Since Chen Feng had been married before, he was considered as having a family and definitely needed to give red packets out of respect.
When they arrived at the entrance of Songtao Restaurant with Wu ngting, they saw the eldest cousin from the great aunt’s family welcoming guests. Upon seeing Chen Feng, they both smiled and hurried over to greet him.
"Ah Feng, you finally made it. My mom was just talking about you," said the eldest cousin enthusiastically.
As she spoke, she glanced at Wu ngting beside Chen Feng.
The second cousin was more direct, asking, "Ah Feng, is this your girlfriend? Your mom said you’d bring her this ti. Wow, she’s really pretty. You’ve got good taste."
Chen Feng didn’t really want to admit it right then, but with things as they were, he could only nod and say, "Yes, she’s my girlfriend. She’s from the city — her na is Wu ngting. You can call her Ting. ngting, these are my great aunt’s daughters, my cousins."
"Hello, cousins,"
Wu ngting greeted them gracefully, using the local dialect with a noticeable city accent, which both cousins could discern.
The second cousin imdiately held her hand warmly and said with a smile, "It’s such a blessing for Ah Feng to find such a beautiful girlfriend like you."
The eldest cousin also smiled and said, "Ah Feng, you should treat her well and cherish her, understand?"
Chen Feng felt a bit awkward, thinking that he wasn’t that close to these two cousins, but he just nodded and smiled on the surface.
Fortunately, more relatives arrived — the uncles from the two cousins’ side with a few kids, allowing Chen Feng to get away and lead Wu ngting into the restaurant quickly.
At the place where gifts were registered, Chen Feng handed over the gift money and birthday noodles, got it registered, and then entered the banquet hall with Wu ngting.
The banquet venue was on the ground floor with nine tables fully arranged.
After scanning around, Chen Feng quickly found his family’s table and led Wu ngting over.
"Ah Feng, you’re here."
Halfway there, his cousin’s husband appeared, blocking their way with a smile, "We just ntioned you. Let’s have a few drinks later."
Chen Feng quickly replied, "I’m driving, so I can’t drink."
"How can that be? It’s rare to get a chance to drink with you. Let soone else drive this ti."
Chen Feng was a bit speechless. Fortunately, Wu ngting intervened with a smile, telling the cousin’s husband, "I didn’t let him drink. Sorry about that."
"And you are...his new girlfriend?" The cousin’s husband stared at Wu ngting, sizing her up.
In fact, he had first noticed Wu ngting’s beauty, which surprised him, before seeing Chen Feng beside her and then approaching to say hello.
"Yes. And you are..."
"I’m his brother-in-law. Since you don’t let him drink, we’ll let that be. Ah Feng is lucky to have such a beautiful girlfriend managing him. Cherish it well."
The cousin’s husband patted Chen Feng’s shoulder with a look of admiration and left.
This cousin’s husband was now over forty, more than ten years older than Chen Feng. They weren’t that close before, but got to know each other better after his nephew beca the manager of Chen Feng’s second chain car wash shop.
"Your cousin’s husband is quite amusing," whispered Wu ngting by his side.
Chen Feng thought there wasn’t much amusing about it.
"Ting, over here, co sit next to ."
It was Chen Feng’s mom, Zhao Xiaolan, who had spotted them and was waving happily at Wu ngting. Chen Feng, her own son, was gorgeously ignored.
Wu ngting quickly abandoned Chen Feng, smiling as she hurried to Zhao Xiaolan’s side,
Chen Feng pouted and followed behind.
Unable to wait for Wu ngting to get close, Zhao Xiaolan got up from her seat, happily grabbing Wu ngting’s hand with a face full of kind joy, "Ting, I really missed you; we haven’t seen you for a while."
"Mom, didn’t you just video call her the day before yesterday?" Chen Feng interjected.
"Seeing soone on video isn’t the sa as eting in person," Zhao Xiaolan replied, a bit annoyed, scolding, "Didn’t I tell you to co earlier? It’s almost noon now!"
Wu ngting quickly made excuses for Chen Feng, "Auntie, it’s my fault. I overslept this morning."
"No need to cover for him. I know my own son; he drags his feet without a push," Zhao Xiaolan retorted.
Chen Feng felt wronged but couldn’t explain.
"Auntie, we’re not too late. Please don’t be upset, let’s sit down first,"
Wu ngting chuckled and glanced at Chen Feng, then took Zhao Xiaolan over to sit down.
"Uncle! Uncle!"
The nieces, who were playing with a group of kids, saw Chen Feng and called out excitedly as they ran over.
Chen Feng bead, crouched down, and opened his arms to welco them.
The two nieces jumped into his arms like swallows returning to their nests, one on each side, allowing Chen Feng to finally feel the warmth of family love.
"Uncle, do we get a present?" asked Little Xue first.
"Yeah. Uncle, what did you get us this ti?" Little Yu chid in.
Chen Feng felt a bit hurt, realizing that the excitent was about the gifts and not him being their uncle.
But he didn’t hold it against them and said spiritedly, "It’s all in my car. I’ll get it for you after the banquet."
"Great."
The little ones clapped their hands joyfully, thrilled. Seeing their happiness, Chen Feng’s mood brightened too.
Shortly after Chen Feng sat down at his family’s table, the banquet began.
Apart from Chen Feng’s family, Aunt was also seated there with three grandchildren.
During the al, Zhao Xiaolan naturally introduced Wu ngting to Aunt, which led to a round of complints.
Especially after learning that Wu ngting was from the city and a graduate of East Sea University, Aunt looked even more envious and offered another round of praise.
Chen Feng was speechless, while Wu ngting maintained her smile, which made Chen Feng admire her.
Subsequently, many relatives ca over to toast, during which Zhao Xiaolan introduced Wu ngting to each one, causing more rounds of praise and envy.
Zhao Xiaolan seed satisfied, but Chen Feng felt a mix of nervousness and helplessness.
Even though he and Wu ngting had a six-month agreent, the future was still uncertain.
If he and Wu ngting couldn’t end up together, he’d inevitably beco a topic of conversation among relatives, and his mom wouldn’t spare him.
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