At the end of the scattered firecracker remnants stood the very same large flat-roofed house that had piqued their curiosity earlier.
For a moment, the car fell into a deathly silence.
By the time they snapped out of it, their vehicle had already arrived at the entrance of the Zhou Family's estate.
Parked right at the gate was the same wedding car they had seen earlier.
The Zhou Family's entrance was packed with people, buzzing with excitement.
Up close, the house appeared even more massive...
Just their courtyard alone was larger than the entire Si Family's property.
Si's Father's pupils dilated in shock. "This... this is the Zhou Family?"
Zhang Cuimei couldn't believe her eyes. "How is this possible?"
Lin Sisi remained silent, her lips pressed tight.
In her past life, she had been unhappy living here, so she'd never paid attention to the grandeur of this house.
Now, after longing so desperately to return to the Si Family, she realized it wasn’t as perfect as she had imagined.
The housing in the military compound was allocated based on family size—modest and cramped.
The Si Family only had three rooms in total.
Compared to the Zhou Family's imposing mansion, it was nothing.
As she took in the sea of guests at the Zhou Family's gate, an inexplicable wave of regret suddenly surged in Lin Sisi's heart...
"Eh? Are you here for the banquet too?" A bystander, noticing the unfamiliar faces and hearing Si's Father's astonished tone, asked curiously.
Si's Father hesitated before confirming, "This is the Zhou Family? The one Si Nian married into?"
The man nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Are you relatives of the bride?"
Si's Father opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to respond.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the sound of car wheels rolling on gravel echoed from behind.
He turned and saw several sedans approaching.
The moment he recognized the lead car, his breath hitched. "Isn’t that Director Li's car?"
Zhang Cuimei, initially curious, stiffened at his words. "Director Li? The police bureau’s Director Li?"
She repeated the question in disbelief, emphasizing it.
Si's Father was stunned. Due to his work, he had occasionally crossed paths with Director Li and had even tried to curry favor with him, deliberately memorizing his car.
But never in his wildest dreams had he expected to see it in this remote countryside.
Sure enough, the cars soon pulled to a stop, and the police bureau director stepped out.
Si's Father was overjoyed, assuming Director Li had come to inspect rural conditions.
What luck to run into him here! This was the perfect opportunity to greet him properly.
He immediately pulled out a pack of premium cigarettes and hurried forward.
Before he could even utter a greeting, another familiar face emerged from the following car—
The owner of the city’s central department store!
Then, to his shock, the commander of the North China Military Region stepped out from yet another vehicle...
Si's Father: "......"
His eyelids twitched violently, and his legs nearly gave out.
He blinked rapidly, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
How could so many high-ranking figures appear in this impoverished backwater village all at once?
His outstretched cigarette hung awkwardly in the air.
Director Li finally noticed him and raised a brow in surprise. "Battalion Commander Si? What are you doing here?"
Si's Father snapped back to reality, realizing he was drenched in cold sweat.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of these men, his stomach tightened. He didn’t dare admit he was here for his daughter’s wedding.
After all, Director Li had attended the Fu Family’s banquet before. Back then, Si's Father had proudly introduced Si Nian as his daughter, betrothed to Fu Yang.
Now that Si Nian had been revealed as not his biological child and had "fallen" into a rural marriage, the thought of admitting it made his face burn with shame.
At this moment, Si's Father assumed these officials had simply come for an inspection.
Leaders touring rural areas wasn’t unusual—he himself occasionally arranged such visits.
It never crossed his mind that they might be here for another reason.
Their cars stopping here must just be due to the lively commotion.
He quickly fabricated an excuse. "My biological daughter was recently found, so I brought her to visit her foster parents in the countryside today."
Lin Sisi’s return was already public knowledge anyway.
This was the perfect chance to introduce her to these influential figures.
Overcome with nervous excitement, he nudged Lin Sisi forward.
"This is my real daughter, Lin Sisi. Sisi, this is Director Li, Chief Zhang of the North China Military Region, and Boss Wang of the department store. Greet them properly."
Lin Sisi was dumbstruck. She had never met such distinguished people before and couldn’t fathom why they were here.
Only after Zhang Cuimei elbowed her did she snap to attention, bowing obediently. "Hello, Uncle Li, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wang."
Chief Zhang and Boss Wang exchanged puzzled glances—they had no idea who this family was.
But out of politeness, they nodded briefly.
Seizing the moment, Si's Father fawned, "Are you here on official business in Xingfu Village? I’d be honored to guide you."
To his surprise, Director Li waved him off. "No need. We’re here on personal matters."
Si's Father was baffled. "Personal matters?"
What kind of personal affairs required multiple high-ranking officials to attend in person?
It must be something monumental!
His eyes gleamed with opportunity, completely forgetting his original purpose—attending his adopted daughter’s wedding.
All he cared about now was ingratiating himself with these men.
"Then let me treat you to a meal! You’ve come a long way and must be hungry. There’s a town nearby—I know the area well. After eating, I can drive you wherever you need to go."
Director Li’s thick brows furrowed in irritation. "Unnecessary."
With that, he sidestepped Si's Father and strode ahead.
Panicking, Si's Father chased after him, desperate to prevent Director Li from discovering Si Nian’s humble marriage.
"Director Li, Chief Zhang, Boss Wang, let me lead the way! This banquet is too noisy—"
Director Li shot him an exasperated look. "We’re here for the banquet. Noise is expected, no?"
Si's Father still didn’t connect the dots. "For the banquet? Which one?"
Director Li’s expression turned even more incredulous. "The one right behind you? Step aside, Battalion Commander Si. You’re blocking the path. We’re in a hurry—don’t want to miss the first serving."
He then muttered under his breath, "That Little Zhou—getting married without proper notice! We’re already late. Hope they haven’t started eating yet."
Quickening his pace, he called to his companions, "Old Zhang, Old Wang, hurry up! The food might run out!"
The two dignified, imposing figures immediately sped up, not even sparing a glance at the stunned Si Family.
