Gangzi: Dad, Second Uncle, Why Are You Here?!

Heaven Dou Empire, a quiet village far from the bustle of the towns.

Today, a deserted residence at the end of the village was unusually lively, the entire courtyard draped in festive red.

In a corner of the courtyard, two wood-fired stoves spat flames, while large chunks of meat churned in iron pots a meter wide.

The villagers who had come to help unconsciously swallowed as they smelled the rich scent of meat filling the air.

The hosts were truly generous, bringing out so much meat to entertain their guests!

"Lord Flender, the tables, chairs, and benches are all ready over here. Should the bride have some dates first to stave off her hunger?"

The village chief walked toward Flender with an enthusiastic smile.

Flender's lips twitched, and his voice was somewhat hoarse. "No need, Village Chief. My sister isn't hungry."

"Alright then. Lord Flender, take a look and see if anything is still missing. There's still time for us to make up for it!"

Flender nodded stiffly and followed behind the village chief in a daze, listening as the man explained the various wedding rituals—how the groom would arrive later and what the bride needed to do.

The village chief talked as they walked, while Flender merely nodded from time to time. Seeing this, the chief gave him an understanding look and patted his shoulder.

"Lord Flender, I understand how you feel right now."

The village chief took a puff from his pipe. "When I married my own little sister off, I couldn't bear to part with her either. The sister I'd cherished in the palm of my hand was leaving for someone else's home. At that wedding, I was the one who cried the hardest."

Flender forced out an ugly smile. "Yeah, Village Chief. It feels like my heart is being cut apart."

"I wanted to cherish her too, but..."

"But as elder brothers, we can't just keep our sisters tied up at home for the rest of their lives because we can't bear to let them go, can we?" the village chief picked up, looking as though he understood everything.

"Y-Yeah."

The smile on Flender's face looked more like he was about to cry.

Flender felt that if Douluo Continent ever selected its ten most tragic figures, he would undoubtedly take first place.

The girl he loved was marrying his brother, and he still had to help arrange the wedding of the girl he loved most.

Flender had kept wondering whether, if he had confessed his feelings to Erlong back then, he would be the one waiting outside to welcome the bride today.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs in this world.

Flender continued following the village chief. His battered heart had hurt for so long that it no longer felt pain.

Once everything had been checked, it was soon time to fetch the bride.

Flender came to a room where Yu Xiaogang, dressed in red, was pacing back and forth. The moment he saw Flender, Yu Xiaogang rushed over in a single stride.

"Flender, how is everything?"

Flender squeezed out a smile. "Everything is ready. It'll soon be the auspicious hour. Xiaogang, just wait to marry your bride!"

Seeing the already empty teacup on the table, Flender smiled. "Xiaogang, couldn't you even wait out this final hour?"

Yu Xiaogang's face rarely reddened as he explained, "Ever since I got up this morning, my heart's been all over the place. It's beating a little too fast!"

"Haha, I understand, I understand. It is one of life's great events, after all."

"Xiaogang, do you really not need to inform your father and the others?"

Yu Xiaogang looked away, a trace of guilt appearing on his face. "No. My father is busy with affairs, and besides, he doesn't like having me as a son."

Flender sat with Yu Xiaogang in the room for a while. Before long, a shout came from outside.

"The auspicious hour has arrived! Groom, go fetch your bride—"

"Xiaogang, hurry! The auspicious hour is here!"

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes and asked Flender, "Flender, is my hair messy?"

"And are my clothes clean?"

Flender nodded at each question. Reassured, Yu Xiaogang pushed open the door and strode outside.

Flender followed behind him, neither too close nor too far.

Yu Xiaogang soon arrived at the residence where Liu Erlong lived. He took candies from Flender and handed them out to the children who gathered around, offering their congratulations. The joy in his eyes grew ever brighter.

"Groom, hurry inside and carry the bride out to pay respects to Heaven and Earth!"

Yu Xiaogang gave a grunt and pushed open the door. At a glance, he saw Liu Erlong seated properly before the table, dressed in vivid wedding robes.

"Xiaogang!"

"Erlong!"

Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong exchanged a loving look. Seeing Liu Erlong, far more beautiful than usual, Yu Xiaogang's heart burned with warmth.

Yu Xiaogang strode forward and carefully took Liu Erlong's hand. His affectionate voice rang out. "Erlong, from this day forward, you are the wife of me, Yu Xiaogang!"

"Mhm!" Meeting Yu Xiaogang's loving gaze, Liu Erlong felt her cheeks grow hot, and her voice became much softer.

"Erlong, let's go out. It's time to pay respects to Heaven and Earth!"

"Alright."

Yu Xiaogang led Liu Erlong out at a slow pace, and the two came to stand before the prepared incense and candles.

The village chief smiled as he looked at the sun overhead. Judging that the auspicious hour had arrived, he shouted, "The auspicious hour has arrived!"

"Bride and groom, first bow to Heaven and Earth!"

Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong exchanged a glance, smiled together, and turned around. Just as they were about to kneel, laughter drifted over from afar.

"Gangzi, how could you not invite me for something as important as your wedding?"

The ceremony was temporarily interrupted, and Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong both looked toward the village entrance.

Three figures rapidly approached from the entrance.

The moment Yu Xiaogang saw their faces clearly, his expression instantly darkened. Catching sight of Liu Erlong beside him from the corner of his eye, he forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, squeezed out a smile, and raised his hand. "Welcome, Your Highnesses, to my wedding."

"Oh, no need for courtesy. We even prepared several gifts for you, Gangzi."

Seeing the exquisitely wrapped gift boxes in the hands of Qian Mochen and the other two, Yu Xiaogang had no way to drive them away on such a joyous day. He hurriedly shot Flender a pleading look.

Flender smiled as he accepted the gift boxes from Qian Mochen and the others, leading them to seats at the banquet tables nearby.

"Honored guests, please have a seat. Once Xiaogang and Erlong finish their ceremony, the feast will begin. Please wait a little while."

Qian Mochen nodded without objection.

At this wedding, he was merely here to watch the show. The other group of main characters was still on the way.

That old dragon from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was simply too slow on his feet. Otherwise, Qian Mochen would have come long ago to eat and drink.

The ceremony continued. At the village chief's call of "First bow to Heaven and Earth," Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong knelt together, kowtowing to Heaven and Earth and thanking fate for allowing them to come together.

"Second bow to the elders!"

Neither Yu Xiaogang nor Liu Erlong's parents or elders were present, so an incense table stood in for the place of honor. The two bowed toward it.

As Qian Mochen watched the ceremony proceed, he wondered when the Yu Family members would finally arrive. If necessary, he would have to lend a hand.

Suddenly, thunder boomed through the sky, and a thunder dragon flew in from the horizon.

Qian Mochen immediately grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and peanuts.