Chapter 365: Pretty Good at Currying Favor
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“That’s the big boss of Xinghua Department Store, Boss Huo! My goodness, even Boss Huo is here!” The relatives of the Gong family were nearly blinded by the radiance of these two prominent figures.
Their eyes held genuine surprise. They had been somewhat skeptical of the Gu family’s boasting, but now the reality was undeniable. The notoriously hard-to-invite Deputy Chief He and Boss Huo were standing right before them. There could be no doubt.
The gazes directed at the three members of the Gu family were even more intense. The Gu family had garnered such prestige! Both Deputy Chief He and Boss Huo had attended the Gu family’s two wedding banquets. Such treatment was hard to find even in the entire military compound!
Many people wanted to step forward and speak, but Gu Shan and Zhang Mei were not willing to relinquish their home turf. They had never experienced such glory in their lives. This was all brought about by He Ming and his associates, and it was something the Gu family had fought for. They could not let others reap the benefits.
Gu Shan, pulling Zhang Mei along, quickly moved to block Deputy Chief He from the others. He greeted them warmly, “Brother He, Boss Huo, you’ve finally arrived. Please, come in, we’ve been waiting for you!”
He Ming, hearing himself addressed as ‘Brother’, a flicker of speechlessness crossed his eyes. This old man was quite good at currying favor, even calling him ‘brother’.
Boss Huo followed He Ming inside, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He looked somewhat adorable as he quietly asked He Ming, “Didn’t you say Su Shen was also coming? I haven’t seen him. You’re not lying to me, are you?”
He Ming turned around and smiled, “Why would I lie to you? Su Shen and Gu Zi will definitely come to give their blessings. Right, Captain Gu, Mrs. Gu?”
When He Ming and his associates suddenly mentioned Su Shen and Gu Zi, a hint of displeasure flashed in the eyes of Gu Shan and his wife. However, it was not obvious. They just smiled and said, “Little Su and Little Zi said they would be here later.”
At this moment, Lin Miao squeezed through the crowd and said to He Ming and his associates, “Uncle He, Uncle Huo, please bear with us. My sister married into the countryside, the road is long and difficult, so she might be late. Let’s go inside and wait. Don’t worry about my sister not coming. I think she is still more accustomed to the people and things in the city. She misses it and will often come back.”
This statement, while ostensibly directed at He Ming and his associates, was actually a reminder to everyone present. Gu Zi had married into the countryside, but she still harbored a desire to return to the city. She often ran out to entangle with Gong Zhan, clearly still wanting to be the Gu family’s darling daughter.
He Ming and Boss Huo silently cursed in their hearts, but on the surface, they continued to smile cheerfully as they were ushered inside.
In an effort to curry favor with Lin Miao, the crowd began to discuss Gu Zi’s shortcomings. “I used to think it was a pity that she married into the countryside,” one said, “but now that I think about it, she was originally from the countryside. Our Miao Miao is the real lady of the house. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
The conversation continued, “Exactly, Miao Miao, you must be careful of Gu Zi. She has many tricks up her sleeve. She’s so talented… no, not talented, I mean she’s very cunning. She will definitely come looking for Gong Zhan again, after all, she was the one who pursued him in the first place!”
“Have any of you seen Gu Zi’s husband? I heard he’s a pig butcher from the countryside. My goodness, I can’t imagine having to share a meal with a butcher…”
Mr. Gong and Mrs. Chen exchanged glances at the scene before them, their expressions a mix of amusement and discomfort.
Although Mr. Gong had long been at odds with He Ming, he knew that on this joyous day, all guests should be treated with courtesy. Naturally, he and Mrs. Chen stepped forward to greet their guests.
However, seeing He Ming’s wide, toothy grin, Mr. Gong couldn’t help but feel uneasy. When had He Ming ever greeted him with such a smile? He couldn’t recall such an instance. Was today some sort of anomaly?
Gong Xin, who had been reluctantly socializing with a group of officials’ children, now stood to the side, feeling rather bored.
The Gu family members really had no shame, acting as if Deputy Chief He and Boss Huo were here because of them. The others might not know, but she knew better. They must have come because of Su Shen.
These snobbish people made Gong Xin feel more and more that standing with them would lower her own standards. She decided to go out for some fresh air and see when Gu Zi would arrive.
Outside the Golden Sun Hotel, Gu Zi and Su Shen had just parked their car. They had actually arrived in town early in the morning, but didn’t want to come too early. So, they had taken a detour to the local market, buying some daily necessities to put in the car, making the trip worthwhile..