Cheng Ying felt that slighting Chi Wu now would be a blight on their wedding. Glancing at the slightly swaying Cheng Dun’er beside her, she thought, You poor kid, just you wait, and promptly downed the drink. That, she figured, counted as giving him plenty of face.

Though her tolerance for alcohol wasn't high, this little bit shouldn't be a problem.

Chi Wu felt this show of respect was immense. Having a legally married wife was clearly different; if only they had gotten the marriage certificate sooner.

That unlucky brat Cheng Dun’er let out a cheer, a hearty "Ao-ao!" that immediately refilled Cheng Ying’s glass. "One more!"

Chi Wu's face darkened. Wasn't this undermining him? One drink showed respect for me, but two? He knew Cheng Ying's temper. If she huffed off in a temper, he’d have nowhere to show his face.

Cheng Ming covered his face, quickly distancing himself from Cheng Dun’er. "It has nothing to do with me; I'm going to get drunk first."

Miao Miao, having had her cheeks pinched by Cheng Ying since childhood, knew her older sister intimately. "Sis, you and Dun’er can handle things privately. You’re my real sister, and he’s my brother-in-law. I'm definitely on your side."

In just a moment, two people had defected. Cheng Dun’er scoffed, "Pathetic. Are you even a man? You have no stance!"

The only person at that table less manly than him—besides Chi Ye—was being lectured. The whole table felt incredibly conflicted.

The Second Aunt drinking at a nearby table exclaimed, "Oh dear, the poor child. It reminds me of that time he secretly drank in our cellar. How would he know how to drink? He must have had too much."

Yang Zhi chimed in, "It hasn't been this lively in years. Dun’er has grown so much."

Dry Auntie remarked, "Isn't that right? Yingzi is already married. The years really fly by."

When people age, if they don't see their descendants thriving, they aren't happy. The Old Madam looked at the group beside them, her eyes glazed over—they were all her grandchildren. "Don't pay attention to them, just drink. If they drink too much, they’ll just throw up. Without their commotion, the wedding wouldn't feel lively enough."

Dry Auntie followed the Old Madam's gaze to another table—friends the Chi family Old Madam had brought, accompanied by Chi Yong. It would be strange if they weren't celebrating just as boisterously.

Dry Uncle was entertaining business associates, and the rest were the Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, Old Maternal Uncle, and immediate family—a very sensible arrangement.

Dry Auntie poured the Old Madam a cup of wine. "It truly hasn't been this lively in years. We certainly shouldn't bother with them."

Second Aunt muttered, "Oh, hearing this makes me blush. 'Man'? He hasn't even fully grown his fuzz yet."

Eldest Aunt, observing from the side, looked down on her brothers' wives. None of the people in the room knew how to guard their words or hide their shortcomings. What an embarrassment.

Old Maternal Aunt sighed, "Ah, if I had known it would be this lively, I would have brought Feng and her sister too. Then our family would be complete."

The Old Madam agreed, "Indeed. If your father were here to see this, how happy he’d be... You..." She stopped abruptly, remembering Yingzi’s father.

Yang Zhi, oblivious to the mood shift, hadn't registered the change. "Mom, Yingzi told Wu Zi they're coming back home on the twenty-ninth, after visiting the graves."

The Old Madam understood that her granddaughter managed her own affairs without needing her worry. "I know my granddaughter."

Second Aunt quickly steered the conversation, "Let's not bring up sad things on such a happy day. Mom, when your grandsons get married, you must prepare an outfit just like this one for their brides. Look how beautiful our Yingzi is! I've only seen stars look this good. Let your grandsons’ wives share in that glory, and we can pass the garments down as heirlooms."

The Old Madam beamed. "Of course, I will prepare them. My granddaughters-in-law deserve it."

Now that she was happy, Second Aunt was happy too. She imagined how grand she would look then. Regardless of what the wives looked like, the clothing alone would be dazzling enough.

Eldest Aunt mentally calculated how much money she could save on the clothing. Seeing Second Aunt’s mood brighten considerably, she thought: Even being embarrassing has its benefits.

Cheng Ying had raised her hand, intending to tap Cheng Dun’er’s head, but seeing the slightly tense Chi Wu beside her, she slowly lowered it. Her expression didn't change. "Kid, did you really want me to drink that?" she asked Cheng Dun’er.

Cheng Dun’er flung his hand out, full of spirit. "Drink! If we're drinking on their behalf, we certainly must drink!"

Cheng Ying said, "You just wait. When you get married, I’ll show you what real drinking is." With that, she downed the contents of her cup in one gulp.

Cheng Dun’er cheered, and no one stopped him or seconded the sentiment.

But Chi Wu caught Cheng Dun’er’s arm just as he reached for the bottle, taking the liquor bottle away entirely. He certainly didn't have that much clout.

Chi Wu was genuinely afraid Cheng Ying would storm out.

Cheng Ming, shameless as ever, approached. "How foolish this kid is. That’s our own sister. If anyone should be forced to drink, it should be Wu Zi!" He then looked ingratiatingly at Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying shot Cheng Ming a cold glance. "You misidentified her. She’s my brother."

Cheng Ming chuckled, "I must be drunk."

Cheng Ying turned to Miao Miao and Xiao Ye. "You two aren't little anymore. You can try a little bit. Learn from your Dun’er cousin; practice together."

Her meaning was clear: You two, deal with him for me.

Miao Miao and Xiao Ye followed Cheng Ying’s words without question. However, hearing her now, it sounded like they should help Chi Wu block the drinks. Chi Ye had no reservations, but Miao Miao asked doubtfully, "Sis, whose side am I really on?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Of course, you’re on mine!"

