Chapter 180 Having someone to love her is her source of confidence.

Upon hearing Jiang Wanqiu's words, the girls frowned at her instead.

One of the girls, who looked the youngest and had two braids, bit her lip and whispered to Jiang Wanqiu:

“Sister-in-law, you dare to say that because Battalion Commander Zhao protects you and dotes on you. But what are we?”

Another girl with a few freckles on her face next to her sneered, her tone sour: "Yeah, if this gets out, people won't say that old man is a monster, they'll just gossip about us behind our backs, saying we're young and don't know how to behave, that we're shameless and just go looking for men."

"In that case, it will ruin our reputation; it will be destroyed for life."

Their words left Jiang Wanqiu speechless for a moment.

Yes, how could she forget?

She dared to be so reckless because she had Zhao Wenchang standing behind her, a man who was willing to unconditionally support her.

To be unloved, or even to lack a strong man to rely on, is itself a sin. All the grievances must be swallowed down alone.

Time flew by, and the joyous day of Jiang Wanqiu and Zhao Wenchang's wedding arrived.

That day, the entire military compound was even more lively than during the Spring Festival. Red ribbons were hung in Zhao Wenchang's house, and the cooks were busy from before dawn, the aroma of meat filling half the compound. The road leading to Zhao Wenchang's dormitory was covered with a layer of red firecracker paper scraps, creating an incredibly festive atmosphere.

Inside the room, Jiang Wanqiu sat upright on the edge of the bed, letting Li Yanhong and several other girls from the performing arts troupe apply makeup to her face.

She ultimately didn't wear the dress that Zhao Wenchang bought for her at the department store.

The man was very domineering. He put the dress away the night before and said to her with a smile, "That dress is too beautiful. You can only wear it to me when we enter the bridal chamber."

Finally, Zhao Wenchang somehow managed to borrow a brand-new female soldier's uniform from the cultural troupe.

The military green uniform was crisp and stylish, with bright red collar insignia and cap badges. Li Yanhong clicked her tongue in amazement as she buttoned the collar:

"Late Autumn, you look absolutely stunning in this outfit!"

She held Jiang Wanqiu's shoulders and made her look at herself in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror had willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, skin as white as snow, and lips naturally red. Her smart military uniform did not conceal her femininity; on the contrary, it made her look like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow, delicate and charming, yet also carrying a touch of heroism.

"Exactly! With your face and figure, you should have joined our cultural troupe! If you had, the title of 'the most beautiful woman in the army' would have been reserved for no one else!" A girl next to her joked.

Jiang Wanqiu's cheeks flushed from their words, and she lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, muttering softly, "Please stop teasing me..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a cacophony of car horns and deafening jeers erupted from outside.

"The groom is here! Block the door! No red envelopes, no entry!"

The room immediately erupted in laughter.

Jiang Wanqiu's heart pounded, and she nervously gripped the hem of her clothes.

Outside the door, Zhao Wenchang stood in a brand-new military officer's uniform, with a large red flower on his chest. His hair was neatly combed, and he stood as tall and straight as a poplar tree.

Surrounded by a group of comrades, he couldn't hide his smile as he finally squeezed into the house amidst shouts of "Give me the money!" and "Open the door!"

When he saw Jiang Wanqiu sitting by the bed, his eyes lit up instantly, as if two flames were dancing inside them.

The jeers around him seemed to disappear; all he could see was his beautiful, pretty wife in her military uniform.

"Hey, look at our Battalion Commander Zhao, his eyes are practically popping out!"

"Stop looking around, hurry up and get to the proper procedures! The auspicious time is almost here!"

The crowd pushed the two people to the middle of the room.

The emcee shouted at the top of his lungs, "The newlyweds are now bowing to heaven and earth!"

These days, the process is simple, yet incredibly lively. After bowing to heaven and earth, paying respects to the parents, and the couple bowing to each other, the most boisterous part begins.

Someone used a red thread to hang a big, bright red apple in front of the two of them.

"Come on, bite the apple! Whoever bites it first becomes the boss!"

The apple swayed in the air, and Jiang Wanqiu's face turned even redder.

Zhao Wenchang was quite frank. He was the first to lean over, and Jiang Wanqiu could only blush and tiptoe slightly to get closer.

Just as their lips were about to touch the apple, the person holding the thread grinned mischievously and suddenly pulled the red thread upwards!

The apple swung away with a "whoosh," and before the two could dodge, their lips met directly.

It's soft and has a slightly sweet aroma.

Jiang Wanqiu's mind went blank for a moment, and she could only feel the warmth of the man's lips and his suddenly heavier breathing.

"Oh—! They kissed! They kissed!"

"Hahaha, Battalion Commander Zhao did it on purpose!"

A burst of laughter erupted around him, and Zhao Wenchang's face turned red, a rare occurrence for him. However, he did not immediately let go. Instead, taking advantage of everyone's inattention, he quickly deepened the kiss on her lips before reluctantly pulling away.

