He added, "I've asked everyone, and for ordinary colleagues, a dollar or two is enough as a gift."
Xu Ningyan got anxious: "Why shouldn't we go? We don't have any happy occasions in our family that require a banquet. Giving them money as a gift is obviously like throwing good money after bad."
"Giving it to anyone else is one thing, but giving it to these two is something I'm not happy about! Two yuan could buy two good meals at a state-run restaurant! Why should they get it for free?"
"We have to go! Both of us should go! Every little bit we eat is a blessing!"
Gu Zhiyuan shook his head helplessly, a smile playing on his lips: "Alright, alright, let's all go! Every little bit helps! We definitely won't let them get away with it!"
Xu Ningyan rolled her eyes: "Is their banquet at noon or in the evening? If it's at noon, we won't eat breakfast. If it's in the evening, we won't eat lunch either. We'll go on an empty stomach! Our goal is to go in leaning against the wall and come out leaning against the wall!"
Gu Zhiyuan was taken aback, but he quickly understood what Xu Ningyan meant.
He couldn't resist ruffling Xu Ningyan's hair.
Freshly washed hair, not tied up, was incredibly smooth. As it slipped through Gu Zhiyuan's fingers, the silky smoothness made him unconsciously tighten his grip on the strands.
But it pulled at Xu Ningyan's scalp, causing her to hiss involuntarily.
Gu Zhiyuan quickly released his fingers, but his hand seemed to have a mind of its own, rubbing the top of his head a couple of times before withdrawing it. He smiled and said, "You came back from the brigade today, then went to the purchasing department, and then cooked such a big meal. You must be tired. Get some rest."
"I have something to do, I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back later! You don't need to wait for me, I'll lock the door from the outside, just open it yourself when you get back!"
Xu Ningyan didn't ask any more questions and nodded in agreement.
After watching Gu Zhiyuan push his bicycle out of the yard and lock the door from the outside, she went back inside.
A few days later, I heard some big news that shocked the entire Jingshan County.
It is said that the local police station and the county militia jointly raided the hideout of a robbery gang.
The gang consisted of thirteen people who were specifically tasked with scouting out various purchasing outlets, targeting only those who looked like people from the countryside who had come to the city to sell their goods.
Those who are single are most likely to attract their attention.
They usually wait until the person walks to a secluded place, then put a sack over their head, knock them unconscious, and steal their money.
These people from the countryside are honest, and they were knocked unconscious in a deserted place.
I felt lucky to have escaped with my life, so how could I dare to report it to the police?
Occasionally, a report would be filed, but the police station was short-staffed, and when they went to investigate the surrounding area, the gang would disappear without a trace.
As soon as the police left, they came back.
They are really difficult to deal with.
Who knew that this time they would be caught in one fell swoop.
I heard that this involves collusion between insiders and outsiders. It is said that this gang has people inside the public security bureau. Otherwise, how could their information be so accurate and how could they always evade the police station's investigation?
With so many victims, how come the police station didn't investigate and crack down on them?
The powerful figure behind the robbery gang has also been exposed; apparently, he holds a high-ranking official position.
His position became vacant, and many people had their eyes on it. On the surface, Jingshan County seemed calm, but undercurrents were surging.
For this reason, Lu Kai and Xu Zhenzhu's wedding was much more low-key.
Moreover, some leaders who had previously agreed to attend the wedding have now all said they cannot come.
When Mr. Lu learned of this news, he was naturally unhappy, but on the surface he had to express his understanding and accept it gladly.
Lu Kai was young, and upon hearing the news, he immediately became anxious.
The most important part of this wedding was that Lu's father introduced him to those leaders, allowing him to become familiar with them and gradually take over their connections.
But if none of these connected leaders are coming, what will happen to all the previous preparations?
Lu Kai gritted his teeth: "What were those people at the police station doing? Why did they have to do it now of all times—"
"Shut up!" Mr. Lu was more cautious after all.
He quickly regained his composure and tapped the table: "Things are already like this, what's the point of getting angry and upset? It only highlights your incompetence!"
Lu Kai immediately suppressed his anger: "Understood, Dad!"
Mr. Lu nodded: "In that case, let's reduce the number of dishes at the banquet by two, and reduce the number of tables by five. Also, let's keep the ceremony simple that day—"
Lu Kai was somewhat reluctant: "We've already streamlined the menu to only six dishes. Wouldn't cutting two more be too stingy? And reducing five tables would be too much, wouldn't we make ourselves a laughingstock?"
"Even if you're not happy with Pearl, your country daughter-in-law, you don't have to make yourself a laughingstock, do you?"
Mr. Lu sneered, "Foolish! Since all those leaders are avoiding suspicion, why are you still holding such a grand event now? Are you afraid you won't have enough dirt on yourself?"
Lu Kai then realized what was happening and his expression turned serious: "Then we need to keep a low profile!"
After thinking about it, she was still unhappy and complained, "To get married for the first time and it has to be like this, what is this—"
Before he could finish speaking, Lu's father interrupted him, shouting, "You better remember this! You have to deceive yourself before you can deceive others! Now that you've married Xu Zhenzhu, you have to give her the respect she deserves! Don't cause any trouble, or I'll see how I deal with you!"
Lu Kai pouted, but finally agreed: "I know! Dad, you still don't trust me?"
Mr. Lu glared at him with exasperation: "Have you settled the dowry and other arrangements with the Xu family? And have you communicated with them about the wedding arrangements? Don't cause any trouble and embarrass the Lu family!"
Lu Kai then remembered the important matter: "Dad, the Xu family doesn't want a bride price, they said they only have one request! Transfer Pearl's job to the county!"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Lu did not show any surprise: "You can handle it yourself!"
Lu Kai nodded, indicating that he understood.
I don't know what he said to Xu Zhenzhu, but the wedding was simplified so much, and Xu Zhenzhu agreed without any objection.
September 9th.
Suitable for marriage.
Because the Tuanjie Brigade is too far from the county town, they might miss lunch if they went to pick up the bride and returned.
So for the first two days, Xu Zhenzhu and Miao Cuihua brought their belongings and went to stay at Xu Yinlai's house in the county.
The dozen or so people from the first and second wives took the first bus to the county to meet Xu Yinlai and the others, and then they went to the Lu family's place together.
Xu Yinlai's family lived on the second floor of a tenement building. Because both he and his wife were employees, they were allocated two large rooms, which were then divided into several small rooms.
When Xu Zhenzhu was studying in the county town, she often came here to stay on weekends.
She was given a separate little room, which now serves as her boudoir before her marriage.
The Xu family had pasted a "double happiness" character on their door. It was said that they were going to marry off their younger sister, and people from the tenement building came to inquire about it.
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