The cafeteria fell silent instantly.

Political Commissar Wang looked at the newcomers at the head table and said solemnly, "Comrade Jiang Linchuan is a capable officer of our military. He has served in the army for many years and has made numerous meritorious contributions. He has made great contributions to safeguarding the peace and tranquility of the border of Heilongjiang Province. He is a truly outstanding soldier! Comrade Xu Xinghe is not only beautiful and kind-hearted, but also knowledgeable in medicine and capable of making medicine. She previously helped our military solve the problem of frostbite ointment and external injury medicine. She also assisted in capturing spies during a mission. She is a brave and resourceful comrade!"

"The two share the same ideals and are deeply in love. Today, they are happily married, which is not only a blessing for them but also a joyous occasion for our military!" Political Commissar Wang raised his voice. "On behalf of the military, I wish the newlyweds a happy marriage and a long and harmonious life together! May they respect and love each other, help and support each other in the future. Comrade Jiang Linchuan should continue to stand firm in his post and defend our country, and Comrade Xu Xinghe should give full support to his work. Let's work together to contribute to the construction of our nation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the cafeteria.

"Congratulations to Commander Jiang and Comrade Xu on your marriage!"

May you have a son soon!

May you have a long and happy marriage, and have a healthy baby boy soon!

Political Commissar Wang smiled and waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. "Alright, without further ado, let's begin the wedding feast! Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content!"

At his command, the cooks immediately brought out steaming hot meals.

There was stewed pork and cabbage until tender, braised fish chunks, scrambled eggs, and cold potato salad, a total of eight dishes and one soup.

Although they were all simple, everyday dishes, they represented the best that the military could offer.

The aroma instantly filled the entire cafeteria.

Everyone picked up their bowls and chopsticks and started eating and chatting.

Jiang Linchuan took Xu Xinghe's hand and stood up. "Comrades and sisters-in-law, thank you all for coming to Xinghe and my wedding banquet today. I'll have Xinghe toast everyone!"

As he spoke, he picked up the enamel mug on the table, and Xu Xinghe also picked up her water cup. The two walked side by side toward the various tables.

The first table was occupied by Political Commissar Wang and several military leaders.

Jiang Linchuan raised his hand in a military salute, "Political Commissar Wang, leaders, thank you all for your care and blessings. Xinghe and I would like to toast you!"

Political Commissar Wang smiled and raised his hand, "I wish you a happy marriage, and may you respect and love each other in the future, and contribute more to the country!"

Everyone raised their glasses together and drank them down in one gulp.

The two then went to the table where the military wives were seated.

Wang Chunmei quickly stood up, took Xu Xinghe's hand, and said with a smile, "Xinghe, from now on you're one of our military personnel. If you need anything, just tell your sister-in-law!"

Jiang Linchuan raised his glass, "Sister-in-law Wang, thank you and all the other sisters-in-law for helping to prepare the wedding banquet. You've all worked so hard. Xinghe and I would like to toast everyone."

"It's not hard work at all!" The military wives raised their glasses one after another, offering their blessings in a flurry, "Wishing you all a healthy baby soon!"

"Life is getting better and better!"

Xu Xinghe blushed at what she was told and took a sip from her cup.

Jiang Linchuan was worried that she might feel uncomfortable, so he specially replaced the wine with water.

Everyone knows it, but no one has said it.

As long as you're happy!

As they toasted each other along the way, the two received many blessings.

Although Jiang Linchuan had a good alcohol tolerance and drank quite a bit, his eyes were slightly red, but he held Xu Xinghe's hand tightly the whole time, afraid that she would be pushed by the crowd.

When they reached the last table, the two immediately spotted Lian Xiao sitting alone.

A half-empty vat of wine sat before him, his gaze fixed on the distance, lost in thought.

Xu Xinghe pulled Jiang Linchuan forward and said softly, "Lian Xiao, I'd like to toast you. It's a pity that Grandpa Lian couldn't attend the wedding."

Lian Xiao snapped out of his daze and looked up at the two people in front of him.

The man was as upright as a pine tree, and the woman was gentle and charming. Their hands were tightly clasped together, and their perfectly matched appearance was like a fine needle that gently pricked his heart, causing a bittersweet feeling to spread instantly.

He suppressed his disappointment, picked up the wine on the table, and forced a smile, "Congratulations."

