Chapter 153 Double Happiness (Wedding)

Chapter 153: Wedding Joy

Wasn't this essentially a wedding banquet?

Huo Zongzhuo’s mother was celebrating her birthday, and Huo Zongzhuo had invited all his friends, relatives, and business acquaintances, both close and distant. That alone was noteworthy, but why were so many of Jiang Luo's acquaintances there too?

And then there were the decorations, the cigarettes, alcohol, and chocolates on the tables—every detail screamed wedding banquet.

As guests settled into their seats, surrounded by familiar faces, conversations buzzed with speculation.

Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu huddled together.

You Junyu: “Holy shit, is this actually a wedding? That’s insane.”

Wang Chuang, already married, shrugged: “What’s the big deal? People get married.”

“If the government won’t allow it, what’s stopping them from throwing their own wedding party?”

Zheng Bin: “As long as they didn't invite you guys and not me, I don’t care what kind of banquet this is.”

Meanwhile, waitstaff on each floor began opening bottles and serving dishes. The first course, naturally, consisted of ten cold appetizers. For tables where guests were drinking, the staff also assisted with opening bottles and providing decanters.

Just then, a cheer erupted from the first floor. The building’s courtyard-style layout meant all floors were connected, so any commotion downstairs echoed clearly. Immediately, people rushed to the railings, peering down into the central atrium.

A glance revealed the reason:

The guest of honor, Huo Zongzhuo’s mother, the elderly lady, had arrived.

Dressed impeccably, the elderly lady entered the first-floor hall to a round of applause. Some guests shouted encouragement, while others wished her a long life. Leaning on her cane, she walked steadily through the admiring crowd, making her way to the central atrium, near the main table.

Those looking down from the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors saw the elderly lady look up and wave. Soon, applause rippled through the upper floors, filling the building with a lively atmosphere.

“Everyone, please quiet down.”

They had even hired a host for the occasion. Standing beside the elderly lady with a microphone, the host’s clear voice resonated through the speakers, reaching every corner of the building.

“Our guest of honor tonight, Ms. Wu Wanyuan, has arrived.”

“Now, let’s invite the elderly lady to share a few words with us.”

The building fell silent.

More people gathered at the railings, looking down at the central atrium below.

The elderly lady’s voice carried through the speakers: “Honored guests, dear friends and family, thank you all for traveling from far and wide to attend my birthday banquet tonight. It is truly an honor.”

“I don’t have much to say.”

“Since you are all here, please eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, I ask for your understanding.”

“Hear, hear~!”

Someone in the building shouted and clapped, and the crowd followed suit.

The host took the microphone and declared enthusiastically, “Let the banquet begin!” With that, the feast officially commenced.

In the central atrium on the first floor, two close relatives of the elderly lady at the main table quickly helped her to her seat. Shortly after, Huo Zongzhuo and Jiang Luo, who had been greeting guests at the entrance, returned and joined them at the main table, chatting with the elderly lady.

The extravagance of the banquet that night astonished even many wealthy business tycoons accustomed to fine dining: abalone, seafood, and *Buddha Jumps Over the Wall* were impressive enough, but there was also deep-sea lobster, shark fin soup, and more.

This level of opulence was truly fitting for a banquet hosted by Huo Zongzhuo.

Not only that, but each of the four main halls on every floor—east, south, west, and north—had its own stage and live performances.

On stage, singers and dancers performed with lively energy, while below, seated guests ate and drank to their hearts’ content, creating a festive, bustling atmosphere.

Zheng Bin even whispered to Wang Chuang, “Is it just a meal? Nothing else?”

Wang Chuang asked him, “What ‘else’ were you expecting?”

Zheng Bin: “Don't banquets usually have toasts and things?”

Wang Chuang was surprised: “You want the elderly lady to come toast you?”

Zheng Bin rolled his eyes: “I meant Jiang Luo and Mr. Huo!”

Not long after these words were spoken, and shortly after the banquet began, the host’s pleasant voice echoed through the speakers again: “Honored guests, dear friends.”

“To mark this joyous occasion, on behalf of the host family, I would like to announce something.”

