Free Web NovelChapter 7: Chapter 3: A Fleeting Kiss, Lavishly Buying a Villa
"Please welcome the parents of both the bride and groom to the stage."
While Jiang Li was inwardly marveling that Shen Yanzhi was actually wearing makeup, the emcee’s voice echoed throughout the venue.
Shen Yanzhi reached out, took Jiang Li’s hand, and turned to the side to wait.
Both sets of parents rose and walked onto the stage, and staff members promptly brought out four stools.
After everyone was seated, the emcee announced, "Please have the bride serve tea to her mother-in-law."
The moment he finished speaking, a staff member carrying a tray came and stood beside Jiang Li.
Jiang Li took the teacup with both hands and crouched before Jiang Manshu. "Mom, please have some tea."
Jiang Manshu accepted the cup, lifted the lid to take a sip, and placed it back on the tray. She then handed Jiang Li a file folder and a thick red envelope that had been on the floor beside her.
"Xiao Li, you and Yan Zhi got married so hastily, we didn’t have time to prepare anything else. We’ll make it up to you after the wedding is over."
Jiang Li froze for a moment. It wasn’t until Shen Yanzhi gently patted her shoulder that she came to her senses, accepting the gifts with a blush. "Thank you, Mom."
"Please have the bride serve tea to her father-in-law."
Shen Yugang also gave her a thick red envelope. "Live a good life with Yan Zhi from now on."
"Please have the groom serve tea to his mother-in-law."
Shen Yanzhi took the tea and knelt directly before Jing Shiyun. "Mom, please have some tea."
Jiang Li was a bit stunned. ’Wait, is Shen Yanzhi trying to one-up me?’
Jing Shiyun’s eyes reddened. She took the teacup, had a sip, and handed him a new red envelope she had prepared. "Jiang Li doesn’t have the best temper. She can be a bit willful and a little lazy. She can’t cook, and she doesn’t do housework. From now on, please be patient with her. If you ever decide you don’t want to be with her anymore, just let us know, and we’ll come bring her home."
Jiang Li’s nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
She immediately tilted her head back to look at the ceiling, trying to keep the tears from falling.
Shen Yanzhi immediately raised his hand and swore, "Mom, I won’t make any grand promises. But I can guarantee you this: as long as Jiang Li doesn’t leave me, I will never abandon her."
Jing Shiyun wiped away a tear and patted Shen Yanzhi’s shoulder. "Good child."
After what had happened with Zhao Sinian, Jing Shiyun didn’t find it so easy to trust Shen Yanzhi.
After all, a person’s heart can change in an instant.
Only time would tell.
"Please have the groom serve tea to his father-in-law."
Jiang Bowen drank the tea, gave him the red envelope, let out a heavy breath, and said solemnly, "Shen Yanzhi, from this day forward, I’m entrusting my precious daughter to you. I don’t ask you to treat her the way I do, I only ask that you don’t mistreat her."
"She’s timid, acts impulsively, and can be a bit thoughtless. If she does something wrong, you can teach her patiently, but don’t lose your temper with her."
"She’s a restless sleeper and likes to kick off the covers, so you’ll have to pay attention when she’s sleeping. In the summer, she likes to walk around barefoot on the floor, and in the winter, she doesn’t like wearing socks. You’ll have to keep an eye on her..."
Jiang Bowen rambled on and on, and Jiang Li’s tears could no longer be held back, streaming down her face.
Shen Yanzhi didn’t show any impatience; he simply nodded his head with each point Jiang Bowen made.
In the end, it was Jing Shiyun who couldn’t take it anymore. She clapped a hand over Jiang Bowen’s mouth. "Stop talking. The guests will all have left by the time you’re done."
Seeing this, the emcee immediately spoke up, "Will the parents please return to their seats."
As soon as they left, staff members immediately removed the stools.
"Will the bride and groom please exchange rings."
Zhong Mufeng walked over with a brocade box. She opened it, and a glint appeared in Shen Yanzhi’s eyes as he picked up the bride’s ring and placed it on Jiang Li’s finger.
Jiang Li took a deep breath and picked up the groom’s ring.
"The groom may now kiss the bride."
Shen Yanzhi asked with his eyes, and Jiang Li gave a small nod.
The kiss was fleeting, as light as a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.
Before Jiang Li could even react, Shen Yanzhi had already straightened up.
He looked at the sky, he looked at the ground—anywhere but at her.
Jiang Li swallowed, her face red, and took the microphone from the emcee. "Sorry to have kept you all. The food will be served now, so please eat and drink well. Downstairs in Room 888, there’s a game room and a karaoke room. Dinner will be at 5 p.m. Please forgive us if our hospitality is lacking in any way."
After making the announcements, she pulled Shen Yanzhi along to find Jiang Bowen.
She whispered in Jiang Bowen’s ear, "Dad, Yan Zhi and I are going to look for a marital home in a bit, so we won’t be eating here. Can you help entertain the guests?"
Not only did Jiang Bowen not object, he even asked, "Do you have enough money? Do you want me to transfer some to you?"
"Don’t worry, we have enough."
After speaking, she patted Jiang Bowen’s shoulder and grinned. "And Yan Zhi’s parents... I’ll have to trouble you and Mom to look after them, okay?"
Jiang Bowen waved his hand dismissively. "I know, I know. Go on, hurry up and go."
Jiang Li gave Jiang Bowen a loud smack of a kiss on the cheek and made a heart shape with her hands. "Love you, Dad!"
With that, she turned to Shen Yanzhi, who was standing to the side, and said, "Let’s go."
