The following day had dawned, bringing forth a momentous occasion - the long-awaited wedding day of Liu Hongyuan's beloved son. The vibrant spirit of Dongmen Village was palpable in the air, and nowhere was it more evident than at the front of Liu Hongyuan's residence, where sheer jubilation abounded.
Having recently emerged from the embrace of slumber, Liu Yong began his day afresh. The villa he resided in exuded unparalleled comfort. The previous day had seen the villagers linger until twilight, yet the grand courtyard had returned to tranquillity.
County Magistrate Wang, accompanied by his entourage, had departed early, but not before spending a delightful half-hour conversing with Liu Yong. The primary topic of discussion revolved around the county's industrial park, which was actively attracting investments. The officials expressed their desire for Liu Yong to partake in this venture, establishing factories within its bounds.
While Liu Yong pondered the prospect of investing in a factory, he acknowledged that financial resources were not his shortfall; instead, he grappled with the question of which type of factory to establish, as technological expertise eluded him.
County Mayor Wang, slightly crestfallen by Liu Yong's hesitance to invest, bid his farewell with a firm handshake and extended a warm invitation for Liu Yong to visit his office at his leisure.
As morning broke, Liu Yong reflected upon the faint trace of disappointment etched upon County Magistrate Wang's visage the previous day. A subtle smile graced his countenance, a knowing acknowledgment of the circumstances.
Suddenly, Zhou Xiuying's voice bellowed from downstairs, permeating the atmosphere, "Xiaoyong, arise and partake in the morning repast!"
Liu Yong descended the stairs, freshened himself, and settled at the dining table to savour the morning meal. Between bites, he praises, "Mother, these noodles you ordered are a delectable delight."
Zhou Xiuying beamed with satisfaction and replied, "Indeed, they are scrumptious. You should partake heartily."
Liu Yong consumed his meal with gusto while sensing the stirrings outside. "Mother, today is the auspicious day when Uncle Hongyuan's family welcomes a new daughter-in-law. I shall promptly prepare the traditional wedding gift."
"Very well, my son. Proceed with your preparations. Our family shall convene for a festive midday feast. Given Uncle Hongyuan's predilection for ostentation, a sizable gathering would be most befitting," Zhou Xiuying replied, her tone brimming with anticipation.
Having concluded his breakfast and taken a momentary respite, Liu Yong embarked on his journey to Liu Hongyuan's abode. Around him, a lively ambience pervaded, with numerous individuals extending warm greetings upon his arrival.
"Mr. Liu, how splendid to see you in attendance!"
"Liu Yong, your accomplishments are truly remarkable."
Bathed in the enthusiasm of their hunger, Liu Yong responded with a courteous nod and a serene smile. He approached their midst and observed a cluster of people registering for the gift-giving ritual.
Whispers reverberated through the crowd as onlookers speculated on the extent of Liu Yong's generosity.
"Liu Yong, being the affluent tycoon should undoubtedly bestow two or three thousand yuan."
"I dare say it may surpass that figure, perchance five thousand."
He may round it with an elegant flourish, presenting a grand 10,000 yuan.
Amidst the hushed tones, fragments of conversation reached Liu Yong's ears, unveiling the villagers' ongoing deliberations regarding his imminent monetary contribution.
A dowry of 10,000 renminbi was hypothesized, an exorbitant sum that had discreetly astonished many a villager. Never before had such lavishness been witnessed within the confines of Dongmen Village's matrimonial celebrations.
Liu Yong approached the cash register, extracting his wallet, inadvertently prompting those surrounding him to discern the approximate extent of his gift. Although his wallet did not bulge with an overwhelming abundance of cash, it still bore a semblance of a modest sum.
The individual entrusted with registering the gift money, a relative of Liu Hongyuan, curiously craned his neck to examine Liu Yong's wallet. Alas, he found only a meagre count of three or four thousand yuan, which left him somewhat disheartened. Yet, his disappointment was soon quelled upon noticing several bank cards nestling within the wallet, each exuding an air of luxury, whether gold or obsidian.
With a tinge of disappointment lingering in his gaze, the relative poised a pen and inscribed Liu Yong's name, patiently awaiting the cash contribution. Little did he anticipate that Liu Yong would present not a single penny in cash but instead withdraw a long-prepared cashier's check from his pocket.
