Chapter 169: Daughter‑in‑law, I

May Day Labor Day's Guoying Hotel seemed drowned in a festive red ocean.

Big red "double‑happiness" characters covered the glass windows, and bright red silk hung from the high porch, fluttering gently in the spring breeze.

The air was filled with the distinctive scent of firecracker smoke and the sweet, cloying aroma of Gift Sweets, drawing the street children to linger around.

The Jiang Family Courtyard early in the morning was like a pot of boiling water.

Jiang Jiaojiao had already put on the pearl‑white wedding dress, and Su Ruan and a hired hair‑styling aunt were doing the final touches.

Li Huijuan, while checking the Dowry boxes, couldn't help but wipe away tears again.

"Mom, today is a great joyous day; please don't cry any more."

Jiang Ran looked especially spry today, his dark‑gray Zhongshan suit crisp, his hair meticulously combed, though a familiar sharpness still lingered in his brows.

"If you keep crying, the makeup will be ruined and my sister won't look pretty."

"Go! I knew you'd be a chatterbox!" Jiang Jiaojiao glared at him from the mirror, her face flushed with happiness, "RuanRuan, look at him!"

Su Ruan carefully pinned the last Pearl Hair Ornament beside Jiang Jiaojiao's bun, and upon hearing that, she pursed a smile, "Ranran is nervous; he doesn't know how to express himself."

She wore a water‑red Cheongsam today, dignified and bright, standing beside the all‑white Jiang Jiaojiao, not outshone at all but rather complementing each other.

Jiang Ran, after being called to the center, had his ears slightly flushed, cleared his throat, walked to Jiang Jiaojiao, and, unusually serious, gave her a quick up‑and‑down appraisal, nodding, "Hmm, it's fine; you didn't embarrass our old Jiang Family."

Those words made Jiang Jiaojiao want to hit him again, but Su Ruan laughed and stopped her.

Jiang Ran suddenly pulled a delicate velvet box from his pocket, opened it, and inside was a pair of crystal‑clear Jadeite Earrings, of superb quality.

"Here, sister, to adorn you," Jiang Ran handed over the box, his tone a bit awkward, "RuanRuan and I picked them. After you're married, don't let anyone think our natal family is stingy."

Jiang Jiaojiao was stunned, looking at the obviously pricey earrings, her eyes instantly reddening again, "Ranran… RuanRuan… these are too precious…"

"Take it, just hold it!" Jiang Ran thrust it into her hand without further explanation, "Your brother, I'm now, after all, a boss; giving sister a decent Dowry, what's the problem?"

He paused, his voice lowered, "From now on… be well."

That simple sentence contained the younger brother's all blessings and concerns.

Jiang Jiaojiao nodded gravely, carefully stored the box, and let Su Ruan help her put them on.

The Jadeite Earrings made her neck appear even longer and fairer, adding a touch of classical elegance.

The auspicious hour approached, and deafening firecrackers and clamorous gongs rang from outside.

"The bridal party has arrived!"

Led by Gu Yanshen, a group of young men in suits or brand‑new Zhongshan suits surged into the courtyard; Gu Yanshen, at the front, wore a Big Red Flower on his chest, his face showing unmasked excitement and nervousness.

Jiang Ran immediately, with Douzi, Shi Tou and a bunch of brothers, whooped and blocked the Main Hall entrance.

"Want to fetch the bride? Not that easy!" Jiang Ran stood with hands on hips, a mischievous grin, "Brother Gu, oh no, brother‑in‑law! Pass our gate first!"

The subsequent challenges were lively yet harmless: riddles, singing revolutionary songs, searching for the bride's shoes… laughter and cheers echoed in the courtyard, and even the usually stern Jiang Jianguo couldn't help laughing along.

Gu Yanshen, in a good‑natured manner, complied one by one, sweat beading on his forehead, his eyes constantly fixed toward the inner house.

Finally, with the brothers' assistance, he broke through the obstacle and reached the Jiang Jiaojiao wearing a red bridal veil.

According to protocol, he bowed deeply to the seated Jiang Jianguo and Li Huijuan, offering Tea Offering and changing his words.

