After returning home, the newlywed ceremony began. Li Yang and the others had nothing to do, so they simply joined in the fun. Amid the noisy crowd and the wedding host's humor, everyone laughed so hard they could hardly close their mouths. Joyous occasions really were contagious.
"Kiss! Kiss!"
As the final part of the ceremony neared its end, the guys began egging Wang Long on to kiss Liu Yingying on the spot. The men and women below the stage all widened their eyes and laughed.
Wang Long did not hesitate. What did a grown man have to fear? He pulled Liu Yingying into his arms and gave her a deep kiss, then waved grandly at Li Yang and the others beside him, as if to say it was easy and no challenge at all.
At the end, the newlyweds tossed the bouquet, symbolizing a relay race—whoever caught it would be the next to get married.
Amid the tense anticipation, Wang Long and Liu Yingying stood with their backs to the audience and threw the delicate, dew-fresh roses in their hands high into the air, like batons in a marriage relay.
"Hurry up, I'm coming!"
Screams erupted nonstop throughout the venue!
Jiang Manman tugged Li Yang along, wanting to fight for it too. Girls were all superstitious, so Li Yang could only go along with her. The two of them watched wide-eyed for where the flowers would fall.
Maybe it was fate. That damn Xu Rui somehow miraculously stood out from the crowd and, without missing a beat, easily claimed first place by catching the falling roses!
"Ugh, seriously?"
All kinds of sighs rose and fell, but they could not change the fact. Xu Rui beamed like a victorious general returning from battle, swaggered onto the stage, and handed the flowers back to the newlyweds.
After fooling around for a while longer, they finally reached the crucial part: the wedding feast.
Manman and Liang Shanjuan enjoyed the privilege of sitting indoors with the air conditioning on alongside Li Yang. Some of the guys had brought female companions too, so the women made up one table while the men filled two. The second floor was incredibly comfortable, with an open view that gave the meal its own special flavor.
Manman and Liang Shanjuan ate with great enthusiasm. Li Yang took a look and felt much more at ease—at least he did not have to worry about Manman going hungry. He then let loose and drank baijiu with everyone at the table. A wedding feast was a serious occasion; beer was not suitable for the table, so drinking baijiu in the height of summer was pretty hardcore.
Xu Rui had stolen the spotlight today, so naturally he became public enemy number one when it came to being pressured into drinking. The guy had done plenty of embarrassing things while drunk that made everyone laugh, so he often played the role of the group's living comedian.
"Are you raising fish in there? Hurry up and finish it!"
He Junjun's face was flushed red as he laughed and urged Xu Rui to drink.
"Hurry up, quit dragging your feet!"
Xiang Bei chimed in as well.
"Fatty, you're next in line to get married. Consider this an early celebration—drink up!"
Zhang Hua was overjoyed too. Wang Long was his closest friend, and today was a huge day, so he joined in urging Xu Rui to drink. Although Zhang Hua had a girlfriend too, she was Liu Yingying's close friend, and the two women would not be getting married anytime soon. They both loved having fun and would not let marriage tie them down so early.
After a while, Wang Long and Liu Yingying came over to toast them. One look at Wang Long's face showed he had drunk quite a bit; he was even walking a little unsteadily.
"Long, drink less. There's still a lot to do this afternoon."
Seeing his friend like that, Zhang Hua could not help trying to persuade him.
"It's fine, I know my limit. Don't worry."
Wang Long warmly patted his brother on the shoulder to reassure him.
"Come on, raise your glasses. Everyone, everyone." The group stood and solemnly lifted their glasses. With heartfelt blessings, they enthusiastically clinked glasses with the newlyweds one by one, then drained them all in a single gulp.
"Good, that's the spirit! We'll keep going tonight. Nobody's allowed to sneak off early today, or don't blame me for getting mad!"
Wang Long was delighted. His brothers had really come through today, and they had given him plenty of face in front of his in-laws. He intended to have a wild time today. After all, they were all strong young men in their twenties and could handle some partying.
Li Yang felt a headache coming on. It looked like nobody would be going home sober today, so he decided to face it calmly. He drained half a glass of beer in one breath, then hurriedly picked up a mouthful of cold vegetables to suppress the alcohol fumes.
Only after having some of the wedding's essential white and black drinks did he finally feel a little more comfortable.
Manman was worried that Li Yang would drink too much, and she kept absentmindedly turning to watch what was happening at his table.
Men who drank usually did not eat much, but the women at the next table tore through the food like a whirlwind. There was practically nothing left on the table. Those goddesses who normally got full after only a few bites had truly revealed their true forms now.
Everyone who grew up in the countryside cherished memories of childhood. The soul of a rural banquet had been deeply carved into the memories of every child of the post-'80s generation who grew up in the countryside, unforgettable for life!