Jiang Linchuan stared at him for a moment before raising his glass to clink glasses, saying, "Thanks."

Lian Xiao tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

The spicy liquor slid down my throat, but it couldn't suppress the soreness in my heart.

He put down his wine glass and looked at Xu Xinghe's face. "Xinghe, I wish you a happy marriage and a long and happy life together. From now on... live a good life."

This sentence is both a blessing and a farewell to this fruitless relationship.

"Thank you, Lian Xiao, and I wish you will meet the right person soon."

Lian Xiao smiled, said nothing more, and simply waved his hand, signaling them to get back to work.

After a few rounds of drinks, someone suggested playing some games to liven things up, which was immediately met with enthusiastic responses from everyone.

Lian Xiao also came. Although he felt a little bittersweet, he was genuinely happy for Xu Xinghe when he saw her happy expression.

"Let's play apple biting! Same rules as before, newcomers team up and try to bite the hanging apple with their mouths. If you bite it, you get a reward; if you miss, you have to drink a toast together!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately cheered.

Several young soldiers brought over a table, found a rope, tied a large, red apple to the middle of the rope, and then two soldiers each held one end, suspending the apple in mid-air, at just the chest height of the new recruit.

"Commander Jiang, Comrade Xu, come up and give it a try!"

Jiang Linchuan took Xu Xinghe's hand, stood up, and walked to the table.

Xu Xinghe's cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her head shyly. Jiang Linchuan gently squeezed her hand and whispered to comfort her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

With that, he gestured for everyone to begin.

The apple was gently shaken, and Jiang Linchuan bent down slightly, getting closer to the apple.

Xu Xinghe also mustered up her courage and joined in.

Their cheeks were very close, their breaths mingling.

Xu Xinghe's heart raced, and she couldn't help but blink, almost biting into empty air.

"Keep going! You're almost there!"

Jiang Linchuan steadied himself and gently supported Xu Xinghe's waist, signaling her to cooperate.

The two leaned closer again, and this time, seizing the opportunity, they took a bite of the apple together.

With a snap, the apple was firmly bitten.

Everyone immediately applauded and cheered, "Great! It bit!"

The soldier smiled and handed him a piece of fruit candy, jokingly saying, "Commander Jiang, not bad, you two are really well-coordinated!"

Jiang Linchuan took it, unwrapped the candy, and fed it to her, his eyes full of doting affection.

With a candy in her mouth, the sweetness spread from the tip of her tongue to the bottom of her heart, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Then there are various other mini-games.

Everyone participated enthusiastically.

The person who guesses wrong has to perform a short skit.

Some people sang military songs, some performed somersaults, and others imitated animal sounds, making everyone laugh.

Jiang Linchuan was also encouraged to guess the riddle. He guessed the answer correctly, but the crowd wouldn't let it go and insisted that he and Xu Xinghe sing a duet.

Unable to resist everyone's insistence, he took Xu Xinghe's hand and softly sang a popular military song.

His voice was deep and powerful, while Xu Xinghe's voice was soft and melodious.

The two singers' voices blended together, creating a particularly beautiful sound.

Everyone joined in the singing.

The rousing singing echoed in the cafeteria, lingering for a long time.

After the song ended, Xu Xinghe was finally able to sit down and eat something.

Jiang Linchuan sat down next to her. "You must be exhausted. Have something to eat."

"Yes, you should eat more too."

...

The banquet was lively from noon until evening.

Everyone enjoyed the food and had a great time.

As dusk fell, everyone gradually dispersed, bidding farewell to the two and offering their blessings before leaving.

The canteen gradually quieted down, leaving only Jiang Linchuan, Xu Xinghe, and a few military wives helping to tidy up.

Jiang Linchuan took Xu Xinghe's hand and walked out of the cafeteria.

The night breeze carried a slight chill.

Xu Xinghe leaned on his shoulder, "I had a really happy day."

Jiang Linchuan tightened his arms around her, pulled her into his embrace, and lowered his head to kiss her forehead. "From now on, I will make you this happy every day."

The moonlight shone on the two of them, lengthening their shadows.

The best kind of companionship is not about grand gestures, but about accompanying each other year after year, sharing every moment together.

It's about living every ordinary day in a way that's been agreed upon.