Seeing her best friend's radiant happiness, Liu Yan felt a genuine joy for Zhang Jie. Once, Liu Yan had known such bliss herself, but it hadn't lasted. Her husband, Xu Zhipeng, left for work in the south soon after their marriage, leaving them separated for long stretches. During that time, Ma Jun took advantage of her loneliness, and later, discovering Xu Zhipeng's affair left Liu Yan's heart cold. Their marriage was now a hollow shell, and apart from Ma Jun, she refused to open her heart to anyone else.
Wang Zheng, among the groomsmen in the wedding party, entered the room and immediately spotted Liu Yan amidst the cheering bridesmaids. Her form-fitting bridesmaid dress accentuated her figure, her striking beauty standing out among the others.
Amid the crowd's cheers, the newlyweds shared a passionate kiss, marking the start of the traditional "find the wedding shoe" game. The bridesmaids had hidden one of the bride's shoes, and the groom had to find it within a time limit or face a playful penalty. The groom, Geng Jia, and his six groomsmen searched frantically—checking the wardrobe, TV stand, bed, and even under it—but found nothing. As time ticked down, Geng Jia glanced desperately at Zhang Jie for a hint.
Before she could speak, a bridesmaid named Xiao Shi shouted, "No hints! The bride's not supposed to help before the wedding's official!" Zhang Jie blushed, and the room erupted in laughter.
Soon, the timer ran out. Xiao Shi and the other bridesmaids chanted, "Five, four, three, two, one—time's up! Penalty time for the groom and groomsmen!" Xiao Shi called out, "Bring the props!" and a bridesmaid produced the penalty items—likely silly costumes or challenges.
"Wait a second!" the groomsmen protested. "At least tell us where the shoe was hidden!" Xiao Shi smirked mysteriously. "Don't you know the most dangerous place is the safest?" Her gaze flicked toward Zhang Jie, sitting on the bed, her red skirt subtly hinting at the hiding spot.
Realizing the shoe was likely under Zhang Jie's skirt, the groomsmen rushed forward. Geng Jia led the charge, lifting a corner of her skirt, while the others joined in eagerly. Local tradition promised a hefty red envelope—often 666 or 888 yuan for good luck—to whoever found the shoe, spurring their enthusiasm.
Among them, Jiang Wu, a burly fitness coach and Geng Jia's college friend, pushed to the front, using his broad shoulders to block the others. "The shoe's mine!" he shouted, his hand already under the skirt. The other groomsmen refused to back down, grabbing at Jiang Wu and reaching under the skirt themselves. In the chaos, Jiang Wu yelled, "I've got it!" but as he tried to pull the shoe out, others wrestled it away, pushing it deeper under the fabric.
The scene grew chaotic, with hands brushing Zhang Jie's legs unintentionally. She yelped, trying to keep her composure while subtly adjusting her position. Wang Zheng, seeing the frenzy at the front, took a different approach, reaching carefully from behind the bride. His fingers grazed what felt like the shoe's strap, and he tugged gently, hoping to claim it discreetly.
Suddenly, Zhang Jie winced in discomfort. "Stop, I'll get it!" she exclaimed, shifting to retrieve the shoe herself. But in the commotion, the groomsmen's eager tugs accidentally pulled her skirt down, exposing her briefly. The group stumbled backward, collapsing onto the floor with groans and laughter.
Wang Zheng, realizing he'd grabbed the edge of Zhang Jie's undergarment instead of the shoe, quickly covered her with a nearby blanket to preserve her modesty. Glancing around, he was relieved to see the room's attention fixed on the groomsmen's tumble, with the videographer focused on their antics, not the bride.
Spotting the shoe nearby, Wang Zheng picked it up and handed it to Geng Jia, who was rubbing his sore head. "Finally got you!" Geng Jia grinned, kissing the shoe dramatically, sparking another round of laughter. Zhang Jie, wrapped in the blanket, sat shyly at the head of the bed, her cheeks flushed.