Chapter 12: The Wedding Banquet

In the family housing compound of the Yangcheng Military District—

Shen Nanzhen glanced at the silent telephone on the coffee table and clicked her tongue in irritation.

Sitting in a single armchair and reading the newspaper, Lu Xiangqian frowned and said, “Can you stop clicking your tongue like that? It’s making my ears hurt.”

Shen Nanzhen shot him an annoyed look and snapped, “If you don’t like it, don’t listen! Why are you making a fuss? You’re the one being annoying!”

Lu Xiangqian let out an indignant “Eh” and retorted, “I’m not deaf! How am I supposed to pretend I don’t hear it?”

Seeing his wife’s increasingly exasperated expression, he really wanted to hand her a cup of cooling tea.

With a sigh, he added, “Alright, alright, I know you’re waiting for that brat to call. But aren’t you just worrying over nothing? His marriage report has already been approved. What do you plan to do—have it revoked?”

At his words, Shen Nanzhen’s frown deepened. “When did I ever say I wanted to revoke it? Do I look like some wicked mother-in-law trying to break up a couple? I’m just mad that the brat didn’t even bother calling home about something as big as getting married!”

For the past two years, she had practically worn out her tongue nagging him to find a wife.

Now that Lu Wei was finally willing to settle down, she was overjoyed.

But she hadn’t expected him to move this fast—he had barely found a match, and he had already submitted the marriage report!

Lu Xiangqian kept his attention on the newspaper and muttered, “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a wicked mother-in-law or not—what matters is that your son thinks you are.”

“Besides, when has that brat ever listened to us?”

Then, he concluded, “Your son is just not an obedient person.”

Back then, the whole family had wanted Lu Wei to stay in the northern military after graduation. Who could have expected that the very next day, he would apply to transfer to a southern island—the southernmost one, no less?

Shen Nanzhen scoffed with her hands on her hips. “Oh, so when he got promoted to regiment commander, he was your son, but now that he doesn’t listen, he’s suddenly mine alone?”

Lu Xiangqian realized he couldn’t win this argument, so he scratched the back of his head and said, “Comrade Shen, watch your attitude. I don’t like being called an ‘old man.’”

“What attitude? I’m your wife, not your subordinate, so don’t try to boss me around!”

Lu Xiangqian sighed. “See? With this temper of yours, do you really think your son will bring his wife home to see you?”

Shen Nanzhen: “……”

Lu Xiangqian added, “Mark my words—Lu Wei won’t call you tonight. He’ll probably only contact you once everything is settled.”

Shen Nanzhen: “……”

“The marriage report is already filed. If this doesn’t count as ‘settled,’ then what does?”

Lu Xiangqian chuckled. “Wait until he’s back on the island.”

Shen Nanzhen let out a sigh. “I think so too.” Then, she shot Lu Xiangqian a look. “How about you call the political commissar and ask?”

Lu Xiangqian scoffed, “You’re the one who loves gossip!” Even so, he folded up his newspaper, set it aside, and took a sip from his enamel cup before casually adding, “I already called them today.”

So, who was the real gossip here?

Lu Wei hadn’t slept all night. When the sky began to lighten, he got up, freshened up carefully, and then slowly headed downstairs. By now, the receptionist had changed shifts.

He ignored the long string of numbers on the blackboard and walked out the door.

He knew the call had been from his mother—most likely to ask about his marriage to Ye Zhi.

But they were already married. There was no point in discussing it further. It would be more practical to just bring his wife home to meet them.

Besides, just thinking about how his parents interacted gave him a headache.

His father was a soldier, his mother a military doctor. Both of them were hot-tempered and impatient.

Their conversations always sounded like arguments.

Meanwhile, Ye Zhi, in his impression, was a typical Jiangnan woman—soft-spoken with a gentle, lilting accent. Her personality was likely just as sweet and quiet.

He couldn’t help but wonder how she would react to his parents’ fiery exchanges. Would she be scared? That thought alone gave him another headache.

So, for now, maybe it was best to delay their meeting.

Outside, a military jeep was already waiting. A large red flower was tied to the front, and one of his comrades stood beside it. He had come from Hu City the day before to help deliver the betrothal gifts.

As soon as Lu Wei got in, his comrade handed him a giant red flower and grinned. “Comrade Lu, congratulations on your wedding! Old Master Lu told me to prepare this for you. You’ll have to wear it around your neck later.”

Lu Wei glanced at the oversized flower—it was the same size as the one on the jeep.

Practically as big as his head.

Wearing this around his neck… what kind of sight would that be?

He took the flower and quietly set it aside. “My wife said to keep things simple.”

Hearing the word ‘wife,’ his comrade felt an odd ache in his teeth.

He had known Lu Wei for years and had always thought the guy would be a lifelong bachelor. Who could have expected him to complete the entire process—blind date, courtship, marriage—within two days?

Lightning-fast.

The comrade teased, “You’ve only just gotten married, and you’re already listening to your wife? Aren’t you afraid she’ll climb on top of your head?”

Lu Wei smirked. “If I don’t let her climb on top, what, should I let you?”

This must be what Li Weimin meant by ‘marital banter.’

He never understood it before, but now he kind of did.

“Forget it, you’re single. You wouldn’t get it.” Lu Wei added, landing another verbal blow.

His comrade: “……”

He was seething. Lu Wei had only been married for one day—what could he possibly understand?

The guesthouse wasn’t far from Ye Zhi’s home, and within minutes, the jeep arrived at her street.

But since the alley was too narrow, the vehicle couldn’t drive up to her doorstep, so they had to stop at the entrance.

The place was packed with people—clearly, word had spread about the Ye family’s joyous occasion.

But before Lu Wei even got out of the car, he heard someone loudly ask, “So that old maid from the Ye family is following that soldier to the southern island?”

