The program director took the stage and tapped on the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the snacks and drinks while the bride and groom change into their Western attires to commence a Western wedding ceremony."

Zhang Su scoffed loudly at their table. "Two weddings in one day? Now they’re just showing off their wealth."

Liu Ying nodded in agreement. "These people really are disgustingly rich."

Zhang Weijun leaned in, a contemplative look on his face. "I think Zhang Mei’s husband is actually related to the Sun family."

Zhang Su raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, if I remember correctly, they said his mother’s name is Sun Lixia. And look, she’s sitting at the same table as the patriarch of the Sun family over there," Zhang Weijun pointed out.

Zhang Su and Liu Ying’s heads whipped around to follow his gaze. Sure enough, at the primary table, Sun Lixia sat regally alongside an elderly man who could only be Old Master Sun, the family’s respected patriarch.

The realization hit them like a ton of bricks. Li Chen was no mere wealthy nobody - he was fortuitously tied to one of the most powerful families in the region through his very own mother.

Liu Ying’s hand flew to cover her mouth as she turned back to her husband with wide eyes. "That $10 million check Sun Lixia offered for the betrothal gift...it was entirely legitimate!"

Zhang Su’s cheeks burned as he recalled laughing in Mu Lingling’s face when she had presented it. Which meant that opulent villa really did belong to her, not just a rental as they had assumed.

As the couple made their exit to change, the Zhang family could only gape after them, greedy minds spinning at the truth they had so arrogantly dismissed - Zhang Mei’s new husband was aristocratically rich and influential beyond their wildest dreams.

The ballroom was rearranged for the Western ceremony, replacing the traditional Chinese decor with elegant white floral arrangements and twinkling crystals. Li Chen stood at the altar, looking dashing in a crisp white suit as he awaited his bride’s arrival.

The guests hushed in anticipation as the music swelled. All eyes turned towards the entrance as the doors opened, revealing Zhang Mei on the arm of her beaming mother, Mu Lingling.

Audible gasps rippled through the crowd as Zhang Mei stepped into view. Her Western gown was an extravagant confection of lace, pearls and intricate embroidery that could have only been designed for royalty. As she drew closer, a neighboring guest leaned over to whisper conspiratorially to the Zhang family.

"That’s the very same gown once commissioned for a Japanese princess’s wedding. And the tiara - those are certified royal jewels!"

Zhang Liying’s envy threatened to swallow her whole as she clenched her fists tightly. How was it possible that Zhang Mei, who came from such humble roots, could be more radiantly adorned than any princess Zhang Liying had ever witnessed?

Liu Ying and Zhang Weijun’s jaws hung open, equally stunned. Even Zhang Su had to grip the table to steady himself against the tidal wave of resentment crashing over him.

But Zhang Mei seemed utterly unaware of the chaos her regal beauty was unleashing. She was solely focused on Li Chen, her eyes shining with devotion as she glided down the aisle.

As she reached the altar, Mu Lingling placed her daughter’s hand into Li Chen’s with a warm maternal smile. The couple turned to face the officiant, ready to bind themselves once more as husbands and wife.

Zhang Meixiu watched her cousin with unrestrained joy, so happy for the profound love surrounding Zhang Mei on her wedding day. Her kindhearted spirit was worlds apart from her brutish family, whose envy had them practically foaming at the mouth.

The officiant, a jovial western minister, stepped forward and beamed at the radiant couple.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Li Chen and Zhang Mei in holy matrimony..."

As he launched into the ceremony, Zhang Mei and Li Chen gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes, his hands gently engulfing her delicate fingers. They seemed to block out the entire crowd, lost in their own rapturous bubble.

Zhang Liying watched the proceedings venomously, hands still balled into fists at her sides. How she seethed that the beautiful, priceless gown and jewels adorning Zhang Mei’s slender frame should have been hers to wear.

Liu Ying and Zhang Su exchanged dark looks, silently cursing Mu Lingling for once more outshining them so ostentatiously. Zhang Weijun paid little attention, too busy daydreaming about the sports cars he hoped to coerce from his new ultra-wealthy in-laws.

Only Zhang Meixiu had eyes bright with joyful tears, genuinely affected by the beauty and emotion of her cousin’s sacred vows.

"...in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?" the officiant’s voice rang out.

"I do," Li Chen promised, his voice thick with devotion as he placed the glittering diamond band on Zhang Mei’s finger.

"I do," Zhang Mei echoed, her brilliant smile widening as she slid a platinum eternity band onto Li Chen’s hand.

At the minister’s ceremonious declaration, the newlyweds came together in a long, passionate kiss to thunderous applause from the guests. Well, most of the guests at least - a few green-eyed monsters could only grit their teeth in resentment.

As Zhang Mei and Li Chen turned to begin their happily recessed walk back up the aisle, Zhang Liying’s sharp elbow caught Zhang Meixiu’s side in one last petulant expression of spite. The poor kindhearted girl could only wince, praying one day her family would find light in their endlessly covetous hearts.

The lavish reception was in full swing, with the bridesmaids and groomsmen taking to the dance floor. Zhang Liying watched with undisguised jealousy as the lovely Zhang Meixiu twirled gracefully with the devilishly handsome Zhu Fengrui, Li Chen’s cousin and best man.

Zhang Liying felt the bitter pangs of envy stab at her core. It should have been her in that beautiful bridesmaid’s dress, she thought resentfully. Her on Zhu Fengrui’s arm as he swept her across the dance floor.

As she watched Zhu Fengrui effortlessly lead Zhang Meixiu in their dance, Zhang Liying couldn’t tear her eyes away from his chiseled features and ease of movement. He carried himself with a refined grace and confidence that she found utterly captivating.

Suddenly, Zhang Liying’s mind began to drift into a treacherous fantasy world. What if she could somehow secure the affections of this wealthy, sophisticated man? She imagined being on his arm at glamorous high-society events, dripping in jewels and finery that befitted the bride of such an elite family.

Her daydream spiralled further as she conjured the vision of her own wedding - a spectacle even more extravagant and lavish than Zhang Mei’s double ceremony. Zhang Liying saw herself floating down the aisle in the most exquisite haute couture gown money could buy, a diamond tiara weighing heavy on her head.

At the altar would stand her prince, Zhu Fengrui, watching her adoringly as she committed herself to the life of decadent luxury she so desperately craved. The reception would span days, hosted at only the most exclusive resorts across the globe’s most opulent destinations.

Zhang Liying was abruptly shaken from her reverie as Zhang Meixiu and Zhu Fengrui whirled past, laughing joyfully together. The resentful young woman clenched her jaw, shoving the fantasy away as she reminded herself that the delicate, kind-natured Meixiu was utterly undeserving of such a blessed life.

No, that honor should be reserved for Zhang Liying alone. By whatever means necessary, she silently vowed, she would do whatever it took to make her dreams of status and wealth a reality - even if it meant wielding her newly influential family ties for maximum selfish gain.