Chapter 332 - Chapter 332: Chapter 324: Understated Luxury_2

Chapter 332: Chapter 324: Understated Luxury_2

A convoy of bicycles rode conspicuously down the main street, drawing plenty of curious looks from the public. Few would have imagined that these ordinary-seeming bicycles far exceeded the value of a car.

Within half an hour, they arrived and parked outside the Yang family’s compound. The gate of the compound was festooned with celebratory ‘double happiness’ characters  and red lanterns.

The gate was firmly shut. As the groom, Nie Zhenbang naturally did not have to do anything yet. His cohorts, Guo Ming and Zhao Xinglong, went ahead and knocked loudly on the front door.

Herving arrogantly at the entrance of the Yang’s compound was likely only possible today. On a normal day, their bold actions would be met with a round of scolding from Elder Yang. Of course, today was different; they were here to fetch the bride. If they did not act this way, the day would lack its intended lively atmosphere.

Unfortunately, their loud knocking drew no response. Shortly after, a small crack appeared in the side gate.

Yang Anna’s brothers and sisters-in-law made their way out. Yang Shengli’s four children, Yang Anguo, and Yang Anjun generally had little interaction with Nie Zhenbang’s side. Their wives were also not particularly familiar with each other. Yang Anbang and Xiao Yali were the ones most familiar with Nie Zhenbang and his gang.

At this moment, Xiao Yali stood with her hands on her hips. Married women indeed had a unique, robust aura that unmarried girls could not compete with.

Looking around at the group, Xiao Yali jokingly admonished them, “Do you think we’ll just let you in like this? Don’t forget what you did to An Bang on our wedding day last year. Now, the tables have turned; it’s our turn. Nie Zhenbang, now it’s your turn to have your heart in your throat.”

Nie Zhenbang could only respond with a wry laugh; this was instant karma. On last year’s New Year’s Day, when Yang Anbang and Xiao Yali got married, Nie Zhenbang had made a hefty sum off them. Just to get through the first door, Yang Anbang had to hand out red envelopes worth over a million. At the second gate, they had to perform and hand out more red envelopes. Even when they reached Xiao Yali’s boudoir, they were hit up for another large red envelope. Now, the same was happening to him.

“Second Sister, that’s not fair. After all, third brother is your cousin. Look at you, you’re not showing any family loyalty.” Liu Kun tried to smooth things over, trying to find a way out.

“Kun, kid, don’t change the subject. What’s wrong with Second Sister? Third Brother should have seen this day coming. Yali is now part of our Yang family. How is this a lack of family loyalty? No more nonsense. If you want to get through, you’ll have to give me a red envelope I’m satisfied with,” declared Yang Anbang, stepping forward to settle the score.

Nie Zhenbang, who was prepared for this, turned to Zhao Xinglong and said, “Xing Long, bring out what we’ve prepared. Isn’t it just red envelopes? I knew you two would strike back when teamed together. Today, I brought a ‘Scatter Wealth Boy’ with me.”

Zhao Xinglong, with a grin on his face, walked up with the red envelopes in his hand, saying, “Here, brothers and sisters, the red envelopes are here. Catch them.”

Meanwhile, Nie Zhenbang sneaked off to the side, climbed onto the frame of his bicycle and, with a great leap, was already inside the courtyard of the Yang family.

Seeing this scene unfold, Yang Anbang yelled out, “Oh no, that little rascal tricked us. Yali, hurry back and block the second door!”

But it was too late. Nie Zhenbang had already crossed the threshold of the second door and was standing outside Yang An Na’s room.

Elder Yang watched Nie Zhenbang climb over the wall with a wide grin on his face. Very satisfied with his grandson-in-law, Elder Yang said as he laughed, “Look at that, he’s an official now but still behaves this way. He’s thrown all his dignity out the window.”

Nie Zhenbang laughed. “Grandpa, for the sake of getting a wife, I’d even risk half my life, let alone my dignity.”

After a bit of tumult and frolicking, Nie Zhenbang finally succeeded in winning Yang Anna over. Today, Yang Anna was dressed in traditional Chinese qipao. The red silk qipao featured a cloud and dragon pattern and was embroidered with dragon and phoenix motifs — a sign of great fortune.

Obviously, Yang Anna couldn’t ride a bike in such a dress. Although the bicycle was a tandem one, Nie Zhenbang was perfectly capable of riding back with her alone. The procession made its way back to the Nie family’s home.

The main hall of the Nie’s home had already been set up with ancestral tablets and incense burners. After the official bowing ceremony, the newlyweds paid tribute to their ancestors, thus completing one part of the wedding rite. From today onwards, Yang Anna was officially recognized as a daughter-in-law of the Nie family.

Although the wedding was low-key, it did not mean that they would also host the feast at home. To avoid disturbances, they did not host the wedding banquet at the Dynasty club but instead at Yang Anbang’s Tang Dynasty Club.

The fourth floor of Tang Dynasty had been temporarily closed to the public and was not open for business. The guests — relatives and friends of the Nie and Yang families and brothers of Nie Zhenbang, with even their parents and older relatives declined by Elder Nie — were ushered in by a private elevator.

The union, via marriage, between Nies and Yangs, especially after Xiao Yali’s marriage to the Yangs and the subsequent union now, had made quite an impact. Everyone in Jingcheng was aware of it. However, holding a high-profile wedding might exert pressure on people, whereas a low-key one, while seemingly self-deceptive, was greatly appreciated in Jingcheng.

From the French goose liver pate to bluefin tuna from the western Pacific and luxurious seafood like shark fin and abalone, as well as traditional palace dishes of Huaxia, the feast was rich and abundant.

Nie Zhenbang and Yang Anna made their rounds to toast everyone present. However, even with his high alcohol tolerance, Nie Zhenbang was slightly tipsy by the time they had made their rounds. Afterwards, Elder Nie gave a small speech of encouragement, and then left early due to his declining health. Nie Zhenbang was acutely aware of his grandfather’s health and did not insist on him staying.

As the banquet came to a close, and the older generation had already left, only the younger folks remained. Seeing Liu Kun and Yang Anbang’s mischievous looks, Nie Zhenbang knew that they were planning to crash the bridal room.

So, he quickly grabbed Anna and ran. A fiery red Ferrari zoomed out of the private garage at the base of Tang Dynasty Club. This was Anna’s car, and she drove it directly into the Dynasty Club.

In Jingcheng, Nie Zhenbang was certainly not short of places to live. Ideally, the couple had planned to head to their newly-built villa in the suburb of Jingcheng. However, at the insistence of Anna, they ended up at the Dynasty Club instead.

They went straight through a private elevator to the ninth floor. As they entered, they saw Li Lixue and Dong Wan were already sitting at the dining table. Amid the dancing candlelight was a bottle of red wine. These two women were enjoying a candlelit dinner. (To be continued. If you enjoy this book, please go to novelhall to cast your vote. Your support is my motivation.)