"Dad, Mom, please have tea," his voice trembled slightly, yet clear and solemn.

Jiang Jianguo took the tea, sipped, looked at the steady reliable son‑in‑law before him, felt a great weight lift, and gave his shoulder a firm pat, "Yan Shen, Jiaojiao is now yours."

Li Huijuan, eyes reddened, clasped Gu Yanshen's hand, "Yan Shen, Jiaojiao has a quick temper; be more tolerant… you two must be well, respect each other and love each other…"

"Mom, rest assured, I will," Gu Yanshen solemnly promised.

Amid blessings and reluctance, Jiang Jiaojiao was carefully lifted onto Gu Yanshen's back.

At the moment she stepped over the Jiang Family threshold, following the old custom, Li Huijuan splashed a bowl of clear water outward, symbolizing "a daughter married away, water poured away," though her eyes brimmed with lingering tears.

Firecrackers burst again, and the wedding procession slowly drove toward Guoying Hotel.

Relatives and friends from the Jiang Family also boarded the arranged vehicles and went together.

The hotel banquet hall had long been decorated in a riot of blossoms.

The Gu parents, dressed appropriately, stood at the entrance with smiling faces to welcome guests.

"Mother‑in‑law, you've had a hard journey! Come inside quickly!" Gu mother warmly grasped Li Huijuan's hand.

The wedding ceremony was simple yet solemn.

There were no cumbersome old‑style rites, but the Bow to Heaven and Earth, Bow to the Elderly, and couple's mutual bow were retained.

When the MC loudly announced the couple's mutual bow, Jiang Jiaojiao, in a Modified Cheongsam dyed big red and a red bridal veil, and Gu Yanshen, in a dark suit with a Big Red Flower on his chest, bowed deeply to each other before the witnesses.

At the moment the ceremony ended, applause thundered.

Gu Yanshen gently lifted Jiang Jiaojiao's veil, and under the lights the bride's makeup was exquisite, eyes glistening with tears, yet her mouth radiated the happiest smile.

Gu Yanshen looked at her, his eyes filled with unfading tenderness.

"Give a kiss! Give a kiss!" the young men began to chant.

Gu Yanshen felt a bit embarrassed, but encouraged by the crowd and Jiang Jiaojiao's shy yet hopeful gaze, he leaned forward slightly and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.

instantly, whistling and laughter nearly overturned the roof.

Next came the Toasting segment.

Jiang Ran, as the bride's younger brother‑in‑law, naturally became the focus of attention.

He accompanied Gu Yanshen and Jiang Jiaojiao from table to table, drinking until the cups were empty, very hearty.

"Gu Gong, congratulations! You've married such a beautiful sister‑in‑law!"

"Sister Jiang, Gu Gong, wish you a swift birth of a noble child and a lifetime together!"

"Ranran, you little rascal, today you must hold back a few more cups for brother‑in‑law!"

The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

Su Ruan, holding An'an, with Jiang Nainai holding Jinjin beside her, watched the bustling scene, her heart full of warmth.

Occasionally her gaze met Jiang Ran's from afar; he would secretly wink at her or make a funny face, making her unable to suppress a laugh.

When we toasted the Chongsu employees' table, the atmosphere reached a small climax.

Master Wang, Master Sun, those senior masters held their wine glasses, spoke little, but their blessings were sincere: "Gu Gong, Jiang Accountant, may you have a hundred years of harmony!"

Douzi Yaya and the other youngsters were much livelier, offering blessing after blessing.

Gu Yanshen and Jiang Jiaojiao each thanked them.

Jiang Jiaojiao especially said to Su Ruan: "RuanRuan, Ranran, thank you! This outfit, I've heard so many compliments today!"

Su Ruan laughed and shook her head: "It's you, Sister Jiaojiao, who looks good in it."

When the banquet was past its midpoint, the newlyweds changed into relatively light dresses and came out again to toast.

Taking the gap, Jiang Ran slipped to Su Ruan's side, massaged his slightly swollen temples, and lowered his voice: "These kids, when they pour the wine, they're really no half‑measures… daughter‑in‑law, I'm feeling a bit dizzy."