It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 201 | Halftime

People often say that only the bride and groom pay attention to the wedding process, while most of the wedding guests are just there for fun and look forward to the final banquet.

The thought crossed Shang's mind, but it only lasted for a moment before he forgot about it.

Who cares! As long as I'm happy!
In terms of extravagance and pomp, Mr. Shang's wedding was so low-key that it couldn't even compare to some wealthy and powerful businessmen.

However, the several cars with government and defense license plates parked outside the hotel were enough to prove that this wedding was extraordinary.

The customs and traditions of a unified federal state cannot be explained in just a few words.

During the process of modernization, the exchange between Eastern and Western cultures was much more moderate and slower than during this period in the original timeline. Maintaining a sense of superiority and self-confidence led to a different attitude towards certain things.

In the process of industrialization, the customs of agricultural society naturally evolved into those of industrial society. Fast pace and convenience became the practical needs, and thus, cumbersome procedures were gradually simplified without people realizing it.

In particular, it is rare to see complete traditional wedding procedures in the weddings of residents in large and medium-sized cities. Complete and grand ancient weddings can only be seen in rural areas.

Even so, the entire wedding and luncheon process still left Shang Ke and Jian Keqiu quite exhausted.

The couple had already booked a room at the hotel for rest. Shang Ke helped his wife into the elevator and went back to their room for a short nap.

Jian Keqiu leaned against the elevator wall and said quietly, "Getting married... is really tiring."

"I'm fine, but you look listless and exhausted."

"I don't like crowded places."

"Go and rest for a bit." Shang Ke chuckled, grabbed her hand and shook it, then leaned down slightly and picked her up.

"Why... people will see us outside..." Jian Keqiu said shyly.

"It's alright, there's no one here, and it's perfectly normal for me to hug my little wife, it's perfectly natural."

As soon as he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened, and the six or seven people waiting for the elevator on this floor instantly became bystanders witnessing this scene.

Wow, I never imagined that this newlywed couple's life would be so sweet.

Seeing this, no one could help but laugh.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shang Ke felt slightly embarrassed, but he still openly carried his wife back to the guest room in a princess carry.

When they entered the room, Jian Keqiu's face was still flushed, looking like she was drunk.

Because she was wearing high heels, she took two steps, lost her balance, and fell to the ground.

She snorted, "My feet are a little sore from walking around in high heels for hours the first time. These things put too much pressure on my feet..."

"It's a pity that high heels can improve one's figure; there's always a price to pay for beauty."

With that, Shang Ke locked the door, then put his hands on his hips and looked down at his shy wife sitting on the floor with her legs in an M-shape. His interest was instantly piqued.

"Come here, let me give you a massage."

He picked up his wife again and carried her to the soft, wide bed. He gently pinched her calves, which were covered in stockings, and then removed her red high heels...

Nylon stockings are still a novelty these days; only last year did chemical companies in the United States and the Commonwealth begin mass production.

For now, the only type of stockings available is garter stockings; pantyhose are not yet available, and the only colors are black and flesh-colored.

The white version, which is favored by some, is not yet available on the market, perhaps because the demand is not high and it is a low priority.

According to a statistic from the internet in later years, flesh-colored clothing was the most popular among Chinese people, followed by black, while white and gray lagged far behind.

For occasions like weddings, flesh-colored clothing is naturally appropriate.

"How is it? Does this feel good? This pressure." With a smile, Shang Ke half-squatted on the ground, holding his wife's feet in his hands and pressing them firmly several times. "Ouch...it hurts! Be gentle." Jian Keqiu's face was flushed, quite embarrassed.

Because the massage felt so good, Shang Ke was happy to massage his wife's feet, first on the left and then on the right, which greatly relieved her soreness.

Jian Keqiu lay on her back in bed, her mind filled with thoughts.

She closed her eyes, and a slideshow of memories from her teenage years flashed before her.

Although this guy seems unreliable, he also seems quite dependable. Let's just leave it at that and not think about it too much.

Just as she was brainstorming, she suddenly felt her vision darken.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that Mr. Shang was already in front of her, with a sly smile.

Jian Keqiu stammered in surprise, "Ah...aren't you tired?"

Shang Ke reached out and gently pinched her nose, then said in a serious tone, "With such a beautiful young lady in front of me, even if I was tired just now, I'm not tired now."

"Ha...sweet talk."

So vibrant and festive! How passionate and exciting a crimson wedding dress is!

It is well known that moderate exercise after a hearty meal is beneficial and harmless.

The two strictly adhered to the principles of health and wellness, and then took a leisurely nap for an hour or two.

Fortunately, the wedding was basically over after the lunch banquet. Although the dinner banquet would also begin, the bride and groom wouldn't have much to do.

Shang Ke tallied up the money he had received as gifts and roughly estimated it to be around 200,000 yuan.

Jian Keqiu was indifferent to money and even too lazy to look at it, but she still needed to figure out the details.

She frowned slightly and said in surprise, "This Cai Qiqian alone gave 99,000 yuan. Didn't you say he's getting married next month? Are you saving this money to give back later?"

“His father is on the board of directors of the Republic Steel Group, so he’s not short of money at all. The 99,000 is just a token of his goodwill within his means,” Shang Ke said sanctimoniously. “We’re poor, so we’ll just give 999 when the time comes.”

Cai Qiqian was indeed generous; this sum of money, when converted to modern currency, would be equivalent to a million dollars, and would have even greater purchasing power in today's world.

Shang Ke's attitude towards Cai Qiqian was probably a mixture of relief and speechlessness.

It's heartening to see that this idle playboy is gradually getting back on track.

What's baffling is that this guy is truly bizarre. He didn't hesitate to join the National Defense Army just to pursue the girl he liked, and then he pulled off a charade of getting her pregnant before marriage.

Just then, a waitress knocked on the door and said, "Hello? Mr. Shang, can you hear me?"

"what happened?"

"Someone is looking for you. It seems to be your superior. He wants you to go to the reception room where the wedding is being held."

"Okay, I got it. Xiao Qiu, pack your things. The guest room needs to be cleaned and returned."

Jian Keqiu hummed in agreement.

Shang Ke picked up his military cap, put it on, glanced back at his wife, and then went straight down the elevator.

It was already dark, and only a few guests remained at the banquet. Ding Shu's figure was prominently displayed among them.

He sat calmly at a round table, and when he saw Shang Ke arrive, he casually said, "You're here? Have a seat."

(End of this chapter)