Miao Miao pursed her lips. On her side today meant pouring drinks for Chi Wu. Sis must really be drunk.

Cheng Ming declared, "I see it now. She hasn't even married yet, and she’s already siding with outsiders."

Cheng Ying looked up, grabbing Chi Wu’s arm. "Outsider? Who is the outsider? Let me tell you, from now on, you’re the outsider."

Chi Wu grinned widely. "I’m the insider."

The younger generation at the table stopped drinking and started egging him on, calling Chi Wu shameless.

The Old Madam exclaimed, "Look how lively it is! When their brothers marry, we’ll have this much fun too. How wonderful."

Dry Auntie sighed with longing. "Seeing this makes me anxious. When will my boy get to this day?"

The Old Madam replied, "Why rush? To wait for this day, one gets old."

Dry Auntie, joining the Old Maternal Aunt, said, "Even if I get old, I’m happy to wait."

Chi Wu escorted Cheng Ying back to her table as if seeing off an Empress Dowager.

The banquet, which started in the afternoon, dragged on for half the day. Cheng Ying thought, Thank goodness there are only five or six tables. If this had been a grand affair, who knows how exhausting it would have been.

By the time the Chi family Old Man and Old Madam were seen off, it was already five or six in the evening.

Chi Yong felt it was his son's happy day, so he couldn't say too much to him. After wanting to speak but stopping himself repeatedly, Chi Yong simply shut his mouth. With a son like this, who could navigate anything, who was more worldly than himself, what advice was necessary? The boy understood everything. Forget it, let him play it by ear. A rather irresponsible thought process.

Yang Zhi pursed her lips, watching her son and daughter standing at the doorway. "Live well. From now on, you two are the closest people to each other."

Chi Wu nodded with Cheng Ying beside him. Honestly, facing these words, neither Cheng Ying nor Chi Wu felt much emotion. They had supported each other through the years. While they had the Old Madam's support, they hadn't relied too heavily on Chi Yong and Yang Zhi. However, they respected Yang Zhi's feelings as a mother marrying off her daughter and listened attentively.

Chi Yong watched from the side. He had nothing to instruct; his son did things better than he himself would have articulated. As a father, he felt quite embarrassed to speak. A son being too sensible was a father’s small sorrow.

Yang Zhi turned to Cheng Ying. "Yingzi, now that you are Wu Zi’s wife, you can't be like before, so harsh with Wu Zi. Do you understand?"

Cheng Ying pouted, revealing her dimples. "I will be good to him from now on."

Chi Wu smiled faintly. "Mom, this is fine as it is. If Yingzi is too nice to me, I get nervous."

What an anticlimactic statement. Yang Zhi's mouth hung open for a moment, speechless, until Chi Yong pulled her away. They waved goodbye without looking back, signaling the two to lock the door and go inside.

Cheng Ying looked at Chi Wu, questioning herself: Am I really that fierce? Was I that unreasonable to Chi Wu? That being nice to him makes him nervous? What kind of person am I?

Grandpa and Aunt/Uncle waved goodbye. "Live well from now on, and no fooling around!" And then they left. There was nothing to worry about regarding Cheng Ying’s marriage. Chi Wu had grown up being bullied by Yingzi—what was there to fret about from their own side? The one who should be worried was Chi Yong, but he had been thoroughly exasperated by the young couple.

After seeing off the crowd, the two finally breathed a sigh of relief. The wedding reception was over; only the bridal chamber remained. Of course, that was Chi Wu's line of thinking.

Cheng Ying turned and pressed him: "Am I really that fierce?"

Chi Wu answered cleverly, "I’m just used to my wife’s attitude. We don't need to change anything."

Cheng Ying thought to herself: Am I fierce or not? This kid didn't give a straight answer. "You're sick," she added, noting his seemingly severe masochistic tendencies.

Chi Wu puffed out his chest. "That's because I cherish my wife."

Cheng Ying shook her head and walked inside, where the rest of the family was still waiting.

The two entered, rubbing their stiff faces, laughing. Their movements were surprisingly synchronized. Chi Wu was delighted—wasn't that why they were a married couple?

Chi Wu seethed internally. Why were there still people they had to entertain? No wonder Yingzi didn't want a grand wedding. It delayed them from getting to the main event. Chi Wu now only wished they could get to the bridal chamber quickly. Why were there always people they had to deal with? He felt today's guests were terribly inconsiderate. He glanced toward the lights of their west courtyard—warm and beautiful, a place he longed for.

Given that Cheng Ying’s father was gone, even though Chi Yong and Yang Zhi had remarried, the Eldest Uncle should have said something to his niece. But perhaps the Eldest Uncle thought Cheng Ying understood everything, so he said nothing. By the time Cheng Ying and Wu Zi went inside, only Cheng Ming remained in the Old Madam’s room waiting; the rest had returned to their rooms to rest, claiming to be drunk.

It was true that the Eldest Uncle had always held a complex feeling toward Cheng Ying. A strong niece was less likely to elicit sympathy than a fragile one. Perhaps because Cheng Ying always appeared so tough, the Eldest Uncle felt his niece could handle herself anywhere.

Second Uncle was chatting with the Old Madam inside. Seeing the two enter, he cut his conversation short.

Second Uncle asked, "Have your parents and your uncle's family all been seen off?"

Cheng Ying replied, "Everyone’s gone. The rest were taken care of by Dry Uncle and Dry Auntie, and they’ve left too."

The Old Madam remarked, "No wonder you two said it was simple. This is tiring enough. Come, sit on the kang and rest for a bit."