Anyone who had not experienced it personally would never understand that lifelong attachment engraved deep in one's bones!
Nearly everyone at Li Yang's table was a heavy drinker. Not a single one abstained. Other than He Junjun, anyone there could easily drink Li Yang under the table.
Still, the guys were considerate. Li Yang and He Junjun only needed to keep up with the crowd and drink enough to get by. Xu Rui was not so lucky. He had caught the lucky bouquet today, making him everyone's target. Before long, his eyes had already turned unfocused!
But the guy's alcohol tolerance was no joke. If it had been Li Yang or Junjun, either one would have been knocked flat long ago!
The women next door had finished eating long ago and were chatting in small groups. Gradually, they got up and came over to Li Yang, tenderly urging him to drink less. The guys teased them for quite a while, and in the end, Manman shyly gave him a few reminders before returning to her own table.
"Manman, don't worry. It's not often that we get together like this. Let him have as much fun as he can. How many chances does a person get in a lifetime to celebrate something happy?"
Liang Shanjuan comforted Manman reasonably. Before long, the two women started chatting about all sorts of private women's topics again, creating a harmonious and cheerful scene.
Happy times always passed quickly. Before long, the banquet was nearing its end. With the final bowl of dismissal soup served, it meant everyone could get up and leave!
Li Yang rested for a while, then scooped himself some Small Bowl Soup with a small bowl. It was sweet, sour, and refreshing. He loved the honest, hearty ingredients in rural banquet food. It was a hundred times better than the thin, watery soup sold in restaurants. Many years later, Li Yang would never again get the chance to taste that familiar, unforgettable flavor!
"Yang, when are you getting married? Your wife is really something!"
The speaker was Zhang Tao. His family was the wealthiest among the group, but he was usually extremely low-key. He did not drive luxury cars, wear designer brands, smoke fancy cigarettes, or brag. He never acted arrogant around his friends either. He was truly one of a kind.
"It's still a long way off. We'll talk about it later."
Li Yang's love for Manman had already surpassed anything he had expected. His thoughts were a mess at the moment, so he decided not to dwell on it. Things would work themselves out when the time came. After giving Zhang Tao a few perfunctory replies, he ended the topic.
"What are we doing next?" Qin Shou looked drunk too as he casually asked.
Long told me just now. The guys will go rest in his room first, then we'll continue the battle this afternoon. Nobody's allowed to leave, or we're done being friends. He only gets today—there definitely will not be another chance for all of us to gather like this afterward.
"Guys, I suggest that no matter what, we help Long see this through today. What do you say?"
Zhang Hua looked at everyone with great momentum, hoping for their agreement.
"Of course. Let's go rest for a while. Anyone who wants to play cards, we'll start later," He Junjun casually agreed.
Everyone began getting up from the table. Li Yang finished the Small Bowl Soup in two or three gulps, stretched lazily with great satisfaction, and felt incredibly comfortable. He was pleasantly tipsy, just right. There was definitely no escaping tonight.
"How is it? Do you feel sick, baby?"
Manman gently stepped forward to support Li Yang and asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Don't worry, sweetheart." Li Yang affectionately stroked Manman's little face. Her classic oval face was every bit as lovely as Wang Jingjuan's.
From the bottom of his heart, Li Yang liked Manman and Wang Jingjuan's appearances the most. Both were perfectly in tune with what made his heart flutter.
"Look how lucky you are. Our Manman is one of the most famous beauties at the Luoyang store, yet she ended up in your hands!"
Liang Shanjuan was happy today too, so she casually teased Li Yang. A faint blush warmed her face, making her look beautiful and charming.
"Let's find somewhere to rest for a while."
It was only a little past one in the afternoon. Wedding feasts usually began right at noon, and the sun outside was still scorching. The place was a complete mess after the banquet, with trash and empty bottles all over the ground. Holding Manman's hand, Li Yang carefully went downstairs.
"Manman, why don't you and Li Yang go rest at my house for a while? It's still early, and doesn't he still have to party tonight? There's no need to run back and forth."
"Would that be convenient, little sister?" Manman asked cautiously.
"It's fine. There's nobody at home right now. My dad is probably still drinking with Wang Long's dad, and my mom is still chatting excitedly with the other women. There's no one else at home. Come on!"
Liang Shanjuan warmly grabbed Manman and started pulling her toward the door, determined to take her home.
"Yang, come play cards!"
He Junjun saw Li Yang heading out. He had just returned from the restroom, his face bright red, a freshly lit Red Flag Canal cigarette hanging from his lips. Breathing out alcohol fumes, he called out casually.
"Sure. You guys start first. I'll be back in a bit."
