"So, that 'Young Master Song' Chen Lu's mother mentioned earlier in the back room, must be him?
I'd seen his name on the gift register, Song Wenzhi.
"Uh... Brother Wenzhi is here," the groom took the microphone from the emcee and said politely, "Brother, don't misunderstand, and everyone, please don't misunderstand. Actually, just now, Young Master Wu secretly gave me a gift, privately, without telling anyone."
With that, Chen Feng displayed the watch to everyone. I cooperated by pinching the sleeve of my left arm, deliberately letting my Lange watch show on my left wrist, to indicate that it wasn't taken off on the spot to make up for him.
"Rolex Daytona, limited edition, market price... eight hundred thousand!" Chen Feng was quite generous, adding over three hundred thousand to my boast. I wondered how many people present actually understood watches.
As the watch was revealed, the guests also cooperated with a 'oh,' and applauded my lavish gesture again. However, compared to the earlier speech, their applause was much softer this time. While clapping, they were all looking at Song Wenzhi.
Seeing that his attempt to 'expose' me had failed, and I had managed to show off an eight-hundred-thousand-yuan timepiece, Song Wenzhi looked a bit awkward. He didn't lash out, but let out a couple of dry laughs before turning to chat with his cronies beside him.
The emcee finally reacted, "Once again, thank you, Young Master Wu, for your blessings to the newlyweds. The wedding ceremony will now continue!"
As the music started, I went down from the stage and returned to my table. The fox spirit glared fiercely at Young Master Song, her eyes practically burning. I placed my hand on her leg under the table, "Don't act rashly."
The fox spirit grabbed my hand, rubbing it back and forth as if playing with me. However, she was pulling my body askew. To avoid exposing this rather ungraceful behavior, I had no choice but to pretend to lean my head on her shoulder and close my eyes, resting.
"Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" Chen Lu's mother asked with concern.
The fox spirit released my leg, and I sat up straight, "No, no, something dropped under the table, I was picking it up!"
"Oh, I thought you were unhappy because Little Song said a few words!"
"It's fine, it's fine, I'm thick-skinned," I chuckled, and seized the opportunity to ask, "What kind of business does this Young Master Song do? The foremost family in the Northeast, more powerful than our Chen family?"
As soon as I said this, all of Chen Lu's relatives present looked away, pretending to be busy, and started praising my earlier speech, quickly changing the topic. Only Chen Lu's father, with a grim expression, remained silent, downing half a glass of red wine by himself.
Before long, the wedding ceremony concluded. According to local custom, the bride and groom began to toast each table. Chen Lu's father, being the second eldest uncle, was the most senior, so the couple approached us first. I had already met them on stage, so I simply introduced my 'sister' to them.
"Oh my, brother is so handsome, and sister is as beautiful as a flower," Chen Feng had learned to flatter me too. "Lulu, the person you've found is truly outstanding!"
"Thank you, brother. Here's to you, and to sister-in-law." Chen Lu maintained a professional smile as she completed the toast with them.
Chen Feng and his wife moved on to other tables to continue toasting. Since the wedding didn't have groomsmen or bridesmaids, there was a slight mishap. They were missing someone to help carry the wine bottles, so the bride and groom were carrying three bottles themselves. I noticed this problem and told Chen Lu. Chen Lu stood up to help, but was stopped by the fox spirit, "Sister-in-law... ah, no, can't call you that yet! Sister Chen Lu, I'll go. I have a good tolerance for alcohol, and I can help them fend off drinks."
I knew the fox spirit had a good tolerance for alcohol, but I was worried she might drink too much and, like last time at the hotel near Song Lei's place, get carried away and reveal her tail. But that was when they had only recently transformed into humans and weren't yet accustomed to it. She shouldn't be so reckless today.
After the fox spirit became the newlyweds' little follower, everyone started drinking. Chen Lu's two male cousins-in-law seemed to like me and took turns toasting me. Just as I was pondering what excuse to use to drink less, suddenly, a figure sat in the spot where the fox spirit had been beside me. I knew who it was from the stunned expressions of everyone at the table.
Turning my head, I saw that it was indeed Song Wenzhi.
"What are you doing here?" Chen Lu asked without reservation, and was immediately reprimanded by her mother for being impolite. Chen Lu's mother then apologized to Song Wenzhi, saying she lacked discipline over Chen Lu, and her tone was so meek that it made me even more curious about this Young Master Song's identity..."