You Promise

After Su Yang finished replying, a message from Song Anquan popped up at the top of his phone screen.

He tapped to open it.

Song Anquan: By the way, speaking of girlfriends, bro, I’ve got some good news. 【Dancing emoji】

Su Yang paused for a moment before replying: Oh? Don’t tell me you’re getting married?

Song Anquan: Hehe, you guessed it. I was planning to tell you in a few days. Just finished with the engagement stuff recently.

Su Yang: Damn, you didn’t even tell me about the engagement?

Song Anquan: I figured it was too far, man. My girlfriend’s a local from Hangzhou, so all the engagement stuff was handled here.

Su Yang: Look at you, bro, moving up in the world—landing a Hangzhou local.

Song Anquan: Nah, she’s just from an ordinary family. Not everyone in Hangzhou is loaded.

Su Yang: So where are you planning to hold the wedding?

Song Anquan: My parents want me to do it back in Yangcheng.

Su Yang: And what does your fiancée say about that?

Song Anquan: No problem at all. She’s fine with whatever I decide.

Su Yang: Nice, bro. That’s what I call respect. When’s the big day?

Song Anquan: August 15th. And you better be there as my groomsman—no escaping this one.

Su Yang chuckled and checked the date: July 20th. Still over three weeks to go.

He replied: No problem! It’s not that far off. Just give me a heads-up when you’re coming back.

Song Anquan: Got it. You’ll need to take time off work, so I’ll definitely let you know in advance.

Su Yang almost mentioned that he wasn’t working anymore, but it wasn’t the right time to explain. He’d save that for the wedding.

Song Anquan: Man, I’ve been swamped lately. Just finished the wedding photos last week, and now I’ve got to figure out the guest list, banquet arrangements, the "three golds," and even the wedding cars. Ugh, weddings are such a hassle.

Su Yang: Most people only do this once in their lifetime. It’s a big deal, so a little trouble is normal.

Song Anquan: And I’ve got to go back to Yangcheng first, then drive a five- or six-hour wedding convoy to pick her up. Just thinking about it exhausts me.

Su Yang: Wait, you’re going back to Yangcheng first, then driving to Hangzhou to fetch the bride?

Song Anquan: Yeah. Ugh, it’s giving me a headache. I don’t get why we can’t just have her come straight to Yangcheng with me.

Su Yang: That’s just how these things go. Just tough it out and leave early that day.

Song Anquan: Sigh, I guess that’s all I can do. Right now, the wedding cars are my biggest headache. Renting a decent convoy is crazy expensive, and asking friends for favors is a pain. Not sure if my dad can even round up enough cars.

Su Yang thought for a moment before replying: How many cars do you need?

Song Anquan: At least eight, and they can’t be too cheap either. Don’t want to look bad—she’s from Hangzhou, after all. Even if no one says anything, we’ve got to do things properly.

Su Yang: What kind of car do you want as the lead?

Song Anquan: At least a Mercedes E-Class. Most of my friends and coworkers used an S-Class, BMW 7 Series, or Audi A8 for theirs. I can’t roll up in some budget sedan worth 100-200k.

Su Yang laughed and replied: Alright, leave the cars to me. I’ll handle it.

Song Anquan: 【Shocked】【Shocked】【Shocked】 What are you talking about?

Su Yang: I said I’ll take care of the wedding cars. What, you don’t think I can do it?

Song Anquan: No, bro, I know you’re doing alright—making seven or eight grand a month—but where are you gonna get that many cars? Wait… are you working at a rental place now?

Su Yang couldn’t help but laugh: What nonsense. I’ll explain in detail at the wedding. It’s too much to type. Just trust me—I can hook you up with some nice cars for your big day.

Song Anquan: You swear?

Su Yang: I swear.

Song Anquan: Damn, man. I’m actually kinda touched. Don’t even know how to respond.

Su Yang: Save the mushy stuff. Just treat me to a full spa day later.

Song Anquan: Hahaha, deal. So you’re really taking care of this?

Su Yang: Consider it done. When you come back, I’ll have a slick convoy waiting. Lead car? Gotta be a high-powered, rear-wheel-drive Camry.

Song Anquan: 【Throws watermelon rind emoji】

Su Yang: Alright, no more jokes. Just focus on everything else—this part’s covered.

Song Anquan: Fine, I’ll leave it to you. Honestly, if anyone else said this, I’d be touched but still worried. But with you, I trust it.

Su Yang: Alright, enough chit-chat. See you in Yangcheng.

......

After closing the chat, Su Yang lay back on the sofa, deep in thought.

"Wedding cars… Hmm, none of my three cars are really lead material. His family’s in the countryside—the Aston Martin could make it, but the other two would probably scrape their undercarriages to hell."

"But an SUV like the Aston isn’t wedding-appropriate. Need something like a Maybach, Bentley, or Rolls."

"Let me think."

Just then, his phone buzzed again.

Su Yang picked it up—a message from Lin Yiyi.

"Su-gege, didn’t you say you’d come see me today? I’m off stream now. Where are you?"

Su Yang smiled and replied: "At home."

"Can I come over? I’ll treat you to dinner!"

Su Yang: "Sure, come on by."

Lin Yiyi: "Send me your location then!"

After sharing his address, Su Yang set aside the wedding car thoughts. With over twenty days left, he had plenty of time to prepare. Worst case, he’d just rent ten Maybachs—wouldn’t cost much anyway.

He checked the time: 6:40 PM. Definitely dinner o’clock. He got up, showered, and changed.

Grabbing his phone again, he realized Lu Yun hadn’t been in the comments earlier.

"Haven’t chatted with her in days."

He opened their chat and sent a message:

"Little Deer, what’s up? I’m having friends over for dinner tomorrow—mentioned it before. Don’t forget to come!"

After ten minutes with no reply, Su Yang shrugged. "Probably busy. Whatever."

Twenty minutes later, his phone rang again.

Lin Yiyi was calling directly.

Su Yang answered.

"Su-gege, I’m at the gate of Senhai Manor! Should I come in, or are you coming out?"

Su Yang thought for a second. "I’ll come out. Give me a few minutes."