632. A Bow to Heaven and Earth【9/10】
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Lin Nan’s cousin Lin Jin rolled up with her entire clan, cruising into a mid-high-end hotel in the provincial city.
She flanked a couple of Lin Nan’s buddies at a round table that was suspiciously close to the stage.
The round table was garnished with red cloth, featuring an array of pre-dinner snacks, desserts, and sunflower seeds. Not to mention, each table boasted a more-than-decent bottle of red wine.
“Lin Nan’s getting married!” she turned to Summer, who was sitting next to her, and grinned, “This shindig is way bigger than ours!”
“She’s hitched herself to a good family,” Summer nodded, his eyes glued to the entrance of the banquet hall, but still no sight of the bride and groom.
The banquet hall had barely half the guests seated, and more were trickling in—mostly Chen Yao’s relatives. Lin Nan’s family, on the other hand, had only invited a handful of close relatives, totaling about three tables.
Throw in a few friends, and they had maybe a dozen tables, yet they managed to snag the largest banquet hall in the place!
If this were a wedding in a village shrine, they’d have the whole neighborhood packed—now that would be a real fiesta.
Lin Jin munched on sunflower seeds while chatting with Lin Qi, who also showed up. Their table was an assembly of Lin Nan’s cousins and siblings, and since it had some empty seats, a couple of Lin Nan’s college pals got shoved onto this table as well.
Before long, Lin Kexin and Big Dog Lin Yuan joined the table.
Lin Kexin was still tight-knit with Tu Junhui—at least, that’s how he claimed it. Together with Xiong Da, they shared a rented apartment in the provincial city.
Big Dog’s little business he set up off-campus was still chugging along—barely breaking even, but hey, at least he wasn’t in the red!
Lin Yuan’s family had cash, and he spent the last couple of years traveling around the globe. His social media was a constant parade of vacation pics, looking like he even snagged a girlfriend studying abroad.
Dong An showed up with his sister too, and with the pair of them, the table was just about full.
But Dong An was acting a bit weird. Ever since he found out Lin Nan was a complete fake guy, he was less keen to chat. In his mind, Lin Nan still resembled that weak, cat-like boy who followed Chen Yao around like a lost puppy. Now, at the wedding venue, he felt like the whole universe had gone bonkers.
“Am I losing my mind or is the world going nuts?” he scratched his head, staring blankly at the big screens beside the stage where photos of Lin Nan and Chen Yao in wedding attire were looping.
In those wedding photos, Lin Nan looked nothing like that weakling from before, beaming happily as he shared loving gazes with Chen Yao—like he was the only thing that existed in the universe.
Sure, they were just buddies, but then he heard Lin Nan and Chen Yao become a couple, and now here we were, at a wedding? Unbelievable!
Dong An was questioning his life choices.
Once the tables were packed, the feast finally kicked off. Waitstaff brought out appetizers, and the host strolled onto the stage, jazzing up the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, backstage, with Liu Xuefei’s help, Lin Nan was fixing her makeup and putting on the veil.
Head down, she was flanked by Tu Junhui and Xiong Da.
Honestly, wearing a wedding dress in front of her roommates and getting married to another roommate was super cringe-worthy!
“Should we eat first or go up on stage with you guys?” Tu Junhui asked Chen Yao.
“Go eat and fill your bellies first; just make sure to help us dodge the booze later,” Chen Yao affirmed, slapping Tu Junhui on the shoulder, “My life and fortune depend on you today.”
“Don’t worry! I might not be good at much, but I’m the king of drinking!” Tu Junhui nodded seriously, then glanced at Xiong Da, who’s always going on about his alcohol allergy, “You better help us carry the drinks.”
Xiong Da nodded in agreement.
As for Li Na and Lilith, those two were there to be the eye candy; as long as they didn’t cause trouble, Chen Yao wasn’t asking for much. He then turned to Liu Xuefei.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle Lin Nan’s drinks!” Liu Xuefei declared, taking on the responsibility with a confident slap on her still-flat chest.
Let’s just say, Uncle’s skills weren’t exactly top-notch, and after all these years, Liu Xuefei was still A-level.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen made their exit, leaving only the couple’s parents and the class teacher backstage.
The class teacher could technically be seen as Lin Nan’s stepdad now, but they never acknowledged it, and he didn’t act like one either. Lin Nan still called him “class teacher.”
Mom quietly went over the do’s and don’ts for Lin Nan and Chen Yao, clutching Lin Nan’s hand tightly as if she might lose her. After about ten minutes of rambling, she finally managed a smile and started chatting with Chen Yao’s mom.
Lin Nan’s expression was a mix of complexities; back at Grandfather’s, she was mostly confused about her future, but now she was nervous and excited. Her mind buzzed with anticipation, and seeing her mom’s reluctant look made her a bit sad.
All these mixed emotions made it hard for her to pick a facial expression.
Chen Yao was enduring his own father’s chatter, showing no signs of annoyance, but his mind was elsewhere, sneaking glances at Lin Nan.
After today, they would announce their marital status to friends and family.
Unlike Lin Nan’s whirlwind of feelings, his thoughts were clear—just excitement.
“Now, let’s welcome both sets of parents to bring out today’s newlyweds.”
The host’s voice blared through the speakers, and Lin Nan catapulted off her chair, frantically glancing at Chen Yao.
Mom grabbed Lin Nan’s hand: “Just follow my lead when we go.”
“Okay.”
She lowered her head and walked side by side with Mom to the exit of the waiting room. The veil draped down from her head, fluttering behind her like a magical cape, making her appear regal yet ethereal.
The long dress trailed on the floor, swaying gently with Lin Nan’s steps, and the necklace resting at her collarbone sparkled in the light.
She turned to see Chen Yao holding his aunt’s hand, forcing out a smile.
As they approached the banquet hall, her palms started sweating profusely, and her exposed shoulders trembled slightly.
“Don’t worry, just stick to the script,” Chen Yao offered her a bright, sunny smile.
Music filled the hall, and Mom and the aunt guided their kids gracefully from the backstage to the grand entrance.
As the newlyweds appeared, friends and family rose to their feet, clapping.
Lin Nan’s entire body tightened, her grip on Mom’s hand grew unbearable, and she hurriedly scanned the tables, then instinctively bowed her head.
Should I step with my left foot or right foot first?
Being pulled along by Mom, Lin Nan’s mind was blank, and her vision started to blur.
Walking down the red carpet, she had no clue when she had let go of Mom’s hand and held onto Chen Yao’s instead. When she finally lifted her dazed head, she saw her mother and relatives lining up across from her, eyes glistening.
As the host finally wrapped up a long-winded speech, he dramatically announced,
“Bow to Heaven and Earth!”
