Chapter 501 - 488: How to Explain Tonight?

Listening to Qin Dali and seeing his expression, Gu’er knew he was unaware of her relationship with Li Hua. Li Hua hadn’t told him.

Gu’er just smiled at Qin Dali without explaining. There were too many people, and a brief explanation wouldn’t be enough. Besides, it would delay the auspicious time for the wedding.

"Dali, come on, over here."

Lin Shuying could see Qin Dali was probably stunned, so she quickly called out to him.

"Oh."

Qin Dali managed, still not quite having snapped out of it.

"Alright, Auntie, I’ll leave Master Qin with you. Please show him inside."

Gu’er said to Lin Shuying.

"A-Auntie?"

Qin Dali was baffled again. ’Gu’er calls Lin Shuying "Auntie," so they must be relatives. In that case, who is the "Mom" she was talking about? Li Hua? But Gu’er’s last name is Lin, not Zhou.’

’Wait, Lin Shuying’s surname is also Lin, so she and Gu’er are related. And Lin Shuying is close with Li Hua—Li Hua tells her everything and trusts her completely. Given their connections, does that mean Li Hua is Gu’er’s... godmother?’

"Dali, I’ll explain later. It’s not what you’re thinking."

Lin Shuying gave Qin Dali an amused smile, then led them into the back room.

"You really stunned him. If Master Qin is too flustered to consummate the marriage tonight, I’d like to see how you’ll explain that to Aunt Hua."

Li Zhi whispered to Gu’er with a mischievous grin.

Gu’er shot him a glare. "Oh, shut up. Don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t scare him. Once my mom explains things to Master Qin, he’ll understand. What’s there to worry about? Master Qin isn’t that fragile."

"You never know."

Li Zhi retorted, but seeing Gu’er’s glare, he quickly changed his tune. "Alright, alright, I won’t bicker with you. I hope Master Qin is a good man, too. That way, Aunt Hua will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life."

Boisterous noises erupted from the room. Gu’er knew they were teasing the couple inside. She didn’t enter, worried her presence would make everyone feel constrained. She wanted them all to have a good time today.

When the group emerged from the room, they were all crowded around Qin Dali and Li Hua, escorting them out. Li Hua’s face was bright red, but her eyes sparkled with bliss, giving her an alluring charm she didn’t normally possess.

The groom’s party departed, taking Li Hua with them. Not many people were left on her side—just a few members of the Li Family and some people from the shopping mall. After the initial festivities, some went home, while others followed the wedding party. The Qin Family was hosting a banquet. Even though it was at a small eatery, they had reserved several tables for the celebration, and people wanted to show their support.

Once most of the guests had gone, Gu’er spotted Du’er.

"Big Sister, Brother-in-law, Brother Li."

Zhou Duo’er stepped forward to greet them, looking somewhat timid. It was no wonder. She had been terrified last time when Zhou Mazi beat Zhou Cai, and she had been deathly afraid that Zhou Mazi would drag her away, too. She really, truly did not want to go back to that village.

Zhou Feng’er was far more ruthless than her. She had threatened to block the doorway today to stop Li Hua from leaving. If their mother wouldn’t listen, Zhou Feng’er had sworn she’d cause a massive scene—threatening to hang herself or bash her head against a wall. She was capable of doing anything, daring Li Hua to see if she could bear to watch.

When Zhou Feng’er had told her the plan, she could see her sister was dead serious. Zhou Feng’er had even demanded she help. ’I agreed at the time,’ she thought, ’but really, it doesn’t make much difference to me whether Mom remarries or not. If she doesn’t, Zhou Feng’er and Zhou Cai are still here, so it’s not like anything good will come my way. And Zhang Da is no good, either. He and Zhou Feng’er just come here every day to freeload and make people wait on them hand and foot. I’m sick of it.’

