Chapter 422

Media outlets from all over are probing for details of Zhu Zhu Yawen's wedding ceremony, trying to sneak into the hotel where the wedding will be held.

But the hotel has been fully booked and refuses all uninvited guests; even on the wedding day, entry is strictly by invitation only.

In the morning, Lin Nan tossed the suit he'd just bought yesterday into the car, so he wouldn't forget it when leaving in the afternoon.

"Just thinking about it gets me excited—I'll see all my old classmates tomorrow."

It was nearly eleven, and Liu Liu Yifei was still wandering around her home in pajamas, face bare, hair loosely draped—but the pink hairband on her head was strikingly cute.

"Then wake up a little earlier tomorrow—the hotel will be packed." Lin Nan placed a glass of juice in front of Liu Liu Yifei.

"Hmm… it's not like on a set, feels so hard—I'll try my best."

Liu Liu Yifei hugged the cup with both hands, pouting at Lin Nan, her face looking beautiful no matter what expression she made!

The North Electric Chen Yanxi Class of 2002 group chat had been lively since morning.

Many classmates who hadn't spoken in years had finally surfaced.

To be blunt, Zhu Zhu Yawen's wedding has shaken half the entertainment industry.

Because the woman he's marrying is Shen Shen Jiani from the Central Drama Institute's Chen Yanxi Class of 2002.

The CDMI Class of 2002 was, after the 1996 class, another star-studded cohort.

When they enrolled, their numbers were more than triple those of BEI Dian's class, and the number of now-famous actors is equally massive!

"Hey, tomorrow we've got to back up Old Zhu—don't let the CDMI crew outshine us!"

"Outshine? What do they have to compete with? Numbers? We'll send Liu Yifei out first—a major producer and international movie star!"

"How can you put a girl in the front line? Send Lin Nan—he stands there, and who among them dares not greet him? Don't they call him 'Lin Dao'?"

"Hahaha, that's true."

…………

Lin Nan originally thought Zhao Zhao Liying's scenes in "The Road to the Flowering Path" wouldn't wrap until near the end of the month.

But he hadn't expected Ning Hao to be so efficient—he wrapped over a week early.

"Not just her scenes—everyone's scenes will wrap before the end of this month. I need to go back and handle some promotion for 'No Man's Land.'"

Hearing this, Lin Nan wanted to tease him.

Joking aside, "No Man's Land" doesn't need any grand promotional campaign—just release posters and press releases.

Because this film has effectively been promoted for years already, and now it's drawing nationwide attention.

Ning Hao, Xu Zheng, and Huang Bo are no longer who they were. During the years the film was banned, especially the two leads, they both became billion-box-office actors.

So this release of "No Man's Land" is impossible to avoid nationwide attention!

"Alright, since you're coming back, we can meet up. Otherwise, next time we see each other might be after the New Year."

"I know—you, Great Lin Dao, are going to the Golden Horse, then Hollywood, then chasing the Oscars."

"I can't stand people like you, always showing off. When I get nominated for the Berlin Film Festival, I'll win a Jin Xiong too…"

Ning Hao said with deep resentment.

"Hahaha, I won't disturb your filming anymore—see you later."

After hanging up with Ning Hao, Lin Nan contacted Yue Jun to notify Zhao Zhao Liying to report to Guangxian and join Chen Chen Jiashang's team for the promotion of "The Four Constables 2."

In the afternoon, Lin Nan prepared to leave.

Liu Liu Yifei, dressed in sportswear with a high ponytail, saw him off at the door.

She waved cheerfully: "See you tomorrow, Lin Best Man."

"See you tomorrow—don't oversleep, hahaha."

Before Liu Liu Yifei could make a show of grabbing at him, Lin Nan stepped on the gas and drove off.

…………

Around the hotel, numerous media vehicles were clearly parked. Reporters with long lenses and cameras roamed openly.

When they spotted Lin Nan's car, they all raised their cameras.

