The emcee: "Come on, everyone, let's give this happy couple a thunderous round of applause as they embark on their sweet journey as husband and wife!"
Resounding applause erupted from the audience.
The emcee: "May the applause never cease, and the kisses keep coming!"
A Cai whistled from below, for today was his good brother Pang Zai's wedding day.
As a groomsman, A Cai cheered enthusiastically and even shed a tear during the heartfelt vows.
Among the invited guests was their good friend Ou Yunchen. Pang Zai had initially hoped Ou Yunchen would be a groomsman too, but Ou Yunchen declined, citing his age.
So, sitting with Ou Yunchen below the stage was Cai Yadong.
Cai Yadong took a sip of wine and sighed. "I can't believe the children have all grown up. Pang Zai is married, and my son doesn't even have a steady girlfriend."
Cai Yadong: "In a few more years, Pang Zai will have children, and my son still won't have a partner. What am I to do?"
Cai Yadong: "I was walking in the neighborhood, and I saw people my age already becoming grandfathers. Holding those little ones made me so envious!"
Cai Yadong: "Mr. Ou, do you know any reliable young ladies who could be introduced to my son?"
Ou Yunchen: "How about someone from the entertainment industry?"
Cai Yadong: "That won't do. The entertainment industry is too chaotic..."
Ou Yunchen: "Then I'll keep an eye out for employees at ATL..."
Cai Yadong: "That's fine, people in finance are good!"
Ou Yunchen looked at the bride on stage. She wasn't Xi Ya, the girl Pang Zai swore he'd marry every time he got drunk. She only resembled Xi Ya a little.
Through Ou Yunchen's connection, Pang Zai had met Xi Ya, perhaps even contacted her privately, and maybe even had meals together. But for what reason did they not end up together?
"Brother!"
The call of "Brother" snapped Ou Yunchen back to reality.
A Cai: "Brother, isn't this wedding great?"
Cai Yadong had saved a seat for A Cai, so he could quickly grab a bite as soon as he came down. It was said that the groomsmen had been busy at the groom's house since four or five in the morning.
Ou Yunchen: "It's truly wonderful. This is my first wedding, and it's very memorable."
A Cai's eyes widened. Even though he was young, he had attended many weddings with his parents since childhood. Ou Yunchen had never been to one before?
Ou Yunchen: "My employees never invite me... they just send me wedding gifts. If I go, they might feel pressured."
Cai Yadong: "Haha, yes, my employees rarely notify me when they get married."
A Cai: "Brother, when I get married, you absolutely have to be my groomsman."
Cai Yadong: "Sure, sure, as long as you find a girlfriend quickly and settle down, I'll buy you a new car!"
Ou Yunchen: "That's not necessary. I'm too old..."
A Cai: "Dad, if Yunchen doesn't be my groomsman, I won't get married."
Whether Cai Yadong was quietly drunk or anxious, hearing his son willing to get married obediently, he agreed to any condition at that moment.
Ou Yunchen: "Okay, alright..."
Upon hearing Ou Yunchen's agreement, A Cai was so excited that even drinking soda tasted like 1982 Lafite.
A Cai: "Dad, don't worry, I'll give you a grandson tomorrow!"
Cai Yadong: "Haha, that would be wonderful! Hey, go, go!!! You rascal!!!"
Just as Cai Yadong was about to swat A Cai, A Cai swiftly grabbed a chicken leg and ran off.
Cai Yadong: "Don't run while eating! Be careful you don't fall!!!"
Cai Yadong sighed and turned back, pouring himself another glass of wine.
Ou Yunchen: "Uncle Cai, the bride and groom haven't even toasted you yet, and you're already getting drunk."
Cai Yadong: "I'm happy. Attending a wedding is a joyous occasion."
Ou Yunchen smiled. The drink in his cup was Sprite. Occasionally, when someone came to toast him, he'd politely decline, citing that he was driving.
Ou Yunchen looked up at the elaborate decorations and the stage setup, which seemed to transport the guests into a fairy-tale forest.
Ou Yunchen mused inwardly, This is what a wedding is. It must have taken a lot of effort from the couple. Their love deserves to be witnessed by everyone in this magnificent ballroom.
For some reason, when the wedding march played, Ou Yunchen's heart also felt a warmth. Like all the guests, he sincerely blessed the newlyweds on stage, wishing them happiness and joy in the days to come.
Now, Ou Yunchen felt like a truly living person. He experienced joy and sorrow, understood what genuine feelings were, and was no longer like a cold assassin lying in wait in the shadows.
Even those born for the darkness have the right to walk into the moonlight.
"Brother."
Pang Zai's call pulled Ou Yunchen from his reverie.
As Ou Yunchen stood up, Pang Zai and his beautiful bride had changed into new outfits.
These were the toasting outfits. He had seen them when accompanying Su Ruiyi to pick out dresses. They didn't have the voluminous skirts of wedding gowns, but they were still magnificent and elegant.
A Cai poured Ou Yunchen baijiu, while the newlyweds were served plain water as they had to toast every guest one by one.
Ou Yunchen smiled. He had intended to refuse, but he accepted the glass of baijiu.
Pang Zai: "Brother, thank you for coming. I'm truly so happy."
Ou Yunchen: "The bride is very beautiful. I wish you both a happy marriage and a long life together."
Pang Zai wiped his tears. He had been crying a lot today, perhaps from excitement. It was said that grooms often cried on their wedding day.
Pang Zai: "Brother, bottoms up!"
Ou Yunchen clinked glasses with them. A Cai was true to his word, a full glass of baijiu, which made Ou Yunchen's nose burn.
Pang Zai: "Brother, do you want wedding candy or a cigarette?"
Ou Yunchen looked at the shy bride beside Pang Zai. Under A Cai's instigation, the bride insisted on feeding their "big brother" the wedding candy herself!
Pang Zai: "Wife, this is our big brother. Feed him well!"
Ou Yunchen: "No..."
A Cai: "Come on, come on!!! Pick the biggest one!"
The bride, with her pretty red fingernails, peeled open a piece of wedding candy and held it out to Ou Yunchen with both hands.
The bride: "Brother, thank you for coming. Your sister-in-law is here to give you wedding candy."
A Cai even raised his phone and began recording Ou Yunchen, a moment not to be missed.
When the wedding candy entered Ou Yunchen's mouth, all the groomsmen started to tease.
The groomsmen: "Is it sweet?"
Ou Yunchen: "Mmm, sweet!"
Pang Zai quickly hugged Ou Yunchen, still wiping his tears.
Ou Yunchen: "It's a joyous occasion, don't cry."
Pang Zai: "Brother, tell Xi Ya that I'm not waiting for her anymore."
Pang Zai spoke very softly, and the boisterous groomsmen's noise drowned out his words. Only Ou Yunchen could hear him.
Just as Ou Yunchen's smile froze, Pang Zai and the bride had already moved on to toast other guests.
So, this was the real reason Pang Zai was crying.
Ou Yunchen smiled again. The wine was spicy, but that piece of wedding candy was truly sweet, so very sweet. That's why everyone was smiling, wasn't it.