’But if Mom marries, the Qin Family is a big household. If I go there, I’ll have to be sharp and pull my weight, or they won’t like me. And who knows what kind of man they’d marry me off to then.’

’So, I don’t really care if Li Hua gets married or not. But I don’t dare cross Zhou Feng’er. I know she’s far more vicious than I am.’

’But today, neither Zhou Feng’er nor my own father showed up. I cautiously asked Li Hua about it earlier, and she told me not to worry, that Gu’er had said no one would cause a scene. My heart skipped a beat when I heard that. I know Zhou Feng’er. If there was even the slightest chance, she would have been here. It looks like someone is keeping an eye on her... maybe they tied her up, or even beat her up. Zhang Da, too. There’s no other reason they’d stay away.’

’This Gu’er is not a soft touch. I’d better not get on her bad side in the future. She’s not someone I can afford to provoke now. If she pulled a few strings and got the Qin Family to reject me, what would I do? Qin Dali works at her shopping mall; he has to do what she says.’ That’s why, when Du’er saw Gu’er, she wore a fawning expression.

"When are you moving over?"

Gu’er asked coolly. She didn’t like Zhou Duo’er, but as long as the girl didn’t stir up trouble and just waited quietly to be married off, she wouldn’t bother with her.

"Mom and Mr. Qin agreed. They’ll take me over with them for the bride’s homecoming visit in three days. I have to stay here alone for two days. Big Sister, I’m a little scared."

Zhou Duo’er looked up at Gu’er as she spoke. The thought of staying here alone for two days genuinely frightened her.

"Then why don’t you go stay with your sister Feng’er for a couple of days?"

Gu’er gave her a look. ’Zhou Duo’er is just as cold-hearted as the rest of them.’ She had no intention of taking the girl home with her.

"No! I’d rather just stay here."

Zhou Duo’er shook her head frantically. ’Are you kidding? Zhou Feng’er’s plan failed. If I go to her now, she’ll just be waiting to take it out on me.’ She knew Gu’er wouldn’t take her home, so she gave up on that hope. ’If Gu’er were really that soft-hearted, she would have taken us all in long ago.’

"We have to get to the restaurant. We’re leaving now."

With that, Gu’er ignored Du’er and turned to leave.

Du’er sighed as she watched them walk away. ’Why couldn’t Sun Jiaming and Li Zhi have fallen for me? If they had, what would Zhou Gu’er be now? If I ever make it big, I’ll grind them all under my heel. How come no one with any taste ever notices me?’

As Zhou Duo’er stewed in her thoughts, she glanced at the sky. It was already getting dark. Because this was her mother’s second marriage, the ceremony was held in the afternoon instead of at noon. She couldn’t go to the banquet, either. ’They’re all eating a feast, and I get nothing.’ Zhou Duo’er was frustrated, but there was nothing to be done. She could only go back inside and find something to eat.

By the time they arrived at the restaurant, it was still mostly empty. Many of the guests were still at the Qin residence, carrying on with the wedding hazing.

Someone led Gu’er’s group to a table, but it wasn’t the head table. The host probably figured that since they were young and not elders, they didn’t need to be seated in the place of honor.

When Qin Dali arrived with the rest of the wedding party, he was stunned to see Gu’er there. With all the commotion, he still hadn’t had a chance to ask Li Hua about her connection to Gu’er. ’And now they’re here at the restaurant... but they’re major bosses! I only booked this little place. It’s not very big, and the food is nothing special. I hope they don’t complain. And why are they sitting way over there? That’s a terrible spot! What if they’re unhappy?’ Panicked, Qin Dali immediately sent someone to invite Gu’er’s party to the head table.

"There’s no need. We’re the younger generation, so this spot is fine. Go on and see to your other guests. We’re all family here, so don’t stand on ceremony with us."

Gu’er didn’t want any special treatment. Today, she was simply a junior member of the family attending a wedding. Seeing the newlyweds happy was all the satisfaction she needed.

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