"Alright." Tang Yue was also very happy at heart, unable to resist sharing this joy.
After the phone call, the whole family split into two groups. Led by Meng Jin and Mo Xiaolin, one group headed to the Emperor Hotel, while the other, led by Tang Yue and Meng Siyu, went to the Hutong to pick up people.
Mr. Meng asked in the car, "How do I look in these clothes?" Dressed in dark-colored traditional attire, he looked exceptionally spirited. His white hair and bright eyes shone with joy.
"Very good." The driver examined him carefully and replied. Ever since they had set off, Mr. Meng had asked numerous times.
Convinced that there was nothing amiss, Mr. Meng knocked on the door, feeling somewhat puzzled as the yard didn't seem to show signs of anyone being around.
After knocking several times and with no one coming to open the door, the driver listened for a moment and then asked tentatively, "Mr. Meng, it seems there's no one at home, there's no sound at all."
"That's impossible." Mr. Meng double-checked the house number. Although he had never been here before, he was certain he got the address right.
"Where are Mr. Meng and the others having their meal?" the driver inquired in a low voice.
Mr. Meng thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead and said, "They must have gone to the restaurant."
*
In the Hutong.
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Hualian shared the good news. Tang Yue and Mo Siyu had smoothly registered their marriage. From now on, she would be considered a daughter who has married out.
"I don't want my sister to get married." Tang Jun felt reluctant at the thought of his sister getting married and leaving.
"I don't want to let her go either." Tang Zhengde and Tang Jun, father and son, looked at each other, feeling a sense of blockage in their hearts, even though Meng Siyu was an excellent match.
Tang Zhengyue hurriedly said, "Second brother, Xiao Yue is marrying so well, we should be happy. By the way, when is the Meng family coming to pick her up?"
"Meng Siyu, didn't we agree that it's just getting the certificate, followed by a simple meal with both families?" Tang Yue looked at the nine luxurious cars, each draped with red flowers and the windows adorned with the character for happiness. This didn't look like a simple marriage registration at all.
"Cough, Xiao Yue." Meng Siyu cleared his throat and whispered in her ear, "Dad's friends are all coming; the original four tables have now expanded to sixteen."
"Sixteen tables." Tang Yue couldn't help but swallow hard. This was definitely not what you'd call a simple ceremony.
Nine luxurious cars formed a procession. Even if onlookers didn't recognize the brands of the cars, the sight alone gave off a sense of high-end grandeur. When the cars pulled up at the entrance of the alley, they already caused a huge sensation.
"Whose wedding is this, with so many luxury cars, all with red flowers and decorated with 'happiness'.?"
"I don't know, it must be someone from this alley."
"They've had quite a few visitors these past days."
Neighbors whispered among themselves.
"Today is my sister's wedding." Tang Jun said, grinning from ear to ear.
The neighbors immediately perked up with interest and asked, "Is the man your sister is marrying very rich?"
"Well, he's very good to my sister." Tang Jun nodded with pride, not elaborating further, and went back home to share the good news.
"They're here, they're here."
Tang Jun, Zhang Qiang, and Wei Jiajie took turns keeping watch at the alley's entrance, taking turns to report. Looking at the nine cars embellished with red flowers, it was impossible not to know. After Tang Jun ran home to break the good news, he hurried back, grabbed a bag of wedding candies, and dashed outside to distribute them.
The two walked home amidst the constant sound of firecrackers.
Meng Siyu looked at everyone's smiling faces, and before he could speak, Zhao Xiangqian, who was following, volunteered, "Brother Meng, I'll go."
"Si Yu, now that you are married, I hope, as a mother, that you two will live happily and joyfully," said Zhang Hualian, looking at Meng Siyu. From now on, the most important person beside her daughter would be this handsome man before her.
"Mom, we will be happy," Meng Siyu said earnestly.
It wasn't long before the people who had come with Meng Siyu to fetch the bride were invited in, and the Zhang Family warmly welcomed them, offering various teas and steaming bowls of noodles with eggs.
Inside the house, Tang Yue changed into a red cheongsam that had been prepared earlier. The moment she put on the cheongsam, her entire demeanor changed. The bright and dazzling red set off her skin, porcelain white as jade. Even the women, let alone the men, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Too beautiful," Qin Anyu said, her eyes wide with amazement.
Zhang Tingyu was so astonished that she was speechless. "It's really very beautiful," she said.
The high collar accentuated her slender neck, with the knotted buttons looping one after another. Her slim waist could barely be grasped, and beneath the layers of red tulle were her lengthy legs. She put on the red high-heeled sandals beside her, which made her figure look even taller. With a smile on her face and sparkling eyes, she looked at Qin Anyu and Zhang Tingyu and asked, "Does it really look good?"
Even though she had tried the outfit in secret and thought it was nice, she couldn't help but ask Zhang Tingyu and Qin Anyu for their affirmation.
"It looks good; you are the most beautiful bride in the world," Qin Anyu assured her. "But when I get married, you'd better not wear something so beautiful."
If Tang Yue dressed so beautifully, she, the bride, would be overshadowed.
"Pfft," Tang Yue couldn't help but laugh.
Tang Min, Zhang Min, and the sisters Zhao Laidi quietly entered the room too and when they saw Tang Yue dressed up, Tang Min couldn't help but exclaim. Even without saying a word, their expressions of astonishment said it all about how great Tang Yue's outfit looked.

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