Lu's father's secretary smiled and explained that Lu's father had long ago instructed that today's wedding banquet for Lu Kai was just a meal to share in the joy and to witness Lu Kai and Xu Zhenzhu becoming revolutionary comrades and dedicating their lives to the revolutionary cause.
There was absolutely no intention to accept any money as a gift.
I'm just afraid that people will feel bad if they don't give me a gift, and that they'll feel embarrassed to come to the banquet, so I'm collecting the money first.
After everyone has eaten, the money will be returned to each of them individually.
That's the general idea. In the words of Lu's father's secretary, Lu's father's behavior was naturally described in a noble way.
For a moment, regardless of whether they believed in their hearts that Lu's father was really so noble, they couldn't help but praise him, even if it was an act, he was willing to spend money.
Putting everything else aside, at least a few leaders should first commend the Lu family for their actions.
Not to mention others, for a wedding like the Lu family's, the minimum gift money is one or two yuan, which is a considerable expense for an ordinary family.
This is actually going back to us? Isn't that like getting a free meal? Who wouldn't be happy?
Therefore, some of the older women praised the Lu family highly.
Everyone says that a sedan chair is carried by people, and the praise from everyone made even the old fox, Mr. Lu, unable to help but reveal a hint of smugness in his eyes.
Another leader smiled and said, "Old Lu has set a new precedent and promoted a new atmosphere in our machinery factory! We should all learn from Old Lu from now on!"
After saying that, he jokingly said to a leader next to him, "Old Li, your grandson is turning one month old next month. Are you going to follow Old Lu's example?"
The leader surnamed Li had been wearing a forced smile ever since he heard about Lu's father's actions. Now that he was being questioned about it, he couldn't back down, no matter what he was thinking. He gave Lu's father a half-smile before saying, "Of course! With Old Lu taking the lead, don't we all have to follow suit? Otherwise, wouldn't we fall behind?"
The leaders all laughed, and Lu's father's eyes flashed, and he laughed along with them.
Everyone was just watching the spectacle, thinking that with this precedent, would the machinery factory no longer have to give money at weddings or funerals? And next month, they could go and get a free meal at Boss Li's grandson's one-month celebration?
Gu Zhiyuan glanced at Lu's father again. Although his expression was normal, his hands behind his back were clenched into fists, revealing that he was probably not in a very good mood at the moment.
Xu Ningyan also sensed something was amiss. Seeing that everyone around her was lining up to get their money back, and there was no one around, she leaned close to Gu Zhiyuan's ear and whispered, "Big brother, did that person set a trap for the Lu family? Something about that sounds really off."
Gu Zhiyuan nodded. "Walls have ears. Let's talk when we get back."
Xu Ningyan pulled Gu Zhiyuan to join the queue for a refund. They arrived late and were at the back of the line.
Fortunately, the two were not in a hurry and slowly followed the group forward.
The two tables of the Xu family had already finished eating. Although Xu Yinlai stopped them from serving two more bowls of meat, they were still worried that the Xu family might not have eaten enough and would cause trouble.
Lu's father's secretary went to the kitchen and brought two extra baskets of steamed buns made from two different types of dough to their two tables, which was enough to shut the Xu family up.
The whole family ate until their bellies were round and full, burping with satisfaction, and only put down their chopsticks when they could eat no more.
The remaining five or six steamed buns in the basket were also stuffed into Zhao Guilan and the others' pockets, making them bulge.
Seeing that the guests were all queuing up, the Xu family thought that the Lu family was being particular, as they would give out gifts after the banquet.
They figured they might as well take advantage of the cheap deal and all lined up to get it.
Coincidentally, Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan were right in front of them.
Xu Yewei, with his sharp eyes, immediately turned around and said, "Those are Siya and her man up ahead!"
There were too many people earlier, and they arrived late. In addition, Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan were sitting at a table in the corner, so they didn't see them.
Hearing Xu Yewei shout, they all looked over.
They happened to make eye contact with Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan.
Neither of them showed any expression for a moment.
Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan looked away first, their expressions very calm, as if they had only seen a few strangers.
On the Xu family's side, Zhao Guilan and the others were not convinced and wanted to say something to show off their own family.
Xu Yinlai spoke first: "Today is Pearl's special day. If you really cause trouble and embarrass the Lu family—"
The rest is self-explanatory.
Miao Cuihua immediately ordered, "No one is allowed to speak to that little bitch! What are we now? Talking to her is already doing her a favor!"
The Xu family finally quieted down.
Soon it was Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan's turn. The two stepped forward, and the finance department staff recognized Gu Zhiyuan. They immediately found his name, checked the amount, handed him one yuan, and then ticked off Gu Zhiyuan's name to indicate that the money had been refunded.
After taking the money, Gu Zhiyuan handed it to Xu Ningyan.
The two hadn't gone far when they heard the Xu family arguing with the finance department staff behind them.
The two were too lazy to listen to the commotion, and only after leaving the cafeteria did they realize that it had started raining outside.
The rain wasn't heavy, but it must have been raining for a while, as the ground was already wet.
The two exchanged a glance. "Why don't you wait a moment, and I'll go find someone to borrow an umbrella?" Gu Zhiyuan suggested, glancing at the sky.
Xu Ningyan nonchalantly rushed into the rain: "It's just a little rain, let's ride back quickly!"
At this time of year, who has an extra umbrella? What if you borrow one from someone else? You'll then owe them a favor!
It would be better to rush home and take a hot shower.
Seeing that Xu Ningyan had already rushed into the rain, Gu Zhiyuan could only follow behind.
The two jogged to the bike shed, got on their bicycles, and even though Gu Zhiyuan pedaled very fast, the rain was getting heavier and heavier. By the time they got home, they were both soaked to the bone.
First, I dried my hair with a towel and then changed into some dry clothes.
Gu Zhiyuan rushed to the kitchen to boil a pot of water, carried it to the separate bathroom for Xu Ningyan, and then told her to take a shower so she wouldn't catch a cold.
Xu Ningyan took a hot shower and felt much warmer afterward.
Gu Zhiyuan had already taken a quick shower while Xu Ningyan was taking a shower, and now that the rain had stopped, he was inspecting the vegetable garden.
Xu Ningyan walked over while drying her hair.
Seeing that the rain had stopped, he couldn't help but joke, "I heard from people in the village that if a family is hosting a banquet, and the weather is good, then that family is generous; if it rains, it means the host is stingy. The Lu family didn't even mention giving money as a gift today, and it even rained. It shows how stingy they are usually!"
Gu Zhiyuan smiled: "The Lu family wanted to buy a good reputation at a low cost today, but unfortunately, they may have offended someone!"
Seeing that Xu Ningyan didn't understand, he explained, "That Section Chief Li hasn't had a happy occasion in his family for many years, and he's given away a lot of money as gifts over the years. Now that his eldest grandson is turning one month old, he was thinking of holding a banquet to recoup all the money he's given away over the years! But the Lu family's actions have forced him to grit his teeth and follow their example today, not accepting any money as gifts. What do you think Section Chief Li will think?"
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