Cheng Ying hooked her arm through Chi Wu's, "Let's go." The two walked side-by-side into the courtyard, while Chi Ye, appearing from nowhere, began throwing colorful paper streamers over their heads. Cheng Ying's cheek twitched.

She wondered who had cooked up this idea and why no one had consulted her. Throwing flower petals would have been infinitely prettier, and she had plenty on hand.

Chi Wu grinned widely. Seeing Yingzi's delight, he knew that even if she didn't say it, no one disliked a lively celebration for a wedding.

The Old Madam watched the strips of paper fluttering outside and thought how depressing, but given it was such a joyous day, she kept it to herself. "These city folks are just making a fuss.

It's cold outside, hurry inside," she said, wanting the sight gone. Cheng Ying and Chi Wu looked quite a handsome pair in their attire.

Aunt Gan took pictures of them. Every corner of the house had already served as a backdrop for a photo.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu then pulled the Old Madam to sit in the middle, standing behind her for a very formal photograph. Then came the swarm of monkey-like children, pulling them this way and that for pictures, until both cameras ran out of film before they finally settled down.

Cheng Ying felt this wedding was just right—not overly bothersome, yet not too subdued, matching her mood perfectly. A quick turn around the new room allowed the couple to exchange meaningful glances.

It was quite interesting. The morning was mostly quiet, just family, waiting only for the handful of expected guests to arrive before they could start the feast.

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu showed off, "Pretty, aren't we?" She turned a slow circle in front of Chi Wu. Chi Wu examined Cheng Ying closely.

"It's a good thing we're indoors; you're wearing so little." He almost reached for a blanket to drape over her. Cheng Ying shot him a glare.

No wonder the Old Madam favored this man as her grandson-in-law; their thinking was clearly aligned. Chi Wu added, "But you look truly beautiful." The words were spoken with simple honesty, devoid of his usual arrogant flair—a genuine compliment.

Cheng Ying thought this wasn't the Chi Wu she knew. Normally, even if he found her attractive, he wouldn't say it so directly.

Stretching in the room, Chi Wu sighed, "Finally married. I'm a man with a home and responsibilities now." This sentiment sounded like something spoken by someone who had lived a long, eventful life before finding anchor, unlike the state of mind one expected from Chi Wu.

Cheng Ying pursed her lips, feeling a strange pang. It seemed Chi Wu had lacked a sense of belonging before.

"I thought you had considered yourself the head of the household for quite some time." Chi Wu stood up. "That wouldn't have been proper or legitimate." Cheng Ying genuinely hadn't realized this still mattered to him.

She watched him scamper around the new room, finally pulling out the marriage certificate and stroking it tenderly, as if it were a priceless treasure. Cheng Ying couldn't help but feel that the way Chi Wu touched the marriage certificate was more intimate than when he touched her hand.

This boy was clearly out of his mind. It wasn't until Grandpa, Uncle, and the Chi Family Old Madam arrived that Chi Wu finally set the certificate down, emerging with Cheng Ying to greet this small group of esteemed guests.

Truly, every single one was distinguished. The Chi Family Old Madam had brought along a few old friends to join the festivities; after all, it couldn't be a quiet affair for Chi Wu's wedding.

Cheng Ying recognized them all; they were the ones who used to frequent their backyard when visiting the Chi elders. The Old Madam greeted them warmly.

Since they weren't having a large banquet, she felt indebted to the Chi family for coming. However, both Yingzi and Wuzi preferred a smaller event, so the Old Madam had no choice.

Seeing the Chi family bring such respectable company, the Cheng family Old Madam was genuinely delighted. Even though she was a bit muddled, she understood the significance: it meant the Chi family held no grudges that Wu Zi was marrying into the Cheng family.

They were willing to make the union official and open. This was a sincere, proper acknowledgment of their granddaughter.

Nothing could be more gratifying. Cheng Ying and Chi Wu went to receive the guests.

As expected of the Chi Family Old Madam's friends, the gifts they brought were tasteful and refined, nothing like mere monetary donations. They presented paintings.

Cheng Ying surmised that, given the Chi Family Old Madam's stature, these paintings would surely appreciate in value. It was just that she herself didn't know how to appreciate them.

The Chi family old man looked at the young couple and admitted he was pleased—how well-matched they were. The Old Madam eagerly took Cheng Ying’s hand.

"Good, good!" This child looked so lovely dressed up; she truly looked like one of the Chi family now. Her demeanor wasn't like that of a country girl at all.

Her grandson certainly had good taste. Once the Chi Family Old Madam stepped into the courtyard, however, her thoughts soured.

"These people are not from our world. Such beautiful flowers, such delicate grasses, how could they be left out in this cold weather?

It's so unsettling." Many among the wedding guests who had followed the Chi Family Old Madam shared the same sentiment. However, they didn't express it as openly as she did.

The Chi Family Old Madam was truly unhappy and could barely eat a bite. Some guests who shared her appreciation gasped sympathetically when they saw the scene, clearly sharing her distress.

Cheng Ying tugged at Chi Wu from behind. "What are you doing?

Look, in twenty minutes, this entire greenhouse of flowers and plants will be frozen dead." Chi Wu replied, "It's my wedding day! Of course, there must be fresh flowers paving my path.

After raising them for so many years, this brief moment is worth it." Cheng Ying took a deep breath. You're courting death.

