A month flew by, and Gong Kai and Hu Jiumei celebrated their wedding in lively style.
They hadn't chosen a big hotel, but a private kitchen restaurant with a courtyard on the outskirts of town.
Wen Ning closed the shop for half a day and headed straight to the wedding with Lu Ming and Feng Dema.
Lu Ming had deliberately changed into clean clothes. With a little red envelope tucked in his pocket, he muttered as he walked.
"This is costing me a fortune. I've forked over half my secret savings."
Feng Dema hugged a cloth bag filled with paper cranes he'd stayed up folding the night before, skipping along the whole way.
"Big brother, can I really catch the bouquet later? I heard catching it means you get to marry a wife."
"Sure you can. Don't rush. There'll be bridesmaids at the wedding, too."
Wen Ning agreed with a smile. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he spotted Hu Jiumei standing at the entrance in a red dress, welcoming guests.
When she saw Wen Ning and the others, she hurried over.
"Wen Ning, Lu Ming, you're finally here!"
"Congratulations!"
Feng Dema handed her the cloth bag.
"I folded these. I hope you'll be happy together forever!"
Hu Jiumei accepted it, warmth filling her heart. Gong Kai had told her about this fellow from Wen Ning's shop a while ago.
"Thank you, Dema."
Five or six tables had been set up in the courtyard, all for close friends and neighbors. The aroma of food filled the air.
Gong Kai's relatives all knew Hu Jiumei was a good young woman. They simply thought she'd come from out of town, and everyone offered their congratulations with a smile.
The ceremony was simple, with the restaurant owner acting as the host. After