Morning.
In the courtyard of Old Master Xie's villa.
The sun hung high overhead, shining down on the figures below.
"Congratulations to the two of you on your happy union, haha."
"Uncle Liu, thank you for coming to our wedding. Xiao Bin, this is Minister Liu from the Ministry of Health."
"Director Wu, you're here? Please, come in. Let me introduce you—this is my husband, and this is Director Wu from the National Development and Reform Commission."
"Haha, Aunt Chen, this is Xiao Bin. Xiao Bin, this is our cousin aunt, and that over there is our cousin uncle."
"Oh, Xiao Mei came too? I heard your mother was hospitalized. I was just telling Xiao Bin about it. How is Auntie doing?"
The courtyard was incredibly lively.
Xie Huilan had grown up in this kind of environment. Whether through familiarity or habit, she handled such occasions with ease, and she knew most of the guests. Dong Xuebin, on the other hand, was not quite as capable. Over the past hour, he had stood by Xie Huilan at the entrance, greeting the guests one by one. Sweat dripped down his face, nearly soaking through his suit, and he was exhausted. Dong Xuebin had mentally prepared himself. He knew a wedding steeped in political significance might be exhausting, but he had not expected it to be this tiring. His throat was dry, and he did not even have time to use the bathroom. If he went and a leader arrived outside, what then? They might think he did not value them. A tiny detail could complicate a relationship, so Dong Xuebin was really suffering.
People continued to arrive one after another.
Dong Xuebin and Xie Huilan greeted them at the entrance. Once the guests entered, Xie Guobang, Xie Guoliang, Han Jing, and