When they set out, Zhao Lin opened a red umbrella for Fu Yisheng and Lu Qingqing, while Shen Wenyue was in charge of scattering rice.
Besides rice, there were also red beans, green beans, and shreds of gold paper.
It was only later that Lu Qingqing, supported by the Chief Matchmaker, found out that in the regions of Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong, the red umbrella symbolizes branching out and spreading the family tree, rather than the shelter from wind and rain that it meant back in her hometown. Scattering rice was to feed the golden rooster to prevent it from pecking at the bride.
Why would the golden rooster peck at the bride? She could never quite understand.
But that was a story for another time. Back to the matter at hand.
One must not look back when stepping out the door, and before getting into the car, Lu Qingqing, reminded by the Chief Matchmaker, bowed to the relatives and friends seeing her off.
After getting into the car, they departed precisely at 10:08 a.m.