"It's Lin Dao's car—he's the best man!" Reporters exchanged information among themselves.

Lin Nan had thought he arrived early, but upon reaching the hotel, he realized Luo Jin had arrived even earlier—his car was already outside.

Looking at the newly decorated hotel lobby and the giant posters of the bride and groom, Lin Nan clicked his tongue, took a photo, and posted it to the group.

"Oh! Lin Dao's already arrived!"

"The poster's great—it made Zhu Zhu Yawen look younger. Retouched, right? Hahaha…"

……

Accompanied by a hotel attendant, Lin Nan made his way to the restaurant.

Well, here were the groom and best man, already having a meal!

"Come sit—according to tomorrow's banquet standards, let's three of us taste the dishes first—don't spare Old Zhu!"

Luo Jin waved his chopsticks, inviting Lin Nan.

"No need to spare—it's fine if you pack up the whole table to take home." Zhu Zhu Yawen teased Luo Jin.

"I couldn't possibly look that bad."

As they spoke, Lin Nan sat down beside them, and the three ate and chatted.

For this wedding, Zhu Zhu Yawen invited relatively few people—close friends, family, and insiders totaled maybe two hundred to three hundred.

After eating, Lin Nan and Luo Jin only then realized that the big meal they'd just had wasn't free—it was preparation.

From tomorrow morning's schedule, they needed to get familiar with the flow; luckily, one was a director and the other an actor, both with good memories.

"When we go to pick up the bride, her classmates and friends will probably be tough to deal with—will they give us trouble?"

Luo Jin nodded, asking Lin Nan.

"I've never been a best man before—how would I know?" Lin Nan spread his hands.

After running through all the next day's procedures, it was already nine at night; everyone had to get to bed early, since they'd be setting off in the small hours of the morning.

Liu Liu Yifei even called over a video call, which delayed things by another hour or so.

By the time Lin Nan actually fell asleep, it was probably already eleven.

Sometimes, the busier things get, the sleepier a person feels.

At half past three in the small hours, Lin Nan was woken up by a knock on the door.

"Holy crap, that's way too early. When Liu Qianqian and I get married, she—should be able to get up, right?!"

When Lin Nan finished washing up and stepped out of his room in a suit, the hotel was already ablaze with lights and packed with people.

Zhu Zhu Yawen's parents had also gotten up early; Lin Nan had just exchanged greetings with them when the staff started hurrying him along.

"Lin Dao, hurry. You need makeup and styling too."

One suite had been set aside as a makeup room; Zhu Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin were already inside.

The three sat in front of the mirror, and aside from Zhu Zhu Yawen, the other two both felt like dozing off.

"The bride's side got up even earlier—their makeup is more elaborate, it'll keep them busy all night."

Zhu Zhu Yawen was really about to be a groom now, buzzing with energy, not a trace of sleepiness.

"I've been thinking—when Liu Qianqian and I get married, should I go with a Chinese-style wedding or a Western one? If it's Chinese-style, we can hold it at night and won't have to drag ourselves out of bed this early."

Lin Nan's eyelids were fighting each other, and Luo Jin was humming in agreement beside him. "Chinese-style. The bridal chamber on the wedding night—that's at night, right?"

"Brew two cups of strong coffee for them."

Zhu Zhu Yawen stared straight ahead at the mirror and called out to his assistant behind him.

"Got it."

……

The luxury motorcade outside the hotel was already ready to go.

Zhu Zhu Yawen got into the lead car, Lin Nan and Luo Jin into the second, and they set off shortly after four.

On the other side, the bride had just finished her makeup too, flanked by the bridesmaid team and a few female classmates.

"Later, do we have to go find Shen Jiani's shoes?"

Tang Yan muttered a reminder, then was put to work.

……

When the motorcade arrived, the place was in an uproar too.

Many of the faces looked familiar, but their names escaped him—they were all from the Central Academy of Drama class of '02.

"Groom! Where are the red envelopes? We've got over twenty people here!" The one shouting was, surprisingly, Bai Bai Baihe.

