The next day was New Year's Eve, also the wedding day for Qin Shian and Chris.
The wedding banquet was arranged at the Dragon and Phoenix Hall of the Peace Hotel. Neither family had many relatives, so there were only six tables in total.
The wedding ceremony followed the young couple's wishes—simple and warm, with all procedures kept as brief as possible.
At exactly ten in the morning, Qin Shian, dressed in a well-tailored Chinese tunic suit and holding a bouquet, knocked on the door of the bridal suite.
At the sound, the door slowly opened.
Chris stood behind the door, wearing a wedding gown adorned with exquisite lace.
On the day she tried on the dress, she hadn't let Qin Shian come along.
Indeed, that decision had been right.
Seeing Chris in her magnificent attire, so beautiful it was hard to look away, Qin Shian was visibly stunned for a moment.
His gaze fell upon her, awkward yet unable to look away.
Seeing his expression, Chris smiled.
However, she had only maintained her dignified composure for those few seconds when the door opened.
The moment she saw Qin Shian, her beautiful eyes instantly shone with an astonishing brightness.
The crinoline was large, making each step require careful attention.
But the next second, Chris lifted the hem of her wedding dress with both hands and, like a joyful snowball, rushed towards her groom.
The two little ones responsible for holding her train from behind hadn't even reacted before the soft fabric in their hands was suddenly—whoosh—gone!
Remembering their "flower child" mission, they were stunned for a second, then quickly chased after her on their short little legs.
Meanwhile, Chris's parents, seated at the main table, could hardly bear to watch. When other people's daughters got married, they would shed at least a few tears to express their reluctance.
But theirs...
"Dad, that's enough, we should move to the next step." Before her parents could finish their internal complaints, Chris urged in a low voice.
On this joyous day, with so many guests in the banquet hall, Chris's father could only take a deep breath, take the Bible, and walk to the center of the stage.
Considering Chinese customs, they hadn't invited a pastor for this wedding. He intended to officiate for the couple himself.
Clearing his throat, Chris's father began, "Mr. Qin Shian, do you take Chris to be your lawful wife, for better or for worse..."
"Dad, he does!"
Chris directly cut him off, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Qin Shian, completely unaware that her father's face was practically turning dark.
"Chris, let Dad finish." Qin Shian still held great respect for his father-in-law.
"Oh," said Chris, standing properly again. "Alright then."
At this, Chris's father's eyes widened in disbelief.
She actually said 'oh'? She didn't talk back, she actually agreed... No one could understand how utterly disheartened he, as a father, felt at that moment.
So much so that he couldn't be bothered to ask the rest of the questions.
He turned directly to Qin Shian. "Do you?"
Qin Shian nodded solemnly. "I do."
Then, Chris's father turned to his all-too-eager-to-marry daughter. "And you?"
"I do! A million times yes!"
Chris's father couldn't bear to look anymore. He simply closed the Bible. "Alright, alright, the ceremony is complete! I now pronounce you husband and wife."
"Not just now, we already were," Chris muttered under her breath.
They had registered and become legally married a year ago in Gaul.
Next, witnessed by family and friends, the couple exchanged wedding rings.
Having attended a wedding rehearsal before, Jiang Si clapped while reminding Huo Tingzhou, "The newlyweds' kiss is coming up soon."
Huo Tingzhou coughed lightly. "They kiss now?"
Jiang Si nodded. "Yes."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Chris took an eager step forward, cupped Qin Shian's face in her hands,
and kissed him without hesitation.
A wave of good-natured laughter and even more enthusiastic applause immediately erupted from the guests below.
Seeing this, Jiang Si couldn't help but laugh along.
One could foresee how much people would enthusiastically talk about this unique wedding afterwards.
Huo Tingzhou, however, couldn't help but wonder when his own wife might be so "forceful" with him like that.
Soon, the newlyweds began the toast rounds.
Today was not only their wedding banquet but, in a way, also a farewell banquet.
After returning to the capital to report on their duties, they would go back to Gaul. They might visit occasionally in the future, but that would likely be years from now.
