Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 42: The Chen Family's Daughter's Wedding

May 26, 1996, evening.

Wang Sheng and Boss Chen stopped practicing singing because the VIPs invited by Boss Chen had arrived and they were going to have a welcome dinner for them.

This distinguished guest was none other than Han Sanping.

In Beijing, a cadre of Han Sanping's rank might not seem like much, but once he's in a local position, his prestige skyrockets.

……

The neon lights in front of Lucheng Restaurant, famous for serving authentic traditional Ou cuisine, lit up early, reflecting the darkening sky and outlining the typical restaurant style of the 1990s.

Cars and people come and go at the entrance, mostly Santanas and Jettas, with the occasional Mercedes-Benz W140 attracting a lot of attention.

Wang Sheng, Boss Chen, and a middle-aged man in a jacket with a calm demeanor—Zhang Feng, who works in the propaganda department of Lucheng—were chatting idly at the entrance of the restaurant.

Zhang Feng was Han Sanping's comrade-in-arms. After being demobilized, he was assigned to the propaganda department of Lucheng. Now he is a deputy division-level cadre with extensive connections.

It was through his connections that Han Sanping and Boss Chen, two seemingly unrelated people, came together.

"Old Han should be here soon."

Zhang Feng glanced at his watch and said confidently, "He's always punctual."

With a ruddy complexion, Boss Chen patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder forcefully: "Brother Wang, when Factory Director Han arrives later, we must have a good drink! You've really made me, Old Chen, proud!"

Zhang Feng had heard more or less about what the two had done, but he didn't mind. Or rather, in this chaotic era, even the most absurd things weren't a big deal.

At this moment, a black Santana 2000 with a Jinling license plate drove up and stopped in front of the restaurant.

The car door opened, and Han Sanping, looking travel-worn, stepped out.

He was still wearing that gray jacket, his face showing the fatigue of a long journey, but his eyes were as bright as ever.

The accompanying assistant also got out of the car.

"Old Han!"

Zhang Feng was the first to step forward, shaking hands with a smile.

"Old Zhang, thank you for your help." Han Sanping shook hands firmly, then looked at Boss Chen: "Boss Chen, congratulations!"

Finally, his gaze fell on Wang Sheng, and he looked him up and down. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes—surprise, doubt, and an indescribable sense of...magic.

He decided to come to the wedding after receiving a warm invitation from Boss Chen, who practically praised Wang Sheng to the skies.

On the phone, Boss Chen kept calling me "Brother Wang" in an extremely warm tone, and even said something like, "Brother Wang is incredibly talented and wrote me a wonderful song," leaving Han Sanping completely bewildered.

He knew Wang Sheng was a capable and troublesome young man, but how could he have become sworn brothers with Boss Chen, a multi-millionaire businessman with decades of experience, in just a few days? And even write songs? Does this kid really have that kind of talent?

"Director."

Wang Sheng greeted him.

"Hmm," Han Sanping nodded, suppressing the turmoil in his heart and keeping a calm expression, "I've heard everything from Boss Chen. How are the preparations going?"

"Everything went smoothly, we'll just wait until tomorrow," Wang Sheng replied succinctly.

"Okay, that's fine."

Mr. Chen said warmly, "Director Han, you must be tired from your journey! The private room has been booked. We must have a good drink tonight, firstly to welcome you back, and secondly to wish you all the best for tomorrow!"

The group walked into the restaurant, chatting and laughing.

During the meal, toasts were exchanged and the atmosphere was lively. Boss Chen took the lead in the conversation, talking at length about Wang Sheng's "talent" and "righteousness," while Zhang Feng chimed in with his own praise.

Han Sanping listened most of the time, occasionally chiming in, but his gaze would occasionally drift toward Wang Sheng, who ate quietly and only answered calmly when asked.

After a welcome dinner, Mr. Chen readily agreed to sponsor the Beijing Film Studio with one million yuan.

Ok?
Wang Sheng pricked up his ears.

Han Sanping glanced over.

no way!

How stingy!

……

The next day.

May 27, 1996, the 11th day of the fourth lunar month, is an auspicious day for marriage.

Before dawn, the thin mist in Lucheng still carried the moisture from the Oujiang River.

The entrance to Shuangyan Hotel was already bustling with activity.

Shengying Media's team split into two groups.

