By the time they returned, the wedding banquet had already begun. He Qiuping and Ning Xueling came to offer a toast, and the atmosphere was truly quite awkward. Luo Qiao suddenly thought of a saying from her previous life: "If you don’t find it awkward, then the awkwardness belongs to others."
He Qiuping happened to stand beside Luo Xuyuan as he raised his glass and said, "Thank you for ing to the wedding banquet today, and you are also wele to visit our home in the future."
Luo Xuyuan stood up, looking at Ning Xueling: "ing here today was the wish of the uncles; to offer blessings or such words, we may not be able to say, but now that you’re married, just live a good life. In the future, take care of yourselves."
Then he said to He Qiuping, "I think you are very clear about our relationship, so let’s dispense with the pleasantries. I hope you treat her well. Even though we won’t interact in the future, she is not someone you and your family can bully at will."
He Qiuping did not expect Luo Xuyuan to speak so bluntly, meaning that there would be no future interactions, each should take care of their own, but if he and his family bullied Ning Xueling, they would have to think twice.
Ning Xueling, standing beside, was about to speak, but was held by He Qiuping’s hand.
He knew if Ning Xueling were to speak, the situation might bee even more embarrassing: "Alright, I understand. Thank you all the same."
Luo Xuyuan saw that He Qiuping was a sensible person and then said, "We still have things to do, so we’ll take our leave first."
Throughout the process, Ning Xueling had not said a word, but the Luo siblings hadn’t given her any particular looks either. They were merely going through the motions; she was no different from a stranger to them, so their minds were still, without a ripple.
He Qiuping scanned the expressions of the Luo siblings and, weighing the pros and cons, said, "e, let’s finish this drink; I’ll see you out myself."
He Qiuping, with a somewhat annoyed Ning Xueling, escorted them to the front door: "Take care on your way out."
The group nodded and walked towards their car. Watching the car depart, He Qiuping then turned to Ning Xueling: "Xueling, are you alright?"
Ning Xueling was so angry her face turned pale: "Why did you stop me from speaking just now?"
He Qiuping looked her in the eyes: "You heard them; they didn’t e willingly today. If we had insisted they stay, I’m afraid the scene would have looked bad. This oute is better for you, for them, and for the wedding banquet."
He patted Ning Xueling on the shoulder: "Let’s go back inside; it’s not good to stay outside for too long."
After they returned inside, they went straight to Ning Hongda’s table: "They had to leave early due to some affairs, please enjoy the meal and drinks."
Ning Hongda, as if explaining, said: "The Luo Family indeed are today’s hosts for our son-in-law."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, He Qiuping and Ning Xueling left to greet other guests.
When they reached the table of their siblings, He Dongping began jokingly: "Brother, why have my nephew and niece left?"
Ning Xueling answered, "The Luo Family entertains the son-in-law every third day of the first lunar month, the whole family is waiting for them. My daughter will return to America in a few days to plete her studies, so her schedule is quite tight."
He Xialan pouted: "Since they’ve e over, they should at least e and recognize their elders."
He Qiuping glanced at his sister: "They’re Lous, you’re a He; what affiliation do they have with recognizing you as an elder?"
After that, he moved onto the next table. Colleagues from his workplace chanted for a performance, and the wedding banquet became lively all of a sudden.
Ning Hongda felt unfortable inside, watching his nephews and nieces leave, unable to do anything. If he had known it would turn out like this, alas, it’s too late to say anything now.
Zhang Yuehua glanced at him: "I told you not to meddle; you wouldn’t listen. Now, you’ve utterly offended the nephews’ side, and you can’t make it right with Xueling’s side either. Really don’t know what to make of you."
********
When Luo Qiao and the others arrived home, it was just in time for dinner to be served. Auntie Song Shiya saw them e in: "You’re back just in time, wash up and sit down for dinner."
The little ones saw their dad and mom return, so they all got off the ground and dashed towards them.
Luo Haotian followed: "Slow down, don’t fall."
Zhou Guifang came out from the kitchen, looking at the several siblings: "Everything okay?"
Luo Xuyuan knew his grandmother was worried: "It’s all good; we just made an appearance and came straight back."
Luo Daoren, worried that his second son might feel unfortable, called out: "Let’s start the meal."
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