Chapter 502 - 489: Gaining Face
Seeing that Gu’er and her group weren’t displeased and were genuinely attending as juniors, and knowing he was needed elsewhere, Qin Dali said no more. He arranged for someone to look after them and went to tend to other matters.
Although it was a remarriage and not as boisterous as a wedding for a young couple, the atmosphere was still wonderful. Listening to the rising shouts and the merry clamor of the crowd, Gu’er felt great. ’It’s so lively. Even if it’s not at some fancy hotel, it just makes you feel good.’
Once all the speeches were made and the teasing was over, it was time to eat. Qin Dali and Li Hua began to make their rounds, toasting each table.
Just then, a few people suddenly appeared at the entrance. Someone asked them who they were looking for, and upon learning they were here for the wedding, led them inside.
"Why are people still showing up? Honestly. They knew there was a wedding but couldn’t come earlier. Are they just showing up now for the free food and drinks?"
someone muttered from a nearby table.
’New arrivals?’ Gu’er turned to look. ’As long as it’s not Zhou Mazi or Zhou Feng’er here to cause trouble, it should be fine. Besides, the people we have on watch shouldn’t let them get past.’
The moment she saw them, Gu’er’s eyes lit up. Sun Jiaming and Li Zhi stood up with her.
Gu’er led her group over to greet the newcomers: Lin Shan, Chen Fengjiao, Lin Sui’er, and Lin Zheng.
Gu’er had asked Lin Shan if he could come to the wedding. He’d asked for the date but said it would depend on his schedule, as he had been exceptionally busy lately. Chen Fengjiao had even complained to Gu’er that he had been coming home close to midnight on several occasions, and she didn’t know what was keeping him so occupied.
But Gu’er understood. ’With great power comes great responsibility.’ And Lin Shan was a diligent man who was determined to do his job well; it would be strange if he *wasn’t* busy.
Lin Shan had said he would do his best to make time to come and had asked Chen Fengjiao to bring the children earlier to show their support. Chen Fengjiao had agreed, but she hadn’t arrived early. Gu’er knew what she was thinking. ’If her husband isn’t going, she’d feel out of place and bored since she doesn’t know anyone here. So, she must have waited at home for Dad. If he came home early, she’d come along. If he was late, she probably wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.’ After all, the gift had been sent in advance, so the thought was there. Even if Lin Shan found out, he would probably just scold her a little and let it go.
"Dad, Mom, you made it! Dad, are you done with work for the day?"
Gu’er smiled as she approached Lin Shan. Lin Zheng’s eyes lit up when he saw her group, but when he saw Gu’er reach for him, he quickly darted over to Sun Jiaming and Li Zhi.
It wasn’t that Lin Zheng disliked Gu’er, but she always treated him like a little kid and loved to ruffle his hair. ’At home, it’s one thing,’ he thought, ’but with so many people watching, it’s embarrassing. I’ll just stand with my brother-in-law and Brother Li Zhi. We’re men.’
Gu’er understood his intentions and chuckled, muttering, "Silly kid."
"I just finished my work and rushed right over," Lin Shan said. "Is everything going well?"
Lin Shan asked Gu’er. He had done his best to rearrange his schedule to finish work early. Once he was done, he had called home, only to be surprised when Chen Fengjiao answered. Realizing she had been waiting for him, Lin Shan sighed inwardly. He knew his wife all too well. If not for the fact that Li Hua had raised Gu’er, Chen Fengjiao would never have agreed to attend this wedding. She had a deep-seated aversion to village folk. He couldn’t force the issue, so he had simply told her to bring Sui’er and Lin Zheng to meet him at the venue.
"Everything’s great. It’s a very lively wedding, so don’t worry," Gu’er smiled. "Let me take you over to say hello to my mom and Master Qin."
Gu’er smiled and led Lin Shan and his family toward Li Hua and Qin Dali.
