novelraw Chapter 256 Auspicious Union
Chapter 256 Auspicious Union
May 30, 1960, the fifth day of the fourth lunar month, is an auspicious day for marriage and travel.
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, New York, stands majestically under the bright May sun, its Gothic spires pointing straight to the sky. Inside, the organ plays solemn and joyful music.
Lin Yan had taken a day off and, dressed in a dark gray suit, sat quietly at the back of the guest seating area. His gaze followed Yang Xi'en, who was wearing a pure white floor-length wedding dress—she was holding Mr. Gu Weijun's arm, her face beautiful, her eyes filled with tears, and she walked slowly but firmly towards the groom, Tang Liuqian, who was waiting in front of the altar.
That short red carpet seemed to hold the weight of time. Every step she took felt like treading on the sweet memories of their years together, each step brimming with boundless anticipation and unwavering commitment to their future married life. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting dappled patterns on her white veil.
The kind priest's voice was gentle yet solemn, and the ancient vows echoed throughout the church: "...Whether in poverty or wealth, in health or sickness, will you love him, comfort him, respect him, protect him, and remain faithful to him until the end of your life?"
Tang Liuqian and Yang Xi'en exchanged a smile, their eyes meeting in a deep, unspoken understanding. They answered in unison, clearly and firmly, "Yes, I do!"
In an instant, applause erupted like a tidal wave, filling the entire church. Lin Yan also stood up with the crowd, clapping sincerely, a gratified smile on his face. He was happy for the couple who had finally become husband and wife.
After the ceremony, everyone returned to the festively decorated apartment on Park Avenue for a small wedding banquet. Amidst laughter and blessings, Lin Yan stepped forward and handed two exceptionally beautiful gift boxes wrapped in dark red brocade to the bride and groom.
Yang Xi'en and Tang Liuqian exchanged a smile, both seeing curiosity in each other's eyes. Tang Liuqian, while untying the ribbon, asked with a smile, "Xiao Yan, what kind of big gift are you giving me all this way?"
Yang Xi'en carefully opened the box. The next second, she gasped in surprise, a look of disbelief and emotion flashing in her eyes.
Inside her gift box, neatly stacked, was a genuine bright red Xiuhe dress embroidered with gold phoenixes. The phoenix patterns were so lifelike that they shimmered in the light. Next to it was a separate sandalwood box. Opening it, one could see a complete set of gilded traditional headdresses inlaid with rubies, including hairpins, hair ornaments, and forehead decorations, all exceptionally luxurious.
"Oh my God! Look at that!" A blonde bridesmaid standing next to Yang Xi'en exclaimed in amazement, her bright blue eyes wide. "This embroidery...it's incredible!"
The surrounding guests also gathered around, exclaiming in admiration. Several white students curiously peered at the exquisite costumes, their faces filled with amazement.
"Is this traditional Chinese wedding attire?" a bespectacled young man asked. "The craftsmanship is like something out of a museum."
Inside Tang Liuqian's box was a matching crimson robe embroidered with gold dragons, the dragons majestic and imposing, the materials and embroidery of which were also of the highest quality. In addition, there was a palm-sized, exquisite white jade pendant, flawless and with a rich, oily sheen, adorned with a meticulously woven Chinese knot.
"Wow!" one of Tang Liuqian's business school classmates whistled. "That dragon pattern is so imposing! Michael, you're really going to become the Emperor of China now!"
A female guest in a champagne-colored dress gently touched the cuff of her traditional Chinese wedding dress and exclaimed, "The stitching is so fine you can't see a single trace, and the gold thread even shimmers in the light... Hmm, this must be custom-made, right?"
Yang Xi'en nodded, moved, her eyes slightly red. She looked up at Lin Yan, her voice choked with emotion, "Xiao Yan, this...this is too precious, not just in terms of monetary value, but also in terms of the sentiment behind it..."
Looking at the two people who were both surprised and delighted, Lin Yan smiled and sincerely said in Chinese:
"Brother Liuqian, Sister Xi'en, congratulations on your marriage! May you live a long and happy life together!"
Applause filled the room. Although the Chinese and Western guests might not have fully grasped the cultural significance of the gifts, they were all moved by their exquisite craftsmanship and the deep affection they conveyed. Several white friends whispered among themselves, discussing the unique charm of Chinese wedding culture, and developing a deeper interest in this mysterious ancient Eastern country.
