Chapter 30 She felt Huo Changzheng’s chest against her back.

Huo Changzheng looked up when he heard the shout and saw Lin Suisui walking toward him with small steps. He had seen her try on this outfit back in the dormitory and had already found it stunning then. Now, seeing it again, he still couldn’t remain calm. However, since they were outside, his expression remained composed.

By now, Lin Suisui and the others had reached the entrance, and she also spotted Huo Changzheng immediately. Somehow, although everyone was wearing the same colored military uniform, he still stood out like a crane among chickens, drawing the eye instantly.

To be honest, she wasn’t afraid of anyone else seeing her dressed up like this today—she was only afraid he would. It gave her the feeling of having secretly done something naughty. As soon as she noticed his gaze, she instinctively looked away.

“Hello, Sister-in-law!”
A loud, unified greeting suddenly rescued Lin Suisui from her nervousness. She smiled at everyone and replied softly, “Hello!”

For a moment, all attention was on her, while their actual leader was momentarily overlooked. But Huo Changzheng didn’t mind—he liked hearing the men enthusiastically call Lin Suisui “sister-in-law.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the group, Lin Suisui and Fang Qianqian headed inside. After all, it wasn’t proper for women to mingle too long among the men in this kind of setting.

“Mommy, you can go inside. I’ll stay out here with Daddy,” Doubao said as they reached Huo Changzheng.

Lin Suisui stopped and nodded. “Then stay with Daddy and don’t run off.”
She looked up at Huo Changzheng, intending to give him a meaningful glance as a reminder. Unexpectedly, he spoke first, “We haven’t given the wedding money yet. You go take care of it.”

“Okay,” Lin Suisui nodded and followed Fang Qianqian into the house.

It was an ordinary enough sentence, but in the eyes of everyone else, it meant something different. In occasions like this, men usually clustered with men, women with women—even couples didn’t speak much to each other in public, as if it were embarrassing. And giving wedding money was always a woman’s task. Huo Changzheng’s comment was unnecessary in a practical sense, clearly just an excuse to talk to his wife. The sharp eyes of the crowd caught on right away.

They’d previously heard rumors that the regiment commander didn’t let his wife come along with him in the army because they weren’t on good terms. Now it was clear—those were just rumors. Their relationship was great.

Lin Suisui didn’t know people were secretly whispering about her. Once inside, she immediately found Xia Jiahua, congratulated her, and handed over the wedding money.

The luncheon hadn’t started yet, so Lin Suisui and Fang Qianqian found a quiet corner and started chatting. Truthfully, ever since the two had entered together, they had attracted everyone’s attention. Fang Qianqian was known for her fashionable clothes year-round, but today, Lin Suisui’s outfit was especially striking.

Some women gave open compliments, but others were clearly envious—especially Ye Yuxia and Hu Xiuying, who were sulking in another corner. If there weren’t so many people around, they probably would’ve criticized Lin Suisui on the spot.

Soon, lunch began and everyone took their seats. Children who had been running around outside followed the delicious smells back inside and sought out their mothers. That was how wedding feasts went—men drank together, and women usually took care of the kids.

Lin Suisui and Fang Qianqian sat at a table with several women and children.

“Suisui, where’s your Doubao?” Huang Shuilan asked.

“He…” Lin Suisui hadn’t seen him come looking for her yet. She glanced around and finally spotted him at Huo Changzheng’s table—already happily eating next to him.

As if sensing her gaze, Huo Changzheng looked up, and their eyes met clearly across the room. He didn’t say a word, but in that one look, she seemed to read his message: Don’t worry about Doubao—I’ve got him. Just enjoy your meal.

“Of course it’s Longzheng,” Huang Shuilan said with a smile. “He knows how to care for his wife. Even at a wedding feast, he’s the one watching the kid so she doesn’t have to worry.”

Lin Suisui blushed at the teasing and quickly looked away, murmuring, “It’s not like that—Doubao just really likes being with him.”

“That means Longzheng’s patient. Look at my kids—even now, they’re scared of Old Li,” Huang Shuilan laughed. “But your Doubao is amazing. Sitting there with all those serious-looking men and not scared at all—he’s got the makings of a great man like his father.”

Compliments for her husband and now her son—Lin Suisui was overwhelmed. She quickly picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in Huang Shuilan’s bowl. “Sister-in-law, eat while it’s hot.”

“Alright, alright.” At last, food succeeded in stopping Huang Shuilan’s chatter.

The banquet was generous—ten dishes per table, several of them meat dishes, all made by a well-known local chef. Everything tasted fantastic.

As the meal wore on, the men’s table got noisier with drinking games and laughter. Not to be outdone, the women’s table had a few loud voices that even drowned out the men.

It wasn’t until after 2 PM that the wedding feast ended. While the men were still reluctant to stop drinking, the women had already started packing leftovers. Fang Qianqian refused—she felt the leftovers were just everyone’s shared germs. Lin Suisui didn’t take any either; most of what was left were vegetable dishes, and as Huo Changzheng’s wife, it didn’t feel right for her to compete for leftovers with his subordinates’ wives.

“Mommy, are we going home now?” Doubao had eaten his fill and played with his little friends. Now he came running back to her.

Lin Suisui was about to say “yes,” when someone called out, “Everyone wait—we’re taking a group photo!”

Today, Chu Zhigang had hired someone to take pictures. They’d already taken a bunch of photos of the bride and groom, and now it was time for a big group shot.

Back then, getting a photo meant going to a photo studio—it was a rare thing. Everyone got excited and moved to the front yard to line up.

As if by unspoken rule, the men stood in the back two or three rows, children were placed in front, and the middle rows were left for the women. Many women, like Ye Yuxia and Hu Xiuying, jostled for center position. Lin Suisui didn’t fight or push—she waited until everyone else had picked their spots and quietly stood at the far edge.

“Alright, everyone’s in place? We’re about to start shooting!” the photographer shouted.

Just as Lin Suisui turned to face the camera, she suddenly felt someone come up behind her. She turned her head—and saw Huo Changzheng standing right there.

As the highest-ranking officer present, he should’ve been standing in the center beside the bride and groom. She couldn’t understand why he had come to stand behind her instead.

“What are you doing here—shouldn’t you be—”

She was about to question him when the photographer called out again, “There are a lot of people today. Please squeeze in toward the center so everyone fits in the frame!”

Before she could react, she felt his chest press lightly against her back.