After casually brushing him off, Li Yang followed the two beauties down the street.
"Wow, Juanjuan, your house is incredible. I want to live in a rural mansion like this someday too."
Li Yang was stunned as well. He had not expected Liang Shanjuan's home to be so luxurious.
There was an imposing gate, and inside was a small courtyard filled with birdsong and flowers. All kinds of flowers whose names he did not know were planted there. The three-story house had a large open-air balcony, while the master bedroom had floor-to-ceiling windows that made the interior exceptionally bright.
Liang Shanjuan's parents lived on the first floor. The bedrooms for the three sisters were all on the second floor. Her eldest sister was married, while the youngest was away at university, so Liang Shanjuan basically had the entire second floor to herself. But she was rarely home, which made such a nice house feel like a waste.
Liang Shanjuan's bedroom was the master bedroom, complete with the luxury of floor-to-ceiling windows.
It also had a spacious bathroom, with everything needed for bathing and showering.
Manman was so envious that she coquettishly tugged on Li Yang and asked him to build her an equally grand villa someday.
Li Yang did not hesitate. He pounded his chest and promised Manman loudly that one day, he would definitely make that wish come true. Little did he know, those words would become prophecy. Many years later, Li Yang really would fulfill Manman's long-held wish.
Seeing that Li Yang looked a little uncomfortable, Liang Shanjuan glanced around.
"Why don't you two rest in my room? I'll go to my sister's room. But you'd better behave yourselves!"
As she said that, Liang Shanjuan teased them mischievously.
Li Yang and Manman immediately understood what she meant. Do not get intimate on someone else's bed and make it dirty—that would be awkward.
"Oh, listen to you. Do you think your sister is that thoughtless?"
Manman shyly began playfully roughhousing with Liang Shanjuan, and the two laughed and joked noisily.
"Come on, Manman. Let's go take a bath together and let Li Yang rest. Otherwise, let's see how he plans to fight tonight."
The two sisters happily pulled each other out of the bedroom.
"Oh, right, Li Yang. If you want to take a bath, there are new bath towels and face towels inside. Just take whatever you need. I'm taking your wife away first, so don't hold it against me."
After saying that, the two women pinched and playfully fought each other as they laughingly left the room.
Li Yang was speechless. Shaking his head, he walked into the bathroom. It was not only spacious but also filled with a distinctive, fragrant scent. It did not feel like a bathroom at all.
The place was filled with all kinds of bottles and jars Liang Shanjuan used for washing up. Rich families really were different. Li Yang comfortably relieved himself at the toilet, then began taking off his clothes to shower. They were old classmates, after all, so there was no need to be formal.
Liang Shanjuan's slippers happened to be in the bathroom too, so Li Yang put them on directly. They were too small, but he made do. Liang Shanjuan's little feet probably wore at most a size 37.
After showering, Li Yang lay on the bed in only his underwear and stretched out comfortably. The air conditioning was set at just the right temperature, and a faint trace of Liang Shanjuan's body fragrance still lingered on the pillow.
Before long, drowsiness washed over him, and he fell asleep...
In the living room outside, the two beauties had also finished showering comfortably and were lounging on the broad, soft sofa. A romance movie was playing on the television. Liang Shanjuan had given Manman a new camisole nightgown of hers. Their snowy skin and slender pale legs overlapped in a dazzling tangle, their bare feet restlessly kicking at each other as they played around.
"Manman, your toenail polish is really pretty."
Liang Shanjuan's size 37 feet were pretty too. Looking at Manman's pink polish, she praised it.
"Yours is nice too! Li Yang bought this color for me. He likes this kind."
Manman lay on the comfortable sofa and casually replied.
"Honestly, I really envy you two, Manman. Li Yang is a good guy. You need to cherish him."
"Hehe, that depends on him. If he doesn't want me anymore, there's nothing I can do."
Manman was actually quite uneasy. She knew about Li Yang's current situation, but once a woman gave her heart to love a man, she would never calmly consider whether that love was right or wrong.
After chatting for a while, the two women gradually fell asleep too.
Manman did not know what time it was when she woke naturally. Wearing a nightgown that barely covered her little butt, she quietly got up and went to the bathroom to pee.
Liang Shanjuan was still sleeping soundly. Even Manman, as a woman, was a little surprised by her sexy sleeping posture. If Li Yang saw it, who knew what his reaction would be!
After using the bathroom, Manman secretly slipped into Li Yang's room. Looking at that familiar, strong body, she was flooded with so many beautiful memories!
Thinking that Li Yang might no longer belong to her someday, Manman suddenly felt unwilling to accept it. So she boldly stepped forward and threw herself into his arms, pressing her rosy, enticing lips directly onto the still half-asleep Li Yang...
Before you continue