As soon as Zhao Si stepped onto the center of the golden lotus stage, she could clearly see that over a hundred banquet tables had been neatly arranged in front of the lotus platform, forming nine horizontal rows and twenty vertical columns in a spreading fan shape. Among the seating, the guests in the first four rows were all young women dressed in red, most of them wearing floral ornaments and makeup. Beyond the fourth row were elders and children, mostly buried in their seats, heartily feasting on pork knuckles and flower pastries on the tables.
What a lively scene this was.
However, to Zhao Si, all of this felt far too unfamiliar and bizarre.
“Are all those people down there Wife’s guests?” Zhao Si lowered her voice and asked Yun Qing.
Though Yun Qing could not see, she gently hooked her fingertips into Zhao Si’s, shook her head slightly, and smiled softly, “No, they are Husband’s guests.”
“My guests?” Zhao Si steadied her gaze and looked over the people below again and again, confirming that she did not recognize a single one of them.
Are you kidding me?
Zhao Si was afraid Yun Qing was being deceived.
Yun Qing promptly cleared up the confusion for Zhao Si. “They truly are Husband’s guests. In ancient times, those who married were supposed to feast their relatives, friends, and old acquaintances. Since Husband has forgotten his past and does not know where his relatives and friends are, Yun Qing simply took it upon herself to invite the people of the world for Husband.”
“Invite the people of the world?” Zhao Si repeated Yun Qing’s words in a low voice, murmuring, “What Wife says makes sense. But this… is simply too grand. I am merely an amnesiac person; how could I possibly have the virtue or ability to receive such a great honor?”
“Husband need not be overly modest. For the people of the world to celebrate with Husband is the blessing of the people of the world. If Husband feels uneasy, just treat it as praying for blessings with the people of the world. Besides, Husband may not have been to the capital. Three years ago, when the Fourth Imperial Son, the Prince of Duan, married the Princess of Duan, there were twenty miles of colorful lanterns and banquets held for fifteen days. Calculated this way, our wedding can be considered quite frugal.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Si felt a jolt in her heart and said with certainty, “That Prince of Duan must have loved the Princess of Duan to the extreme.”
“Then Husband must surely understand Yun Qing’s feelings toward you.” Yun Qing once again held Zhao Si’s hand.
Zhao Si gripped Yun Qing’s hand in return and said solemnly, “Zhao Si will certainly not fail Wife.”
“I trust you.” Yun Qing’s fingertips lightly stroked the back of Zhao Si’s hand, as if trying to smooth away the unease within Zhao Si’s heart.
Zhao Si felt a warmth rise in her chest and was about to say something more when the master of ceremonies moved.
Radiating joy, the master of ceremonies began to announce, “The auspicious hour has arrived!”
At that opportune moment, music burst forth from all around the lotus platform, gongs and drums thundered, and pipes and flutes sounded together, bringing the entire wedding hall to a boil.
The guests beneath the golden lotus platform raised their cups one after another, their gazes converging squarely on the couple, Zhao Si and Yun Qing.
Rushes of congratulatory voices poured in like a tide:
“May you grow old together in harmony!” “May your hearts be bound as one for eternity!” “May you soon bear a precious child!”…
Caught off guard by this sudden, grand celebration, Zhao Si felt her mind grow hazy, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on Yun Qing’s hand.
Although Yun Qing’s vision was covered by the bridal veil, she acted as if she could see everything happening beneath the golden platform.
“Husband, it is time to perform the bows.”
Yun Qing gently pinched Zhao Si’s fingertips.
Recovering her senses, Zhao Si nodded, led Yun Qing’s hand, and walked slowly to the side of the master of ceremonies in front of the golden lotus platform, taking a large step forward.
The master of ceremonies cupped his hands toward the heavens, beaming with joy, and chanted in a high voice:
“First bow, to heaven and earth!”
Zhao Si and Yun Qing stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the guests below the platform, and slowly bowed down.
As she bent down to the lowest point, Zhao Si could not help but steal a glance at Yun Qing.
Peeking through the gap in the bridal veil, she saw Yun Qing’s expression was solemn and very dignified.
She, Zhao Si, was really getting married!
Amidst Yun Qing’s earnest bowing, Zhao Si’s mind settled completely, and she slowly rose back up.
At that moment, the voice of the master of ceremonies rang out once more.
“Second bow, to the high hall!”
Zhao Si’s body, already bending downward, froze halfway.
“Wife, where is the high hall?” Zhao Si glanced sideways to the left and right, searching for any trace of Yun Qing’s parents or elders.
Standing upright like jade, Yun Qing raised her voice and suggested, “Husband has forgotten his past, leaving no trace of the high hall, and Yun Qing is a drifting duckweed of a person, so my high hall is likewise not present. Therefore, Yun Qing thinks it would be fitting for Husband and Yun Qing to bow to heaven and earth a second time to show our respect. I wonder what Husband thinks of this idea?”
Hearing this, Zhao Si felt a pang of sympathy for Yun Qing, but she said no more and simply lowered her body once again alongside Yun Qing to complete the bow.
