Chapter 515

At three in the afternoon, the wedding officially began.

The banquet hall was full to capacity, with the chief seated at the center of the head table, and on either side were the leaders of the Armaments Department and Yi Zhonghai and his wife;

Members of the R&D team sat together, whispering excitedly about the good news of the carrier-based aircraft delivery, their faces full of pride;

The relatives and friends of both families sat around them, their faces lit with smiles of blessing.

Background music began to play softly, Su Qing wearing a pure white mermaid wedding gown, she took her father's arm and slowly walked into the hall.

The hem of her wedding dress was embroidered with tiny pearls that swayed lightly with her steps, like starlight scattered across the floor. Lin Zhengpeng stood at the center of the stage, his gaze locked on Su Qing, his eyes so tender they seemed to drip water, his cheeks slightly flushed—usually the steady, efficient engineer in the lab, now he looked like a shy big boy.

"Tsk tsk, Pengzi really has his heart moved this time." Yi Zhonghai laughed, saying to Yi Dama beside him.

Yi Dama nodded, eyes full of smiles: "Su Qing is a fine girl, well-educated and reasonable, she matches Pengzi perfectly. From now on, our Lin family will be even livelier."

Su Qing walked to the center of the stage, her father placed her hand into Lin Zhengpeng's, and said solemnly:

"Zhengpeng, I entrust Su Qing to you; from now on, treat her well, mutual respect and love, and be tolerant of each other."

"Dad, rest assured, I will definitely do that." Lin Zhengpeng gripped Su Qing's hand firmly, his voice resolute, his fingertips trembling slightly—this was the tremor of excitement and promise.

The host proceeded according to the program; when it came time for the elders' speeches, Yi Zhonghai slowly walked onto the stage.

He picked up the microphone, cleared his throat, his gaze swept over the crowd, and spoke in a steady tone:

"I am Lin Shengli's uncle and also Pengzi's great-uncle. Today, seeing Pengzi and Su Qing tied the knot, and seeing Victory lead his team to build our own carrier-based aircraft, I feel both relieved and proud. Pengzi, you are a fine lad of the Lin family; you must keep the warmth of your small home while shouldering the responsibilities of the greater family, follow your father and serve the country well; Su Qing, welcome into the Lin family—from now on we are one family, and for any matter, we elders are here for you."

Warm applause rose from below, and the chief also nodded, showing strong agreement with Yi Zhonghai's words.

Next came the speech of the officiant, the chief.

The chief stood, smiled, and walked onto the stage: "Today is a day of double joy—first, our carrier-based aircraft has been delivered smoothly; second, Lin Zhengpeng and Su Qing, this new couple, have tied the knot. Pengzi is a pillar of talent in national defense research, Su Qing is an outstanding designer; your union is a match of talent and beauty, and moreover, a unity of family and country. I hope you will walk hand in hand, managing your own household well while contributing to the nation's development. Wishing you a happy marriage and early blessings of children!"

"Thank you, Chief!" Lin Zhengpeng and Su Qing bowed deeply, and the applause from the audience thundered again.

During the ring exchange, Lin Zhengpeng carefully placed a diamond ring on Su Qing's ring finger, and she placed a plain band on his.

The two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes full of happiness; the guests in the hall pulled out their cameras to record this beautiful moment.

Halfway through the ceremony, Qin Jingru received a signal from the guard, furrowed her brow and walked to the back door of the reception hall—Qin Ruifang, shamelessly thick-skinned, had come over, clinging to the back door's railing, peeking inside.

"Qin Ruifang, what are you doing here?" Qin Jingru said in an icy tone, without any courtesy, "We've long since broken ties; Pengzi's wedding is not welcome to you—get out now!"

Qin Ruifang's face was piled with a fawning smile as she rubbed her hands and said, "Jingru, hear what you're saying—we are paternal cousins, and for such a major event as Pengzi's wedding, how could I not come to offer congratulations? I know I was wrong before; you are magnanimous, please let me come in for a cup of wedding wine, even if I just stand at the side to have a look."

"Congratulations aren't necessary; I know you don't have good intentions." Qin Jingru snorted coldly, "Back then you schemed against the Lin family, sowing discord between me and the Lin family—I haven't settled those scores with you yet, which is already lenient. If you keep pestering me here, I'll have the guards throw you out, and then you'll look even worse."

Qin Ruifang's smile froze; she still wanted to argue, but seeing Qin Jingru's firm stance and catching sight of a guard not far off, she could only glare resentfully at her, muttering "ungrateful and ungrateful" under her breath, and left unwillingly.

The ceremony in the hall proceeded unaffected, smoothly reaching its conclusion.

During the toast, Lin Zhengpeng and Su Qing held their glasses and went table to table to toast the guests.

Approaching Yi Zhonghai and his wife, Lin Zhengpeng said respectfully, "Great-uncle, great-aunt, thank you for your trouble over my wedding; I offer you a cup."

Yi Zhonghai laughed and raised his cup: "Good child, happy newlywed life, live well."

Approaching Qin Jingru, Su Qing smiled and said, "Aunt Qin, thank you for helping us make connections and for assisting with the wedding preparations; you've worked hard."

Qin Jingru's eyes reddened slightly: "Silly child, why talk about hardship? Seeing you happy makes me happy."

As the wedding was nearing its end, Yan Bu Gui held a cloth bundle, his expression hesitant, standing at the reception hall's door, hesitating a long time before daring to go inside.

He wore a clean washed Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed; upon seeing Lin Shengli, he quickly stepped forward, his tone sincere and tinged with guilt:

"Shengli… I… I've come to congratulate Pengzi. Earlier I was wrong; for the sake of the liberation work, I muddled my head, repeatedly quarreled with you unreasonably, said a lot of nonsense, and delayed you on many matters. Here I apologize, sorry."

As he spoke, he slightly bowed his waist, his face full of self-reproach: "These days I've realized that one must rely on ability, not always try to take shortcuts or rely on connections. I came today solely to offer sincere congratulations, with no other motive."

Speaking, he opened the cloth bundle; inside were a pair of hand-carved wooden pillows, "I carved these myself; they're not worth much, just a token of my heart."

Lin Shengli looked at his earnest expression, his demeanor softened, and he reached out to steady him:

"San Da Ye, let's not bring up the past. As long as you've seen sense, I hold no grudge. Your coming makes us happy; please sit quickly, the feast hasn't ended yet—have something to eat before you leave."

Yan Bu Gui hadn't expected Lin Shengli to forgive him so readily; his face broke into a grateful smile, and he waved his hands repeatedly:

"No, no, I'm just here to apologize and give a gift, not to disturb you. You're busy; I'll take my leave now, wishing Pengzi and Su Qing a happy newlywed life!"

Having said that, he set down the wooden pillows, clasped his hands in farewell, then turned and briskly walked away.

Yi Zhonghai watched Yan Bu Gui's retreating back and smiled, saying, "Old Yan finally sees clearly; that's how it should be—we're old neighbors, harmony brings prosperity."

Lin Shengli nodded: "His nature isn't bad; he just cares too much about his children's affairs and was momentarily muddle-headed."