a few hours." Li Chen replied, "Maybe you should consider tying the knot as well." Li Xinjie laughed, "No rush."

Li Yanyan directed, "Okay, okay, Li Chen, go get ready. You should leave early to arrive precisely at 10 am." Sun Lixia, Li Yanyan, and Madame Tang, recently discharged from the hospital, departed for the wedding venue. Sun Lixia wanted to ensure everything was meticulously prepared for her son’s big day. Though she trusted Sun Weilong’s oversight, she wished to be present and guarantee the security team was prepared, understanding the importance with so many influential figures attending.

Soon, Li Chen emerged from his room, ready to fetch his bride. He left with Zhu Fengrui, Li Xinjie, and Tang Ziyi. Tang Ziyi asked, "Brother Chen, do you have the cash?" Li Chen affirmed, "Oh, yes, nothing will stop me from getting my bride." They all chuckled as they departed in a convoy of secured cars with guards, protecting against anyone who might try to disrupt this special occasion.

Back at Zhang Mei’s Villa:

Zhang Mei turned to her mother, Mu Lingling, "Mom, please don’t give him too hard of a time, okay?"

Mu Lingling smiled, "It’s all part of tradition, honey."

Zhang Mei laughed, "I hate this tradition. Right now, I could be at the hotel saying ’I do.’"

As Mu Lingling looked upon her daughter, she suddenly felt emotional. Noticing her watery eyes, Zhang Mei asked with concern, "Mom, are you okay?"

Mu Lingling replied, her voice thick, "Your father would be so proud if he could see how beautiful you look right now."

Zhang Mei gave a bittersweet smile, "I know he’s watching from up there with a smile, Mom."

Wiping her tears, Mu Lingling nodded, "Yes, I’m sure he’s watching. And he’d want me to give Li Chen a hard time for taking his princess away." They both chuckled.

"Is Zhang Meixiu still coming?" Mu Lingling asked.

"I sent someone to pick her up at the agreed location. You know Uncle Su won’t allow her to come," Zhang Mei sighed.

Suddenly, Mu Lingling’s phone rang. She answered, "Hello?"

On the other end, Zhang Su scoffed, "You really think you can marry my brother’s daughter off without me?"

Mu Lingling raised her brow, "If I remember correctly, you said you wanted nothing to do with this wedding since the Lis didn’t give the betrothal gifts to you."

"Listen Mu Lingling, give me your address. I want to be there before that lousy groom arrives," Zhang Su demanded before abruptly hanging up.

Zhang Mei asked with concern, "What’s going on?"

Mu Lingling explained, and Zhang Mei sighed, "I don’t want any drama."

"I know they mistreated us, but you know how much your father loved his brother," Mu Lingling reasoned.

"But look how that brother treated us after Dad died," Zhang Mei argued.

Mu Lingling nodded understandingly, "I know, but let’s just do it for him, okay?"

Zhang Mei sighed in resignation, "Fine."

Around an hour later, Zhang Su arrived with his entire family - his wife Liu Ying, oldest daughter Zhang Liying, and son Zhang Weijun. Their car, looking painfully out of place among the private estate, glided through the gates.

Zhang Liying eyed their surroundings with poorly-veiled envy. "How can that woman afford a villa in such a place?"

"Who knows, maybe they just rented it out for appearances," Zhang Weijun scoffed.

Zhang Su nodded. "That’s true, those people don’t look rich."

Liu Ying sneered, "I’ll never understand that Mu Lingling, always trying to make herself seem better than everyone else."

Zhang Su reminded them in a hushed tone, "Don’t forget the plan. We need to find out if Zhang Mei’s husband is actually wealthy. Play nice for now. If he’s rich, that means our family strikes it big as well."

Zhang Liying’s eyes lit up greedily. "I can already imagine the vacations, the clothes..."

"Exactly. And if he is rich, we demand those betrothal gifts they refused us," Zhang Su stated.

Zhang Weijun chimed in, "Please get him to buy me a sports car!"

Zhang Su smirked. "That goes without saying, son."

The family exchanged sly looks as the car rolled up to the villa’s entrance. They had no love for Mu Lingling or Zhang Mei - only a rapacious appetite to cunningly latch onto any wealth Zhang Mei’s new husband may possess.

They finally arrived at the address, and Liu Ying couldn’t help but gasp in amazement at the sprawling villa. "Such a big villa!"

Zhang Su scoffed, "It’s all just for show. Come on, let’s get inside."

He knocked firmly, and Mu Lingling answered the door with a forced smile. "Good morning, Zhang Su."

"What a lovely place you have here," Zhang Su said with feigned admiration as he looked around. "Surely it can fit all of us."

Mu Lingling raised a bemused brow but motioned them inside. "Come in. The Lis will be here any moment now to pick up Zhang Mei."

Zhang Liying quickly interjected, "I’ll take charge of talking to them."

"Why’s that?" Mu Lingling asked.

"Because I’m the oldest," Zhang Liying stated matter-of-factly.

Mu Lingling sighed but didn’t argue. "Where is Zhang Meixiu?"

"That brat disappeared early this morning," Zhang Weijun replied dismissively.

"Oh," Mu Lingling frowned, then turned to the maid. "Please prepare some tea. I’m just finishing up with Zhang Mei’s attire."

The maid nodded, "Yes, ma’am."

As she headed upstairs, Liu Ying called out snidely, "You really are good at acting, Mu Lingling." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Mu Lingling paused and turned. "What do you mean?"

Zhang Weijun smirked. "Aunt Lingling, we can tell this house is just rented. You can’t truly afford this."

Hiding her irritation, Mu Lingling simply replied, "Believe what you want." She then continued upstairs to help Zhang Mei with her traditional wedding attire, leaving the judgmental family to openly gawk at the opulent surroundings they so desperately hoped to exploit.

It was precisely 10am, the carefully selected auspicious hour. Li Chen’s convoy of cars pulled up outside Zhang Mei’s villa. Zhu Fengrui, Li Xinjie, and Tang Ziyi exited first, dressed in crisp suits with auspicious red accents.

Li Chen emerged last, looking dashing in a traditional red silk robe embroidered with auspicious symbols like dragons and phoenixes. His black hair was neatly groomed, and he carried a red umbrella to symbolize his readiness to "rain fortune" on his new family.

The groomsmen approached the villa’s entrance and ceremoniously knocked on the door using the carved wooden Chinese door knockers. This traditional "pounding the door" ritual announced their arrival to fetch the bride.

After a tense pause, the door flew open, revealing Zhang Liying and Liu Ying blocking the entryway. Zhang Liying eyed them critically and demanded, "State your business!"

Zhu Fengrui replied formally, "We have come on this auspicious day to invite Miss Zhang to join the Li household through marriage."

Liu Ying scoffed derisively. "You’ll need to offer far more than just words!"

The groomsmen brought out stacks of red envelopes filled with auspicious money, but before they could present them, Zhang Liying shook her head dismissively.

"That paltry amount? For a bride of this family’s status? Don’t insult us," she sneered, eyeing Li Chen’s attendants knowingly.

Flustered, the groomsmen hastily gathered more envelopes until they had an impressive pile. They held them out with both hands in a pleading gesture.

Only when satisfied did Zhang Liying finally allow Liu Ying to step aside. The doors swung open wide to the sound of firecrackers set off by attendants. The groom’s party stepped through the threshold into Zhang Mei’s home, hopes of a smooth wedding day now tinged with uncertainty.