Lu's mother forced a smile and explained, "They have to go on a business trip to the factory. The tickets are already bought, and there are people waiting outside. They're heading to the train station soon! There's no other way, you know. We can't let their work be delayed! The eldest daughter-in-law just said that when she comes back, she'll bring a gift to the second daughter-in-law to apologize!"
Others naturally chimed in, "That's right, of course work is more important!"
Mr. Lu glanced at his watch; the time was up, and all the necessary procedures had been completed. He turned and gave a brief instruction.
The cafeteria, which had been prepared in advance, began serving the dishes.
Because there were only four dishes, the portions were large, with four large bowls served on each table.
One dish consisted of chicken stew with glass noodles, another of steamed pork with rice flour served with pumpkin and potatoes, a dish of stir-fried green peppers and eggs, and a dish of stir-fried cabbage.
Then on a table, there was a basket of steamed buns made from a mixture of two types of dough, each one as big as a man's fist, substantial and filling.
These dishes are all the signature big-pot dishes of the head chef of the No. 2 canteen of the machinery factory. They all follow the principle of looking good, but in reality, the chicken pieces, meat, and eggs are just a thin layer on top, and the vegetables are underneath.
The main focus is on something that can be seen but not touched.
Once all the dishes were served, everyone's attention was focused on eating. Who cared about the bride's family's appearance being undignified? Or about the groom's sister-in-law having to go on a business trip?
The atmosphere immediately became lively.
Lu Kai and Xu Zhenzhu followed behind Lu's father and mother, toasting the guests who came to the wedding banquet.
The first people to be toasted are naturally the leaders at the head table.
The rest of the people buried themselves in their food.
Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan's table were all colleagues, and most of them were young people, so they were rather reserved.
At most, they just ate their chopsticks a little faster. Unlike the other tables, where everyone was using all sorts of tricks, each person had two steamed buns in their hands, their bowls were piled high, and their chopsticks were still reaching into the basin.
The competition was especially fierce at the two tables occupied by the Xu family, as they were all squeezed together.
It's normal for the group of men at that table to be drinking.
The table with women and children was already packed with food.
Everyone was busy stuffing food into their mouths, especially Er Ya and San Ya, who had never seen such good food before, and the portions were so generous.
With my father and brothers at another table, I mustered up the courage to pick up a piece of meat.
Steamed pork with rice flour is a specialty of the cafeteria chef. It is thinly sliced, coated with rice flour, and melts in your mouth.
They had never eaten such delicious steamed meat in their lives.
However, I only dared to eat one piece. The rest of the pumpkin and potatoes, which had been soaked in the flavor of steamed meat, were scooped into a bowl, along with the chicken stewed with radish. The radish was also extremely flavorful.
Not only the two of them, but also Miao Cuihua and Zhao Guilan had no time to be reserved anymore, only thinking about filling their stomachs first.
When Mr. Lu, along with Lu Kai and Xu Zhenzhu, came to toast the table, even a man as shrewd as Mr. Lu couldn't help but twitch his lips, forcing a smile as he said, "In-laws, please eat your fill! If it's not enough, I'll have the kitchen bring you some more—"
It was just a polite remark.
Xu Yewei and his group of teenage boys' eyes lit up. They licked their lips and shouted, "Another bowl of steamed pork with rice flour!"
"I want chicken stew with radish!"
Xu Zhenzhu's face darkened on the spot; she could no longer suppress her temper.
Xu Yinlai, who was at the next table, hadn't dared to drink much, afraid of losing his composure in front of Mr. Lu, and had been keeping a close eye on things.
Seeing this, he hurried over and scolded them a few times, then turned around and said, "Oh dear, the children are so ignorant and talking nonsense! If we let them have their way, even ten pigs wouldn't be enough for them to wreak havoc! You go and offer the toasts, this is a big deal! I'll take care of things here!"
As he spoke, he winked at Xu Zhenzhu.
Xu Zhenzhu understood and tugged at Lu Kai's sleeve: "Dad, Mom, Brother Lu Kai, let's go toast the guests! Don't neglect them! Leave this to my second brother!"
Mr. Lu nodded, raised his glass to Xu Yinlai, and said politely, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Second Brother Xu!"
After saying that, he led his people to the next table.
Soon it was time for Gu Zhiyuan and his group to sit down. Everyone stood up and offered their congratulations.
Mr. Lu and his family also said a few polite words, such as "We apologize for the poor hospitality" and "Please don't take offense."
Seeing that Xu Ningyan's attire was still unremarkable, Xu Zhenzhu wanted to show off a bit more, so she jokingly asked, "Siya, when are you and Comrade Gu going to have your wedding banquet? Comrade Gu, when are you planning to give Siya an explanation?"
Xu Ningyan was really annoyed by Xu Zhenzhu. What business was it of hers?
She opened her mouth to retort, but Gu Zhiyuan held her back, glanced at Lu Kai, and said only four words lightly: "What's it to you?"
The translation is: What's it to you?
Xu Zhenzhu was humiliated in front of everyone, her face flushed red, and she protested, "I was just concerned—"
Xu Ningyan's interface: "No need!"
Lu Kai looked indignant and wanted to say something, but his father coughed lightly, and he immediately shut his mouth.
Mr. Lu remained calm: "Alright, Pearl is just too happy and wants others to share her joy. It's a kind gesture, but I didn't know you, Comrade Gu, have a taboo about this. I'll have her apologize to you!"
As she spoke, she looked at Xu Zhenzhu.
Xu Zhenzhu stared wide-eyed in astonishment. What a joke! Today was her big day, the bride was the most important person, wasn't she? Even if she had said something inappropriate, she shouldn't have apologized to someone today, right?
Seeing that Xu Zhenzhu hadn't reacted yet, Mr. Lu frowned, clearly displeased: "Second son—"
Lu Kai jolted awake and quickly shoved Xu Zhenzhu, saying, "Alright, Zhenzhu, you meant well, but they just won't accept it! Okay, apologize to them, we still have to toast them, don't let this interfere with our good time!"
Xu Zhenzhu gritted her teeth, unwilling to say it no matter what.
The atmosphere froze for a moment, with everyone glancing in this direction, either openly or furtively.
Seeing the situation getting out of hand, the people at the table quickly tried to smooth things over: "Oh dear, Xiao Gu, today is Xiao Lu and his wife's big day! The bride is the most important person! How can we expect the bride to apologize? Xiao Gu just misspoke, right?"
As she spoke, she desperately tried to wink at Gu Zhiyuan.
Gu Zhiyuan snorted coldly and didn't say anything, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Everyone wiped away a cold sweat; today's banquet was truly nerve-wracking.
After this incident, it was clear to everyone that the Lu family was not in a good mood.
At the next few tables, no one dared to say anything and quickly went through the process.
Xu Zhenzhu and Lu Kai hadn't even had time to eat when some guests who had finished eating were already leaving.
At the entrance, the finance department staff, who had been instructed by the secretary to register the donations, quickly stopped people as they were about to leave, pulled them aside, and said they would return everyone's donations.
This has never happened before. Where would you ever get your money back after receiving a donation?
Everyone surrounded the finance department staff, bombarding them with questions.
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