The Motorcade and the "Old Friends"

Inside the banquet hall, voices rose and fell like waves. Most of the guests were already seated, those who knew each other huddled together chatting and laughing in hushed tones, while those who didn't greet each other politely with nods.

The light from the crystal chandelier flowed across the champagne-colored tablecloth, the sparkling wine glasses, and the elegant attire of the guests, weaving a floating, warm sea of light. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of perfume, flowers, and the dishes that were being served one after another.

The emcee—a well-dressed, professional host with a deep, resonant voice—was already standing by the sound control panel on the side of the stage, finalizing the program cards in his hand. He glanced up at the entrance of the venue, then down at his watch, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly. According to the program, the ceremony should have started five minutes ago. He spoke softly into his headset, urging something on.

At the main table, Chen Hao's parents and several close relatives frequently glanced towards the entrance, maintaining smiles on their faces, but a hint of anxiety lurked in their eyes. Chen Hao gently squeezed Feng Ya's cold fingers, giving her a reassuring look. Feng Ya returned the smile, but it was like a thin, brittle sugar shell, beneath which surged a torrent of bitterness. Her gaze, once again, drifted uncontrollably towards the still empty table at her parents' home. That glaring emptiness, amidst the clamor of the room, resembled a silent, mocking black hole.

The emcee seemed to receive a signal; he cleared his throat, adjusted his bow tie, and steadily walked to the standing Mike in the center of the stage. He patted the microphone to ensure it was working properly, then flashed a professional and highly infectious smile.

"Distinguished guests, dear friends and family!" His loud and joyful voice resounded through the high-quality sound system, filling every corner of the venue and instantly silencing most of the conversations. All eyes were focused on the stage.

"Welcome everyone to gather here on this wonderful day to witness the happy moment of Mr. Chen Hao and Ms. Feng Ya!" Applause rang out at the right time, not particularly enthusiastic, but polite enough.

"Our newlyweds are now ready and filled with immense excitement and joy, awaiting their sacred moment. Now, let us once again welcome our most beautiful bride, Ms. Feng Ya, and our most handsome groom, Mr. Chen Hao, with warm applause!"

More enthusiastic applause erupted, accompanied by cheers and whistles from some young relatives and friends. A spotlight suddenly shone on, its beam searching through the crowd, ready to focus on the newlyweds.

Feng Ya's heart clenched suddenly, almost leaping out of her chest. It's here, it's finally here. She had to walk down that red carpet alone, towards that ceremony platform where her father would not be there to hold her hand, and her mother would not be there to watch her with tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath, gripping Chen Hao's arm so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and prepared to take the first step.

Just a second before the spotlight was about to lock onto them--

"Buzz--Buzz--Buzz--!"

A deep, resonant, and powerful engine roar came from afar, clearly penetrating the soundproof doors and windows of the hotel banquet hall, and even briefly drowning out the emcee's amplified voice through the speakers and the applause from inside!

It wasn't the sound of one or two ordinary cars, but the steady, rhythmic roar of multiple high-displacement, high-performance vehicles working together. The sound grew closer and closer, finally stopping in the driveway not far from the main entrance of the banquet hall.

The room fell silent.

Everyone froze. Feng Ya and Chen Hao, who were about to step forward, the smiling emcee on the stage, the clapping guests, and even the waiters serving food, all subconsciously stopped what they were doing and looked at the two tightly closed banquet hall doors decorated with flowers and silk with surprise and uncertainty.

What's going on? Another important guest is late? But this commotion... is a bit too much.

His experience as an emcee allowed him to react quickly, and he tried to draw attention back with a louder voice. "It seems we have more enthusiastic friends on their way! Let's..."

His words were interrupted again.

The two heavy double doors of the banquet hall were slowly pushed open by the waiters outside. Bright light from the corridor outside poured in, illuminating a group of people standing at the doorway.