This was the moment for Lin Nan, the best man, to step in; he walked forward holding a stack of red envelopes.

"Lin Dao."

"Hello, Lin Dao."

"Lin Dao……"

……

Luo Jin and Zhu Zhu Yawen exchanged a look. "Not bad!"

"One each, do me a favor and save some face…"

Even though today was a wedding and the groom was supposed to be put through his paces, Lin Nan's status spoke for itself; many people didn't dare make a peep, and just like that, they cleared two hurdles in a row.

"Choosing you as my best man was the smartest move!" Zhu Zhu Yawen gave him an excited hug.

"If I get married before you, you'll be my best man too, right?" Luo Jin said with a grin.

"Heh."

Lin Nan really did Zhu Zhu Yawen a huge favor today, getting him to the bride's door with no fuss at all.

But once inside, he was dumbfounded—where on earth were the high heels?

It really wore Lin Nan and Zhu Zhu Yawen out; they tore through drawers and cupboards, just short of frisking everyone……

"What the—frisk them?" Lin Nan and the others exchanged looks.

The three glanced at the bridesmaids—all from the Central Academy of Drama: Tang Yan, Tong Yao, Xu Baihui… all wearing skirts.

Lin Nan shook his head without hesitation. "I'm not going."

"Who would've thought, Lin Dao's quite henpecked, huh?" Zhu Zhu Yawen muttered in a very low voice.

"Get lost, send Luo Jin in."

"Jin-er, bro's counting on you…"

Under Zhu Zhu Yawen and Lin Nan's stunned gazes, Luo Jin walked straight up to Tang Yan, who pulled the shoes out from where they were tied under her skirt.

Lin Nan and Zhu Zhu Yawen were dumbfounded; the two exchanged a look.

Old Zhu's eyes said: "What the hell?"

Lin Nan shook his head, his meaning crystal clear: "I don't know either, I didn't arrange a mole!"

The two then looked at Luo Jin at the same time—so that guy was the one with something up his sleeve!

The bride and the bridesmaids were all clamoring to ask Luo Jin how he'd pinned down the target so quickly.

Luo Jin just said with a grin, "All luck, all luck…"

If it's all luck, then what were you and Tang Yan exchanging glances for?

When they came, the cars were nearly empty.

When they went back, they were packed full.

After hours of running around, the two best men were both sleepy and starving; the sun had risen, and it was past ten in the morning.

On the lawn outside the hotel, a sea of people stretched out, with a red carpet running for dozens of meters.

The reporters had even set up their cameras from a distance, some of them squatting on top of the cars.

The entire Class of '02 of the Beijing Film Academy's Chen Yanxi was present, and at least half of the Central Academy of Drama's side had also shown up, along with a large crowd of industry actors and artists in attendance.

Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang were chatting with Zhou Xun at her side.

Suddenly, someone shouted: "The motorcade is back."

So everyone's gaze turned that way.

Some twenty-plus cars could be seen slowly driving into the hotel grounds; music, confetti cannons, and everything else were all in position.

When Zhu Zhu Yawen stepped out of the lead car holding the bride's hand, the wedding officially began!

Lin Nan locked eyes on Liu Liu Yifei, Watching Shu Chang, and the others in the crowd at once, and ran over.

"This best-man gig is really not for humans—exhausting and starving."

"Brother Xun said being a best man is exactly like this. Here, I brought you some chocolate."

Liu Liu Yifei opened her fair, delicate palm—resting in the center were three chocolate candies, just like the ones Lin Nan had slipped her back then before the Golden Eagle Awards.

"Ooh la la, how sappy." Zhou Xun and Watching Shu Chang teased from the side.

"You two, shush." Liu Liu Yifei shot them a glare—rather cute.

"Come on, let's head in, the ceremony's about to start."

Lin Nan tore open the wrapper and tossed the chocolate into his mouth in one go.

"Mm, let's go."