A team led by Wu Yiyi, carrying an ARRI 16SR3 film camera and a set of professional lights, went to the groom's house to film the preparations before the wedding procession.

Another team, led by experienced factory workers, carried another ARRI 16SR3 film camera and a set of professional lights, heading straight to the bride, Ms. Chen's, home.

Because the low-cost Lucky brand 16mm film was used, the lighting requirements were quite high. Therefore, the only lighting director was assigned to the bride's side to ensure that she looked beautiful in the photos.

Wang Sheng was also stationed at the bride's home, in charge of overall coordination.

As soon as the film camera was taken out, its heavy metallic texture and precise mechanical structure immediately drew murmurs of amazement from the Chen family and the local wedding company staff.

Compared to ordinary home video cameras or even broadcast-grade Betacam SPs, this thing is like heavy weapon against a small pistol, instantly maximizing the sense of professionalism and intimidation.

"So this is the guy who makes movies?"

"I heard this machine is really expensive, and you have to use film..."

"Those from the film studio are just different!"

"..."

Wang Sheng calmly directed the lighting setup, light measurement, and movement arrangement.

The factory's photography director kept a close eye on things to ensure everything went perfectly.

The atmosphere was tense yet orderly.

As the auspicious time approached, the groom's wedding procession arrived at the bride's house in a lively and bustling manner.

With the deafening sound of gongs and drums and the crackling of firecrackers, the atmosphere was instantly ignited.

The real "test" of the wedding procession begins downstairs.

The bride's family and friends had been waiting there for a while, and the traditional "blocking the door" ceremony for the bride's arrival had begun.

This is not just about blocking the door and asking for red envelopes; it's also a fun and intellectually and physically challenging activity filled with laughter.

However, it's hard to say if some girlfriends are blocking the door.

"Groom, if you wish to take your bride away, first recite a 'Dongtou Fisherman's Song'!"

Dongtou fishermen's songs, also known as fishermen's antiphonal singing, are traditional folk songs of a county under the jurisdiction of Lucheng and are closely related to the Minnan culture.

Historically, a large number of immigrants from Jinan moved to Dongtou, bringing with them Minnan folk songs, which formed a unique fishing song culture.

Boss Chen is a descendant of Fujian immigrants, the kind of person who can't sing and would be ridiculed by his fellow villagers. "What? Can't sing?"

"Are you even from Dongtou? You can't even sing the 'Dongtou Fishermen's Song'? Then do a hundred push-ups and see how strong you are!"

"The red envelope wasn't thick enough; it didn't show enough sincerity!"

"..."

The groom and his groomsmen were "challenged" to the brink of despair, with singing contests, games, and red envelopes being scattered like snowflakes, drawing laughter from the surrounding neighbors.

The photographer did his best to capture every interesting moment, while the film camera steadily recorded this grand scene full of local flavor and joyful atmosphere.

After finally breaking through the encirclement and entering the house, the following activities were filled with warmth and meaning.

The bride, dressed in a traditional gown, sat in her boudoir.

The last meal before marriage is eaten at the bride's parents' home, and it is called the "sailing meal".

This meal usually includes fish, meat, and chicken, but the bride often only eats a little due to the sadness of parting and her makeup.

Ms. Chen's aunt, who was attending the wedding in place of her late mother, gave her detailed instructions with tears in her eyes.

Miss Chen grew up at her aunt's house.

Wang Sheng specifically asked the photographer to give close-ups of the 'mother and daughter's' clasped hands and the full bowl of rice.

Afterwards, the newlyweds will offer a "family division toast" to the bride's parents.

This is not a true separation of the family, but rather a symbolic gesture signifying that the daughter is now establishing a new family.

During the toasting ceremony, the parents will say many blessings and words of advice to the newlyweds, their words sincere and full of the love and reluctance of elders.

Mr. Chen looked at his daughter, his eyes also reddening; he really couldn't hold back his tears.

Next came the "finding the wedding shoes" activity, a traditional and equally lively event.

The groomsmen searched high and low, while the bridesmaids cleverly hid the shoes and bargained, ultimately finding them through a combination of red envelopes and their wit.

The groom personally puts the bride on the dress, symbolizing "tying her in."