Once the bow was finished, Zhao Si silently recited to herself: If her parents were still alive today, seeing her and Yun Qing get married would surely bring them the utmost comfort.
As for Yun Qing, Zhao Si swore silently in her heart that she would certainly take good care of Yun Qing and never live up to Yun Qing’s deep affection.
With these thoughts in mind, the master of ceremonies’ chant entered her ears.
“Bow to each other as husband and wife!”
Zhao Si and Yun Qing slowly lowered themselves once more, bowing to one another.
At that very instant, a sharp pain struck the side of Zhao Si’s head. That burst of intense pain churned up some fragmented images in Zhao Si’s mind: a lavish and awe-inspiring wedding hall, cheering men and women, and… and a young man pulling at her sleeve, cursing and shouting “Fourth Brother.”
“Fourth Brother.”
“Fourth Brother.”
“Fourth Brother.”
Those few echoes of “Fourth Brother” left Zhao Si feeling deeply unsettled and annoyed, but she had no time to think it through before she was interrupted by the master of ceremonies’ voice.
“The ceremony is complete send them to the bridal chamber!”
“Phew” Zhao Si pressed her temples, let out a breath, and turned around, intending to help Yun Qing down the platform, when she was suddenly stopped by a male voice.
“Wait a moment!”
Following the voice, Zhao Si looked over and saw a man appear a hundred paces away beneath the lotus platform. The man was in his early twenties, dressed in lavish robes; although his features were refined and clear, his brows carried a somewhat vulgar and sneaky air.
Zhao Si thought to herself: Could this be an old acquaintance of Yun Qing?
Making eye contact with Zhao Si, the man cupped his hands in greeting and said, “Hearing that Yun Qing is celebrating a joyous occasion today, Rufang has come specifically to offer a toast and wish the two of you a hundred years of harmony.”
While the man’s words sounded polite, Zhao Si somehow managed to detect a tone of provocation.
Filled with doubt, Zhao Si was about to speak when her hand was pressed down by Yun Qing.
With the bridal veil still veiling her face, Yun Qing turned sideways, pulled Zhao Si closer, and said coldly, “Young Master Liu, today is the joyous wedding day of my husband and myself. If there has been any offense, please forgive us. But if someone is deliberately provoking us, do not blame Yun Qing for turning hostile and refusing to recognize old bonds.”
Hearing this, the man’s gaze swept across Zhao Si’s face with a hint of mockery: “Yun Qing, you truly are still as sharp-tongued as ever. However, my coming here today is not to argue with you.”
With that, he turned his head to look at Zhao Si, a trace of ridicule evident in his tone as he said, “Mingjing, do you still remember me?”
“What Mingjing? I am Zhao Si.” Zhao Si waved her hand dismissively at the man.
Seeing this, the man’s smile grew even wider, though a flash of coldness flickered in his eyes: “Very well then, since the person on stage is Zhao Si, this young master will reintroduce himself my surname is Liu, given name Rufang, and I was once a staff strategist of the Crown Prince’s Mansion.”
“So?” Zhao Si did not want to listen to nonsense. “What are you trying to say?”
“Rufang simply wants to ask, does Young Master Zhao Si know that the blooming, beautiful bride you have married today was once a renowned figure throughout the capital…” Liu Rufang deliberately dragged out the end of his sentence, intentionally leaving room for the crowd to speculate.
Instantly, the crowd broke into a flurry of discussion, everyone beginning to guess what kind of relationship existed between Yun Qing and the newly arrived man.
The older ones guessed that this Liu Rufang must have coveted Yun Qing’s beauty and turned to hatred out of unrequited love.
The younger ones guessed that Yun Qing might have stolen money from the Crown Prince’s Mansion, prompting the Crown Prince to send someone thousands of miles to hunt down the fugitive, and this man was the strategist responsible for recovering the stolen goods.
Only Zhao Si looked at Liu Rufang, rubbed her chin, and—with sound logic and a remarkably serious expression—picked up right where he left off:
“A courtesan? Is Young Master trying to say that my wife was once a courtesan renowned throughout the capital?”
Erl John F. Turnos
Purok 2, Mulig Toril Davao City, Davao del Sur, 8000
+639531639310
[email protected]
July 20,2025
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Kitchen Crew position at Chowking. Although I do not have prior experience in fast food or kitchen work, I am eager to learn and develop new skills in a dynamic environment. I am enthusiastic, hardworking, and committed to contributing positively to your team. I am confident that my strong work ethic and willingness to learn will make me a valuable addition to your kitchen staff.
I am a quick learner and highly motivated to gain hands-on experience in food preparation and kitchen operations. I am attentive to detail, able to follow instructions carefully, and maintain cleanliness and safety standards. I believe that my positive attitude and dedication will enable me to adapt quickly and perform my duties efficiently.
I am excited about the opportunity to join Chowking and to be part of a team that values quality and customer satisfaction. I am ready to start immediately and am eager to contribute my energy and enthusiasm to support your kitchen team. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can be a helpful member of your staff.