Today's Liu Liu Yifei was dressed in casual clothes, looking far more capable and dashing than the other actresses in their dresses.

……

It should have been since that press conference for *Precious Lotus Lantern* that Lin Nan hadn't seen Zhou Yang again.

Seeing her now, everything had changed.

"Long time no see."

"Long time no see, Lin… Nan."

An ordinary greeting, but the other party seemed visibly flustered, hurrying into the crowd and off to her seat.

"Bro, she, she's really messed herself up with plastic surgery…"

Watching Shu Chang sidled up to Lin Nan and whispered, a little shaken.

Back at the *Precious Lotus Lantern* press conference, Lin Nan had seen right through Zhou Yang's plastic surgery, which was why he'd sternly warned Watching Shu Chang.

It had only been a few years, yet here she was—the apple of her cheeks oddly pronounced, almost a little frightening.

Liu Liu Yifei glanced in Zhou Yang's direction and said nothing.

"So, take this as a lesson—have some confidence in your own looks…"

……

The wedding went smoothly, and when the bride threw the bouquet, the atmosphere hit its peak.

After all, today's guests were all industry actors and stars, mostly young people, many of them unmarried.

Quite a few female artists stepped forward willingly, ready to scramble for the bouquet—among them Liu Liu Yifei, Watching Shu Chang, Tang Yan, and others.

After all, the bouquet also carried the meaning of "good luck."

A former martial-dan actress with serious fists-and-feet skills, Liu Liu Yifei was still in her casual clothes—she had a far easier time of it than most of the other actresses.

But even so, an accident happened: Tang Yan flicked the bouquet and it flew out, heading straight for Lin Nan and Luo Jin's side.

Both were quick-handed, but in the end it was Lin Nan who caught it.

"Oh-ho! All the girls are scrambling for this, and here you are, a grown man—what are you joining the fun for?"

Zhou Xun teased with a grin, and the whole venue burst into laughter.

"Who says Lin Dao Da grabbing this is useless?" Zhu Zhu Yawen heckled from up above, calling out.

"Yeah, who says me grabbing this is useless?"

Saying so, Lin Nan took the bouquet and headed straight for Liu Liu Yifei.

Miss Liu's silly Liu Liu Hanhan look came out again, her smile more radiant than March peach blossoms.

"Here, I caught this for you." Lin Nan held the flowers in both hands and offered them before her.

"Mm, very nice, I really like it." Liu Liu Yifei took them with a beaming face, giving Lin Nan a meaningful look.

"Kiss her!"

"Kiss her!"

……

Can't disappoint everyone!

Lin Nan cupped Liu Liu Yifei's face and kissed her, then held her tightly in his arms.

The heckling around them drowned out the entire wedding banquet.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei in his arms exchanged a glance, both smiling brightly. "Looks like we've kind of stolen the show?"

"Mm, we sure have! Hehe…"

…………

A wedding banquet came to a perfect end.

Liu Liu Yifei happily drove off with Watching Shu Chang first, still carrying that bouquet.

"Zhou Yang was dodging you the whole time." Zhu Zhu Yawen suddenly walked up to Lin Nan.

"Dodging me?"

"Back in school she already had a crush on you; now that she looks like this, wouldn't she have to dodge you?"

"Holy crap! How do you even know that? Shut your mouth, quick!" Lin Nan stared at Zhu Zhu Yawen in astonishment.

"Hehe, we're best friends; as an onlooker, I certainly see things clearly. But in your eyes, Lin Dao Da, tut-tut, there's only your Liu Yifei."

"Besides, why did she get plastic surgery? Perhaps it was nothing more than competitiveness at work."

Lin Nan glanced at Zhu Zhu Yawen, unsure for a moment what to say, and finally could only sigh, "It's all in the past; no one was wrong..."

I originally intended to write this chapter more concisely, but then I thought that would be very unreasonable. After all, Old Zhu's role carries significant weight in the book.

(End of this chapter)