At the entrance, Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo were greeted by many familiar faces: You Sen, You Junyu, Zheng Bin, Zheng Bin’s parents, Zheng Bin’s sister and brother-in-law, Yu Dong, Chen Xin, Wang Chuang, Mo Wanzhen, Zhang Ningfu, and others.
Everyone exchanged pleasantries and laughter at the door before entering the building.
When Wang Chuang arrived with Mo Wanzhen and the twins, Jiang Luo was curious. “Your parents didn’t come?”
“Not together,” Wang Chuang replied. “They’ll probably arrive later.”
“Uncle!”
The twin sister, fond of Jiang Luo, immediately reached out to be held. Jiang Luo lifted her gently. “Mu Mu, eat well today, okay?”
Huo Zongzhuo reached out too, pinching Mu Mu’s soft little cheek.
Soon after, Bai Ting and Wang Junwei arrived.
“Jiang Luo! President Huo!” Bai Ting greeted warmly, dressed in a skirt and with her makeup done.
Jiang Luo noticed she looked a little tired and asked, “What’s wrong? Aunt looks worn out.”
Wang Junwei hesitated, and Bai Ting quickly explained, “It’s nothing. Work’s been hectic; we haven’t had much rest lately.”
“We’ll go in then, won’t keep you busy,” Bai Ting added.
“All right, upstairs,” Jiang Luo replied, guiding them. “Wang Chuang and the others are already here; you’ll sit at their table.”
At that moment, another figure approached. “President Jiang!”
Jiang Luo turned to see Zhang Zhiqiang, from the Wen City doll factory back in the day.
“President Zhang!” Jiang Luo greeted him with a smile and handshake. “Long time no see.”
Zhang Zhiqiang beamed. “Of course I’d come! It’s rare we have a chance to meet.”
Jiang Luo introduced him to Huo Zongzhuo: “This is President Zhang, who collaborated with me back in Wen City.”
…
That evening, guests kept arriving, and the atmosphere was festive. From afar, the banquet hall glowed with lights and decorations, so lively that anyone passing by might mistake it for a wedding celebration.
………………………………………..
And in a way, it truly was a wedding—
Huo Zongzhuo’s mother was hosting a birthday banquet, yet Huo Zongzhuo had invited everyone he knew, from close friends to business associates. Not only that, Jiang Luo also knew several of the guests.
The decorations, the tables laden with wine, cigarettes, and chocolates—all resembled a wedding.
Seated among acquaintances, the guests had already started chatting.
Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu huddled together.
You Junyu muttered, “Wow, is this really a wedding? Incredible.”
Wang Chuang, already married, shrugged, “So what? Everyone has to marry eventually.”
“If the government won’t let you, at least you can host a wedding feast yourself.”
Zheng Bin said, “As long as they invite everyone except me, I don’t care what kind of feast this is.”
Meanwhile, the waitstaff began serving ten cold dishes per table, opening wine for those drinking, and bringing decanters.
Suddenly, a shout echoed from the first floor. The building’s U-shape meant all floors could hear it. Curious onlookers leaned over the railings.
It was clear now: the guest of honor, Huo Zongzhuo’s mother, had arrived.
Dressed elegantly, she entered the first-floor hall. Guests applauded, some cheering, some wishing her longevity. Using a cane, she walked steadily to the center table. Guests on the upper floors also applauded, the atmosphere lively.
“Everyone, please settle down,” the host announced, holding a microphone by the lady. “Our hostess tonight, Mrs. Wu Wanyuan, has arrived.”
“Now, let’s invite Mrs. Wu to say a few words.”
The crowd quieted. Many moved to the railings to watch the central courtyard below.
Mrs. Wu’s voice carried through the speakers: “Dear guests and friends, thank you for coming from all over to attend my birthday banquet. I am truly honored.”
“I don’t have much to say. Since you’re all here, please enjoy yourselves. If any part of the reception is inadequate, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Wonderful~!” someone shouted, and applause followed.
The host took the microphone and cheerfully declared, “Let the feast begin!”
In the courtyard, Mrs. Wu’s close relatives assisted her to her seat. Soon, Huo Zongzhuo and Jiang Luo returned, sitting at the main table with her.
The banquet’s extravagance astonished even seasoned businessmen: abalone, seafood, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, deep-sea lobsters, shark fins—it was all there.
Each of the four main halls—north, south, east, and west—had its own stage and performances. Performers sang and danced while guests dined and drank below.
Zheng Bin whispered to Wang Chuang, “It’s just a meal? Nothing else?”
“What else would you want?” Wang Chuang asked.
“Don’t all feasts have toasts and such?” Zheng Bin replied.
“You want the old lady to toast you?” Wang Chuang asked, surprised.
“No, I mean Jiang Luo and President Huo!” Zheng Bin rolled his eyes.
Shortly after, the host’s pleasant voice came over the speakers:
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends, during this gathering, I have an announcement. Tonight is not only Mrs. Wu Wanyuan’s birthday banquet… but also the formal day of adopting her son.”
“Now, let’s invite Mrs. Wu to the stage. Mr. Jiang Luo, please prepare to present tea.”
People on the edges of the U-shaped building crowded to watch the central courtyard.
On the small red-carpeted stage, Mrs. Wu, her hair streaked with gray, walked with her cane. Jiang Luo took the tea from Huo Zongzhuo, stepped onto the stage, and approached her.
The host guided the process: “Kneel.”
Jiang Luo straightened his back and knelt on the red cushion before her.
“Present the tea,” the host instructed. Jiang Luo offered the cup.
“Receiving this tea signifies that you are now one family,” said the host.
Mrs. Wu smiled, taking the tea.
“Drinking this tea means you are now a son of mine,” the host continued.
Mrs. Wu lifted the cup, sipped.
“Bow to heaven, earth, and your elders,” the host instructed.
Jiang Luo bowed deeply.
“One bow!” the host counted. Jiang Luo knelt the first time.
“Two bows!” the second.
“Three bows!” the third.
“Rite complete!”
Jiang Luo straightened and, taking the microphone from the host, loudly said, “Mom!”
Mrs. Wu smiled and replied into the microphone, “Good, good son.”
Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu were stunned—you can do this? Like this!?
“Wonderful—!” shouted familiar voices from upstairs, clapping.
All the young elites from Haicheng and Shenzhen Jiang Luo knew were thrilled. Once rebellious and defiant, they now saw Jiang Luo hosting a birthday banquet and publicly declaring marriage and filial respect. It was everything they had hoped for—amazing! The bolder and more unconventional, the more you had to act decisively.
Qiu Xin and her group shouted: “Amazing!! Incredible!!”
They not only led the applause but somehow produced fireworks, setting them off as pink petals rained from the sixth floor, mimicking a wedding ceremony.
“Quick!”
Xue Zhizhong rushed to hand fireworks to Wang Chuang and others. Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu caught on, setting off more petals from the second floor.
“Fantastic—!”
Cheers and clapping erupted.
In the courtyard, Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo assisted Mrs. Wu back to the main table, exchanging a knowing smile.
Behind the main table, on the wall, a giant red “寿” (Longevity) character was displayed, with small red “囍” (Double Happiness) characters in the background.
Tonight, it truly was a wedding.
The wedding of Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo.
Guests realized the truth, utterly astonished.
Elsewhere, Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu grabbed wine and cups, rushing downstairs to join Jiang Luo.