Shen Nianxi ran over, tugged at Lin Wanqiu's skirt, and looked up at her with her little face, saying, "Mom, you're so beautiful! You'll definitely be the most beautiful bride tomorrow!" Shen Nian'an also stood to the side, a shy smile on her face, but said earnestly, "Mom, I will protect you well tomorrow and won't let anyone bully you." Lin Wanqiu squatted down, hugged the two children, and said with a choked voice, "Thank you, my good children."

On the wedding day, the Shen family home was bustling with activity at the crack of dawn. Old Mrs. Shen rose early to comb Lin Wanqiu's hair. Holding a peach wood comb, she gently stroked Lin Wanqiu's long hair, her movements as tender as if handling a rare treasure: "Wanqiu, our elders say that a bride's hair should be combed three times. The first comb goes to the end, the second to white hair reaching the eyebrows, and the third to a house full of children and grandchildren." The sound of the comb gliding through the hair was soft and melodious. Lin Wanqiu closed her eyes, feeling the warmth from the top of her head, her heart filled with peace—this was the home she had always wanted, with the love of elders, the protection of her lover, and the companionship of children.

Shen Tingzhou, dressed in a brand-new Zhongshan suit with a small red flower pinned to his chest, looked dashing and spirited. He stood at the doorway, watching the busy figures inside, a smile playing on his lips. A moment later, Lin Wanqiu emerged in a red wedding dress, a red veil covering her head, a red handkerchief in her hand. She walked lightly to him. Shen Tingzhou reached out and took Lin Wanqiu's hand. Her hand was slightly cool, yet very soft. He held it tightly, as if trying to etch her warmth forever into his palm.

The wedding procession set off from the Shen family home, attracting neighbors to come and watch the spectacle. Shen Tingzhou drove himself, with Lin Wanqiu sitting in the passenger seat. Her eyes, hidden behind her red veil, sparkled as she gazed out the window at the familiar street—a street she had walked countless times, yet never before had she found every scene so lovely. Neighbors on both sides of the street smiled and waved their blessings, some even tossing candy into the car. The sweet candy landed on the seat like tiny seeds of happiness, taking root and sprouting in Lin Wanqiu's heart.

Upon arriving at the Hongqi Hotel, Shen Tingzhou carefully helped Lin Wanqiu out of the car, through the crowd, and along the red carpet towards the banquet hall. The banquet hall was already filled with guests: Shen Tingzhou's comrades-in-arms, employees of Lin Wanqiu's food workshop, and old neighbors from the Hongqi Commune. Seeing them enter, everyone stood up and applauded, the applause surging like a tide, flooding the entire banquet hall. Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi, dressed in brand-new clothes, followed behind them, their faces beaming with pride—their parents were the happiest people today.

The wedding ceremony began under the guidance of the emcee. Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu walked to the center of the stage, facing each other. The emcee smiled and asked, "Comrade Shen Tingzhou, do you take Comrade Lin Wanqiu to be your wife, to love and care for her for the rest of your life, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" Shen Tingzhou looked at Lin Wanqiu, his eyes as firm as a mountain: "I do." His voice was not loud, but it was full of strength, making everyone present feel his sincerity.

The emcee then asked Lin Wanqiu, "Comrade Lin Wanqiu, are you willing to marry Comrade Shen Tingzhou, to support him and accompany him for the rest of your life, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in poverty and in wealth, to never abandon him?" Lin Wanqiu raised her head, looked into Shen Tingzhou's deep eyes, her eyes welling up with tears, but she smiled and said, "I do." She had said these three words countless times in her heart, and today she could finally say them in front of everyone, which made her feel incredibly happy.

Next came the exchange of tokens. Shen Tingzhou took out a small silver bracelet from his pocket, its delicate patterns engraved on it; he had specially commissioned a silversmith to make it. He gently held Lin Wanqiu's wrist and placed the bracelet on her hand, his movements as tender as if handling a fragile treasure: "Wanqiu, this bracelet represents my heart. From now on, my heart is yours." Lin Wanqiu also took out a watch from her bag, which she had bought with the money she earned from her food stall. The watch face was engraved with the words "Shanghai." She placed the watch on Shen Tingzhou's wrist and said with a smile, "Tingzhou, from now on, our lives will be like this watch, every second filled with sweetness and joy."

The guests below the stage were all moved by this heartwarming scene and applauded their blessings. Grandma Shen, sitting in the front row, watched the two on stage, tears streaming down her face, yet she smiled and said, "Good, good, this is wonderful..." She recalled her past harshness towards Lin Wanqiu, and how Lin Wanqiu had taken care of her without holding a grudge. Her heart was filled with guilt, but also with relief—she knew that Lin Wanqiu and Shen Tingzhou would definitely be happy, and this family would become increasingly harmonious.

After the ceremony, the banquet began. The table was laden with a sumptuous feast, including braised pork, sweet and sour fish, stir-fried shrimp, and sesame candy and peanut brittle made by Lin Wanqiu herself. The guests ate with great relish, praising the food and declaring Shen Tingzhou and Lin Wanqiu a match made in heaven. Shen Tingzhou busied himself toasting the guests, while Lin Wanqiu helped with the greetings. The two exchanged a knowing smile, their eyes filled with understanding—they had weathered so many storms together over the years, and they were certain that they would continue to walk hand in hand into the future, making it even better.

Halfway through the banquet, Shen Nian'an and Shen Nianxi ran onto the stage to present their prepared gifts to their parents. Shen Nian'an took out a painting depicting a family of four sunbathing in the yard, a heartwarming and lovely scene: "Dad, Mom, this is what I drew. I wish you eternal happiness." Shen Nianxi then took out a flower made of colored paper, tiptoed, and handed it to Lin Wanqiu: "Mom, this is a flower I made. It's even prettier than a real flower. I wish you will always be as beautiful as a flower." Lin Wanqiu accepted the gifts, hugged her two children tightly, and tears welled up in her eyes again—this was her happiness: a lover, children, family, friends, and a warm home.

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