Qi Li was beautiful—this was something they had known for a long time. After all, they had seen her once before, at Jiang Hai's wedding.
But aside from that occasion, they had never really seen Qi Li again. She had no interest in Jiang Hai at the time, and she looked down on his friends even more. Now, seeing her step out, it was as if the dawn had focused all its light on Qi Li, making it impossible for both men and women to look away.
"Hi, congratulations." Jiang Hai felt a surge of pride as he looked around at everyone's expressions.
He smiled, spoke briefly to Huang Yunfei, and then slipped him a red envelope containing 500 yuan.
Don't underestimate the amount. Jiang Hai could have given 1,000, 10,000, or even 100,000 yuan easily, but it wasn't necessary.
For one, Huang Yunfei's family was well-off. For another, in Bingcheng, the tradition was that the amount you give as a gift now is what will be returned when the other party has something to celebrate. Huang Yunfei had given 500 yuan when Jiang Hai got married, so Jiang Hai was simply returning the favor.
If Jiang Hai gave 10,000 yuan this time, he'd have to return 10,000 next time—there was no point in that. Plus, while handing over the money, Jiang Hai was curious about how much Fuyuan and the others had given. After all, they were all brothers; there was no need for Jiang Hai to take the lead. The money was just a token of goodwill.
"Thank you… but I wanted to say, hey… forget it." Huang Yunfei accepted the envelope, glanced at Qi Li, and swallowed what he was about to say. He really wanted to suggest that Jiang Hai shouldn't let Qi Li go.
She was dazzling. Huang Yunfei's own wife was an ordinary person. Even dressed in a wedding gown today, she wouldn't compare to Qi Li—Qi Li would outshine her by miles. When Qi Li stood there, few would pay attention to anyone else.
But Huang Yunfei couldn't say that. Qi Li wasn't an ordinary woman—she was the daughter of Mr. Qi, who was worth tens of billions.
She came to honor him, and here he was complaining—what shame would that bring? Besides, Huang Yunfei thought Qi Li was stunning, but strangely, it dampened his excitement for marriage.
"Damn, there's a red Ferrari downstairs—so handsome. Is it your friend's?" Xiang Hua suddenly came running up from downstairs. He and Xu Wei had just finished putting red paper decorations on the community's manhole covers and were returning.
As soon as he arrived, he blurted it out. Honestly, few men don't like cars, and this one was beautiful.
"That's mine. What's wrong? Is it in the way?" Qi Li said politely, smiling deliberately as she saw Xiang Hua. The smile caught everyone's attention.
Xiang Hua stopped dead in his tracks. Not only him—Xu Wei, Huang Yunfei, Fu Yuan, and even the others all froze for a moment.
"Hey, sister-in-law, try not to smile too much during the wedding…" Xiang Hua, already married, was the first to recover. He smiled awkwardly and warned Qi Li. Qi Li widened her eyes at Jiang Hai and blinked, clearly not understanding. Jiang Hai just smiled back.
"Hey, I'm starting to think you're here to stir up trouble. Go downstairs quickly and distribute sweets, then take your 'national menace' wife away before my mom gets upset again. Oh, and since you're driving a Ferrari, you can be my lead car later!" Huang Yunfei joked, calming his excitement as he looked at Qi Li's adorable expression.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Qi Li's car could be the lead car.
Huang Yunfei's wedding car was a Bentley, which he had planned to use as the lead car. But a sports car was perfect for leading the way—and it would look great on video.
"Okay, no problem." Qi Li smiled again, and the stunned expressions returned from those in the room. Jiang Hai shrugged helplessly—he had to admit, Qi Li was really giving him face. Many around him could do that, but none as seriously as Qi Li.
Carrying a plastic bag full of candy boxes, Jiang Hai and Fu Yuan headed downstairs.
After ensuring Qi Li got into the car to wait, Jiang Hai and Fu Yuan began handing out candy. After a few steps, Fu Yuan patted Jiang Hai's shoulder.