Finally, an elder in the family with good fortune holds a red umbrella for the bride, embroidered with "a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons," replacing the traditional red veil, and helps the bride out of the house.

The bride's feet cannot touch the ground, symbolizing that she will not take away the wealth of her family. She can only be carried or held by the groom when getting into the car.

Along the way, relatives and friends will scatter rice or beans behind the bride to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings to the newlyweds.

Upon arriving at her husband's home, the bride must step over a fire basin containing burning gardenia stalks to ward off evil spirits and symbolize prosperity. She must also step on broken tiles, signifying "peace and safety amidst the chaos."

……

The wedding ceremony was held in the luxurious hotel banquet hall.

When Han Sanping was invited to the main table as a VIP, and sat down with several prominent business and cultural figures from Lucheng, the room was already full of distinguished guests, dressed in elegant attire.

In this day and age, having tens of millions in assets is enough to afford such an event.

Looking at the lighting setup and meticulous filming process that far exceeded the standards of a typical wedding, Han Sanping gained a new appreciation for Wang Sheng's execution capabilities.

The ceremony was conducted in a blend of Chinese and Western styles.

Exchanging rings, kissing, pouring champagne towers, cutting cake...

Finally, the emcee announced in an excited voice: "Next, let us welcome the bride's father, Mr. Chen Guangfu, with the warmest applause, to offer the newlyweds a special blessing—he will personally sing a song for his daughter and son-in-law!"

Amidst thunderous applause, Mr. Chen straightened his suit, strode onto the stage, and took the microphone from the emcee.

The soft light shone on him.

A melodious and heartfelt prelude begins.

Mr. Chen took a deep breath, looked at his daughter in her white wedding dress and his son-in-law standing beside her, and began to sing:
He will be your groom.

From this day forward, he will be your life partner…

His voice trembled slightly, but it was full of genuine emotion.

The sorrow of parting during the "family division banquet" just now is intertwined with the joy and pride at this moment.

She will be your bride.

She is someone I entrusted to you with all my heart...

As he sang this line, Mr. Chen's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

He looked at his daughter, and scenes from her childhood to adulthood, as well as the heartwarming traditional ceremony that morning, seemed to flash before his eyes.

On the side of the stage, Ms. Chen could no longer hold back her tears, which welled up in her eyes, but she tried her best to keep smiling.

These inherited customs and the new ideas Wang Sheng brought made her feel both happy and reluctant to part.

"It must be a special kind of fate."
That's how we've come all this way to become a family..."

Mr. Chen's voice choked up. He paused for a moment, then forced himself to continue singing.

Many guests in the audience, especially parents, felt the same way and were deeply moved.

These traditional wedding customs ultimately boil down to the bond and affection among the "family members".

At the main table, Han Sanping listened quietly.

Having personally experienced the wedding procession that morning, he could now better understand Mr. Chen's emotions.

He guessed that the song was most likely Wang Sheng's idea, but the emotional core of the song was so fitting for this wedding that blended tradition and modernity.

He couldn't help but think of his young daughter, imagining that one day she would also go through such a ceremony to leave him... An indescribable bitterness and melancholy instantly welled up in his heart, causing this tough man who had seen it all to subconsciously purse his lips and soften his eyes.

The local guests at the same table also looked emotional and nodded silently, clearly feeling a lot of memories and resonance evoked by the songs and today's ceremony.

How much effort did you put in?
Love is thus made a little more complete…

After singing the last line, Mr. Chen was already in tears.

He put down the microphone and gave his daughter and son-in-law a tight hug.

A long and enthusiastic round of applause erupted from the audience, and many guests were wiping their eyes.

This wedding, which blended local traditions with personal emotional expression, reached its true climax.

In a corner of the scene, reporters from all walks of life who had heard the news pressed their shutters to record this touching moment.

Mr. Chen did not drive them away, but only asked them not to interfere with the wedding process and the important wedding photography process, and gave each of them a red envelope.

"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him." The reporters were quite sensible.

Among them was Li Xiuxiu, an intern reporter from Hangzhou TV.

She held a camera, the lens closely following the emotional interactions between the performers and the audience.

It not only recorded the singing, but also the interesting wedding customs in the morning.

She keenly sensed that this song, this unique "wedding film," and the cultural collision and fusion it embodied could potentially be the subject of a compelling feature report…

(End of this chapter)