A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Guests arrived one after another, their attire dazzling. Most of the men wore suits and ties, their bow ties meticulously tied, their cuffs revealing gold chains. The women wore a mix of cheongsams and Western-style gowns. Some wore high-necked lace dresses, their hems slit to the knee, revealing smooth calves. Others wore cheongsams embroidered with gold phoenixes, their collars pinned with jade brooches, and their wrists jingled with jade bracelets. Several elderly gentlemen with long braids sat in the front row, their jackets embroidered with subtle patterns. They leaned on dragon-headed canes, looking at the piano and Chinese candlesticks on the stage with a touch of curiosity on their faces.

At the auspicious hour, the organ played a Western-style wedding march, and Tong Yujun slowly approached, arm in arm with Boss Tong. She wore a pure white wedding dress, its hem trailing on the carpet and embellished with tiny rhinestones. Her veil, hemmed in with pearls, framed her face. The lavish design of the dress drew whispers of admiration from the guests.

The guests were all whispering to each other, "Boss Tong has really invested a lot of money. But that's right. After all, his daughter is marrying into the Song family, the richest family in Jiangcheng, so of course he has to spend a lot of money."

Gui'er, serving as bridesmaid, stood beside Tong Yujun. Her moon-white gauze dress set off her skin, which looked whiter than snow. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, pinned only with a crystal hairpin. She had intended to be low-key, but standing in the crowd, her gentle and clear temperament was particularly conspicuous.

Some guests murmured, "Whose daughter is that? She's so pretty."

"Like the adopted daughter of the Marshal's Mansion. I heard she's a nurse." Gui'er's ears felt hot when she heard this. She lowered her eyes slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt.

The ceremony began with a Western-style ceremony. The priest stood at the center of the dais and read the vows in both Chinese and English. When Tong Yujun and Song Xilun exchanged rings, the ring box contained an open jade mandarin duck, symbolizing the concept of "mandarin ducks forming pairs." After exchanging rings, the couple turned to face the shrine. A Song family elder presided over the traditional Chinese rituals, worshipping heaven and earth. They also offered a tea ceremony to both sets of parents. The teacups were gilded Jingdezhen porcelain bowls, filled with longan and red date tea, symbolizing the early birth of a son.

After the ceremony, the guests moved to the banquet hall, where over twenty tables were set, offering a mix of Chinese and Western dishes: Western favorites like roast turkey and cream cake, alongside traditional Chinese specialties like braised pork elbow and four-happiness meatballs. A champagne tower stood alongside a blue and white porcelain vase, its spire hung upside down from a crystal chandelier, its light casting a golden glow on the wine.

Sha Yanxiao, drinking wine, socialized with others, his gaze drifting to Gui'er. She was surrounded by several ladies, who complimented her bridesmaid dress and asked if she was convinced of the marriage. Gui'er blushed, answering each question. The wind blew her hair against her cheeks, and as she brushed it back, her wrist, more radiant than pearls, was revealed. Sha Yanxiao was startled, only to be brought back to reality when Song Xilun, beside him, gently touched his arm. A subtle smile curved the corners of his mouth.

The wedding lasted from the afternoon until dusk, with Western bands and Chinese drum music alternating, and guests dancing the waltz, playing finger-guessing, and drinking. It was a lively affair. Gui'er stood in the corridor to get some fresh air, wondering if Old Meng and the others' plan had gone smoothly. Sha Yanyao had even brought several of his men with him today, so logically, no one should have been able to stop them.

At this time, Song Xichen came over to greet her and said with a smile: "You look really good today."

Gui Er said sheepishly, "Thank you, Brother Song. I wonder if everything went smoothly for my colleagues."

Song Xichen chuckled and said, "I knew you were worried about this. A comrade just came back and reported to me that he's successfully left Jiangcheng, handed over to his contact, and embarked on a new journey. Old Meng is really sorry you didn't go with him. He asked a comrade to tell you that in this complicated environment, you must stick to your original intention. If you want to go to the base, he's always available to introduce you."

Guier smiled and said, "I'm very happy to be recognized by the leadership, but I'd rather stay here and fight alongside you."

Song Xichen patted her shoulder and said, "That's right. When you were in Nanjing, Shopkeepers Zhang and Liu kept talking about you. Your two brothers would also suddenly come to the police station to find me and ask if I was doing well after not hearing from you for so long."

Gui'er was a little surprised: "Really? They never mentioned it to me."

Song Xichen said calmly, "I know you're still bothered by the fact that you were bought out by your family. Your brother couldn't do anything about it. So many years have passed, and you've grown up. Don't dwell on the past."

Gui'er sighed. It was not that she still minded this matter, but she really didn't have much emotional feelings for her biological brother. After all, she had no memory before the age of nine, and since she could remember, her brother had always relied on her. Whenever she encountered any difficulties, they could not help, and it was good enough that they did not drag her down.

"Director Song, thank you for taking care of me. What are you talking about?" Sha Yanxiao shook off several socialites who were trying to chat with him, walked up to him and asked in a bad tone.

Gui'er quickly explained, "Brother, what are you talking about? They are just thanking me for being their bridesmaid."

Sha Yanxiao raised his eyebrows and looked at Song Xichen with some suspicion.

Song Xichen smiled and said, "I even praised her for her beautiful outfit today."

Sha Yanxiao's face suddenly darkened, and he sneered, "Hasn't Director Song always been hanging out with the female police officers under him? Why are you praising someone else's sister again? Don't think that everyone says you're a gentleman. I know you very well."

Gui'er and Song Xichen were both shocked. They didn't expect that Sha Yanxiao actually knew that Song Xichen was secretly in love with one of his subordinates.

Song Xichen was stunned for a moment, then calmly said, "Young Marshal is so busy with all sorts of things, I didn't expect him to care about my relationship. I wonder if I should be flattered?"

Sha Yanxiao said disdainfully, "Who cares about your little business? I'm warning you, don't even think about taking advantage of my sister."

Gui'er blushed, tugging at Sha Yanxiao's shirt and whispering, "Brother, what are you talking about? It would be so embarrassing if it got out to so many people." She turned around and saw Sha Yanyao saying goodbye to Mr. Song and his wife, and quickly said, "Hey, big brother and the others are getting ready to leave, let's go too."

Sha Yanxiao glanced back and saw that the other concubines, upon seeing Sha Yanyao say goodbye, also greeted Master Song and the others. He glared at Song Xichen and said to Gui'er, "Okay, let's go."

Sha Yanxiao went to greet Mr. Song and Mrs. Song, and Guier also ran to say hello to Tong Yujun and Song Xilun. Then the two of them came out with everyone and got into their cars to go back home.