The first thing that catches the eye is the uniform dark color scheme. Not an exaggerated pure black, but various shades of dark gray, navy blue, and jet black, all high-end suits, Zhongshan suits, or business overcoats. There are a dozen or so people, ranging in age from their thirties to over sixty, both men and women. They stand there, not rushing in immediately, but naturally forming a loose yet subtly orderly formation. No one makes a loud noise, and no one even looks around anxiously. Each person simply calmly surveys the interior of the venue, their gaze steady and their steps unhurried.

Their attire was understated, tailored, and made of high-quality fabric, exuding a subtle elegance. Their faces and demeanors varied: some were refined, some capable, some serious, some gentle, but all carried a sense of worldly wisdom and an indescribable aura that set them apart from ordinary guests. It wasn't arrogance, but rather an inner confidence and composure, as if the grandest and most bustling environment they were in was merely a backdrop.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. All eyes were fixed on the group of uninvited guests. Doubt, curiosity, surprise, speculation... a multitude of emotions flowed silently in the air. Chen Hao's parents exchanged a bewildered glance. From the table of relatives from his in-laws' side, several suppressed gasps could be heard.

Feng Ya was completely stunned. She unconsciously loosened her grip on Chen Hao's arm, staring blankly at the doorway. She didn't recognize them. Not a single one of them. Had they come to the wrong place? Or...?

Just then, the crowd parted slightly, and an elderly man with gray hair, around sixty years old, wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit, and with a refined and scholarly appearance, walked slightly ahead. His gentle gaze swept across the entire scene, finally landing on Feng Ya, who was wearing a pure white wedding dress and standing blankly at the beginning of the red carpet.

A genuine smile, tinged with the kindness and affection of an elder, appeared on the old man's face. He didn't move to any empty seats, nor did he pay attention to the various gazes of those around him. Instead, he walked steadily towards the stage, towards the position of the emcee. His steps were not fast, but each step was firm and steady. The dozen or so people behind him moved in tacit agreement, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

The emcee was stunned. In all his years in the profession, he had never seen anything like this. He instinctively took a half step back, holding the microphone, somewhat at a loss.

The old man walked to the edge of the stage but did not go up. He simply stood there, facing the audience. He didn't even bother to take the microphone from the emcee; he just turned slightly to face the Mike and cleared his throat.

His voice wasn't particularly loud, but it possessed a strange penetrating power; calm, clear, and steady, it instantly filled every corner of the quiet banquet hall.

"Dear friends and relatives, honored guests, please forgive us for being uninvited guests and disturbing you."

He spoke fluent Mandarin with a slight southern accent, using polite language but maintaining a respectful yet assertive tone.

"We," he paused, his gaze returning to Feng Ya, his eyes filled with undisguised gentleness and sigh, "Are Feng Jianguo's friends. They are old colleagues, old comrades-in-arms, and also... his old brothers who remember him."

The name "Feng Jianguo" was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a barely suppressed commotion among the in-laws who knew the inside story. Many people's expressions changed instantly.

The old man seemed oblivious and continued speaking in his steady and clear voice:

"Brother Jianguo, he left us so suddenly. He couldn't see Xiaoya put on this wedding dress, nor could he personally hand her over to someone worthy of his care. This is probably the biggest regret of his life."

Feng Ya's pupils contracted sharply, and an indescribable surge of heat rushed to her nose and eyes. She bit her lower lip tightly to hold back the tears that were about to spill.

"He is a man with a straight temper and a stubborn temper. Some things and choices may not be understood by outsiders or even tolerated by the world." The old man's voice carried a hint of complex emotions, which was emotion and some kind of firm recognition. "But those of us who have worked with him, dealt with him, and know how he behaves, all know in our hearts. He can bear the word 'responsibility' and is worthy of his own conscience."

"Today, we old folks have gathered together, uninvited, for no other reason than..."

