A plump man weighing nearly three hundred jin held a string of electronic firecrackers, which crackled incessantly.
This was in playful contrast to the children setting off firecrackers for the bride's family.
It made the elderly people who had come to watch burst into laughter.
One advantage of an older residential compound was that most people knew each other.
When a family had a joyous occasion, people would come to help, some financially, some by showing up.
Many people came to watch when the Liu family's daughter got married.
Below the building was a dense crowd, mostly elderly people.
"This little fat boy is so festive, especially holding those two strings of firecrackers. He's a real bringer of good fortune."
"The groom is handsome too, a spirited young man, and a good match for the Liu family's daughter."
"That young man carrying the quilt is also good. Have you found a match for your granddaughter yet? Let the Liu family's daughter help set you up with this young man when she comes back."
A group of elderly people chuckled and gossiped on the side, watching the spectacle with amusement.
Guo Xuyang hadn't expected the elderly people in the capital to be so gossipy.
He didn't dare to look up, quickly following Wu Bing into the stairwell.
The compound had multi-story buildings without elevators.
Liu Hui's home was on the third floor, and Guo Xuyang followed closely behind Wu Bing to the door.
"Dad, open the door," Wu Bing called out after knocking on the security door.
"Your dad isn't home. Pay the red envelope first. Come in after you pay the red envelope," a voice from inside said.
Judging by the voice, it seemed to be a young woman, likely a bridesmaid blocking the door.
"Open the door first. How can I give you a red envelope if you don't open the door?" Wu Bing said with a smile.
"We can see you. You're not holding any red envelopes at all. Don't try to trick us."
The young woman's voice sounded again.
Wu Bing indeed didn't have any red envelopes; he was only holding a bouquet.
"Are you ready, brother?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"Ready. They're all in the bag.
I don't know what the situation is inside.
Sometimes they take the red envelopes and still don't open the door," Wu Bing whispered.
"There's such a thing? Why?"
"They have too many tricks up their sleeves, we have to be careful.
These are all Xiao Hui's close friends. It will probably cost thousands to get them to open the door."
"I see," Guo Xuyang said, then looked inside.
There were six alluring women inside, dressed quite fashionably.
However, because it was New Year's Day and the weather was too cold, they were all wearing mink coats over their outfits.
They clearly didn't look like they would be easily persuaded.
"We still have to give them, otherwise, we won't get past the first hurdle."
"Let's wait a bit longer. They'll lose patience soon.
We'll give them two large envelopes first, then a few smaller ones, and that should be enough."
"Brother, you're more experienced than me.
Back then, we were more impulsive. The most direct method was to kick the door down."
"We have to save face for the father-in-law, right? Otherwise, it won't look good when we return for the post-wedding visit."
"Yes. You're right.
Those brothers back then only cared about satisfying the moment. The next day, they were all carried back drunk by people arranged by the father-in-law."
"What are you guys whispering about outside? Aren't you coming in?"
The young woman's voice was indeed getting impatient.
Wu Bing winked at Guo Xuyang and said, "If you open the door, I have two big red envelopes. Whoever snatches them gets them. Don't blame me for not giving red envelopes."
"Two isn't enough. There are six of us here. We need at least six."
"Six it is, but there are only two big ones inside. Open the door and I'll give them to you."
Before Wu Bing could finish speaking, the door was opened a crack.
Guo Xuyang, quick as lightning, grabbed the edge of the door and used a bit of leverage, managing to be the first one to get inside.
Wu Bing didn't bother with the red envelopes anymore; he threw them casually and followed in.
By the time the bridesmaids tried to close the door again, it was too late. They could only stoop to pick up the red envelopes.
"Why is it only two hundred? Stingy!" a girl exclaimed loudly after picking up and opening a red envelope.
"I have a thousand here. Hahaha. Looks like my luck is pretty good," another girl shouted.
They had gotten through the main door, but Liu Hui's room door was still tightly shut.
"Xiao Hui, I'm here to pick you up. Hurry and open the door!"
Wu Bing shouted loudly at the door.
"These girls are blocking the door. I can't make them open it,"
Xiao Hui's voice came out.
"What should we do then?" Wu Bing asked.
"Sisters, what do you say we do?"
This was Xiao Hui's voice.
"We'll play hardball. You tricked us earlier, saying you'd give red envelopes but then barged in.
We don't want red envelopes anymore. We want the groom to sing.
If the groom's singing can move us, we'll send Xiao Hui out. If not, you can wait outside."
It was still the young woman's voice.
Guo Xuyang was intrigued by this quirky girl and looked up.
This girl was clearly much livelier than the others.
She was nearly 1.8 meters tall, dressed very stylishly, with a heart-shaped face, big eyes, and cherry lips painted with devilish red.
She wore a high-ice jade bangle on her wrist.
She leaned casually against the door, looking at Xiao Hui, then at the other girls, her mouth never idle.
"Xiao Hui, why did you find such a man? He's so cunning. Be careful, he might deceive your feelings."
"Jiaojiao, what are you saying? It's a joyous occasion, you shouldn't say such things."
A slightly older girl chided her.
"I'm just telling the truth.
They haven't even opened the door yet, and they barged in.
They didn't even see what the red envelopes looked like before crowding in."
"You, who owns a mine, would care about those small amounts of money?"
"You can't say that. How else can it be lively if we don't play these games?
Xiao Hui's husband is too cunning, always muttering outside and not coming in.
When they saw we were impatient, they tried to appease us with small favors, but then they lied."
Jiaojiao seemed a bit indignant.
The voices inside could be heard clearly outside.
Wu Bing felt wronged outside.
"I say, sister Jiaojiao, don't badger people like this.
I gave you the red envelopes, but you ran off without taking them, so you can't blame me."
"I didn't see any red envelopes, so it doesn't count.
You almost broke my bangle just now.
If you had broken my bangle, I would have moved into your house and refused to leave."
Wu Bing didn't dare to respond to this. If he said anything, Xiao Hui would surely fly into a rage.
"This really isn't my brother's fault. It's all my fault for not waiting and coming in. I just wanted to pick up the bride sooner."
Guo Xuyang realized he had no choice but to take the blame.
"You're the groom's friend, and everyone knows you're like two peas in a pod. You're just paving the way for him."
"I say, sister, just tell us how we can open the door.
My brother is so eager to see the bride that he's gone mad.
You can't turn them into cowherd and weaver girl like the Queen Mother of the West, can you?"
"Then please sing a duet of 'The Fairy Couple' with the groom.
If you pass the test, I'll let you in," Jiaojiao said.
"I really can't do that. Let's sing something else, something more festive."
"Pigsy Carrying the Bride. Hahaha."
Jiaojiao couldn't help but burst into laughter before finishing her sentence.
[Author's Aside]: This book has three updates daily, morning, noon, and night. Please continue to follow the updates, esteemed readers.
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