Fang Huai’s reputation was vast.
An exemplary cadre praised by na by leaders, a hero whose honor was written into the city’s annals, one of the youngest officers in the whole country...
Even the Chengdu Military Region had sent soone to send blessings to the main developer of "Thousand-Hand Guanyin."
The Guizhou Brigade had especially dispatched two Asia Star coaches, with General Luo leading the team, organizing comrades who weren’t on duty to co.
If it had been the marriage of a child of a high-ranking cadre, such arrangents would have been frowned upon due to the impact, but for a nationally renowned hero, there was no need to worry.
Other bigwigs had also arrived.
Fang Huai, standing at the door to welco the guests, saw the arrivals and his smile was full:
"Uncle Hao! You’re here!"
Leader Hao laughed heartily.
"I had to see your wedding for myself! I happened to be in Chongqing with Director Wang, and when we heard about your wedding, we decided to co over and share in the joy!"
Mayor Wang also feigned anger with his hands behind his back, "You young man, you look for at every turn when you have business at the People’s Congress, but for such a big event as your wedding, how co you didn’t send an invitation?"
Fang Huai grinned awkwardly, "It’s such a long journey; I didn’t dare to bother you! If I had known earlier that you were in Chongqing, I would have co to your door and invited you with a sedan chair!"
All the leaders laughed.
Leader Hao, who had already been promoted to ministerial level, forr Mayor Wang, and several other city and district cadres getting off the car added even more color to the wedding feast.
Even people passing by the garden outside the hall were watching.
Fang Kaiyang, who was chatting with a few relatives he hadn’t been in touch with for many years, imdiately ca over to greet Leader Hao and Mayor Wang, shaking their hands tightly.
"Leaders, thank you for coming all this way! It’s really too kind of you!"
"Eh, Fang brother, you’re the one who’s worked hard! You’ve raised a good son for the country!"
As Leader Hao spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing the music inside, "You’re really interesting, having a military wedding march! I even had to write a report to the superiors to request it! Uncle Hao, please go inside and take a seat! The wedding is about to start!"
"Haha! Yes, yes, yes! That’s the spirit!"
With that, the leaders entered the hall, continuing to chat and laugh.
There were sincere blessings, and of course, so were insincere.
Only after seeing the leaders enter did Old Fang pull Fang Huai aside toward a few relatives.
"Co, Fang Huai! Let introduce you, this is your eldest aunt! Your third uncle! Rember them from when you were small? And this is your second uncle!"
Fang Huai nodded and greeted them a few tis with a smile.
"You’ve done well, really well! Old Fang, that was... Mayor Wang, right? I’ve seen him on TV! All high-ranking leaders! Fang Huai has outdone you! When he was little, I couldn’t tell!"
"Yeah! Your family has really risen up, you have to look after us from now on!"
Several distant relatives who rarely t joined in the conversation.
Fang Kaiyang, also feeling awkward, looked at his second brother smoking a cigarette and quickly changed the subject:
"Fang Huai, co over, light a cigarette for your second uncle!"
Fang Huai didn’t have a lighter and imdiately waved over Han Yong, who was standing at the door holding a video cara, filming the guests:
"General Han! A lighter, please!"
"Hold on, let find you one!"
After a while, Han Yong brought over a rather expensive-looking lighter from the car, handed it to him, and then continued filming the scene of Fang Huai lighting cigarettes for the guests.
A few relatives noticed Han Yong fetching the lighter from a Rolls-Royce, couldn’t help but comnt, "This friend of yours who’s filming..."
"Ah, my comrade! He worked as a Communication Officer in the troops, hasn’t had enough fun with caras! He’s here to give a hand!"
Fang Huai said as he brought the lighter closer.
"Eh, eh." Seeing Fang Huai’s grand-enterprise second uncle, he couldn’t help but lean in closer with his cigarette.
Before you knew it, a fla burst out, and second uncle’s hair caught on fire.
Even a few of his eyebrows got singed.
Fang Huai was stunned and imdiately started patting his second uncle’s head, "Sorry, sorry about that, second uncle!"
Then he turned around and cursed at Han Yong who was about to co up.
"What were you doing? Two years as a firefighter for nothing? What kind of lighter is this?"
General Han looked a bit sullen, "You... You needed it urgently! I had my secretary find this lighter! I’ll scold him later!"
