Moreover, why didn’t he recall the tea-serving and address-changing ceremony being mentioned when the two families discussed the wedding arrangements a few days ago?
Though puzzled, Third Grandpa still promptly accepted the tea handed to him.
However, the next moment, he passed the cup to Grandpa Huo beside him.
"Here, dear Grandpa Huo, have some tea."
Grandpa Huo didn’t take it, instead smiling warmly and saying,
"Dear Elder, this tea is meant for you—from Tingzhou."
Third Grandpa’s hand, holding the teacup, froze mid-air. He glanced at Huo Tingzhou, then at Jiang Si beside him.
"For… for me?"
As Jiang Si nodded, she knelt directly before Third Grandpa.
Huo Tingzhou followed suit.
Third Grandpa quickly reached out to stop them. "What are you doing? Get up, get up—the floor is cold."
"Third Grandpa, I have something to say. Let me finish."
"Can’t you say it standing up?" Third Grandpa was so flustered he nearly broke into a sweat.
But Jiang Si was unyielding on this matter.
Left with no choice, Third Grandpa sat down nervously.
Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou first kowtowed three times solemnly before him.
"Third Grandpa, even though I’ve always called you that, and I might not break the habit…"
"In my heart, you’re no different from my own grandfather."
"Thank you—for always being patient with me when I was stubborn, threw tantrums, or acted unreasonably. Thank you for giving me unconditional love and the courage to make my own choices."
"Thank you for shielding me all these years, sheltering me from storms. Without your protection growing up, Tingzhou and I wouldn’t be where we are today."
Pausing, Jiang Si took a deep breath. "Today, on our wedding day, I want to formally ask you, in front of all our family and friends, to be my grandfather."
As she spoke, she presented the prepared "Adoption Document."
"You’ve spent your life protecting me. Now that I’m grown and capable, let me take care of you and Uncle Zhong in your later years. Let me stay by your side, alright?"
"You silly child…" Third Grandpa’s lips trembled before tears the size of beans rolled down his cheeks.
He hastily wiped his face. "Good girl, get up now."
Jiang Si shook her head, tears falling as well. "You haven’t agreed yet."
"Foolish girl, what if your eyes swell before the ceremony?"
Without another word, Third Grandpa pulled her up.
After drying her tears, he added, "Between us, such formalities aren’t needed. You’ve long been my granddaughter in my heart."
Jiang Si knew—but this was different.
With the adoption document, Third Grandpa would have easier access to the military housing area when visiting Qiongzhou Island.
Before she could explain, Third Grandpa sighed in mock exasperation.
"Fine, fine! I’ll sign it, alright?"
Jiang Si finally smiled. "That’s more like it."
Once signed, she and Huo Tingzhou served tea to the other elders present, formally addressing them with their new titles.
After the tea ceremony, Jiang Si’s hands were soon filled with over a dozen thick red envelopes.
Since the wedding banquet was hosted by Mother Huo’s side, many relatives had gathered.
Seizing a free moment, Mother Huo introduced them one by one.
"Si, these are your Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Fifth Uncle."
Mother Huo was the youngest in her family, with five older brothers.
After the uncles came introductions to their wives, followed by cousins of all ages.
The greetings and small talk alone took considerable time.
Jiang Si politely acknowledged each relative.
Aside from her five brothers, Mother Huo also had a twin sister.
"Your aunt married far away, in Rongcheng," Mother Huo explained. "Her daughter-in-law just gave birth and hasn’t recovered, so they couldn’t attend your wedding. Oh, come with me for a moment."
Before Jiang Si could react, Mother Huo whisked her into a bedroom.
Huo Tingzhou tried to follow, but Mother Huo blocked the doorway.
"All our guests are waiting—go entertain them! Why are you trailing after us?"
When he opened his mouth to protest, she cut him off. "Women’s matters—none of your business!"
With that, the door shut firmly behind them.
As Jiang Si mused over Huo Tingzhou’s questionable domestic standing, Mother Huo retrieved a box from the wardrobe.
Given how often the family had been surprising her with gifts lately, Jiang Si was developing a reflex.
She distinctly remembered this same box being used during the property division.
Sure enough, inside lay a stack of red envelopes.
"These are all the wedding gifts from today’s banquet. The ledger’s been updated—you keep these safe."
Jiang Si immediately pushed it back. "Mother, Tingzhou and I aren’t familiar with social customs here, and we rarely visit."
"Please hold onto these for us—when others host celebrations, you can return the courtesy on our behalf."
Not wanting Mother Huo to worry, Jiang Si added, "Don’t worry about us, we have enough money with us."
"I know you two aren’t short on money, but what’s yours is yours."
Seeing Jiang Si hesitate to take it, Mother Huo simply pressed the box into her arms.
"This isn’t just monetary gifts—it’s everyone’s blessings for you both."
"Take it. When your Second Brother and Fourth Brother got married, the gifts were given to them too—"
Knock knock knock—
A sudden rap at the door interrupted the conversation between mother- and daughter-in-law.
It was Father Huo’s voice: "Yue Ling, it’s almost eleven. Shouldn’t we head to the hall first?"
"Got it, we’ll be right there," Mother Huo replied before quickly pulling a thick coat from the wardrobe and changing into it.
"Si Si, we’ll go to the hall first. You can rest in your room for a bit and join us in half an hour."
Jiang Si stood up as well. "Mother, let’s go together."
After all, today was the day of her and Huo Tingzhou’s wedding banquet—it wouldn’t do to arrive late.
Mother Huo didn’t object. "Then go back to your room and put on another layer. The hall isn’t heated, and I don’t want you catching a cold."
Jiang Si nodded. "Understood, Mother."
Returning to her room, she carefully stored the red envelope and added a sweater. After a moment’s thought, she also took out the badge the Ministry of State Security had sent her last time and pinned it prominently on her chest.
When she went downstairs, she saw Huo Tingzhou about to carry her out the door again.
Jiang Si shook her head at him. "Let’s walk."
Anticipating his protest, she stepped forward and clasped his hand, giving it a playful shake.
"This is called ‘Hand in hand, till old age we grow.’ Isn’t it better than you carrying me out?"
Huo Tingzhou had no retort—because she was absolutely right.
After a pause, he conceded, "Alright, as you wish."
