CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 204: THE WEDDING, SEEDS OF CALAMITY

In mid-November, Lu Feng and Chang Wan’s wedding.

Tian Xiang wasn’t in Beijing, she took her son to shoot a film in another city.

Meng Cheng’an initially didn’t plan on attending, but the old man couldn’t bear to be away from his great-grandson, so he followed Tian Xiang out of town, leaving him alone at home. If he didn’t go, there would be no family representative.

When Meng Cheng’an got married and held the month-old banquet, the Chang Family came over. Now that they’re hosting a happy event, he had to return the favor.

Meng Cheng’an went, and at the hotel entrance, he ran into Meng Xiuyuan and his half-sister Meng Xitong.

Seven-year-old Meng Xitong had just started first grade.

Seeing her brother, the little girl was delighted and came over to hold Meng Cheng’an’s hand.

Meng Cheng’an wasn’t fond of being held by anyone other than his wife, but he didn’t shake her off.

During the banquet, the father and son sat together, Meng Xiuyuan asked his son if Shen Yingqiu had come looking for him recently.

Meng Cheng’an shook his head.

Back when his son was born, she indeed visited the Military and Political Institute twice, but didn’t get past the gate, and she stopped coming after that.

At first, she would go to Meng Cheng’an’s workplace, trying to show herself off in front of his son and mend their relationship.

Meng Cheng’an naturally ignored her, even told security to call the police if she showed up. After causing trouble twice, she finally gave up.

Meng Cheng’an: "Did she come to see you?"

Meng Xiuyuan glanced at his daughter, said nothing, realizing it was inappropriate to bring up this topic in front of her.

Meng Cheng’an didn’t press further, as he never liked meddling in these matters.

Earlier, seeing Wei Xiaoman not show up, he thought she might be working overtime, but now it seemed there might be different reasons.

Meng Cheng’an was well aware that his stepmother had tactics, while Shen Yingqiu had grown old and was no longer useful.

During the meal, the bride and groom came over to toast, Meng Cheng’an casually raised his glass.

The expressions of the two newlyweds were somewhat subtle upon seeing him.

They hadn’t expected him to come, thinking it would be the old man of the Meng Family.

It had been quite a while since Chang Wan last saw Meng Cheng’an.

She thought she might have missed him while greeting guests at the hotel entrance, as she didn’t see him.

Now that the courtyard has a newly constructed parking lot with an additional road, it’s difficult to bump into each other even when heading home.

Seeing him today so abruptly, Chang Wan couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter inside, wishing he were the groom, but alas, it would never be possible for the two in this lifetime.

Chang Wan raised her head and downed her drink.

Lu Feng silently watched his newlywed wife’s reddened eyes, inwardly sneering.

Saying she didn’t want to marry for her career, when in reality she couldn’t let go of Meng Cheng’an.

It’s truly ironic, he himself thinking about Tian Xiang, while she’s fixated on Meng Cheng’an. Before, it seemed fine; after all, he had always known. But now, being married, it felt grotesque and bizarre.

After the toast, Chang Wan returned to the lounge to change clothes, then joined Lu Feng back to the private room for food.

This time, the wedding banquet for the two families was only held in Beijing, not going to the city to host guests, so some major relatives from the Lu Family’s side came over, taking up two tables.

Technically, at such important moments, the parents of both families should sit together. However, the Chang Family looked down on the old couple of the Lu Family and didn’t make special arrangements, letting the old couple sit with the relatives.

Lu Feng was somewhat dissatisfied with this arrangement, but there was nothing he could do since the wedding planning was entirely handled by the Chang Family, leaving him with no say.

Thus, once Chang Wan finished changing and came out, he suggested visiting the private room of the Lu Family.

He married Chang Wan through an in-law arrangement, yet these matters haven’t been explicitly stated. At the very least, he needed to maintain some dignity.

Having previously thought of other men while drinking celebratory wine at the wedding banquet, Chang Wan pursed her lips and followed him over.

The private room on the Lu Family’s side was quite lively.

Lu Feng’s mother Wu Jinzhu essentially equates influence with power, feeling unhappy with the arrangements on the Chang Family’s side, yet outwardly she remained joyful, boasting to surrounding relatives about the social standing and power of the Chang Family, how her daughter-in-law Chang Wan is a famous actress with high status at the film studio, and how stunningly beautiful she is.

Lu Feng went from being a factory employee to attending university in Beijing and stayed there, married to a big actress, with the Yue Family’s prestigious background and influence. He himself was successful in his career; it was indeed enviable.

Everyone joined in the laughter with Wu Jinzhu, dismissing whatever disdain they had for the Chang Family.

After all, they were the ones making the high climb.

When Chang Wan came in, she happened to see Wu Jinzhu being humorously entertained by a group of old women, laughing heartily without a care for her image, even spraying saliva onto the dishes.

Chang Wan felt a bit disgusted, but since she came, she had to tolerate it.

Upon seeing her son and daughter-in-law, Wu Jinzhu’s face lit up like she was seeing treasure, quickly walking over to greet them, affectionately pulling Chang Wan’s hand, wanting to take her to sit beside her.

Chang Wan discreetly withdrew her hand, and the couple quickly took a seat where the crowd had made room for them.

With the main characters present, naturally everyone gathered around them with praise.

Lu Feng soon was pulled to the neighboring table with the men, drinking and chatting.

As he left, the more Chang Wan sat in her seat, the more agitated she became, wanting to eat but thinking all the dishes were contaminated, even feeling that the air surrounding her had become foul due to these people speaking too profusely.

Seeing Chang Wan’s smile was forced, Wu Jinzhu wasn’t displeased, instead she pampered her even more, telling her how exceptional she was and how her thirty-year-old son waiting until now was worthwhile.

"Xiao Wan, you don’t know, back when Xiao Feng was still working at the factory, many had a crush on him. He was about twenty, prime age for matchmaking, and the matchmakers in our residential compound introduced quite a few to him, but my son wouldn’t settle for anyone, even if she was as beautiful as a fairy.

Back then, I wondered what kind he was looking for, never expected he’d end up meeting you.

That year, when he returned and mentioned it, pointing at you on TV, introducing you to me, I knew then, he waited all those years just to have this encounter with you! You two are destined, a blessing cultivated from a previous life."

Wu Jinzhu laughed as brightly as a flower.

Chang Wan found it amusing, casually asking her, "Who did he date back then at the factory? He never mentioned those things to me, always focusing on work and study."

Lu Feng usually presents himself as a steady man focused on learning and career to Chang Wan.

Wu Jinzhu was surprised, "Xiao Feng never told you?"

Chang Wan: "He didn’t say, I thought he was a bookworm, ignorant of these things."

In Wu Jinzhu’s eyes, her son wasn’t a bookworm, but a dashing and talented poet.

Since they were married, Wu Jinzhu didn’t fear sharing those tales, viewing them as her son’s glorious past, proof of his excellence.

Wu Jinzhu: "Seriously, never dated anyone formally, Xiao Feng had high standards, but there were a few prospects he considered.

Oh, right, there was one you might know, she’s also from your Drama College, even acted in a show with you.

You wouldn’t know this, but when the matchmaker introduced the two, her sister was so intent on taking her place for the matchmaking she slipped her a laxative, eventually causing fights between the families and severing ties. Ha ha ha..."