Chapter 111: Mom’s Wedding (Part 2)
Extra 2

The car they bought for Mom had arrived.

Fan Jun hid it in the empty lot behind Sister Xiao Yi’s milk shop, waiting to use it as the lead car on the wedding day.

Even though Mom said there was no need for a whole wedding convoy, Zou Yang insisted. Even if it was just a short loop around Nanzhouping—since they’d chosen to have a wedding, everything should be done properly.

Looking at the photo Fan Jun sent, Zou Yang felt a bit emotional.

A small open space among old buildings waiting to be demolished. Piles of discarded furniture—tables, chairs, sofas—left out by residents, now shared by elderly neighbors who used them to sit, chat, or play chess.

Around them were foam boxes and flowerpots, filled with half-dead plants—mostly roses, and half-dead vegetables—mostly scallions and garlic.

And in the middle of this worn, cluttered scene sat a white car, decorated with pink ribbons, a large pink-and-white heart-shaped bouquet on the hood.

It looked almost dreamlike.

Life blooming out of decay.

Because of the car arrangements, Fan Jun wouldn’t be back until the afternoon.

After finishing his own lesson plan and fixing Liu Wenrui’s, Zou Yang went to the café to wait.

The shop renovation was done, the smell had mostly dissipated, and they had started a soft opening. Business wasn’t huge yet, but there were plenty of visitors.

“Chunli” (Spring Within).

The name He Chuan chose.

Spring wind, spring flowers, spring sunlight, spring rain… spring within.

The calligraphy was written by Zou Yang—not because He Chuan thought his handwriting was amazing, but because it was free.

Coffee wasn’t the main business—just a small section with a few tables and sofas. The main focus was still He Chuan’s original trade.

Some items were from his own collection; others were brought by Zou Yang—antique bottles and paintings from his father.

Surprisingly, these traditional Chinese pieces blended perfectly into the modern décor, creating a pleasing harmony.

Wonder what Dad would say… probably call it messy and improper.

Zou Yang sat under a parasol outside the shop, sunlight warming his back. The breeze made everything feel comfortable.

The shop’s only employee—barista Xiao Yang—brought him a coffee.

He Chuan hadn’t wanted to hire anyone, but none of them knew how to make coffee, so he reluctantly hired one.

To make it “worth it,” Xiao Yang also had to handle customers browsing antiques.

“He’s a college student too, studying ancient history,” He Chuan had said proudly. “Perfect fit.”

Every time Zou Yang thought about that, he questioned their entire dorm’s career prospects.

Still, Xiao Yang seemed to enjoy it—making himself coffee during slow hours, sitting by the window reading old books.

Zou Yang took a sip and watched people passing by.

A hand appeared from behind him, placing a pink flower next to his coffee.

It had a faint fragrance—but before he could notice it, the smell of sauerkraut pork overpowered everything.

Zou Yang laughed, turning to see Fan Jun.

“Getting romantic now?” he said, taking the food box.

“Leftover from decorating the wedding car,” Fan Jun sat beside him. “It smells nice, right?”

“All I smell is sauerkraut pork,” Zou Yang said, opening the containers—rice and steamed dumplings.

“Hungry?” Fan Jun asked.

“Starving,” Zou Yang stuffed a dumpling into his mouth. “Everything ready over there?”

“Yeah. Liu Wenrui and the others are supervising the setup. There’s an issue with the sound system—they’re fixing it.”

Zou Yang nodded and started eating.

“Taste good?”

“Yeah. Same old taste… once this place gets demolished, it’ll all disappear, right?”

“Some shops will relocate, some will just close,” Fan Jun said. “They’ve been around for decades—some might just retire.”

“Uncle Lu can retire too,” Zou Yang said.

“He won’t,” Fan Jun smiled. “He’ll definitely go help Lu Ze.”

And Mom would go with him.

That meant… everyone would leave Nanzhouping.

That’s probably why they wanted to hold the wedding here.

For Mom, it wasn’t about a place.

But for Uncle Lu—it was.

These streets, neighbors, markets… once demolished, they’d only exist in memory.

Zou Yang glanced at Fan Jun.

It felt strange—this old district he’d never cared about before now held someone like Fan Jun.

A whole part of his life.

Even his mom’s wedding.

---

“Not doing full makeup, just fixing your hair—you’re wearing suits, you can’t keep your usual hairstyle!” Rongrong held a spray bottle.