“Tonight is not only Ms. Wu Wanyuan’s birthday banquet.”

“It is also the day Ms. Wu Wanyuan formally adopts a son.”

“Now, let us invite Ms. Wu Wanyuan to take her seat on the stage. Mr. Jiang Luo, please prepare to offer tea.”

Immediately, crowds gathered again at the edges of the courtyard-style building, leaning over the railings to look down at the central atrium.

Wang Chuang, You Junyu, and Zheng Bin on the second floor raced to the railing like it was a competition, eager to see what was happening below.

They saw the white-haired elderly lady, leaning on her cane, step onto a small stage in the central atrium covered with a red carpet. Below, Jiang Luo took a cup of tea from Huo Zongzhuo, walked up the steps onto the stage, and stood before the elderly lady.

The host directed the ceremony, saying, “Please kneel.”

Jiang Luo kept his back straight and knelt on a red cushion in front of the elderly lady.

The host said, “Offer the tea.”

Jiang Luo handed the tea to the elderly lady.

The host said, “By accepting this cup of tea, you become family from this day forward.”

The elderly lady smiled, reached out, and took the tea.

The host said, “After drinking this cup of tea, from now on, she is your mother.”

The elderly lady removed the teacup lid, brought it to her lips, and took a sip.

The host: “Bow to heaven and earth, and honor your elders.”

Jiang Luo lowered his head and bowed deeply, kowtowing to the elderly lady.

The host announced clearly: “First bow~!”

Jiang Luo made his first bow.

The host: “Second bow~!”

Jiang Luo performed the second kowtow.

Host: “Third bow—!”

Jiang Luo bowed deeply for the third time.

Host: “Ritual—complete—!”

Jiang Luo straightened his back, looked at the elderly woman, and loudly declared into the microphone held by the host: “Mom!”

“Yes.”

The elderly woman also spoke into the microphone: “Good, my boy.”

Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu were utterly stunned—could this really be happening? Was it for real?!

“Awesome—!”

Familiar voices from upstairs erupted in cheers and applause: “Awesome—!”

They were all the affluent young people from Haicheng and Shenzhen whom Jiang Luo knew.

Witnessing this scene, the privileged youth were electrified. After all, this group had been the most rebellious in their youth—defying their parents and thumbing their noses at society. Now, seeing Jiang Luo openly declare his marriage and call someone “Mom” at a birthday banquet, they felt he was living the life they’d always dreamed of—bold, unapologetic, and utterly badass! Exactly! The more society disapproved, the more you should go for it—screw ’em all!

Led by Qiu Xin, the crowd chanted: “Awesome!! Badass!!!”

Not only did they lead the applause, but they also produced party poppers from who-knew-where, setting them off with a series of sharp bangs—sending pink and white petals drifting down from the sixth floor like rain, truly evoking a wedding ceremony.

“Hurry up!”

Xue Zhizhong rushed over with others, quickly handing out party poppers to Wang Chuang and the rest. Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu caught on instantly—grabbed the poppers, and fired them off—“Pop! Pop!”—releasing even more petals fluttering down from the second floor.

“Awesome—!”

More people cheered, more people clapped.

In the central area, Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo helped the elderly woman back to the main table, exchanging a knowing glance and a warm smile.

Behind the wall separating the main table and the small courtyard stage, red paper bore a large black character for “longevity” (shòu). But behind that character, serving as the backdrop, were countless small red double-happiness (xǐ) symbols.

Tonight truly was a wedding banquet.

Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo’s wedding banquet.

The guests finally understood—and were utterly shocked.

Meanwhile, Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu grabbed bottles and glasses, rushing downstairs to find Jiang Luo and join him.

Hand in hand, Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo began making the rounds—table by table—starting from the first floor.

On their ring fingers, both men now wore simple wedding bands.

They raised their glasses with their ring-adorned hands, approaching a table where everyone stood up, offering congratulations and clinking glasses with Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo.

Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu stepped in to drink every subsequent toast at each table on behalf of Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo—

The three of them: “Come on—drink with me! Hit me up!”

“I’ll drink—I’ll drink! I’m not getting laid tonight, so bring it on!”

