Chapter 108 - Feng Mian’s Wedding

The reunion didn't last that long as they merely talked about what they were doing now that they had graduated. Many of them have already worked and gotten married. The majorities of the women were married but the men were only a handful. Well, they were only 26 years old and for the men, it was still a tad bit too early to settle down.

They still wanted to enjoy their single life much longer.

"Yu Yan, do you drink?" Zhou Wei asked as they ordered some alcohol.

Yu Yan shook her head helplessly. She really wanted to drink, but a certain husband would stop her from drinking. "I can't today."

"Why? Don't tell me that you can't drink even after you grow up," One of the female ex-classmates teased.

"No, Ying didn't allow me to drink so much."

"Awww!"

Long Ying walked to them when he saw that some of the women had started to get drunk. He didn't want Yu Yan to be tempted to drink just because of these people. "Yan'er."

"Ying?"

"Let's go back. It's already quite late."

"Ok." Yu Yan gave another glance at the others and smiled apologetically. "I'll be going now. Let's have another reunion someday in the future."

"Yes!"

"Sure~!"

"I wish you happiness with your husband, Yu Yan!"

The girls merrily shouted and Yu Yan smiled brightly, waving her hand to them happily. She might not be close to them but they all still spent three years together when they were in high school. 

After the happy reunion, Yu Yan leaned on Long Ying's shoulder as they headed back to the car. "I didn't expect everyone to be still so nice."

"They're all good people." Long Ying patted Yu Yan's head.

"I still don't like some of them for bullying you."

"That's already in the past."

"Hehehe, yeah."

After they entered the car, Long Ying found out that his wife had fallen asleep. He helplessly adjusted her position and ordered An Lin to return back. Silently tucking her hair to the back, he muttered to himself, "I'll protect you well, Yan'er. So I just want you to be happy with me."

…

Days passed and it was time for Feng Mian's wedding. Yu Yan didn't want to be late and arrived earlier in the venue. Looking at the number of guests who came, she was speechless.

"There are so many people who come here? I didn't know Zhang Liang had so many connections." Yu Yan was dumbfounded.

Long Ying nodded. His eyes caught a group of people on the side and patted Yu Yan's shoulder. "You should go and meet your friend, I still have to talk with my friends."

Friends?

Yu Yan nodded. She glanced in the direction Long Ying was heading to and saw several people whom she didn't recognize. Only Zhang Liang was the one who looked familiar.

'They might have known each other from a long time ago.'

She didn't know Long Ying's life during the past eight years and it was impossible for her to know every single detail. They might be also his dangerous friends from other circles in life, so Yu Yan didn't want to get involved.

She slipped inside and headed to the brides' room. Feng Mian was sitting in the middle of the room, dressed in beautiful white gown. When Yu Yan saw Feng Mian, she was astonished.

"Woah, you look beautiful, Mian'er!" Yu Yan showed a thumbs up.

Feng Mian had worn her white dress. It was long and also decorated nicely. The backside was only a bit long since Feng Mian didn't want one that would make her have trouble to walk. Her hair was slowly braided beautifully by Lu Di La and Zhang Ai.

"Thank you, you look beautiful too, Yu Yan."

"Just for today, you're the prettiest!"

Feng Mian giggled when she heard the praise. "Why do I feel as if you're praising yourself more than praising me?"

"Heh," Yu Yan smiled back. "You're having mixed marriage ceremony today. I won't participate in the second section, though."

"Ah, it's fine. Usually only close family will participate. It'll be enough for you to come for the first." Feng Mian spread her arms and Yu Yan came closer to hug her. "Thank you for coming."

"Silly girl, why wouldn't I come to my best friend's marriage?"

Feng Mian smiled and poked Yu Yan's hand lightly. "I saw the news and see that you're quite busy making things difficult for your younger sister. I don't think that you'll come here."

Yu Yan shrugged. The media was still hyping the fact that Bao Tu and Yu Xin were engaged and likely get married soon. Even though their reputation had already gone down to drain, it was unlikely for Yu Family to allow Bao Family to pull back from this union. 

Their business was still in difficult situation because of their bad reputation. After all, Bao Family focused on jewelries and with the owner having marital problem, it was likely that people wouldn't have good impression either for the brand.

It had stabilized lately but still not enough for them to regain their previous footing.

"Rather than talking about me, how about if I help you put on makeup first?"

"Of course. Leave it to me!"

"Hey wait, that's too much powder!"

The other women in the room laughed out loudly as Yu Yan began to help Feng Mian wore the makeup. As someone who cared greatly for her appearance, Yu Yan was really good at applying makeup. Before long, Feng Mian's breathtaking appearance had been risen by another notch.

Teng! Teng!

"Oh, the bell."

The bell signified that the ceremony would start. Feng Mian was already ready and her friends rushed to enter the hall. Yu Yan sat in the third row since the first and second row were for families. Beside her, Long Ying looked at her with inquiries because Yu Yan looked so excited.

"You seem happy."

"Of course I'm happy! My best friend is going to get married today," Yu Yan replied. She shot a glare at Long Ying, annoyed that he didn't understand something so simple.

Long Ying put on a smile and held Yu Yan's hand. He was not a romantic person, but if Yu Yan wanted him to be one, he would learn. It was a bit baffling to him to see Yu Yan so happy for another person's sake.

However, he also noticed the longing in Yu Yan's eyes. Yu Yan was already married to him but they didn't have any marriage ceremony so far. It was not like he didn't want to, but he couldn't.

Right now, Yu Yan was looking at the front with a bright smile on her face. Finally, her best friend could have a marriage ceremony. Someday, she too would surely reach her own happiness.

"You may kiss the bride."

The two gave each other their vow then Zhang Liang leaned in to kiss Feng Mian. Yu Yan clapped so hard that she felt her hand hurt. Her eyes were watching the two interacted lovingly at the podium and wondered how it would be to be the one standing there.

Would it be soon or still some time?

"Single ladies and gentlemen, please gather over here!"

Yu Yan giggled when she saw those who were single all ran towards the front. They were hoping that they would be able to catch the banquet.

"Don't you want to step forward too?"

"I'm already married." Yu Yan looked at Long Ying and furrowed her eyebrows. "You can't possibly be thinking that I should get married to you again, right?"

"Of course not." Long Ying patted Yu Yan's hand as he held a complicated expression. He truly didn't know how he should break the news to Yu Yan about this matter. 

…

Sora's Corner:  Marriage Ceremony Tradition

Western marriage ceremony I mentioned her referred to exchanging vows between the grooms and the bride after the priest gave his speech/blessing. It was usually conducted in church, but in modern time, it can be moved to hotel or some other places. On this ceremony, usually the brides will wear long white dress while the groom wore suit.

Chinese wedding I mentioned here referred to the traditional marriage where the groom and bride would bow three times. It was usually followed with a long custom and tradition from the betrothal gifts until the three day's visit after the marriage. The groom and the bride usually wore red colored clothes as it was the symbol of happiness. 

(For the detail of both marriage ceremony, you can search in the internet in case you're unfamiliar with it)

Mixed marriage ceremony was common in my country for Chinese descendant. They would have the normal marriage vows in the church and later on, they would be holding the simplified Chinese marriage ceremony. It usually consisted of the three bows then drinking tea that the bride prepared for the parents.. After giving tea, the parents would usually give red packets to the newlywed.