In his fifties, the relative remained unfamiliar with the concept of cashier's checks, and an air of perplexity clouded his features upon receiving this strange form of payment.
"What manner of sorcery is this?"
"How much value does this hold?"
Fortunately, a young man in proximity better grasped the situation. Leaning forward, he cast a discerning glance at the check and kindly enlightened the relative, "This is a cashier's check, a negotiable instrument that can be redeemed at the bank."
"Observe closely, for the monetary value is inscribed upon it."
Donning his spectacles, the individual overseeing the gift money registration peered at the cashier's check and read aloud, "Eighty-eight thousand yuan."
What!
Astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Eighty-eight thousand yuan!
Good heavens, Liu Yong's munificence transcended all expectations. The villagers had speculated figures ranging from three to five thousand yuan, with the most audacious projections reaching the zenith of 10,000 yuan.
Marvellous, genuinely awe-inspiring!
Undeniably affluent, exuding the aura of luxury!
Some were left dumbfounded, others astounded, while a few harboured a tinge of envy.
Maintaining a serene smile, Liu Yong had already spotted Liu Hongyuan in the distance, engaged in a telephone conversation. Swiftly, he made his way towards him, extending his warm greetings.
Indeed, Liu Hongyuan was embroiled in a heated exchange over the phone, his countenance flushed and his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Eager to comprehend the situation, Liu Yong approached Liu Hongyuan's wife and proactively conveyed his congratulations. "Auntie, my heartfelt congratulations on this joyous occasion."
Receiving Liu Yong with genuine warmth, Liu Hongyuan's wife promptly handed him a cup of steaming tea and beckoned him to settle upon a nearby stool.
Observing Liu Hongyuan engrossed in his phone call, Liu Yong inquired, "Auntie, may I inquire about the situation? It seems Uncle Hongyuan is embroiled in a dispute."
With a tinge of frustration, Hongyuan's wife replied, "Alas, these businesses! The tobacco and liquor for our banquet were pre-ordered, and yet the supplier has the audacity to inform us that the cigarette prices have skyrocketed, demanding an additional 15 yuan per pack."
Ah, so that's the crux of the matter.
Liu Yong swiftly comprehended the predicament, meditating on the corrupt nature of such dealings. Once a negotiation has been finalized, prices should remain firm, unyielding to abrupt alterations.
Concluding his phone conversation, Liu Hongyuan heaved a sigh and mentally calculated the implications. With 60 cigarette packs, each necessitating an extra 15 yuan, the cumulative expense amounted to 900 yuan.
"Xiaoyong, you're here."
Confronted with this predicament, Liu Hongyuan felt a pang of discomfort. Nonetheless, he welcomed Liu Yong warmly.
Liu Yong proposed a solution: "Uncle, if the other party fails to honor their commitment and attempts to exploit the situation, then we shall relinquish the entire order."
Anxiety flickered in Liu Hongyuan's eyes as he retorted, "But if we cancel the order, where will we find a sufficient supply of cigarettes and alcohol? The banquet is due to commence in two hours."
Liu Yong assured him, "I happen to possess nearly a hundred packs of cigarettes and dozens of bottles of alcohol. Two bottles per table shall suffice."
"Do you truly possess alcohol and cigarettes?"
Liu Hongyuan swiftly noticed the trunks of Liu Yong's two cars, laden with cigarettes and alcohol. The cigarettes were Zhonghua, and the liquor was Maotai.
Such exceptional quality!
Shaking his head hurriedly, Liu Hongyuan rebuffed the offer, "That wouldn't do; we cannot afford such extravagance."
Liu Yong maintained his gentle smile, remarking, "It is but a small token of support from an elder brother to his younger brother on his wedding day. When Bowen marries, it is only natural for me to offer a bit of tobacco and alcohol."
Amid Liu Yong's unwavering insistence, Liu Hongyuan relented, harbouring gratitude within his heart.
Noon arrived, marking the commencement of the wedding ceremony and the ensuing banquet.
Thirty tables had been arranged, radiating an atmosphere of jubilation. Upon discovering Zhonghua cigarettes and Maotai liquor adorning the tables, the attendees were taken aback. Such opulence had never graced the matrimonial feasts of Dongmen Village.
Perked with curiosity and a penchant for imbibing, the wedding guests were intrigued by this unexpected extravagance.
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