If she had caused such a scene, the Old Madam would have scolded her mercilessly. "Tell your grandmother later that you were the one who did this; it has nothing to do with me.

Remember that!" Chi Wu grinned. "Don't worry about it.

No matter how much I stir things up today, no one will find fault." This was their day, and Chi Wu felt anyone who found fault would be showing him disrespect. Cheng Ying turned, thinking the boy was utterly possessed, ready to alienate everyone.

Looking at the carpet of flowers, Cheng Ying saw only a floor of wilted petals half an hour from now. She studied Chi Wu intently, wondering if this entire display wasn't some form of bizarre satire.

Did this boy have any sense? Thank heavens she was an upright, pure young woman; otherwise, she would surely be deeply unsettled.

Perhaps she was just getting older and overthinking things. Cheng Ying used the limited time to conduct a small self-examination.

During the meal, Chi Wu led Cheng Ying around to toast each table. Though the gathering was small, it included their closest family, best friends, and a few business acquaintances who had rushed over during the New Year holiday.

Everyone offered genuine blessings. Of course, Cheng Ying felt her paternal aunt was an exception.

Her aunt kept tallying the cigarettes, alcohol, and beverages on the table, calculating the cost the entire time. Cheng Ying mused that if her aunt genuinely wanted to take advantage, she wasn't the type to do it so subtly.

She was probably calculating how much money she would need to spend when Chen Tie got married, as the aunt valued appearances and would certainly want to keep pace. She shook her head with a faint smile.

Poor Mingzi, how much unnecessary money he would have to spend for his mother's vanity. Chi Wu felt exceptionally buoyant today, even more so than during the engagement ceremony.

Back then, he felt it was just a formality to secure his fiancée, and he lived in terror that she might back out at any moment. But today was different.

Today was the wedding. Two days prior, while her unit was still working, Chi Wu and Cheng Ying had already collected their certificate.

Chi Wu felt as solid as a weight on a scale; no matter how strong the wind blew, his wife wouldn't blow away. He felt anchored.

His heart was so settled, completely unlike the anxiety of the engagement. Cheng Ying sat with the womenfolk, eating and chatting, feeling an unexpected sense of ease.

It wasn't as tiring as she had imagined; mostly, the elders were sharing their experiences of married life and advising Cheng Ying on how to keep her man tethered. Cheng Ying thought, this is what a happy wedding should be: not exhausting the bride or groom, yet still possessing all the essential feelings.

She was glad they hadn't opted for a destination wedding to avoid the fuss. Chi Wu, however, was having more trouble, being pulled by Chi Ming and the others, who relentlessly forced alcohol into his mouth.

Facing these immature youngsters, Chi Wu grew anxious. Anyone else could get drunk today, but he couldn't; he had waited for this day for so many years.

He turned and grabbed Uncle Gan beside him. "Uncle Gan!" Uncle Gan waved him off.

"Go on. It's your wedding, and I'm a guest drinking your celebratory wine.

Why would I shield you? Besides, you little rascals have no right to keep an elder like me sitting here drinking with you." Cheng Ming was determined to wear Chi Wu down and wouldn't let up.

Miao Miao on the side was slyly wicked. The only one who could possibly help Chi Wu was the little Chi Ye, but the child was too young to make a real difference.

This was the first time Chi Wu felt that drinking too much could be heartbreaking. When Chi Wu was half-drunk, having downed copious amounts, he could barely restrain himself.

"Yingzi..." Cheng Ming scoffed. "Are you a coward, calling your woman over at a time like this?" Chi Wu shot back fiercely, "What's wrong with that?

She's my wife. Why can't she drink on my behalf?" Cheng Ming thought to himself that he had expected him to call his wife over to discipline them instead.

Cheng Dun, the reckless brat, egged them on. "Getting the groom drunk is our duty; getting the bride drunk is our skill!

Anyone who comes over today won't be leaving steady on their feet!" Cheng Ming thought Dun'er was foolish and young to challenge Cheng Ying. He hadn't learned his lesson yet, a truly fortunate child.

Miao Miao felt that since she was his actual sister, if he acted up, Grandpa would definitely deal with him later. So, when the table of elders started laughing, making it impossible for Cheng Ying not to step in and help Chi Wu, the atmosphere at that particular table dimmed.

Cheng Ying asked, "Why aren't you letting me drink for him?" Cheng Ming swallowed hard, looking at Cheng Dun's flushed face. He could tell the boy was completely drunk, or he wouldn't have dared to speak such brazen words.

"No, I just wanted to ask. Since this is your big day, it's fine for us to make a fuss, like roughhousing for the bridal chamber, and we're drinking with you.

You won't try to get revenge on us later, will you?" Chi Wu just giggled foolishly on the side. "Who's a coward?

You dare to talk about me like that?" Cheng Ying felt anything she said would be inappropriate. "What do you mean, 'roughhousing'?

It's a happy occasion. We're delighted for you; there's nothing untoward about it.

Either drink up, or just quiet down and go sing in the room." Cheng Dun retorted, "Sister, the men are drinking. Either pick up a cup and drink for him, or go sit with the women.

You have no say here." Cheng Ming swallowed again, seeing Cheng Dun’s face was red from the alcohol. Chi Wu felt that if he backed down now, with his brother-in-law defending him so strongly, it would be utterly shameful.

He snatched the cup. "Drink this for me." Though only four words, they were delivered with booming confidence—the epitome of machismo.