Chapter 269: Marriage Matters Part 3: Discussing Details with the Host
On September 21, Xiaolin and I made an appointment with Mr. Peng from the wedding planning company and the host Cheng Wei to meet at Xuri 1701 at 10 am.
Then we went to the studio. The photographer said there weren't enough photos showing everyday life. So, let's go shoot a few shots outdoors. The assistant got in the car, carrying his gear and a few outfits.
We went to a park together and the photographer explained the shooting requirements.
In shot one, two people are chasing each other.
In the second shot, two people are crawling on the ground, facing each other, with their heels raised, watching a snail crawling.
Shot three, I was sitting on the grass reading a book, and Xiaolin put his coat on me.
When filming the two chasing each other, the photographer was very satisfied and praised: "It's dynamic, OK."
For a photo of two people watching snails, the assistant brought a snail, saying he bought it online. The photographer also crawled on the ground, and the assistant kept directing us to adjust our positions, saying that this type of photo is all about symmetrical composition.
Symmetrical composition creates a harmonious, peaceful, and warm image. I adjusted it several times before I finally managed to capture a satisfactory shot.
The only shot left was of me reading and Xiaolin putting on his coat. The photographer was always dissatisfied and suggested that I sit with my back to the camera and shoot with backlighting.
After I adjusted my pose, Xiaolin put a coat on me. The photographer took a look at the viewfinder, first took a few pictures with a wide aperture, then narrowed it down, and with a click, said, "This is great. I'll blur the background in post-production to create a sense of depth and space."
After taking these three sets of photos, we headed to the sunrise. When we entered the room, Xiaolin was stunned. He saw that the room was spotless and tidy. He asked, "You haven't slept here for a few days. Why is it so clean?"
"Comrade Xiaolin, I'm staying in a hotel. The hotel has waiters."
She smiled and busied herself with boiling water and making tea.
After a while, the doorbell rang. She opened the door and saw Mr. Peng and Cheng Wei. They had met before and were familiar with each other, so there was no need for introductions.
Mr. Peng, the wedding company's manager, was a sturdy young man, about twenty-four or twenty-five. Cheng Wei was an actor, handsome and slender. His flaxen hair, parted in a 3:7 style, gave his inverted triangle face a stylish and dynamic look.
Everyone sat down and Xiaolin served tea.
I said, "This is our second meeting, and we'd like to discuss some ideas. Our idea is to hold a wedding ceremony that's different from ordinary weddings. One that's warm, romantic, and unique. Let me first explain how to do it."
Then, I introduced myself, saying that many of my friends have talents and they want to express their blessings to us in various ways. But if we follow the usual routine, there won’t be enough time.
Peng had experience. He said, "Let's combine Chinese and Western styles. First, welcome the bride to your home and hold a wedding ceremony at home according to Chinese customs, and finish it around 10 o'clock.
Then when we get to the hotel, if you want a longer session, we'll start at 10:30, and if you want a shorter session, we'll start at 11:00."
Cheng Wei said, "This method is good. Once we get to the hotel, we can proceed in a completely performance-like manner."
I glanced at Xiaolin.
Xiao Lin said, "You should ask your mother for her opinion."
I called my mom. She asked me, "Why don't I just show up at the hotel?"
I was stunned for a moment. She then asked, "Who are the parents of the bride and groom? No one knows who they are, and yet you got married?"
I comforted her and said I would discuss it with the host.
After explaining the situation to them, Cheng Wei said, "It's neither fish nor fowl. There's no way this can be done. Just the tea-offering and red envelope-giving part took over ten minutes."
Xiao Lin pulled me into the study and said, "Your mother just likes to make herself known. When we take the final photo, should the parents come on stage and ask the host to introduce them properly?"
As for my parents, they're not used to city life and don't speak Mandarin, so they'd be more comfortable without all the hassles of handing their daughter over to you."
I had to call my mother again and talked for a long time before she agreed.
I discussed this with Cheng Wei again, and he said, "Put them at the very beginning."
Then Cheng Wei explained the idea, gesturing as he spoke, and explained the whole idea. He asked me to provide him with the list and content of those who were going to speak and perform on stage one day in advance.
He also discussed his thoughts on how to deal with unexpected situations where someone might be asked to go on stage at short notice, and proposed going on stage one day in advance.
I said, "After all, you are an experienced host, and the whole idea is very good." After saying that, I looked at Xiaolin.
Xiaolin said, "I only have one request. Usually when I attend weddings, the stage is decorated with pure white flowers. This time I want to use red flowers."
General Peng asked: "Why? White symbolizes purity."
Xiao Lin said: "His name is Wan Shan Hong, and I hope Wan Shan Hong will be everywhere."
General Peng smiled and said, "That's a great idea. We can definitely do it."
Cheng Wei saw that my room was a business suite and said, "I want to discuss something private with Teacher Wan."
I stood up and led him into the study.
"Captain Gu said you can transform into champagne. Can you do that at the wedding?"
I nodded, and he stated his thoughts, then looked at me.
"Your idea is great."
But he didn't mean to get up. He smiled and said, "Captain Gu has told me about your situation. Teacher Wan, can you help me see how your career is going? I also graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy."
I said, "You can't tell by looking at it. Let's play a game. You say a word and I'll help you with some reference."
He said, "It's the word 'star'."
"A star, in its original meaning, is a celestial body in the universe that can emit or reflect light. But when you ask me to calculate it, it's daytime. Whether it's emitting its own light or reflecting the light of others, it doesn't exist. It only twinkles at night. Therefore, you are someone who will achieve fame in the second half of your life."
If we take a sixty-year cycle as a unit, then no matter how hard you struggle in the first thirty years, it's all in vain. In the second thirty years, even without struggling, you'll still shine. It's a bit blunt, so don't mind me. You can also treat it as a game."
He laughed and said, "I don't mind at all. I'm 30 years old this year. If you say I don't work hard, I won't let go of any opportunity. I've participated in all kinds of talent shows. I just want to be a familiar face."
I said, "Your chin is long and pointed. If you were a woman, you would prosper early in life. But if you were a man, you would have to wait until middle age for your chin to become rounded to shine brightly."
He slapped the coffee table and said, "I used my connections to find Mr. Mu Jie, the Iron Plate Diviner, and he told you exactly the same thing."
I nodded. "I know this guy. At the age of 16, he followed his grandfather's sworn brother to learn the iron plate numerology of the Song Dynasty. At the age of 27, he started fortune-telling. A few years later, he came to Hong Kong and told fortunes for many celebrities. With an abacus in hand, he could calculate a person's life."
Cheng Wei nodded quickly and said, "Right, right, right. If you think about it, I'm basically outmatched in front of him."
I smiled and said nothing more, adhering to the principle of not talking too much when you're not close friends. I swallowed my words of urging him to change his name, stood up, and patted his shoulder: "If you believe it, it's there. If you don't believe it, it's not there."
Unexpectedly, he didn't even want to get up, insisting I explain why it was something you believed in and nothing you didn't. Existence is existence; you can't say it doesn't exist just because you didn't see it.
I said, "How about we eat first? Everything is pretty much settled now. I just need to go to Xiaolin's house tomorrow to send him off. I'm free this afternoon, so I'll explain things to you later."
He clapped his hands together in delight and said excitedly, "I didn't expect that I could still take up your time during your busy schedule. I'm so lucky!"
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