233 Congratulations

October 22, 20XX (Tuesday)

Xue Manor

Yue took the microphone from her best friend's hands after whispering smugly, "You differently made my Big Brother's speech looked bad."

Mei Li chuckled and whispered back, "Don't be like that. I am your sister now."

Yue snorted, "You have always been my sister even without your marriage to big brother."

Yue left Mei Lin behind with her jaw dropping in her surprise. Mei Lin's eyes began to water again. This day had brought her more reason to be grateful than any day in all of her life. She had been an orphan and had thought she would die an orphan. Now, she had found family in the Zhao and had accepted her Xue blood. Her best friend's words touched Mei Lin. If it weren't for Yue, she would not be here. It was, after all, Yue that had approached her first to ask to be her friend.

Grandpa Zhao stood up as Yue announced, "And now I will hand this microphone to Grandpa for his announcement."

"My wife and I will also come clean with our decisions. Our granddaughter-in-law will be the inheritor of our businesses, and we have begun to train her weeks ago to replace us." Both Zhao Elders were standing up as they stared into Mei Lin's way.

Yang put his hands into her waist and dragged her to sit down, knowing what will come later will make her into an emotional wreck. He made sure that she was adequately seated before he nodded for Yue to continue. His little sister then passed the microphone to Yang's friends- Hao Chen in particular. Mei Lin was full of tears as she listened to her well-wishers.

"Sister-in-law, Congratulations! Take care of our brother for us." Hao Chen grinned, teasingly. Yue was a little surprise that her charming boyfriend could be so mischievous. Mei Li giggled when Yang murmured to her ears, "He should call me brother-in-law too. Yue has been eyeing him like a piece of meat ready to be devoured."

Dr. Zhang Li Xi took the microphone and said, "Congratulations on your wedding. Hopefully, the next time you visit the hospital for my consultation, it would be good news of a pregnancy."

Alexandre passed the mic to his wife while saying, "Congratulations. My wife has more words than I do for the newlyweds."

Ru Shi gladly took the microphone and stood up. On hand on her hips, "I would like to admit to Mei Li what Yang had tasked me to do that I hated on doing, but he said he wanted to sponsor my movie if I did it."

Everyone grew curious and intrigued at Ru Shi's words. Mei Lin briefly eyed Yang, who immediately rose his hands up in surrender. Ru Shi continued, "When we were talking in Milan about that stupid ex of yours, Yang was listening in. I didn't want to do it, but he assured me that he would take the blame if you discovered it. I like you and would want to continue our friendship, so Yang needs to take responsibilities of his crimes."

Zhao Yang flinched when Mei Lin placed her left hand on his thigh and pinched the skin as hard as she could. He had to refrain himself from shouting and yelping like a puppy. Everyone giggled when Yang shifted his weight to the opposite of Mei Lin, knowing that he must have received some form of retribution secretly.

Mother Zhao stood up after the microphone was handed to her and said, "I am happy to welcome a new daughter in my family finally. I know you two would be great together even before you meet! Congratulations and I expect grandchildren soon! Oh, and I also expect for Yang to lessen those pins he showed or else I will sell every last one of them."

"I am happy for your happiness, my dearest. You have been taken away from us and we have wronged you for letting it happen, but I am somewhat grateful that your experiences have shaped and molded you into this beautiful woman with a heart bigger than anyone else in the room." Grandma Xue said with Grandpa Xue nodding on the background.

Mei Li and Yang listened with happy faces as everyone said their congratulations. Mei Li was sad that Uncle Wu had to return to Y Building to hide again and help secure the premises of Zhao Manor for tomorrow's fake wedding. Uncle Wu would have made a tremendous and awkward speech. As the people who had not greeted them slowly become fewer, Mei Lin and Yang were excited when the last two was holding the microphone. Mei Lin, in particular, was very excited to hear what her older brother would say to them.

Being the last one of the males, Chang Min stood up and said, "Congratulations! As much as I wanted to stop this from happening, I cannot do it. I am a biased older brother, but even I could see how much Yang loves my little sister. I will give up my plans of being your third wheel just because I know Yang will take care of my little sister the way she deserves. My guns are always ready when you step one foot out of line, remember that Yang."

Once Yue had the microphone, her tears began to fell. She sobbed as she wailed out her words, "Congratulations. When we went to Paris, I know my big brother will fall in love with you. I know it the moment he sent you Shakespeare's sonnet 116, and I was sure that he had already fallen in love with you the moment that he asked for your phone number. Take care of my big brother, Mei Lin, and take care of yourself too. I don't want to be the middle woman when you two fight so you guys go to Mom, alright?"

Everyone laughed at Yue's last sentence.