In the crowd, Ping An was craning his neck to look inside when everything went black as a warm, large hand covered his eyes.

"Kids shouldn't look at this!" A chuckled uncle's voice rang out above his head.

After the wedding night festivities are over, it's time to take our seats.

A dozen large round tables were set up in the courtyard, where everyone was enjoying a lively banquet. Jiang Wanqiu followed Zhao Wenchang, toasting at each table, her smile never fading.

But when she walked to the table in the corner, the smile on her face froze for a moment.

Jiang Wanxia sat there nonchalantly, leisurely munching on sunflower seeds.

Jiang Wanqiu's brows furrowed instantly. How could she be here? She hadn't invited her at all!

As if sensing her gaze, Jiang Wanxia raised her head and gave her a half-smile. She stood up and walked over gracefully.

"Sister, brother-in-law, congratulations!"

Jiang Wanqiu pursed her lips and remained silent, her expression somewhat cold.

Jiang Wanxia acted as if she hadn't seen it, her voice carrying a hint of grievance and sarcasm:

"Sister, why are you looking at me like that? I... shouldn't I have come?"

She paused, glanced around, and deliberately raised her voice so that those nearby could hear her:

"After all, I'm your only younger sister. Sister, such a big event as your wedding, and no one even told me. I suppose... you were too busy and forgot? As your younger sister, wouldn't it be too inconsiderate of me not to come and find you?"

Zhao Wenchang's smile faded slightly, but on this joyous day, he didn't want to make things too awkward. He picked up the wine glass on the tray and steadily filled the empty glass in front of Jiang Wanxia.

In the white porcelain cup, the clear, cool liquor sloshed around, creating ripples.

"Come on, Wanxia, ​​let your brother-in-law toast you." His voice was still loud, trying to suppress the unpleasantness.

Jiang Wanxia didn't move, her clear black and white eyes staring straight at Zhao Wenchang, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.

"Brother-in-law, that won't do," she said slowly. "The groom toasting his own sister, how can one cup be enough? Everyone says, shouldn't he drink three?"

Her last words were spoken in a raised voice to the onlookers.

These days, people love to join in the fun, especially at wedding banquets, where getting the groom drunk is an essential part of the event. Immediately, someone joined in the jeering:

"That's right! Three cups! Battalion Commander Zhao, three cups to start!"

"Commander, you have a huge capacity for alcohol, three cups are nothing, come on, let's chug the bottle!"

In an instant, cheers and table-pounding filled the air.

Zhao Wenchang frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed. Without saying a word, he poured himself two more glasses.

"Okay, I'll listen to my sister-in-law."

He picked up the cup, tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down—one cup. He picked it up again, tilted his head back again, and drank another cup.

After finishing the third cup, he turned the small white porcelain cup upside down, leaving not a single drop.

Another round of cheers erupted from the crowd.

Jiang Wanxia looked at Zhao Wenchang's slightly flushed face, her smile deepening, but she showed no sign of giving up. She sighed softly, as if recalling something painful:

“Sigh, my husband Jianjun is still in the hospital and can’t come. If he knew that you two were getting married, he would be overjoyed.”

As she spoke, her eyes even reddened. Then, she changed the subject and looked at Zhao Wenchang:

"Brother-in-law, you love my sister so much, you must also feel sorry for your little sister, right? Jianjun can't attend your wedding banquet, so why don't you drink a few glasses for him? Let him share in your joy, maybe that will help his head recover faster!"

Jiang Wanqiu sensed the provocation in Jiang Wanxia's words and said coldly to her, "Jiang Wanxia, ​​haven't you made enough of a scene?!"

"Wenchang, stop drinking! What if you get drunk?" She turned her head and tried to pull the man away.

Jiang Wanxia let out a cold laugh, deliberately raising her voice so everyone around could hear:

"Sister, what do you mean by this? Don't you hope your brother-in-law gets better? Have you forgotten who Jianjun hurt his head for? Besides, why would anyone be afraid of the groom getting drunk at a wedding? Everyone, am I right? Or are you afraid that if he gets drunk, he won't be able to consummate the marriage with you?!"

The people around them naturally started to cheer and laugh again.

Zhao Wenchang was forced to drink one glass of liquor after another until half a bottle of liquor on the tray had been emptied. Jiang Wanqiu, somewhat annoyed, snatched the bottle away, and Jiang Wanxia calmed down a bit.

A satisfied smile appeared on her face. She sat back down leisurely, picked up a handful of melon seeds, and slowly cracked them open. She then gestured with her chin to Jiang Wanqiu, indicating that the two should continue toasting: "Keep drinking, don't be reluctant to leave here."

Towards the end of the drinking session, Zhao Wenchang spoke noticeably less, and the blush on his face grew heavier.

Just as the toasts were almost finished at more than a dozen tables, a person hurriedly walked in through the courtyard gate.

As soon as Zhao Wenchang saw him, he strode up to him and punched the man on the shoulder.

"Gu Feiyan! You've finally arrived! I was just saying, the first glass of wine at this wedding should have been saved for you!"