Xiang Pengfei originally only wanted to invite the Lin family, Tu Nan, and Zhang Min to a meal to make it more lively, but he didn't expect the old lady to suddenly say she wanted to go. He felt a little embarrassed to refuse, but if he didn't refuse, everyone would feel uncomfortable if there were two elderly people present, which would probably make the atmosphere awkward.
Thinking of this, Xiang Pengfei quickly said, "Grandma, it's like this. We're all young kids, and they'll feel uncomfortable if you're here. How about this, I'll order you something to eat at a nearby restaurant, and you can go back after you've eaten?"
The old lady naturally knew that this was Xiang Pengfei's excuse, and it would be unreasonable for her to insist any further. So she said, "Alright! It's not appropriate for us old folks to attend your young people's occasion. Here's what you'll do: get me five dishes, three meat and two vegetable, and I'll take them home to eat. Also, let your second uncle, second aunt, and Zhenbei's younger brother enjoy your hospitality too!"
At this point, Xiang Pengfei had no choice but to reluctantly agree. He led the two of them, along with Lin Dongzhe, to a nearby restaurant, ordered five dishes, and then took the old man home before returning to the alley with Lin Dongzhe.
As fate would have it, just as the two of them reached the alley entrance, they saw Lin Wufeng and Song Ying carrying their luggage, heading out to find a hotel.
Xiang Pengfei thought they were the two of them leaving, so he said, "Uncle Lin, are you leaving now?"
Lin Wufeng laughed and said, "We're not leaving! We're going out to find a hotel, otherwise where will we sleep tonight? You know my aunt has turned my bedroom into a small dining table, where else can we sleep?"
"If you don't mind, you can go to our company dormitory. It's reserved for drivers, and there are plenty of rooms available!"
"No need! We live in Suzhou, so let's rent a place and stay for ten days or half a month first. It's not a good idea to keep bothering you!"
"How about this? Let's go to Deyanglou! It's a restaurant and also offers accommodation. It's a nice place with a good environment, and it's not far from here. I know the owner, and I can give you a discount!"
"Oh, that's fine then. Thank you, Pengfei. I'm sorry to trouble you again!"
"What's the big deal? It's all part of the job. Let's go!"
So Xiang Pengfei took Lin Wufeng and his wife, as well as Lin Dongzhe, to Deyanglou Restaurant and booked a private room to treat them to a meal. Then he drove over to pick up Zhuang Tunan and his sister, as well as Zhang Min.
Once everyone had arrived, they sat down according to their status and rank.
Xiang Pengfei opened a bottle of wine and said, "Today I'm treating everyone to a good meal to celebrate my joy of getting my marriage certificate today."
Looking at the table full of dishes, Song Ying was still worried about Huang Ling. She muttered, "Sigh, it's a pity Sister Ling isn't here. So many things have happened in just a few days. Tu Nan hurt his leg, Sister Ling was in a car accident, and today..."
Seeing that Song Ying was thinking about unhappy things again, Lin Wufeng quickly said, "Song Ying, why are you like this? Today is Pengfei's happy day, why do you keep bringing up unhappy things? You can't do this, it's spoiling the mood!"
Song Ying quickly wiped away her tears, then wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and said, "When people get old, it's inevitable to feel sentimental. Pengfei, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry you had to see this!"
As Xiang Pengfei poured drinks for everyone, he said, "So many things have happened these past few days, and my aunt has suffered the most. I understand, I understand!"
Lin Dongzhe, holding the wine that Xiang Pengfei had just poured for him, raised one hand and said, "Long live understanding! Thank you for your understanding, Brother Pengfei!"
Looking at the table full of food, Zhuang Tunan suddenly had an idea and said, "Pengfei, could you please go and call someone else?"
Xiang Pengfei asked, puzzled, "Who is it? I won't invite people I don't approve of!"
"No one, just Yiming's mom. We called her over to discuss her convenience store. Aunt Song Ying isn't staying, so we can use her convenience store to open a breakfast shop. It'll be convenient, and we'll all be neighbors again. It's a win-win situation."
Song Ying blushed and said, "This is Pengfei's arrangement. It's a bit inappropriate to talk about my affairs, isn't it?"