“Okay.” Fan Jun sat down.

“Hey, we’re wearing suits too,” Liu Wenrui protested.

“I’ll do all of you, relax,” Rongrong said. “But wow—you guys look so different. I barely recognized you.”

“Right?” Zhang Chuanlong flicked his hair.

Their suits weren’t custom, but Zou Yang paid for them, and Liu Wenrui carefully picked them—high-end but low-key.

As long as they didn’t speak, they actually looked decent.

Rongrong styled Fan Jun’s hair upward, shaping it carefully.

“Damn,” Liu Wenrui stared. “You look kinda cool, Brother Fan.”

“…Yeah,” Fan Jun replied.

“Next!” Rongrong waved. “Zou Yang.”

Zou Yang sat down. She immediately pushed his hair back.

“Huh?” He froze, instinctively trying to dodge.

“Holy—” Liu Wenrui stared again.

“So handsome,” Li Zhiyue said. “Did you get those thin-frame glasses for this look?”

“I’ve had them for a while,” Zou Yang said.

“Feels weird?” Rongrong asked.

“Yeah,” Zou Yang admitted. He usually only styled his hair like this after showering—it made him feel like a villain.

“Trust me, it looks good,” Rongrong said, glancing at Fan Jun.

“Yeah,” Fan Jun nodded.

With his forehead fully exposed, Zou Yang’s sharp, bold features stood out completely.

Fan Jun quietly took out his phone.

Zou Yang glanced at him and smirked.

Click click click.

“Where’s the champion?” Liu Wenrui asked. “Shouldn’t he get styled too? He’s the biological son.”

“Shut up,” Zhang Chuanlong said.

“This is the only one who’s not the biological son,” Fan Jun joked.

They immediately started arguing.

Fan Jun didn’t mind.

He’d always known he wasn’t a biological son—but the care he received was no less.

If anything, moments like this—everyone joking freely—felt more comfortable.

Zou Yang leaned in and whispered, “They’re just like that…”

“I know,” Fan Jun said softly.

“Besides,” Zou Yang added, “you’ve got me.”

Fan Jun raised an eyebrow. “What, planning to become your uncle’s dad?”

Zou Yang froze—then burst out laughing.

---

“Let’s go!” Liu Wenrui shouted.

They stepped out like a squad.

The cars were ready.

After picking up Uncle Lu, they’d go get Mom, loop around the neighborhood, then head to the hotel.

The courtyard was packed with neighbors and kids—noise everywhere.

Zou Yang felt overwhelmed.

Fan Jun, however, calmly organized everything—assigning people to cars, coordinating smoothly.

Then he snapped his fingers in front of Zou Yang.

“Get in.”

Zou Yang snapped out of it and laughed.

---

After picking up Mom, they switched drivers—Zou Yang drove, Mom sat in front.

She wore a soft pink qipao with light blue embroidery.

“Looks beautiful,” Zou Yang said.

“It does, right?” she smiled. “I was worried it’d look too young.”

“As long as you like it—even at eighty, it’d still suit you,” Uncle Lu said.

“Flatterer,” she laughed.

“Mom,” Zou Yang tapped the wheel, “how’s the car?”

“It’s nice… roomy… wait, are you buying one like this?”

“I already did,” Zou Yang smiled.

“…What?” She turned around.

“For you.”

Silence.

Then—

“Paper, quick!” Lu Ze panicked. “Your makeup—”

Zou Yang glanced over.

His mom’s eyes were already red, filled with tears.

“Don’t cry yet,” Uncle Lu pressed tissues to her eyes. “You’ll need a touch-up later…”

“Mm.” She nodded.

Zou Yang suddenly felt his own nose sting.

He swallowed it down.

---

At the venue, everything was ready.

When Mom walked down the aisle, steady and graceful—

Zou Yang’s tears came anyway.

Fan Jun squeezed his hand.

He squeezed back.

Then—

“Now, our angel Xiao Bai will bring the rings!”

“Dog! Dog!” Zou Yang panicked.

Fan Jun quickly sent Xiao Bai down the aisle.

The dog walked proudly, delivering the rings.

As the rings were exchanged, Zou Yang leaned against Fan Jun.

“It feels strange,” he said softly. “From now on… my mom and Uncle Lu are a family.”

“I know,” Fan Jun wrapped an arm around him. “It’s okay. From now on, you and I are a family too.”