Wedding Gifts and Aftermath
The thunderous applause gradually subsided, but the warm current in the air and a certain indescribable shock lingered for a long time.
The spotlight gently bathed the beautiful couple on the red carpet. Feng Ya's tear tracks were still wet, shimmering under the light, but she no longer appeared fragile. Instead, she had a radiant glow, as if washed clean by her tears. Chen Hao held her hand tightly, the warmth from his palm firm and burning.
The wedding ceremony that followed went exceptionally smoothly; in fact, it was filled with a warmth and solemnity that transcended the usual formalities.
As Feng Ya, arm in arm with Chen Hao, walked step by step towards the flower-adorned altar to the strains of the Wedding March, her steps had never been so light, her back so straight. Her gaze swept across the altar to the bride's family table, where the newly acquainted "uncles and aunts" watched her with gentle, encouraging smiles. There, she no longer saw loneliness, but rather the source of her strength.
During the ring exchange, Chen Hao's hand trembled slightly, but the sparkling diamond ring was carefully and firmly placed on Feng Ya's ring finger. When Feng Ya put the ring on his finger, her fingertips were cold, but her movements were exceptionally resolute. As the emcee announced, "The groom may kiss the bride now," Chen Hao lowered his head, gently kissing away the tears welling in her eyes again, and then placed a solemn kiss on her lips. The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers once more, this time with less of the previous complex scrutiny and more pure blessings.
During the toasting ceremony, as is customary, the newlyweds first went to the main table to toast their parents and the most important elders. Chen Hao's parents were clearly not yet fully recovered from the shock of what had just happened; their smiles were somewhat overly bright. However, the way they looked at Feng Ya showed a newfound, heartfelt respect and... a subtle, almost imperceptible reverence. When they raised their glasses, their tone was exceptionally sincere.
Immediately afterwards, Feng Ya and Chen Hao, holding their wine glasses, headed straight for the bride's family's banquet.
The atmosphere around the long table was harmonious. The elderly man with white hair (playing the role of a respected elder) sat in the main seat, while the others sat down casually, chatting in hushed tones, their expressions relaxed. Compared to the lively atmosphere of the other seats around them, there was a calm and undeniable tranquility about them.
Upon seeing the newcomers arrive, the elder was the first to stand up with a smile, and the others followed suit.
"Uncle Wei, uncles and aunts," Chen Hao spoke first, his tone respectful and sincere, "Thank you all so much for today! Xiaoya and I would like to toast you all!" His hand holding the glass was very steady.
Feng Ya also raised her glass, tears welling up in her eyes again, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you... thank you so much... I..." A thousand words stuck in her chest, and she didn't know where to begin.
The old man looked at her kindly and raised his hand in a gesture of respect. "Child, today is a happy day, don't always shed tears. We'll drink this cup of wine and wish you two a harmonious and happy life together, supporting each other until you grow old!" His voice was loud and clear, carrying the blessings and entrustment of an elder.
"Grow old together!" The others at the table echoed in unison, raising their glasses in unison.
The crisp clinking of glasses rang out, and the mellow liquor flowed down her throat, its warmth spreading from her stomach to every part of her body. Feng Ya felt that this was the sweetest and warmest glass of wine she had ever tasted in her life.
After toasting the bride's family, the newlyweds went to toast other important guests and Chen Hao's main relatives. Wherever they went, they received noticeably warmer blessings, and their gazes held a newfound solemnity. The subtle probing and whispers that had been present before seemed to have completely disappeared, at least on the surface.
After toasting everyone, Feng Ya's face was slightly flushed with the effects of the wine, but mostly with a blush of happiness. Chen Hao carefully supported her, asking her softly if she was tired.
Finally, they walked to a relatively inconspicuous spot near the main table, on the side. Lin Feng and Lü Yi were sitting there. They were dressed in appropriate dark suits today, but they did not try to attract attention. They just sat quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, somewhat detached from the lively atmosphere around them, yet strangely blending into the occasion.
Feng Ya's feelings for Lin Feng were complex. She knew that this young man had played a key role in the final stage of her father's life, seemingly inextricably linked to her father's dramatic "farewell." Her father had never elaborated, but she could sense a peculiar trust and... entrustment that her father had for Lin Feng. She felt gratitude, curiosity, and a subtle tension as if facing a visitor from her father's world.
"Mr. Lin, Mr. Lü, thank you for coming." Feng Ya stepped forward and spoke first, her tone sincere. Chen Hao quickly raised his glass as well.
Lin Feng stood up. He was slightly taller than Feng Ya, with an upright posture, a calm face, and deep eyes. He raised the glass of water in his hand (he hadn't drunk any alcohol), nodded to the two of them, and said in a steady and gentle voice, "Congratulations. I wish you a long and happy marriage and all the best in United States."
The words were simple and unadorned, yet they conveyed a reassuring sincerity.
Feng Ya felt a warmth in her heart and was about to say something more to express her gratitude when Lin Feng nodded slightly to Lü Yi beside him.