Second uncle, upon hearing this, imdiately flattered him, "No problem, no problem! It’s a wedding! All fiery and festive! Fiery and festive!"
Fang Huai then straightened General Han’s cara and said earnestly to the lens, "Comrades, always be mindful of fire safety!"
...
The exquisite wedding hall was lit up, the lights shone for the first ti, and the ceremony began.
Below the stage were all friends and family.
Firefighters, nearly a hundred, and military personnel, about two hundred strong, filled half the hall, all sitting upright, exuding an air of military discipline.
On the stage was the stunningly beautiful bride, accompanied by three bridesmaids.
In the northeast corner of the hall, a spotlight suddenly shone, illuminating the four.
One in military attire, three in black suits.
The emcee’s voice rang out, "Next, I have the honor of inviting our groom and the group of groomsn, our respected soldiers, who will use the sacred military rituals to bestow the veil on the groom, signifying that the bride’s life henceforth will be protected by thousands of soldiers!"
As the words ended, in the corner illuminated by the spotlight, Hao Chengbin’s commanding voice thundered: "March... Forward!"
The four, each holding one end of the long veil, marched forward.
All military personnel in the hall stood up, moving in unison, adding a level of solemnity never before seen in the hall.
The guests, too, influenced by the atmosphere, stood up one by one.
"Clap, clap, clap."
The sound of their heels hitting the floor was clear and forceful.
The veil passed over the head of Yang Shaoqing on the raised platform.
"Stop!"
"Place the veil!"
The veil, like a banner, rose and was gently placed upon the already tearful eyes of Yang Shaoqing.
"The majestic march, every step signifies your unreserved commitnt to the future, as well as the dedication and sacrifice of a military spouse," the emcee said.
As the emcee spoke, Yang Shaoqing slowly lifted a hand and saluted the n, her gesture sowhat immature and awkward.
Hao Chengbin’s voice rang out again: "Salute!"
Four n, from four directions, saluted Yang Shaoqing in return.
"Salute completed!"
"Turn to the left, turn to the right!"
"March in step!"
The three stepped aside, leaving Fang Huai standing beside Yang Shaoqing, gazing into her eyes.
The two slowly broke into smiles.
"A groom’s confession is a silent yet solemn tribute of a soldier, below, we invite the bride to express her heartfelt vows to the groom," the emcee announced.
Yang Shaoqing, lifting her graceful arm to wipe the corner of her eye, picked up the microphone and said with a happy smile:
"I’m so happy! I’m going to marry Fang Huai!"
Laughter rose from below the stage, followed by a growing round of applause, as everyone looked at the handso groom and beautiful bride on stage, their eyes full of envy.
"But I’m going to be the wife of a firefighter, and I’m also very scared," she added.
The mood gradually sobered.
"Every ti we talk on the phone, as soon as I hear that alarm bell ring on his end, I get scared, sotis... a few minutes, sotis a few hours, or even... several days, until he cos back and tells about a fire sowhere, the incidents they encountered, sotis it’s funny, and sotis, it makes angry," she explained.
"But I know, no matter what, as soon as that alarm bell rings, they have to go, they must go, and they must fight courageously."
"He said that throughout his life, he would bring many people ho from nurous dangers," she continued.
Tears welled up in Yang Shaoqing’s eyes once more, but a smile gradually curved across her lips.
"He shared with the honor of being a soldier, which draws irresistibly," she confessed.
"He also shared with the peril of being a soldier, which leaves filled with anxiety," she admitted.
"Today, you all blessed and Fang Huai! I also want to bless you! I hope for him, and for all of you, that every mission, every battle, you all return safely! I wish that in the days to co, whether you’re active duty or discharged, you may all live in peace and joy, with you here, our country stands tall and safe!" she declared.
When she finished, there was a prolonged silence.
So people started to smile, others were lost in thoughts, so were deeply touched, their eyes brimming with tears.
So admired the solemn posture of the soldiers, while others marveled at them.
But applause rose unanimously.
"There’s one last thing!" Yang Shaoqing raised her right hand and shouted excitedly:
"This year I applied for the university student soldier selection of the army, and in two months, I will be a soldier too!"
The soldiers all smiled, raised their hands, and saluted.
Defending our holand, the legacy continues.
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