"Shan, Feng Jiao, Sui’er, Xiao Zheng, you’re here!" Li Hua was thrilled to see them. "And Lin Shan, you’re so busy. I told Gu’er to tell you not to come. This isn’t some huge affair, yet you still made the trip. Did it interfere with your work?"
Li Hua was overcome with emotion at the sight of Lin Shan. Given his current status, an ordinary person like her was worlds apart from him. And yet, whenever Lin Shan saw her, he always greeted her warmly as "Big Sister," his words always kind. He would even visit her from time to time, bringing small gifts and proving he had never forgotten her. The man was unbelievably busy, yet he had still come today. She was deeply grateful. His presence was giving her immense face. With Lin Shan attending her wedding, the Qin Family, their relatives, and all their neighbors would have to look at her in a new light.
"You’re my big sister and Gu’er’s mother," Lin Shan said warmly. "How could I possibly miss my big sister’s wedding? I was just held up with work until now, so I hope you don’t mind me being late. You must be Brother Qin," he said, turning to Qin Dali. "I’ve brought my wife and children—the whole family. Please don’t scold me for bringing so many mouths to feed!"
Lin Shan finished with a good-natured joke directed at Qin Dali.
Qin Dali, however, was completely dumbfounded. Lin Shan. He recognized the man. It was a coincidence; he had seen him once from afar when Lin Shan came to inspect the local shopping center. He knew who he was, but he never dreamed such a prominent figure would ever have anything to do with him. Yet here he was, at his wedding, calling him "Brother Qin." ’What in the world is going on?’
Although he had no idea what was going on, he replied out of pure instinct, "Of course not! Brother, you honor me just by coming. The food might not be the best, but there’s more than enough to go around. Please, eat as much as you like!"
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized who he was speaking to, and his face paled. He was terrified he had offended Lin Shan. ’A man of his stature wouldn’t care about this simple food,’ he thought frantically. ’I made it sound like he’s never had a decent meal! Will he be angry?’
"Brother Qin, you speak plainly. I appreciate that," Lin Shan smiled, not taking offense. "In that case, we’ll be sure to eat our fill in a little while. For now, allow me to wish you and Big Sister a hundred years of happiness and a lifetime of love."
Lin Shan smiled as he offered the traditional blessings. He deliberately avoided the phrase about having children soon, as he recalled Gu’er telling him that Li Hua was unable to conceive anymore. Mentioning it would only cause her pain.
"Thank you, thank you, Broth—"
Qin Dali began to thank him, but he faltered, unsure of how to address the man. He couldn’t bring himself to call him "Brother."
"Are... are you Mayor Lin?"
Just then, another guest recognized Lin Shan and stepped forward to ask, though he wasn’t completely certain. It just seemed impossible that the mayor would show up at a place like this.
"I am Lin Shan,"
Lin Shan replied with a nod and a warm smile.
"Mayor Lin, hello! What brings you here? We couldn’t have dreamed of inviting you! Your presence here is such an immense honor..."
The man grabbed Lin Shan’s hand and launched into a rambling stream of praise, likely not even knowing what he himself was saying.
Once the man had said his piece and seeing that a crowd was beginning to form, Gu’er quickly urged Lin Shan and his family to find their seats. Otherwise, they’d be gawked at all night, unable to eat, and the toasting rounds would be held up.
Lin Shan and his family had intended to sit at Gu’er’s table, but the Qin family wouldn’t hear of it. They insisted on pulling Lin Shan and Chen Fengjiao over to the head table. Unable to refuse, the couple had no choice but to accept. Lin Sui’er and Lin Zhengze, however, went with Gu’er to her table.
Lin Shan’s arrival sent a buzz of discussion through the tables. It was an incredible honor, especially for the members of the Qin family. They felt a glow of pride, stood a little straighter, and their boisterous calls to eat and drink grew even louder.
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I’ve been doing some manual labor the past couple of days, and my arms feel like they’re going to fall off. Ouch. Time to pick up my kid. Hope you all have a great day!