Everyone has a psychology of jealousy and comparison.
This was currently the case with Zhou Lu. She and her sister had always been jealous of Liu Jingru's beauty. The more miserable Liu Jingru's life became, the more excited they felt.
If Liu Jingru had been incredibly ugly, they wouldn't have had such thoughts.
More people wished to become that delicate flower themselves, needing a few green leaves to set them off.
Earlier, when greeting guests outside the hotel entrance, Li Bing had asked Zhou Lu to introduce Liu Jingru to him. Zhou Lu had agreed without hesitation.
Because Li Bing's situation was worse than her husband's, she was happy to see this happen. If it were to succeed, Liu Jingru's husband would have to work under her husband, and in doing so, Zhou Lu would feel superior.
After all, Peng Gaojie had such an impressive uncle.
Her family only had a little money, and someone like Peng Gui was a monumental figure to them.
"Uncle, this is the speech draft prepared by the hotel for the wedding," Peng Gaojie said, handing a piece of paper to Peng Gui.
"No need." Peng Gui waved his hand.
Such wedding support was nothing but a few words, child's play to him.
If he needed a draft to read for a wedding speech, how could he get by?
Peng Gaojie understood his uncle's meaning and quickly put the draft away.
"When does the banquet start?" Peng Gui asked.
Peng Gaojie checked his phone and said, "It starts at 12:18, two minutes left."
"Good," Peng Gui nodded.
At this moment, on the stage in the hotel's reception hall, the host was already speaking into the microphone.
"Distinguished guests, welcome to the wedding of Mr. Peng Gaojie and Ms. Zhou Lu. I am your host today, Xiao Zheng. Happy National Day to everyone, and I hope you enjoy the food and drinks."
After speaking for a while, the host, seeing that the time was almost up, continued, "Now, please welcome the witness of this wedding, Mr. Peng, who will deliver the speech."
*Clap clap clap....*
As soon as the host finished speaking, warm applause erupted from the audience.
Those attending the wedding were all friends and relatives, and everyone knew who the "Mr. Peng" the host mentioned was.
"Lulu is truly blessed to have found a good family. Gaojie's uncle is the secretary to Deputy Governor Qu."
"Yes, I'm so envious."
"This is a big shot. I've never met such a high-ranking official in my life."
As the host announced that Peng Gui was about to come on stage to give his speech, the crowd below started praising Zhou Lu for marrying into a good family, with comments flying back and forth.
Amidst everyone's anticipation, Peng Gui walked out from backstage in a black suit.
The host quickly handed him the microphone. Peng Gui took it, cleared his throat, and said, "Distinguished guests, good afternoon everyone. On this joyous occasion, I wish you all a Happy National Day."
*Clap clap clap....*
Another round of warm applause followed.
Peng Gui, with great presence, gestured to the audience, signaling them to stop applauding.
He then continued, "Today is the grand wedding of my nephew Peng Gaojie and Zhou Lu. Firstly, I thank everyone for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend their wedding. Secondly... furthermore... and then..."
Peng Gui spoke for over ten minutes without a script, and no one found it too long; instead, they looked at him with admiration.
Even Liu Jingru's parents showed expressions of respect, marveling at how educated people were different – not only eloquent but also articulate.
Liu Jingru looked at Peng Gui on stage, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Yesterday at lunch, he had been serving everyone, pouring tea and water, very busy.
Today, in a different setting, he had become the center of attention.
"I won't take up any more of your time. Now, please welcome the bride and groom to the stage."
Peng Gui finally concluded his speech and handed the hosting rights back to the host.
The bride and groom made their entrance, and following the familiar proceedings – exchanging rings, drinking the cross-cupped wine – the entire ceremony concluded around one o'clock. The guests who had come for the banquet were so hungry their chests were almost touching their backs. Only then did all the activities end, and everyone began waiting for the food.
The dishes were already prepared. As soon as the wedding activities ended, waiters pushed trolleys, bringing out bowls of food one after another.
"Jingru, do you want some beer?" a cousin at the same table asked Liu Jingru.
"I won't drink. You can have some with my dad. I'll just have some orange juice." Liu Jingru shook her head.
"Uncle, I'll have some beer with you. I won't have the strong liquor." The cousin stood up, opened a bottle of beer, and poured a glass for Liu Zhongwu.
The meal officially began. Each table was busy with its own activities – eating, drinking, and some even prepared red plastic bags for taking food home.
"Uncle, we're going to toast." After coming out from backstage, Peng Gaojie and Zhou Lu approached the main table, toasted their parents and Peng Gui, and then said, "We're going to toast."
"Alright. I won't be drinking; I have to return to the office later." Peng Gui nodded.
"Okay, Mom and Dad, you eat first. We'll go toast." Peng Gaojie nodded.
Peng Gaojie went to toast, accompanied by a group of groomsmen and bridesmaids who were responsible for pouring drinks. There were two thermoses: one contained genuine baijiu, and the other contained plain water. Whether to drink baijiu or water depended on Peng Gaojie himself.
Just now, when Peng Gaojie toasted his uncle, he downed a glass of authentic baijiu without hesitation.
As Peng Gaojie turned to leave, Peng Gui said, "Brother, I'll eat a few bites and then leave."
"Alright, don't rush. Eat slowly," Peng Gaojie's father, Peng Zhong, advised.
Peng Gui did not heed his advice and began to eat a few mouthfuls of rice casually. It was National Day, and the leaders had many matters to attend to; he did not have time to stay long.
Now that the wedding was over, everything that needed to be done had been done, and there was little point in staying any longer.
"You all eat slowly. I'm going to say goodbye to Gaojie and then I'll be leaving," Peng Gui said, tidying himself up in a hurry, preparing to depart.
"Be careful," Peng Zhong called out as Peng Gui rushed away.
"Got it." Peng Gui walked towards Peng Gaojie without looking back.
Peng Gaojie happened to be toasting at Liu Jingru's table. Since Liu Jingru's table consisted of family relatives, they were earlier in the toasting order.
"Gaojie, I'm leaving now. I have to go to the office. The office is very busy today, and Deputy Governor Qu will be calling for me soon." Peng Gui walked over and patted Peng Gaojie on the shoulder.
"Okay, Uncle, take care." Peng Gaojie quickly turned around and replied.
Peng Gui nodded and was about to leave when his peripheral vision seemed to catch a familiar face.
Upon closer inspection, he found the face incredibly familiar.
Wasn't she one of the people he had served yesterday?