His gaze swept across the faces below the stage—some shocked, some bewildered, some with complex expressions—before finally settling on Feng Ya's face. His voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable, elder-like firmness:

"We represent him, Feng Jianguo, to see his daughter, Xiaoya, off on her wedding!"

"We're here to support her! We're here to tell everyone that her father, Feng Jianguo, is not alone! He has us, his friends who remember him, respect him, and are still willing to stand up for his daughter today!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence. Only the old man's voice seemed to still linger, resonating slightly under the crystal chandelier.

The next second, the dozen or so people who had been standing silently behind the old man moved.

There was no chaos, no rushing. As if they had rehearsed, they walked naturally and orderly, one after another, towards the starting point of the red carpet, towards the bride who was already teary-eyed and almost unsteady on her feet.

Leading the procession was a capable-looking woman, around fifty years old. She approached Feng Ya, took a thick, unsealed red envelope from her handbag, gently placed it on the empty gift tray at the VIP table, then grasped Feng Ya's cold, trembling hand, her gaze kind and gentle. "Xiaoya, congratulations. Your father is a true man, and you are a good child. I wish you and Xiao Chen a long and happy life together." Her voice was gentle yet firm.

Next came a tall, serious-looking middle-aged man. He also placed a thick red envelope down, nodded to Feng Ya, and said succinctly, "May you have a long and happy marriage. Take good care of yourself in United States." His gaze swept over Chen Hao beside him, with a hint of scrutiny and a sense of entrustment.

A Scholar- looking man with gold-rimmed Glasses presented a gift and offered his blessings. "Congratulations on your marriage. Your father's choice is worthy of respect. Wishing you both a bright future."

An elderly woman, dressed simply but with sharp eyes, took Feng Ya's hand and patted it. "Child, don't be afraid, and don't feel lonely. Although your father is gone, today, we are all your family." Her palms were rough but warm.

Wishing you a speedy birth of your child and a long and happy life together.

"Let's keep in touch. If you need anything, just let your aunt and uncle know."

"Your father would be so happy if he could see this day."

The blessings were simple yet sincere. Red envelopes were placed down one after another, quickly piling up into a small mountain in the gift tray. The gifts themselves were understated but beautifully wrapped, clearly showing thoughtfulness. Everyone who approached Feng Ya paused for a moment, exchanging a few words. Their eyes held no probing, no pity, only the blessings of an elder for a younger generation, and the care of a peer for the descendant of a deceased loved one.

Feng Ya was completely speechless. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, ruining her delicate makeup. She could only nod and bow repeatedly, her throat choked with sobs as she mumbled, "Thank you... thank you..." Chen Hao's eyes also reddened. He held his wife's shoulders tightly while repeatedly thanking these unfamiliar "elders," his voice trembling slightly.

The sudden appearance of the "bride's family," brimming with power and warmth, plunged the entire venue into an extreme silence. The husband's relatives stared in disbelief, their expressions shifting from initial shock and confusion to disbelief, and then to deep awe. The mountain of red envelopes, the distinguished "friends," and the resounding words... all challenged their understanding.

Among the crowd, Chen Hao's outspoken and sometimes sharp-tongued third aunt, seeing this spectacle, couldn't help but lean close to her sister-in-law and whisper in barely audible breath, "My goodness... this... this extravagance... anyone who didn't know better would think it was a mafia boss's daughter getting married... it's terrifying..."

Before she could finish speaking, her cousin-in-law, who was standing next to her and worked as a minor leader in the local transportation system, turned deathly pale in an instant. He suddenly reached out and covered her mouth tightly with his hand! The movement was so forceful that it almost knocked her over.

"You fucking want to die?! Shut up!!" The cousin's husband squeezed out a low, fearful roar through clenched teeth, his eyes wide open, staring intently at a middle-aged man standing slightly back among the group of "family members." The man stood upright like a pine tree, his face serious, his gaze calmly sweeping over the entire room.

Auntie was almost suffocating from being smothered, and glared at him with a mixture of fear and anger.