Thinking of the impending separation, Chris was very reluctant. She held Jiang Si's hand and talked with her for a long time.
If Jiang Si hadn't reminded her not to miss the auspicious hour, she would have remained immersed in the sadness of parting.
"What auspicious hour?" Chris asked, looking confused.
Jiang Si blinked. "I think you should go back later and ask your Qin Shian about that."
It was getting late, and she should take the children home.
After exchanging a few more words, Jiang Si's gaze fell on Qin Shian, who met her eyes openly and frankly.
Jiang Si curved her lips into a smile. "I wish you happiness, a harmonious union lasting a hundred years, and growing old together."
Qin Shian was silent for a moment, then smiled with relief. "Thank you."
All the past was completely turned over in that sincere wish and heartfelt thanks.
...
By the time they got home, it was already past three in the afternoon.
To attend the wedding banquet, Jiang Si had gotten up before four in the morning.
At the banquet, affected by the atmosphere, she had also sipped half a glass of red wine.
Seeing her now somewhat drowsy, Huo Tingzhou directly took her to the bedroom.
"Sleep for a while. We'll have the New Year's Eve dinner a bit later today. I'll call you when it's ready."
Jiang Si nodded, got into bed, and fell asleep shortly after.
She was awakened by a crackling burst of firecrackers outside.
New Year's Eve dinners in Shanghai are early; before four in the afternoon, families start eating one after another.
But she had been sleeping soundly then and hadn't heard anything.
"Mom, you're awake!" The two little ones, who had been impatiently wanting to come in, ran over at the first sound of movement.
"Yes, I'm awake." Jiang Si smiled and ruffled their hair. "Just the two of you? Where's your dad?"
The two little ones blinked. "We don't know."
"You don't know?" Jiang Si looked at them suspiciously.
Just then, Third Granduncle's voice sounded from the kitchen. "Ah Zhong, you can start stir-frying now."
Distracted by this, Jiang Si forgot about the matter.
In the kitchen, Uncle Zhong had already tied on an apron.
As Jiang Si rolled up her sleeves to help, Third Granduncle shooed her out. "I've got this here. You go play with the children for a bit."
Jiang Si had no choice but to nod in agreement.
The family never cut corners when it came to celebrating the New Year. Even though there were only six of them including the children, Uncle Zhong, as in previous years, had prepared a full table of ingredients.
Chicken, duck, fish, meat, seafood, seasonal vegetables—everything was there.
As Third Granduncle put it, it didn't matter if they couldn't finish it; this was called "having surplus year after year"!
By the time Huo Tingzhou returned, it was completely dark outside. He cooked the last few substantial dishes himself.
Jiang Si also helped out for a while, passing plates and fetching seasonings.
The two little ones weren't idle either, enthusiastically cheering their dad on and occasionally participating in the taste-testing.
It was a rare treat to celebrate the New Year at the Jiang family's old residence this year, and everyone was overjoyed, especially the two children.
Kids that age have a particular fondness for sweet flavors, and Shanghainese cuisine hit their sweet spot perfectly.
After the reunion dinner, as expected, Third Granduncle prepared a red envelope for each member of their family of four.
However, the envelopes only passed through their hands briefly before the three of them very dutifully handed theirs over to Jiang Si.
Thinking they still had to stay up for the New Year's Eve vigil, Jiang Si decided to put these away first.
She had just sat down at her dressing table upstairs when, after a moment, Huo Tingzhou pushed the door open and entered.
She received an extra red envelope from him every year, and this year was no exception.
She hadn't originally planned to open it, but his expression seemed a bit off.
So, right in front of him, Jiang Si opened the red envelope inscribed with the words "Peace and Health Year After Year."
Inside was only a single five-jiao banknote, along with a two-fen coin.
Five jiao and two fen?
Jiang Si was puzzled. That didn't seem right. She had increased his allowance this year, and he didn't smoke or drink. Twenty-five yuan a month was more than he could possibly spend.
Just as she was wondering, Huo Tingzhou suddenly took her hand—
