Firecrackers popped and banged as children shouted excitedly that the bride had arrived. Su Ying, dressed all in red, was led inside by An ZhiAng.
The couple stood together, the groom tall and stately, the bride gentle and beautiful, like figures in a painting.
The old grandmother nudged ZhiXia and said, "Where's Little Six? Have him go to the bridal chamber and have Su Ying hold onto him so she doesn't let go. With this rowdy bunch of An ZhiAng's fox friends and dog pals, who knows what nonsense they'll get up to later. We can't have anything happen."
It was commonly said that the first three days of marriage were unpredictable. Making a ruckus at a wedding was an age-old custom.
With all of An ZhiAng's friends, they'd originally planned just a small affair, but his friends alone already filled three tables.
Nowadays it wasn't customary for the whole family to move over for the banquet unless they were the closest of relatives, so each family only sent a representative.
But his friends who came were all grown men, and not a few were part of the same crew Liu Jun used to lead, a ferocious bunch when they stirred up trouble.
ZhiXia hurried off to find Little Six but couldn't find him anywhere after looking all over, not knowing where he'd run off to.
Just then, Hu Zhou pulled up with his daughter and wasn't joining in the hubbub, so ZhiXia went to ask him, "Hu Zhou, can you lend me your daughter for a bit to let my sister-in-law hold her?"
They were all married folk and Hu Zhou immediately understood what she meant. He told his daughter it was fine but didn't forget to jest, "Don't forget to have your fourth brother give my girl a nice fat red envelope for doing him this favor. I can't ask for something like this myself."
"You'll have to speak to him about that yourself. I can't make that request," ZhiXia laughed in response.
ZhiXia took YueYa to the bridal chamber entrance and could already hear the noisy chaos inside.
When she entered, she realized the grandmother's concerns were somewhat excessive.
Su Ying sat atop the big red bed while a bunch of men were sprawled on the floor below, groaning "Ow ow ow" and complaining, "An ZhiAng, no one gets married without some hazing, don't you think you're taking this too far? My poor old back, ow..."
An ZhiAng stood at the foot of the bed, eyes narrowed contemptuously. "It's not that I'm not allowing you all to haze me, but if you don't have the ability, don't go around whooping and hollering acting all big."
Ever since it started, this bastard had been the most raucous, really forgetting himself after being given some leeway these past few years.
An ZhiAng wouldn't interfere with others, but could he allow just anyone to freely fawn over and grope his wife?
Liu Jun played peacemaker, saying "The kid hasn't been slacking these past few years and we're no match for him now. Let's go, go on out and we'll have it out over wine!"
Some were still unhappy but didn't dare oppose An ZhiAng's superior martial strength.
After the crowd dispersed, ZhiXia brought in YueYa and said, "Grandma was worried earlier and wanted me to bring a child for you to hold, but now it seems her concerns were excessive."
Su Ying did look worriedly outside and said, "Your fourth brother will have to drink a lot today. You should find a couple people to help deflect drinks from him."
"Sister-in-law, don't worry about that. Liu Jun will look out for him, and Hu Zhou is also there..."
Pei Jing couldn't drink since he was leaving in the afternoon and had to drive.
Su Ying could only smile resignedly, useless to worry.
The jewelry she wore today was a gift from ZhiXia, the lustrous pearls especially dazzling against her red outfit, making her complexion even fairer.
"ZhiXia, thank you again. I really like this pearl set you gave me." So she had chosen to wear it today, which matched her bridal costume perfectly.
"I'm glad you like it sister-in-law, I was worried you might not." ZhiXia shook her own wrist which had a simpler set, more suited for everyday wear.
Su Ying's set was more elaborate, better for important occasions.
An ZhiAng's face was flushed red from drinking, still the unruly one making the biggest fuss earlier in the room.
To help An ZhiAng, Liu Jun drank until his own legs went soft while Hu Zhou's face was also bright red.
ZhiXia frowned and took the chance to ask Hu Zhou, "Hu Zhou, who's that guy? Did my fourth brother offend him somehow?"
Hu Zhou burped from the alcohol and fuzzily responded, "Offend him? He was a little brother under An ZhiAng and Liu Jun back then, about the same status as me, nothing too capable. But he got lucky in recent years, saved some factory boss's daughter who accidentally fell in the water when he was out with Liu Jun. Became the son-in-law and got an inflated ego. But don't worry, you can tell he's not too bright. He's just taking advantage of today being a good day and An ZhiAng can't easily deal with him. He'll get what he deserves afterwards."
Thinking he was hot stuff for marrying a good daughter-in-law, also forgetting what status An ZhiAng and Liu Jun have now. One's in the military, what was that rank he heard about last time, seemed pretty high.
Liu Jun has also steadily risen in the police bureau these years, and his wife is the police chief's niece, so his future looks bright.
As for Hu Zhou, he's not lacking for money now either.
And they don't put on airs, yet this meal ticket son-in-law gets all cocky.
Disgraceful!
"Can't go on, Sis An. I've got to go throw up again...blegh..."
ZhiXia sighed and went to tend to him.
When Hu Zhou returned, she hurriedly gave him three hangover cure pills, telling him to take one himself and find a chance to give An ZhiAng and Liu Jun one each.
Still dizzy, Hu Zhou didn't listen clearly and just popped one in his mouth, wondering what it was.
When he got to the wine table, he suddenly felt the same clear-headed state as before drinking.
Instantly invigorated, he felt he could easily drink another two pounds worth.
"An ZhiAng, Liu Jun, come come, eat a candy first then drink up...we've got to drink this punk under the table today and put him in his place for his arrogance..." Hu Zhou stuffed the pills into each of their mouths.
Though the taste as it entered was quite sweet, it definitely wasn't candy.
Luckily they'd both drank a lot already so by the time they reacted, it had already gone down.
They exchanged puzzled glances, but soon the drug took effect.
As old buddies, their teamwork was seamless. They clinked cups, determined not to let any of those who had toasted them aggressively earlier get away today.
The other guests in the yard had already left with only their table remaining.
Zhou Nan worriedly said to An JingZhi, "The kids are drinking nonstop, go get them under control!"
An JingZhi looked at An ZhiAng's state and retorted, "And you can keep them under control?"
Zhou Nan was rendered speechless, why else would she be telling him to do it if she could control them herself?
In the afternoon, the one who had been most rowdy was carried out.
Zhou Nan angrily smacked An ZhiAng's back, fuming at him, "Were you born without a sense for drinking? Do you remember what day it is today? Getting someone in that state, what if something happens to him?"
"How could anything happen, didn't we send him home? And you didn't see him provoking us first, we were just teaching him a lesson!" An ZhiAng defended.
"Always with your twisted logic. Even if nothing happens to him, what about yourself? Don't you know to take better care of your health, do you think you're still a child?"
"Mom, it's my wedding day, can you cut me some slack?"
"Now you want face!" Zhou Nan didn't continue scolding him but turned to greet Liu Jun and Hu Zhou instead, smoothly transitioning her demeanor as appropriate.