The scene was wild, unprecedented—nothing like it existed anywhere else in the country.

Meanwhile, who were the man and woman chatting and laughing warmly with the elderly woman at the main table in the courtyard?

Someone quickly recognized them: it was Chief Zhao of Haicheng.

Why was Chief Zhao here?

You didn’t know?

Someone explained: “Zhao Guangyuan is Jiang Luo’s father.”

What?!

So this really *was* a wedding banquet?

Both parents were present!

Looking again, Zhao Guangyuan and his wife were laughing and joking happily with the elderly woman.

So the families knew—and supported it. The wedding banquet was held so openly—so what was there left to criticize about same-sex relationships?

Fine then—bring on the drinks.

Zhao Shuo and Huang Bingbing appeared beside Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo at some point.

Zhao Shuo stepped forward to take charge, introducing himself: “I’m Jiang Luo’s older brother.”

“Oh—you’re the big bro!” someone at the table joked. “Come on, brother-in-law—let’s drink to that!”

Jiang Luo was taken aback. He turned to see Huang Bingbing giving him a gentle, tender smile.

And so, from the first floor to the sixth—nearly 150 tables—Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo worked the room, toasting their way through…

Downstairs, others took turns offering toasts at the main table. Zhao Guangyuan stood up, raising his glass. A guest said, “Congratulations, Chief Zhao!”

Zhao Guangyuan smiled, clinked glasses, and exchanged light conversation.

More people joined in—and Su Lan also rose, lifting her glass to help keep the momentum going…

The building buzzed with extraordinary energy—especially when Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhuo reached the tables of the young masters and ladies he knew—the place went absolutely wild—

Led by Qiu Xin, the group gathered, clapping and shouting: “Kiss! Lock lips!”

Others raised their hands, cheering loudly—especially skilled at egging them on.

Jiang Luo couldn’t out-shout them all—his eardrums felt ready to burst. Finally, Huo Zongzhuo pulled him close and granted their wish—planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Holy shit—!!!”

The crowd exploded—the noise nearly lifted the roof.

Packed tightly together like sardines, Wang Chuang, Zheng Bin, and You Junyu watched Huo Zongzhuo kiss Jiang Luo—and immediately widened their eyes, shouting—“Holy crap!!!”

Jiang Luo bit back a grin, too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye—his face unusually flushed bright red.

Huo Zongzhuo smiled too, holding Jiang Luo close, gazing at him before leaning in to whisper softly in his ear.

“Holy shit—!!!”

A group of young people started shouting excitedly at the sight.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Luo had had enough and led the way, "Let's move to the next table, next table!"

During the banquet, some whispered among themselves, "They're gay after all. Being discreet is one thing, but how could they make it so public? It's just too inappropriate."

But regardless of what others deemed appropriate or not, in the deep autumn of 1996, 24-year-old Jiang Luo and 35-year-old Huo Zongzhuo held a grand wedding banquet, telling everyone, telling the whole world, that they were married.

When Zhao Mingshi arrived on the first floor, he saw the hall filled with dinner tables and people. He saw Zhao Guangyuan and Su Lan happily drinking and socializing with guests. Going up to the fourth floor, he saw Zhao Shuo and Huang Bingbing following Jiang Luo and a large crowd, toasting, drinking, and having a great time.

Zhao Mingshi found it absurd, unbelievable—how could Jiang Luo be doing so well after all that!?

To Zhao Mingshi, the lively celebration and feast felt like a huge glitch in the world.

In this glitch, Zhao Mingshi felt completely out of place.

He was like a clown, a rat, watching from the corner at someone else's happiness.

And that someone else was none other than Jiang Luo.

No.

No!

Why was this happening?

Why was this happening!?

A black hole seemed to open in Zhao Mingshi's heart, leaving it hollow. He turned and walked away, confused and lost.

He finally realized that Jiang Luo was truly living well now—incredibly, amazingly well. He had money, friends, a career, a lover, and parents and family who loved him unconditionally.

This grand, crowded wedding banquet was just one small part of his happy life.

Zhao Mingshi left despondently, almost running away, not wanting his eyes and heart to be pierced by someone else's happiness.