Lü Yi immediately stepped forward, a signature smile on his face—a smile that was both nonchalant and sincere—and handed an inconspicuous light brown kraft paper document bag to Feng Ya and Chen Hao.
"Sister Feng, Brother Chen, congratulations! On this joyous occasion, this is just a small token of my best wishes for your new life. May it be prosperous and blissful!" Lü Yi said auspiciously, but her actions were swift and decisive.
Feng Ya and Chen Hao were both taken aback. A document bag? It wasn't a red envelope, nor a wrapped gift. They instinctively took it; it felt quite heavy, and seemed to contain a lot of papers. They looked at Lin Feng, then at the document bag, puzzled.
At this moment, the refined-looking elderly man (or perhaps Zhou Wenyuan, if he was also present and played this role) strolled over naturally, as if he had just happened to be passing by. With a gentle smile befitting an elder looking at a younger person, his gaze swept over the file folder, and in the most natural of tones, he explained to Feng Ya and Chen Hao:
"Xiaoya, Xiao Chen, I just heard Xiao Hao mention that you're going to work at the United States headquarters right after your wedding?"
Chen Hao nodded quickly. "Yes, Uncle Zhou (or the appropriate title), the transfer order has been issued, and the headquarters is in the San Francisco Bay Area."
The old man said "Oh," nodded, and his tone became even more amiable. "Young man, it's good that you have a bright future. However, settling down in a foreign land is a big deal. We elders have discussed it and thought that since your father (he glanced at Feng Ya) is no longer here, we old brothers should do our part to help him."
He pointed to the file folder in Feng Ya's hand and said casually, "I've arranged a small property for you near your company headquarters. The location is decent, and the environment is quiet. It's not big, but it's enough for two people, and it'll be manageable even if we have children later. The lawyer has taken care of all the paperwork. Inside are the property certificate, Key, property information, and some important notes. With this, you can move in directly when you get there. Consider it settling you in a home in United States, and also... a little something from Brother Jianguo to save you the trouble of finding a place to live when you first arrive."
The old man's tone was as casual as if he were saying, "Here's a box of snacks for you to eat on your way," but the content of his words was like a bombshell, exploding in the hearts of Feng Ya, Chen Hao, and the guests around them who could vaguely hear snippets of conversation!
I bought a property near my company headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, United States!
As a wedding gift?!
Feng Ya was completely stunned. The light file bag in her hand suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. She instinctively gripped it tightly, her knuckles turning white. Chen Hao also gasped, his eyes wide open. He looked at the file bag, then at the old man, then at Lin Feng beside him, who remained calm. His mind went blank for a moment.
The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds. The guests who had been chatting and laughing quietly at the nearby tables all held their breath and stared in shock. Although they couldn't hear the specific details, the phrase "acquired a property in the United States" and the old man's calm tone, combined with the intimidating presence of the "family and friends group" just now, were enough for them to understand what had happened.
This gesture... it's beyond "generous"! It's downright... outrageously extravagant! Moreover, the power behind this—purchasing a property (likely outright payment) in a short time near the heart of a popular United States city and completing all the legal formalities, then presenting it as a "gift"—is truly chilling! This is something money can't simply buy!
Feng Ya's tears welled up again without warning. This time, they were not tears of grievance, loneliness, or emotion, but tears of immense, almost dizzying surprise, disbelief, and a shocking feeling of being completely enveloped by a deep, ocean-like care. She hugged the file bag tightly, as if it were the last and most solid protection her father had left her, and bowed deeply, deeply, to Lin Feng, to the old man, and to all the smiling faces at her maternal family's table.
"Thank you... thank you... thank you all... really... thank you so much..." She sobbed uncontrollably, only able to repeat those two words. All words seemed pale and powerless at that moment.
Chen Hao's eyes also reddened with emotion. He put his arm around his wife's trembling shoulders and bowed deeply to Lin Feng and the old man, expressing his gratitude. "Mr. Lin, Uncle Zhou (or other titles), elders... this gift is too precious! We... we really don't know how to thank you enough! I, Chen Hao, hereby promise that I will treat Feng Ya well and live up to everyone's kindness and Uncle Feng's expectations!"
Lin Feng stepped forward, offered a slight gesture of support, and calmly said, "No need for that. This is just a small token of our elders' appreciation; please accept it. Walk your path well from now on."
The old man chuckled, "Alright, alright, stop thanking me. It's all my pleasure. Today is a joyous occasion, let's be happy! Xiaoya, your makeup is ruined from crying, go and touch it up, we still have to see the guests off later!"
Feng Ya burst into laughter through her tears, nodded vigorously, and hugged the file folder tightly to her chest, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
This gift is more than just a property in the United States. It is proof of her father's affection after his passing, a testament to the unreserved acceptance and care these "elders" have shown her, and an invaluable starting point and guarantee for her new life in a foreign land that she is about to begin.
It not only calmed all the guests, but also the last trace of unease and bewilderment in her heart caused by the coldness and indifference of the world.
Father, do you see? You are not alone. Neither am I.
For her, the excitement of the wedding reached its perfect peak at this moment.