Xiang Pengfei, however, said dismissively, "What are you saying, Aunt Song? We're all family. Family doesn't need to be so formal. I'll go get Yiming's mom right now, and we'll take over her convenience store tonight!"
Xiang Pengfei put down the wine bottle in his hand, turned around and went out the door. In less than ten minutes, he brought Yiming's mother back.
As soon as Yiming's mother entered the door, she said, "Is this a family dinner? Is it inappropriate for me to sit here?"
Zhuang Tunan said, "Auntie, you're from our alley too! We're all family!"
Lin Dongzhe raised his glass again and said, "Yes, we are a family, a loving family."
Song Ying said somewhat displeasedly, "You brat, don't drink every time you see alcohol, it's bad for your health!"
Lin Dongzhe chuckled and said, "Sorry, Mom, I've been having social engagements and drinking parties every day these past few days. I've gotten used to it, otherwise my trading company wouldn't be able to keep going!"
Lin Wufeng then whispered to Song Ying, "Alright, don't blame him. The child is all grown up now, and he has more social obligations. That's just how society is now. It's not like before when everything was collective; now it's all about money and interests!"
Xiang Pengfei brought a seat for Yiming's mother so that she could sit with Song Ying. Song Ying and Yiming's mother nodded to each other in acknowledgment.
Zhuang Tunan then said, "Auntie, I didn't ask you to come here today for anything else, except for eating, I just want you to talk about the convenience store!"
Yiming's mother, who had just sat down, quickly said with a smile, "What? You've changed your mind? Okay, tell me when you're moving, and I'll make room for you right away!"
Song Ying placed the best dish in front of Yiming's mother and said, "Sister-in-law, have some first, we're not in a hurry!"
Zhuang Tunan continued, "Auntie, it's like this, I only need the newsstand that Pengfei gave me. Your convenience store isn't something I'm taking over, it's something my aunt Song Ying is taking over!"
Yiming's mother glanced at Song Ying beside her, her face showing some displeasure, and said, "Tu Nan! It's not that I'm being picky, but Yiming told me that this convenience store must be transferred to you. If you want to change hands, I can't really make that decision!"
Lin Dongzhe said, "Auntie, you watched me and Tu Nan grow up, you can't be biased! Besides, you know what the relationship is between our family and Tu Nan's family, is there any difference? It's just a matter of passing things around."
Song Ying slapped Lin Dongzhe and said, "How dare you talk to your aunt like that?"
As Song Ying spoke, she turned to Yi Ming's mother and said, "Sister-in-law, it's like this. As you know, Sister Ling and I are inseparable best friends. Seeing how many things have happened to her in just these few days since the New Year, I've been so worried about her in the south that I wanted to come back and take care of her. As soon as I told Tu Nan, he told me that your small shop is going to be sold. I thought it would be close to Sister Ling's house so we could look after each other and hopefully give her some help. That way, Sister Ling can have her burden reduced. You see, in just these few days, Sister Ling looks like she's aged more than ten years. It's so heartbreaking!"
As she spoke, Song Ying's eyes reddened again, and she was about to burst into tears.
Yiming's mother naturally saw that Song Ying was being sincere, so she said, "How about this, Song Ying, to show your sincerity, you give me 20,000 yuan first, and I'll make room for you tomorrow. The extra 7,500 yuan, let Tu Nan keep it. If he feels that you are helpful to him, he will return the money to you. If you are not helpful, consider the 7,500 yuan as your sponsorship of Tu Nan. What do you think?"
Song Ying nodded vigorously and said, "Okay, okay, I'll pay the 20,000 yuan. As long as I can get closer to Sister Ling, I'll pay any amount of money. She's had such a hard time!"
At this moment, Tu Nan said somewhat awkwardly, "Auntie, aren't you slapping me in the face? How can I take Aunt Song's money without considering her relationship with my mother?"
Yiming's mother said, "Tunan, I also want to give Yiming an explanation. It was clearly meant for you, but I gave it to Song Ying instead. I won't be able to explain it to Yiming!"
Lin Wufeng also said, "Yes, Tu Nan! Your aunt did the right thing, I support her!"
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