Then came Li Ermei’s sour voice. “That soldier only married her to take her with him. Otherwise, why would he want an old maid like her?”

“You guys don’t know, but that place used to be called ‘Death’s Door.’ It was where they exiled criminals! I heard it’s worse than our town. People go there just to clear land and plant trees. Half the year is typhoon season, and you can’t even grow vegetables!”

A nearby woman chimed in, “Oh dear, can Ye Zhi handle that kind of hardship?”

“Of course not! The Ye couple has spoiled her rotten!”

Li Ermei sneered. “I’m not trying to put down my own family, but that niece of mine is delicate. She can’t even carry two buckets of water! How is she supposed to survive?”

“I bet she won’t last three months before she’s sent back in tears!”

Just then, a small figure stepped in front of the smug-looking Li Ermei—

With one swift kick, she sent the brand-new shoe flying into the creek.

The petite Ye Xiaoding stood with one hand on his hip and the other pointing at Li Ermei, shouting, “Say one more bad word about my little aunt, and I’ll fight you!”

“Oh no, my shoe!” Li Ermei saw her shoe floating away in the creek and had no time to argue with Ye Xiaoding. Cursing, she ran toward the water. “You fathered but motherless brat! Just wait—I’m gonna beat you to death!”

Ye Xiaoding then kicked her straw hat and water bottle into the creek as well.

He added, “Go ahead and beat me! I’m standing right here waiting for you!”

Hands on his hips, Ye Xiaoding turned to the group sitting under the tree and scolded, “Listen up! My little aunt and uncle went to the island to help build the nation. If you dare talk nonsense again, I’ll report you to the commune!”

“You brat, just you wait!” Li Ermei ignored him and waded into the creek, frantically searching for her shoe and water bottle. “My water bottle! If I don’t beat you to death today, I’ll take your last name!”

Hearing this, Lu Wei stepped off the vehicle first and walked over to Ye Xiaoding.

He recognized the child.

The first time he met Ye Zhi, she had specifically mentioned Ye Xiaoding.

Not only was Ye Xiaoding the orphan of a martyr, but he was also a child raised by Ye Zhi herself.

For some reason, Lu Wei felt a strong sense of connection with him.

Lu Wei spoke, “Xiaoding, come here. Come home with your uncle.”

Ye Xiaoding froze for a moment at the sound of Lu Wei’s voice.

Like a child who had done something wrong, his head and shoulders drooped as he walked over to Lu Wei.

He stiffly called out, “Uncle.”

“I…”

Today was the day his little aunt and uncle were hosting a banquet. He shouldn’t have gone out to argue with people.

And now, his uncle had caught him in the act.

Would this affect his uncle’s impression of his little aunt?

Lu Wei, being an only child, had never had much experience dealing with kids.

Yet instinctively, he reached out and patted Ye Xiaoding’s shoulder. “Comrade Ye Xiaoding, you did well just now.”

“You bravely defended your little aunt.”

Hearing this, Ye Xiaoding’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

He had expected Lu Wei to scold him harshly, but instead, he was being praised.

Lu Wei nodded seriously, “Of course. Life on the island may be tough, but for the sake of building our country, many people are willing to dedicate their efforts. Your little aunt is one of those people. She shouldn’t be slandered—she deserves respect.”

As soon as Lu Wei finished speaking, the gossiping onlookers dispersed, some even offering congratulations as they left.

Li Ermei only managed to retrieve one shoe and her straw hat. The other shoe and water bottle had already sunk to the bottom of the creek, nowhere to be found.

Seeing Lu Wei standing beside Ye Xiaoding, she gritted her teeth and slunk away.

With the crowd gone, Lu Wei didn’t want to waste any more time on unnecessary people. He led Ye Xiaoding and his comrades toward Ye Zhi’s house.

Before they even reached the door, Lu Wei could hear lively chatter. He glanced ahead but didn’t see Ye Zhi.

For some reason, though he had never feared the battlefield, his palms were now slightly sweaty with nerves.

Ye Xiaoding chuckled. “Uncle, my little aunt looks really beautiful today. Don’t get too excited when you see her.”

Lu Wei hummed in acknowledgment and, under the greetings of the gathered family, stepped into the Ye household.

One of his comrades laughed. “Kiddo, your uncle wouldn’t get excited over something like this. Do you know his nickname?”

Ye Xiaoding looked up in admiration. “What nickname?”

In his mind, all soldiers were formidable and awe-inspiring—his uncle certainly looked the part.

The comrade smirked. “Cold-Faced Sniper.”

Ye Xiaoding was curious. “What does that mean?”

“It means that no matter how dangerous the situation, he never flinches.”

Just then, laughter erupted from the Ye family’s house.

Inside, Ye Zhi sat on the wooden bed in her parents’ room, dressed in a brand-new red outfit, waiting for Lu Wei’s arrival.

Before dawn, Zhang Xiaomei had dragged her out of bed, and a village aunt—invited by her mother—had come to do her hair.

Her mother had said that this aunt had both sons and daughters, all of whom had respectable jobs as soldiers, doctors, or teachers.

She and her husband had lived harmoniously all their lives. In the town, every bride wanted her to do their wedding hair.

So, before the sun even rose, Ye Zhi had groggily listened as the aunt recited traditional wedding blessings while combing her hair. “One stroke to the end, wealth without worries…”

Now, sitting on the bed, she was sleepy, but the lively conversations outside her door kept her from dozing off.

Thankfully, today was just a family meal. Otherwise, she didn’t know how she would endure an entire day of festivities.

Once they got to the island, Ye Zhi decided—no more banquets.

It was exhausting!

At this moment, all she wanted to know was—

When could they finally eat?