642 The Wedding Begins

-Crown Plaza-

Entering the wedding venue, one could already feel the luxurious and elegant vibe. The way white and red dominated the decoration. It looked like something that came out of a magazine cover. It wouldn't take a genius to know at first sight that this was one high-class wedding.

The highly attentive and professional ushers were guiding the guests to their respective seats.

Xin Zimen and Xiao Si stood on the left side of the entrance to greet their guests while Zhao Wei and Qiu Jiayi stood on the right side. The wedding ceremony of the Xin family's eldest son and the Qiu family's eldest daughter was already the talk of the elite circle. There was no one who wasn't familiar with these two families' names but only a handful was fortunate enough to receive the invites.

The media also had a keen interest in this event but since it was Xin Zimen's side of the family, no one had the guts to even probe around. The security was top-notch and no unrelated personnel could even think about entering this place without being caught. And once caught red-handed, who could escape the wrath of Xin Zimen?

"Zi, stand straight!"

Xin Zimen looked over at his best friend who was hissing with displeasure, he sighed out, "I'm tired already."

"We just started," reminded Qiu Jiayi patiently.

"My cheekbones are already hurting though," said Xin Zimen with a frown. It was his first time welcoming guests! Even though he had a very perfunctory smile on his face, even that was enough to tire him out.

"And this is why I always tell you to exercise your face muscles and smile a little!"

Xin Zimen rolled his eyes at his best friend and was about to snap back when...

"Well, little brother, you should listen to Jiayi. Now that I already know you don't have facial paralysis, you should really stop being so stiff all the time."

Xin Zimen turned his head to look at his elder brother but his gaze didn't linger on him as it shifted smoothly to the woman beside him. Zhao Huan gave him a huge smile before rushing over to hug her little brother-in-law. "Congratulations, Xiao Zi!" Xin Zimen immediately thought to move out of her way to avoid her hug but she narrowed her eyes and warned, "Don't even think about it!"

Cursing under his breath, Xin Zimen let her hug him like he was a little kid. This over-enthusiastic sister-in-law of his was quite a troublesome personality. He had no dislike towards her except for the fact that she was his elder brother's wife. In fact, before she married his elder brother, he actually liked her naive personality. But after marrying his brother, her naiveness had been long taken away from her.

Zhao Huan was obviously very pleased as she pinched his cheek saying, "You're finally going to become a father-in-law, smile a little."

Xin Zimen snorted, "Why should I smile about it?"

"Oh, really?" Xin Zimen was amused to hear her words since he really couldn't even argue.

"Isn't it?" retorted Zhao Huan. "People propose first and get married later. You're proposed to first, got married later and lastly, you're the one who proposed to your wife. And even now, the order is all wrong." Then her attention shifted to Xiao Si, as she walked over to hug her nephew excitedly.

"Little brother, it's really unfair." Xin Zimen looked up at his elder brother. "You don't even let me touch your head and you let my wife even hug you? Such discrimination!"

"Why? Does it hurt your feelings?" asked Xin Zimen calmly.

"Very much," nodded Xin Zemin affirmatively. 

Xin Zimen smirked coldly, "That's nice to hear."

"Tsk. Tsk. Heartless!" 

"My dear nephew, you're next in line," Zhao Huan was teasing Xiao Si happily. "I honestly thought you'd be the first one to get married but you're fast in everything else except for this."

Xiao Si frowned at his aunt's words, "I'm fast at what?"

"At being a father," replied Zhao Huan making Xiao Si press his lips together. 

He acted spoiled around his aunt as he replied, "But wasn't it, my Huanhuan who always said she would like to see a little baby in the house?"

Zhao Huan smacked his head, "You brat! You're blaming me now?"

"Oi, nephew! You can't call my Huanhuan as yours."

Xiao Si raised his hands in defense as he stepped back saying, "Of course, I can't and I won't. She is all yours."

At the side, Xin Zimen looked at his brother and sister-in-law with a complicated look in his eyes. It wasn't really new for him to see the closeness, mutual love between his brother and sister-in-law, but since the time he learned about Destiny's existence, he had a very strange feeling in his heart.

"Xiao Zi!" Xin Zimen was startled by the whisper-call right beside his ear. "If you kept looking at us this way, you'd make your brother suspicious! Let's not forget that he has as acute senses as you."

Xin Zimen narrowed his eyes at his sister-in-law saying, "You're still not gonna confront him?"

Zhao Huan patted his shoulder, "It's a happy occasion. Don't ruin it." She smiled at his brother-in-law before she turned around to greet the family of the bride, "Hello, Jiayi! Congratulations to you as well."

"Thanks, Sister Haun!" Qiu Jiayi was taken aback by her greeting. Don't get him wrong, it's just that she'd usually keep her distance from him whenever wherever possible. Although Zhao Huan didn't look young like his own wife, she had still maintained herself gracefully. In fact, if one put Zhao Wei and Zhao Huan side by side, Zhao Huan's elegant aura and well-mannered speech might outshine his dear wife. 

"Congratulations to you too, Weiwei!" 

Seeing how his wife wasn't replying, Qiu Jiayi tugged at her sleeve but she still didn't pay attention. Zhao Huan smiled knowingly before shrugging her shoulders, "It was worth a try." With that, she entered the hall with her husband.

Looking at her back, Zhao Wei's eyes squinted, "What is she so proud of even now? Just being the mistress of the Xin Clan? Is it something to be proud of?" Her husband was poking her to shut up but she didn't listen.

"It is indeed something to be proud of," came Xin Zimen's voice. He looked at Zhao Wei with a serious gaze as he added, "I hope you're not thinking about going back on your promise."

Zhao Wei bit her bottom lip as she smiled at Xin Zimen, "Zimen, I'm sorry. I just don't like her gloating look." Even though she was displeased, she didn't show it. She momentarily forgot her promise but she couldn't continue it.

Xin Zimen didn't want to continue this discussion. One was his best friend's wife and the other was his sister-in-law. Although people might think he'd lean towards his best friend's side, it wasn't true. He treated his brother and sister-in-law very differently. They both held different places in his life and it was certain that he didn't like anyone saying anything about his sister-in-law.

"Nonno!"

Xin Zimen felt someone hugging his leg and looked down. Seeing his granddaughter grinning at him, he was so shocked. He crouched down and looked at Ava. "Granddaughter, what did you just call me?"

"Nonno..." she replied adorably and giggled, surprising him even more.

Xin Zimen put his hands under her arms and lifted her up. "Wow! My granddaughter is growing up." He looked over at his son who looked proud. "Don't be so proud, you didn't teach her this." Xiao Si's face immediately fell. "Isn't all the credit goes to this gentleman?" Xin Zimen had instantly noticed Jackie standing aloof with Nora at the side. 

Being greeted like this, Jackie extended his hand to take Xin Zimen's hand and said politely, "I can't possibly take all the credit. I was just lucky."

Xin Zimen looked at Jackie with appreciation, "And this gentleman even knows how to talk." He was already very impressed by Jackie when he met him for the first time. But seeing him again, he was even more pleased. Even at this young age, he was a very sensible kid. Looking at his second daughter-in-law, he asked, "Nora, your parents?"

Hearing that her parents were unable to come because they had to leave for America urgently, Xin Zimen nodded in understanding and asked Xiao Si to take her inside. And watching her JJ leave, little Ava got restless.

"Nonno! JJ!" she hit her grandfather's shoulder to let him know whom she wanted.

Xin Zimen smiled at her and put her down saying, "Go and catch up with your JJ." Obviously, the little baby was more than happy to follow these instructions as she ran behind Jackie but heard her grandfather's voice, "Be careful!"