Chapter 390: Chapter 390: Blatant Disdain
The groom, Fu Mingyuan, was especially happy today. Not only had he married the girl of his dreams, but he had also won the praise of all the guests.
The guests present all said, whether overtly or subtly, that he was more than a match for the bride. This was a boost to both his pride and his ego.
Previously, Yanyan had acted superior around him, flaunting her youth and beauty, which had left him feeling a little insecure.
But now, with everyone unanimously saying that he was the more exceptional one and that Yanyan wasn’t good enough for him, that little bit of insecurity vanished into thin air.
Beaming, Fu Mingyuan took his young, beautiful wife’s hand and went to make the rounds toasting the guests.
Having been a factory director for decades, he was a smooth talker and knew just how to flatter the well-wishing guests, delighting them all.
The compliments flowed freely, as if they cost nothing. Most praised his incredible talent and his ever-increasing handsomeness.
Despite his age, they said, his match with the bride was simply one made in heaven.
The groom was grinning from ear to ear, but the bride was far from happy. Some people were subtly mocking her.
A few older women kept toasting the groom, their words implying that the bride wasn’t good enough for him.
They said he was the director of a major factory, and that marrying a trophy wife like her was a stroke of luck for her—a blessing from heaven that turned a country chicken into a phoenix.
Jiang Ruyan was so angry she could have spit blood, but she didn’t dare argue with those women on her wedding day.
What angered her even more was that when she and the groom went to toast the Xiao Family’s table, all the attractive young people there claimed they couldn’t drink.
’Fine, so they couldn’t drink. But couldn’t they at least offer a few words of blessing? Yet they refused to say a thing.’
The only thing that brought Jiang Ruyan any comfort was that many of the guests were the direct superiors of her parents and brothers.
These were people who usually gave her father and brothers a hard time, but today, they were downing their drinks first as a sign of respect.
They all looked desperate to curry favor with her brothers, which Jiang Ruyan found immensely satisfying.
’The next time I go home, I’ll be able to hold my head high in front of my sisters-in-law again. So what if I don’t have my uncle’s side of the family to back me up!’
’From now on, I’ll still be the same proud Jiang Ruyan. No one will dare look down on me again.’
What Jiang Ruyan didn’t know was that the "country chicken turning into a phoenix" line had come from the Xiao Family’s very own Little Xuanxuan.
Because Little Xuanxuan was so adorable and sweet-tongued, people believed whatever he said.
As the groom’s father-in-law, Uncle Jiang was naturally seated at the same table as the patriarch of his son-in-law’s family, Mr. Fu.
The people at Mr. Fu’s table were all individuals of high status. Out of respect for Mr. Fu, they showed Uncle Jiang a modicum of courtesy.
Uncle Jiang was a natural-born sycophant, and he wasn’t about to let an opportunity like this pass him by.
He talked most, of course, about his wonderful son-in-law, his words dripping with sincerity.
His old face was wreathed in a smile so wide it was a mass of wrinkles, with every line seemingly boasting about his impressive son-in-law.
In truth, Mr. Fu looked down on his new in-law, but his son had married the man’s daughter, after all.
"Fourth Son, give our in-law a toast. I’m too old to drink with him."
Seeing that Mr. Fu was displeased, Fourth Uncle Fu immediately raised his glass. "Uncle Jiang, I’ll have a drink with you."
"Mingxuan, you should go entertain all our guests properly. Make sure everyone eats and drinks their fill," Mr. Fu added, instructing his fourth son.
"Don’t worry, Dad. All who come are our guests, so of course I’ll entertain them. Uncle Xia, a toast to you."
After downing one glass, Fourth Uncle Fu refilled it and toasted the other elders at the table, none of whom could compare to the Fu family in status. "To all my uncles, I toast you."
After toasting that table, he stormed over to where Little Xuanxuan was still standing on a stool, holding forth.
But when he saw the entire table was filled with members of the Xiao Family—people he couldn’t afford to provoke—he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
His expression immediately changed to a wide smile as he went up with his glass. "Brother, a toast to you. Please, drink as you wish."
"You’re too kind, brother-in-law." The eldest of the Xiao family simply took a symbolic sip.
Fourth Uncle Fu didn’t dare take offense. He refilled his glass and raised it to the younger generation. "Nephews, come, have a drink with your uncle."
The adult grandsons of the Xiao Family raised their glasses and said in unison, "A toast to you, Uncle. Please, drink as you wish."
But faced with the Xiao grandsons, how could Fourth Uncle Fu dare take it easy? He drained his glass in one go.
"Uncle, Little Xuanxuan can’t drink, you know," Xiao Xiaoxuan piped up, still standing on his stool, not giving him an ounce of face.
"We can’t drink either. Please forgive us, Uncle," a little girl said in a clear, bright voice.
Fourth Uncle Fu was a smooth operator who knew how to handle people. He was also used to acting humbly around the Xiao Family, so none of them, young or old, particularly disliked him.
That’s not to say they particularly liked him, either. If Fu Guoguo were to see her Fourth Uncle acting like this, her jaw would surely hit the floor.
This amiable version of Fourth Uncle Fu was a complete stranger compared to the sharp-tongued, mean-spirited man he was in front of her and her brother.
Fu Guoguo hadn’t gone home for the wedding, so of course she didn’t know her uncle had two faces.
At that moment, she was happily pulling weeds with Gu Jiaojiao. She worked with a nimble efficiency that made it obvious she was used to manual labor.
After they finished weeding, Gu Jiaojiao harvested a handful of lush green chives. "Guoguo, I’ll teach you how to make chive pockets later. I haven’t had them in ages."
Fu Guoguo blinked her big eyes. "Sister-in-law, what are chive pockets?"
"Chive pockets are a traditional delicacy made with chives, eggs, and flour. They’re a very popular snack in many parts of the country."
"We grow chives in our yard, and we have eggs and flour. I definitely have to learn how to make them!"
"Some versions use dried shrimp or pork, but the vegetarian ones with egg as the main filling aren’t greasy at all. They have a wonderful texture and are very nutritious."
With that, Gu Jiaojiao led Fu Guoguo to the kitchen. She taught her step-by-step, and soon Fu Guoguo was able to make them on her own.
But the chive pockets she made couldn’t compare to Gu Jiaojiao’s. Hers were a bit of an eyesore.
Gu Jiaojiao’s chive pockets had a golden, crispy crust, and the filling was fragrant, crisp, and tender. They were exquisite.
"Wow, yours are so beautiful, Sister-in-law! I think I’ll just give the ones I made to my big brother to eat!"
"Just practice more when you get home, and you’ll be able to make them this beautifully too," Gu Jiaojiao said frankly.
"Jiaojiao, what’s so beautiful?" Su Shuochi asked as soon as he entered the living room, having overheard her.
"You’re back. I made chive pockets today. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat."
"Okay." Su Shuochi’s face, usually as sharp and cold as a blade, softened like a spring breeze at the sight of his wife.
In Fu Guoguo’s eyes, ’if anyone actually called Su Shuochi a spring breeze, it would have to be the kind from early spring, one that still carried a biting chill.’
"Su is back. I’m heading home now." After saying this, Fu Guoguo grabbed the bowl of chive pockets she’d made and quickly left.
"What on earth are you carrying in that bowl?" Su Shuochi asked, holding back a laugh. The disgust on his face was blatant.
Fu Guoguo lowered her head and ran even faster, nearly tripping over the threshold.
"You! Why did you have to scare her like that?" Gu Jiaojiao shot him a look. "Now, go wash your hands. It’s time to eat."
