October 1st, National Day.
It was a good day for weddings, with many choosing to hold their ceremonies on this date. Hotels, both large and small, across the country were fully booked.
Chengdu Venice Hotel.
This was a four-star hotel that handled all wedding arrangements. A wedding ceremony here would cost over a hundred thousand yuan.
Today was the wedding day of Zhou Lu, Liu Jingru's cousin.
Around eleven in the morning, Liu Jingru arrived at the Venice Hotel with her parents. Zhou Lu and her husband, Peng Gaojie, stood outside the hotel entrance to greet guests, with four bridesmaids and four groomsmen flanking them.
Zhou Li was not present at the entrance; she was likely inside the hotel helping to arrange guests.
"Lu Lu, congratulations on your wedding. I wish you both a speedy arrival of your child," Cai Wenli said with a smile.
"Cousin, brother-in-law, congratulations on your wedding," Liu Jingru added her well wishes.
"Aunt, Uncle," Zhou Lu and her husband Peng Gaojie greeted them politely.
Then, Zhou Lu looked at Liu Jingru and smiled, saying, "Jingru, thank you for coming back from so far away to attend my wedding. You've worked hard."
"Heh heh, it's nothing," Liu Jingru replied with a smile.
"Aunt, this is a red envelope from your aunt and uncle," Cai Wenli said, taking one out of her bag and handing it over. Zhou Lu accepted the red envelope and passed it to the person responsible for registering gifts who was sitting nearby.
"Cousin, congratulations on your wedding," Liu Jingru also handed over a red envelope.
"Okay, Jingru, you're too kind. Aunt, you should go inside and sit down first." Zhou Lu took Liu Jingru's red envelope and then arranged for someone to escort them to the hotel.
After Liu Jingru's family went inside, Zhou Lu leaned over to look at the gift amounts from Cai Wenli and Liu Jingru.
Cai Wenli: 5000 yuan.
Liu Jingru: 2000 yuan.
Zhou Lu pouted after seeing this, seemingly a little disappointed.
These gift amounts were actually quite generous, especially considering Liu Jingru's parents were not well-off. A 5000 yuan gift was considered a lot.
Although the gift money would eventually be returned, it was still substantial enough.
"Gaojie, was that your cousin's cousin just now?" A groomsman standing beside Peng Gaojie asked.
"Yes, do you want to be my brother-in-law?" Peng Gaojie chuckled.
"That's the idea." The groomsman nodded and then whispered into Peng Gaojie's ear, "Your cousin is really beautiful. I feel like I've fallen in love. You have to help me introduce us properly. I promise I'm serious and not just playing around."
Peng Gaojie nodded and turned to Zhou Lu, saying, "Wife, Li Bing has taken a liking to Jingru. Can you help us get together?"
"Young Master Li, you like my cousin?" Zhou Lu asked with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, I'm not afraid to admit it, but the moment I saw your cousin, I felt like I had fallen in love," Li Bing said with an unabashed grin.
It seemed as if falling in love was that simple for him.
There's a saying that first love is often based on looks.
"That depends on your performance, Young Master Li. My cousin should be home for a few days during the National Day holiday. I'll help you arrange a meal with her then," Zhou Lu said, covering her mouth with a laugh.
"Okay, thank you, Sister-in-law," Li Bing said excitedly.
His excited demeanor made it seem as if Liu Jingru had already been cleaned up, laid out on a bed, waiting for him to enjoy.
The other three groomsmen looked at Li Bing with envy, thinking they had missed out on true love by being a step too slow.
However, since Li Bing had spoken first, it would be considered snatching someone else's love if they spoke up now. They could only offer insincere congratulations for Li Bing's swift success.
"Gaojie, it's National Day and quite busy today. Will your uncle be able to make it to your wedding?" one of the groomsmen asked.
Upon hearing this question, everyone turned their gaze to Peng Gaojie.
They all knew that Peng Gaojie's uncle was the secretary to Vice Governor Qu, a truly important figure.
Everyone understood that a secretary was the representative of a leader, and especially the secretary to Vice Governor Qu, which carried immense status.
Li Bing's father was a district mayor in Chengdu. Although he was a district mayor, he was no match for Secretary Peng, and didn't even have the right to speak to him.
There was a vast distance between a district mayor and the secretary to Vice Governor Qu.
When someone mentioned his uncle, Peng Gaojie straightened his back and deliberately lowered his voice, saying, "I am the only male heir of the Peng family. No matter how busy my uncle is, he will make time to attend my wedding."
Peng Gui had only one daughter. His elder brother had one son, making him indeed the only male heir of the Peng family.
Hearing Peng Gaojie say this, everyone showed envious glances.
Zhou Lu, in particular, felt immensely proud, her eyes revealing a firm confidence.
Around twelve o'clock, Zhou Lu and Peng Gaojie also went into the hotel to prepare for the wedding. All guests who were attending had arrived before noon.
Except for the notable absence of Peng Gui, everyone else had arrived.
Liu Jingru's family was seated at tables in the front row; as relatives, their seating was arranged closer to the front.
"Jingru, how is your work? Have you found a boyfriend?"
At the dinner table, Liu Jingru's various aunts and great-aunts peppered her with questions about her life.
Liu Jingru vaguely replied that everything was fine and that she wasn't in a hurry to find a boyfriend.
Upon hearing that Liu Jingru was still single, they all acted like matchmakers, eager to set her up, mentioning the sons of this family and that family, as if implying Liu Jingru was undesirable.
It wasn't even New Year's yet, and they were already focusing on Liu Jingru's significant life events.
This was perhaps a common issue for many single men and women; upon returning home, their relatives would inevitably ask about their personal lives.
People at each table were chatting, munching on sunflower seeds and the pastries on display. In the backstage area, Zhou Li was helping her sister with her wedding dress.
"Sis, you look so beautiful today," Zhou Li complimented.
"This is the most important day in my life, so of course I have to dress up beautifully to get married," Zhou Lu smiled.
Today was a significant day for her, and she wanted to look her best.
While Zhou Li was happy for her sister, she also hoped to marry a young master herself.
At this moment, a group of people walked in, with Peng Gui entering amidst their escort.
"Lu Lu, my uncle is here," Peng Gaojie called out to Zhou Lu as he entered.
Hearing this, Zhou Lu's expression tightened. She quickly stood up and respectfully walked over, calling out respectfully, "Uncle."
"Haha... Lu Lu, uncle wishes you a long and happy marriage and a speedy arrival of your child," Peng Gui blessed them with great joy.
He was naturally happy on his nephew's joyous occasion.
Today, he was also the officiating witness and would be giving a speech at the wedding ceremony, so he came to the backstage to prepare.
"Thank you, Uncle," Zhou Lu said with a happy smile.
This Secretary Peng Gui, with his superior status, was now her uncle. Zhou Lu felt as if she were dreaming.
She felt fortunate to have married a good husband.
Now that she had a good uncle, she also inwardly compared herself favorably to Liu Jingru.
Being beautiful is useless; marrying well is what matters.
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