Wang’s invitation is here—she’s getting married next month. Look at the last two lines: “There will be no ceremony. Once everyone arrives, we’ll start eating. If there isn’t enough food, you can eat at the next table.”

She got the idea from that “four-no wedding” in Zhejiang, right? The news said they didn’t have a bride pickup, a wedding car, or an emcee—not even bridesmaids or groomsmen.

I was going to help her with her makeup and take photos, but now none of that will be needed. With no ceremony, will everyone just go there and eat? It feels like something’s missing.

There’s nothing wrong with just eating. That family spent the money they would have used to hire a car procession and a photographer on the food instead. It was 2,000 yuan per table, and they even served king crab. The bride’s father spoke for forty-one seconds, said, “Eat well and drink well,” and then the banquet began.

Only forty-one seconds? Ha-ha, I like it. But did the older relatives agree? They care most about saving face.

The father said they had originally wanted to hold a big wedding, but their daughter and son-in-law work in Shanghai and were under a lot of pressure, so they went along with what the young couple wanted. They held the banquet in the village, so the elderly relatives in their eighties only had to walk a short distance, and all the relatives got to see one another.

Wang also told me that what she fears most is standing onstage with so many people watching her. Just thinking about it makes her nervous. … In that case, can we give a smaller cash gift?

In your dreams. They’re not stingy at all. They were originally going to give the guests cigarettes, but instead they gave everyone a 200-yuan red envelope, plus another 100 yuan to anyone who brought a cash gift.

There’s such a good deal? Then I definitely can’t give less. Seriously, I’m actually looking forward to going to this kind of wedding.