The wedding car took more than two hours to pick up the bride, and it wasn't until 10:30 that it finally brought her back.

The alley was too narrow for the jeep to enter, so Gao Ping parked the car at the entrance of the alley.

As soon as the car stopped, Gao Ping's mother went to greet her.

Gao Ping also jumped out of the driver's seat, went around to the back seat, and opened the car door.

Before he could speak, his mother took out a large red envelope from her bosom and stuffed it into Wang Yun's hand.

What are you doing here?

Wang Yun didn't understand, because this item wasn't in the originally agreed-upon process.

"It's the bride price, keep it safe." Gao Ping's mother patted her hand and said in a low voice, "I didn't know you didn't accept the bride price. I only found out last night when Gao Ping brought it up. He's young and things weren't handled properly. As elders, we naturally have to make up for it. Everyone else has it, so we can't be shortchanged."

Wang Yun was moved by her mother-in-law's sincerity after hearing these words.

She grasped Gao Ping's mother's hand in return and said sincerely, "Thank you, Mom."

Gao Ping's mother nodded and placed her hand in Gao Ping's: "Good child, get off the bus."

Gao Ping quickly grabbed Wang Yun's hand and helped her down from the car.

Watch your step.

Gao Ping was excited and thrilled, and his voice trembled as he spoke to Wang Yun.

Wang Yun nodded, then shyly glanced at her, her fair face flushed.

As the bride got out of the car, firecrackers began to pop and crackle. At the same time, Gao Ping's eldest sister started scattering wedding candies from a basket.

As soon as the children in the residential compound saw the candy being scattered, they couldn't sit still. They squeezed into the crowd and stretched out their hands to catch it. Those who couldn't catch it squatted down to pick it up, and the atmosphere became incredibly lively.

Gao Ping took Wang Yun's hand and led her into the new house.

Gao Ping was wearing a military dress uniform, while Wang Yun wore a red long-sleeved dress with a cinched waist, her shoulder-length hair tied up and adorned with a red silk flower.

One was tall and handsome, the other graceful and beautiful; everyone watching couldn't help but say they were a perfect match.

Wang Yun was ushered into the new house. Gao Ping stayed with her for a while before being called away by people outside.

There were quite a few people gathered around, and everyone wanted to say a few words to the bride. Wang Yun, holding the red envelope, found it inconvenient to exchange pleasantries and didn't find an opportunity to put it in the drawer, so she quietly handed it to Fang Qiao, asking her to hold it for her.

A banquet was set up in the courtyard, and the guests gradually took their seats, while the number of people in the new house began to decrease.

After the crowd dispersed, Wang Yun closed the door to the new house and let out a long sigh of relief: "Getting married is really tiring."

"You'll only be tired for a little while, sit down and rest for a bit." Fang Qiao said, handing back the red envelope she was temporarily holding: "Here, the red envelope you just gave me."

Wang Yun reached out and took it, immediately opening it to reveal several brand-new ten-yuan bills inside.

Fang Qiao asked curiously, "Did your mother-in-law give it to you?"

Wang Yun nodded: "They said it was to make up for the bride price, and that everyone else gets it, so I can't be shortchanged either."

Seeing this, Fang Qiao remarked with emotion, "Your mother-in-law is a kind and honest person."

Wang Yun agreed, saying, "Yes, that's really kind of them."

After all, betrothal gifts are usually given at the time of engagement. If they aren't given at the time of engagement, then there's generally no betrothal gift at all.

Wang Yun never intended to ask for a bride price from the beginning. As a sent-down youth, she felt that she had already gained a great advantage by being able to return to the city through marriage, so she did not mention the bride price when she was discussing marriage with Gao Ping.

As for Gao Ping, he simply didn't understand. After all, he had joined the army when he was still a young boy, surrounded by bachelors, so he couldn't possibly recall this incident, and thus the matter was left unresolved.

If it were a more shrewd family, once they got the marriage certificate, who would bother to pay extra dowry? After all, they've already got the marriage certificate, so why would they get divorced over a few dozen yuan in dowry?

Moreover, Wang Yun voluntarily refused any bride price.

Therefore, it is truly commendable that Gao Ping's mother took the initiative to give her additional betrothal gifts.

After chatting for a while in the new house, the banquet started outside, and Fang Qiao was seated at one of the tables.

After the wedding banquet, the wedding was over, and Wang Yun officially became the young wife of the family compound.

The banquet ended and the guests left, but the host still had things to do.

The borrowed tables, chairs, benches, plates, chopsticks, and bowls need to be returned, and the ground that was dirtied from the banquet needs to be cleaned up. The sunflower seed shells scattered on the ground and the firecracker paper on the road outside also need to be swept up. In short, there's a lot of work to do.

"You go back first, I'll come find you to play after I've packed up." Wang Yun saw Fang Qiao to the door.

Fang Qiao nodded: "Okay, I'll go back first. You don't need to rush to find me to play. Take your time packing. Anyway, we'll be neighbors from now on, so there'll be plenty of time."

When Fang Qiao returned home, Cheng Baidong was already there.

At the lunch banquet, the two did not sit together.

Fang Qiao sat at one table with An An and Chen Guizhi's family members, while Cheng Baidong sat at another table with the male leaders of the factory.

The seating arrangement for wedding banquets in this residential compound has always been like this. The men are there to drink and chat; eating is secondary. The women, mostly not drinking and with children present, are primarily there for the meal.

Therefore, arranging them separately makes both sides more comfortable.

When Fang Qiao entered the room, Cheng Baidong was playing with An'an. As soon as Fang Qiao got close, she could smell a strong odor of alcohol on him.

"Have you been drinking?"

Cheng Baidong was slightly tipsy, and his handsome face was a little flushed.

He nodded: "I've had two drinks, I can't refuse the wedding banquet."

Cheng Baidong had witnessed his father, Cheng Guihe, beating people when he was drunk since he was a child, and he deeply hated alcohol.

He doesn't like drinking and his alcohol tolerance is average, but he's not a complete teetotaler. After all, it's a society based on social relationships, and there are always a few drinks that he can't refuse.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Fang Qiao asked with concern.

A little.

"I'll get you some honey water to help you sober up."

"No need to bother." Cheng Baidong reached out and grabbed Fang Qiao's wrist, pulling her into his arms. "I didn't drink much, I'll be fine after lying down for a while."

Fang Qiao nestled in his arms, her head almost touching his chest, and could clearly hear the strong, powerful heartbeat in his chest.

'Thump thump,' like thunder and drums!

Fang Qiao was infected by him, and her heart began to beat faster.

The atmosphere was a bit off, and Fang Qiao moved her shoulders, trying to break free.

Cheng Baidong hugged her even tighter.

"Don't move."

As he spoke, a light kiss, his breath carrying a hint of alcohol, landed on the back of Fang Qiao's neck.

Fang Qiao suddenly felt a little hot.

"Baidong, the baby is still here." She struggled, and her hand accidentally pressed against his leg.

Cheng Baidong grunted.

Fang Qiao immediately stopped moving.

Cheng Baidong loosened his grip on her a little, but he couldn't bear to let go completely.

He whispered in her ear, his voice low and husky, "Wife, how about tonight?"