My cousin's husband, his finger trembling, pointed discreetly at the middle-aged man, his voice barely a whisper, filled with utter terror. "See that guy?! The one in the navy blue Zhongshan suit! Wei Guanglin! The director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau! And now the vice mayor of our S City! A member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee! You dare to spout nonsense?!"

Auntie San was struck dumb, looking in the direction her cousin-in-law was pointing. The middle-aged man being pointed at seemed to sense something, glancing over indifferently. His gaze was calm, yet carried an invisible pressure of someone long accustomed to a position of power, as if it could pierce through one's heart. Auntie San trembled all over, her legs went weak, and she quickly lowered her head, daring not to look in that direction again, nor to make a sound. Her face was ashen, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on her forehead.

The few relatives who had vaguely overheard the conversation fell silent, their gazes towards the group of "family members" now filled with a mixture of awe and deep apprehension. The deputy mayor and the police chief personally coming to support the daughter of a "criminal suspect"? The implications of this sent shivers down their spines, and they dared not entertain any further thoughts.

The spotlight had quietly gone out sometime earlier. The emcee had already retreated into the shadows of the stage, staring at everything in disbelief.

Surrounded by this group of "relatives" who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, Feng Ya's tears continued to flow, but these were no longer tears of grievance and loneliness. Instead, they were tears of immense, almost dizzying surprise, emotion, and the release of a warm current of recognition. Looking at these unfamiliar yet kind faces, and listening to their undisguised respect when they spoke of her father, she felt her cold and empty heart being rapidly filled and warmed by a surging current of warmth.

Being a father is not a disgrace.

My father has so many friends who remember and respect him.

She is not alone.

Chen Hao held her tightly, feeling her trembling body, his heart filled with shock and gratitude. He looked at the group of distinguished "elders," then at an inconspicuous corner behind the crowd in the distance—where Lin Feng and Lü Yi stood quietly, as if they were just ordinary guests. Chen Hao seemed to understand something and nodded slightly in that direction.

Looking at Feng Ya's face, which was streaked with tears yet radiant with genuine joy, the old man's eyes deepened with satisfaction. He turned back to the hall, his voice regaining its calmness, yet carrying the force of a final pronouncement:

"Alright, we old folks have delivered our good wishes, so we won't delay the newlyweds' auspicious time any longer."

He turned towards the stage and nodded slightly to the emcee, who was already stunned. "Emcee, you may continue."

After speaking, he took the lead and walked to the empty table where his wife's family had been sitting, and sat down calmly. The others followed suit, and quietly and orderly took their seats. The long table, which had been conspicuously empty, was suddenly full of people, and because of the aura of the newcomer, it seemed more "heavy" and eye-catching than any other table around it.

Inside the venue, the deathly silence was replaced by a more complex, breathless stillness.

The emcee took several deep breaths before barely regaining his professional demeanor. He walked back to the center of the stage, the lights once again focusing on him. He looked at the newlyweds standing embracing at the start of the red carpet, their eyes filled with tears and smiles, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible excitement due to the earlier incident:

"It seems our beautiful bride has received the most special and precious blessing today! Let us once again give the newlyweds a warm round of applause and express our gratitude for this profound sentiment!"

This time, thunderous applause swept through the entire banquet hall, more enthusiastic and sincere than ever before, as if it threatened to lift the roof off.

Amidst deafening applause and countless gazes filled with complex emotions, Feng Ya raised her head, her eyes blurred with tears, and looked towards her parents' family's banquet. The place was no longer empty; it was filled with people, like a solid and warm mountain that had suddenly appeared.

She blinked hard, forcing back her tears, and gave Chen Hao beside her her first genuine, bright, and happy smile of the day—a smile that came from the heart and was free of any gloom.

Then, she took his arm tightly, straightened her back, and under the relit spotlight, amidst thunderous applause, steadily stepped towards their future.