Bai Fanglan's wedding was held in a hotel near the military district, and it was quite lively. Looking around, more than half were wearing military uniforms, and the atmosphere was very solemn. Many leaders attended, most of whom knew Gu Junming, so naturally, greetings were exchanged upon meeting.

Wang Hu was over there greeting guests, and upon seeing Gu Junming, he was very warm. Although he was the groom, apart from a boutonniere on his chest, he wore nothing special, still clad in a military coat.

He enthusiastically shook hands with Gu Junming, "When are you returning to the quake zone?"

"After the New Year. Are you going back?" Gu Junming replied.

"Yes. Isn't it because of the New Year? I need to visit the soldiers staying in the disaster zone." Wang Hu specializes in ideological and political work, and such tasks are indeed more suitable for him. But this cannot compare to Gu Junming's credentials.

He knew Gu Junming had earned more merits this time, feeling a burning urgency in his heart; if this continued, he would indeed lose. Even Yan Kai received a third-class merit this time, plus the previous accomplishment at Xiong'er Ridge, leaving Wang Hu at a disadvantage. Thinking of this, he lost all mood for the wedding.

The two talked briefly about the troop arrangements. Sun Chan didn't speak, just smiled faintly, youthful and radiant.

Wang Hu glanced, found her quite pleasing to the eye, and glanced again, meeting Sun Chan's gaze. Feeling a bit ill at ease, he realized staring wasn't appropriate. She meant nothing by it, but worried others might misinterpret. After saying a few words to Gu Junming, he shifted his attention elsewhere.

After Wang Hu left, Sun Chan said to Gu Junming, "He doesn't like me, does he? His eyes were fierce."

"No, he doesn't know you. He's the same with everyone. Cold, but actually, he's okay." Gu Junming didn't dwell on it, holding her hand, heading to the registration desk, where someone waited there to write down guest names and collect gifts.

Sun Chan put the money in a red envelope into the bag. They hurried to catch a ride; if not for Gu Zishan and others not coming, Gu Junming wouldn't have attended, intending to leave shortly.

Bai Chuan was greeting some veteran cadres when he suddenly saw the pair and became instantly displeased, but greeted them with a smile anyway.

"Isn't this Gu Junming? Heard you've done well in the quake zone."

"Thank you for your concern, sir." Gu Junming replied indifferently.

"Haven't seen my granddaughter, have you? Come, she'd be delighted to see you!"

"No, it's inconvenient for me now. She must be busy." Gu Junming said dryly and led Sun Chan away without exchanging more words.

Bai Chuan thought to himself, doesn't know how to cultivate relationships, yet can be a battalion commander? Is the troop short-staffed? He looked down on Gu Junming from the bottom of his heart, thinking with Wang Hu's family background, it was right for his granddaughter not to marry him! Moreover, this promotion required significant effort; he must ensure Wang Hu rises, having thought out a plan for Gu Junming.

Bai Chuan constantly watched, this time determined to find an opportunity to pin down Gu Junming! Toss him into a barren corner to endure! Let him be a deputy battalion commander for life! Bai Chuan felt smug as he walked away with large strides.

Meanwhile, Bai Fanglan was extremely unhappy, sitting in front of a mirror sulking.

As the bride, she was well-dressed, in a red coat and a bright red scarf, sitting there with the trendiest red flowers on her head, someone brushing her face with red rouge.

Bai Fanglan's face rarely saw heavy makeup, bright red lipstick making her look even more charming, surrounded by several colleagues making jokes, yet Bai Fanglan simply couldn't cheer up.

Last night, Wang Hu called to say after the wedding he'd leave on a mission, leaving Bai Fanglan to care for the elders at home. She thought it over; being a military spouse, she couldn't be like ordinary civilians and agreed, saying nothing further.

But then Wang Hu immediately told her that the gift money received at the wedding was to be collectively arranged by his parents, and his salary wouldn't be handed over for the time being, at least not until three years later, when they had children.

Bai Fanglan was instantly furious, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, she demanded, "Whose idea is this, your parents' or yours?"

It's another sign of Wang Hu's lack of emotional intelligence, saying such things the night before the wedding. He genuinely didn't see it as an issue; Bai Fanglan wasn't lacking money, her parents were easygoing, so who managed the finances didn't matter? Since they lived together anyway.

Upon her inquiry, he said, "Both my parents' and my idea. You aren't considering quitting your job, so why handle this? I've seen my mom's accounting; it's complex, dealing with social exchanges and the like, and you might not have the time or energy. Let's leave it at that. It's late; you should sleep early, there's a wedding to host tomorrow." He hung up without soothing her, going straight to sleep.

Bai Fanglan listened to the dial tone on the phone, stunned for a while before sweeping everything off the table onto the floor, hating so much her nails dug into her flesh, eyes blazing, wished she could storm into Wang Hu's house causing a scene, cancel the wedding, let them all go to hell!

But she couldn't, already registered, any further uproar would mean divorce, not cancellation, and how disappointed would her grandfather be? She couldn't manage this consequence.

Now, although sitting there being beautified, listening to auspicious words, inside she felt like dying.

Soon, Wang Hu entered with people, after a commotion among the group bringing him in.

Everyone joked with the bride, "Is the groom here?"

Bai Fanglan truly had no mood until Wang Hu lifted her to go outside, forcing a smile. The wedding procedure was simple, after speeches from leaders and parents, the banquet commenced.

Bai Fanglan sat there in a daze, wondering, is this my marriage?

Wang Hu rarely smiled either, pondering how to turn the tide?

When the couple toasted at the table with Sun Chan and Gu Junming, seeing the increasingly beautiful Sun Chan, Bai Fanglan smiled faintly, her face indifferent.

Wang Hu raised his glass, "Thank you for coming. May you both marry soon."

Sun Chan and Gu Junming exchanged auspicious words and took a sip.

Originally thought to be wine, it turned out to be water.

Sun Chan glanced at Gu Junming, her smile curling warmly.

Just as she was about to leave, Bai Fanglan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You bumpkin, just wait and see. The Gu Family won't let you in. Want to rise above your station? Dream on!" With those words, she walked away.