"When did my sister-in-law get so beautiful?" Among these buddies, Jiang Hai was the second youngest—only older than Huang Yunfei—so it wasn't strange they called Qi Li sister-in-law.
"She's always been like this," Jiang Hai replied clearly, remembering Qi Li hadn't changed much.
"Damn, I didn't realize my sister-in-law was such a stunner. And here you are, still going out having affairs?" Xu Wei pointed at Jiang Hai, confused.
"Seriously? You know what happened between us… You talk like I'm the bad guy." Jiang Hai wiped the sweat from his brow, frustrated. These guys forgot their loyalty just because of a pretty face. If it were any other woman, they'd be going crazy.
Seeing their gazes fixed on him, Jiang Hai looked at them with disdain.
"With such a beautiful wife, what does right or wrong matter? Unless she goes out and finds another man, as long as she doesn't leave me, I might as well set up a shrine for her at home." Xiang Hua sighed regretfully, "With a wife that beautiful, does it matter who's right or wrong?"
"What you're saying makes it sound like Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi aren't beautiful," Jiang Hai sneered.
Their faces fell again. Indeed, they'd been stunned by Ai Xiaoxi just days before, and yesterday by Feng Yunchen.
Three rare beauties, all 'owned' by Jiang Hai, the pig. Such injustice!
"Some things aren't worth envying. Let's go!" Fu Yuan sighed, then kept handing out candies and cigarettes.
Not long after, all the candy and cigarettes were distributed. It was almost eight o'clock—an auspicious time. Jiang Hai didn't check the exact time; the team lined up and set off.
The first car was naturally Qi Li's Ferrari 488, with Jiang Hai riding shotgun.
They followed the video car all the way to the bride's home. Jiang Hai didn't bring Qi Li upstairs—if anything happened, it would be troublesome.
They knocked on the door, handed out red envelopes, found the bride's shoes, and after everything was done, put new shoes on the bride. Then they took photos, recorded videos, got back in the cars, and headed to the ceremony.
Most of the preparations were finished upon arrival; only the ceremony remained.
Jiang Hai and his friends didn't have to do anything. Huang Yunfei's cousins had prepared the "fake" wine.
At weddings, the bride and groom toast each table, but 90% of the time, the wine is not real.
Of course, some have good alcohol tolerance and use real wine.
Huang Yunfei could drink well, but planned to use fake wine—a white wine bottle emptied and rinsed, then refilled with mineral water. It smelled faintly of alcohol but wasn't strong.
Jiang Hai had an important role: sit next to Qi Li to keep watch. Qi Li didn't know anyone there, and it would be awkward for her alone.
With Jiang Hai beside her, though many men glanced over, none dared approach.
They chatted casually, the atmosphere light, but Jiang Hai noticed Qi Li looked a little distracted.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Hai asked, puzzled. This wasn't the Qi Li he knew.
"Nothing. Jiang Hai, come drink with me later!" Qi Li shook her head, then looked up seriously. If she wanted to drink, Jiang Hai wouldn't refuse.
When the ceremony ended, chopsticks were distributed. Jiang Hai reached for his food, hungry after not eating all day.
Before he could pick anything up, Qi Li handed him a glass of wine. Her serious expression urged him on, so Jiang Hai accepted.
"Come on, drink it!" Qi Li raised her glass and drank silently. Jiang Hai was shocked—this was white wine, not water.
Although the banquet wine wasn't great, it was 38 degrees, and the glass held about two and a half taels. Jiang Hai felt uneasy watching her drink it so easily, but Qi Li finished the glass and placed it back in front of him.
"Okay…" Jiang Hai sighed helplessly and drank his own glass.
To be honest, Jiang Hai was a little afraid to drink now. He had a physical tolerance four times that of a normal person and used to drink daily at the manor. This wine was nothing to him—but for Qi Li…
(To be continued.)