Tang Liuqian also gazed at the dragon-patterned auspicious robe and the warm, white jade with obvious delight. Just as he was about to say something, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had remembered something. A mischievous smile appeared on his face, and he gently nudged Lin Yan with his elbow, teasingly whispering:
"Xiao Yan, you're so good at winning over your sister Xi En, and you're so thoughtful, how come you couldn't even find a girl willing to dance with you last time? Were you too busy practicing ball and reading? Do you want me to teach you a few tricks? I guarantee you'll be the center of attention at the next dance..."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a light poke on his waist by a slender finger. He saw Yang Xi'en glaring at him, feigning anger: "Liu Qian! What nonsense are you spouting now, teasing Xiao Yan!"
Tang Liuqian immediately made an exaggerated "I've been manipulated" expression, gasped, and raised his hands in surrender: "Hiss—my dear wife, I know I was wrong! I'll shut up, I'll shut up! Please forgive me!"
Watching the natural and intimate interaction between the newlyweds, Lin Yan couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head and slowly said to Tang Liuqian, who was "begging for mercy":
"Brother Liu, it seems like someone will be able to keep you in check from now on. That's good."
These words made Yang Xi'en laugh, while Tang Liuqian looked helpless, as if his position as the younger brother in the family had been exposed.
This gift is not only valuable, but also embodies Lin Yan's deep respect for and commitment to preserving traditional Chinese wedding customs. In New York, a foreign land, it carries even greater preciousness and profound meaning. It is more than just an object; it is a most beautiful and quintessentially Eastern blessing for the newlyweds' future married life.
As evening fell and the noise subsided, Tang Liuqian found Lin Yan alone on the apartment's terrace, seeking some peace and quiet.
"Xiao Yan, I'm so sorry," Tang Liuqian said, walking over with two glasses of champagne and handing him one. "There were so many people and things to do at home today, I didn't get a chance to properly entertain you."
Lin Yan took the wine glass and smiled slightly: "Brother Liu Qian, you're too kind. You're the star of the show today."
"Your sister Xi'en and I are flying to Paris in a couple of days," Tang Liuqian said, standing side by side with Lin Yan, gazing at the New York cityscape as it began to twinkle. "Wenbin and Jiaming are practically starving over there. If no one goes to keep an eye on things for them, those two will definitely burn through their entire budget at cafes on the Champs-Élysées."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan smiled slightly and slowly took out a neatly folded notepad from his suit pocket and handed it to Tang Liuqian.
Tang Liuqian unfolded the slip of paper, on which was written a name—Albert von Hohenheim—followed by a phone number.
"Brother Liu," Lin Yan's voice was calm yet reassuring, "this is the person in charge of my family in Europe. Contact him before you leave."
He gently swirled the wine in his glass and continued, "In the early stages, if there's anything you can't handle—whether it's smoothing things over, finding suppliers, or resolving some... troubles that are inconvenient for you to handle personally—you can go to him."
Lin Yan turned his head, his gaze lingering on Tang Liuqian's face for a moment, his tone becoming more serious: "When registering the company, Hohenheim will find a reliable Frenchman for you to serve as the nominal legal representative. You just need to proceed step by step according to the plan we agreed upon earlier."
As dusk settled, he took a small sip of champagne and said calmly, "When starting a business in a foreign land, your public hand must be clean, but your hidden cards must be strong enough. Hohenheim is your hidden card in Europe."
Tang Liuqian carefully tucked the note into his suit pocket, feeling the weight carried by that thin piece of paper. He knew that this was not just a means of contact, but also an important cornerstone that Lin Yan had laid for their development in Europe.
"Xiao Yan, this sentiment..." Tang Liuqian's voice was somewhat moved.
Lin Yan raised his hand to stop him from saying anything more, and gently clinked his glass against his:
"Brother Liu, I wish you all the best in Europe. First, establish a firm foothold, then plan for further development. I've set the stage for you; now it's up to you."
His sincere tone warmed Tang Liuqian's heart. Just as Tang Liuqian was about to thank him again, he leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and added a hint of amusement:
"However, you should also know," he gently swirled the champagne in his glass, "that I'm not very forgiving, but I have an exceptionally good memory. That time at the ball, when you tripped me up on the phone, laughing so happily… I remember that all!"
He looked directly at Tang Liuqian's smile, which instantly stiffened, and slowly added, drawing out the last syllable:
"I'll be waiting for the day you, Young Master Tang, come begging to me. Then... heh heh..."
Those two "humphs" drifted into Tang Liuqian's ears on the wind, sending a chill down his neck. Recalling Lin Yan's unpredictable methods and unfathomable background, he suddenly felt that the note he had just put in his pocket was burning hot.