"Xin Rui, over here." Xia Li stood up and waved at a young girl.
Guo Xu Yang’s eyes widened. Wasn’t this the same girl who helped them get their marriage certificate at noon?
Li Min Xi kicked him hard and said, "See? She followed you."
"What are you talking about?" Guo Xu Yang whispered, quickly standing up.
"What a coincidence."
Xin Rui looked at Guo Xu Yang, then at Xia Li, and asked, "Is he your friend?"
"Yes, is there something wrong?" Xia Li asked.
"He, you..." Xin Rui was confused.
"This is Guo Xu Yang, this is Xiao Xi Jie, Yang Zi's fiancée," Xia Li quickly introduced.
"This is Xin Rui, my best friend and college classmate. She works at the Civil Affairs Bureau now."
"Didn't you say your boyfriend's name is also Guo Xu Yang? But they just got their marriage certificate this morning."
Xin Rui couldn't bear to see her best friend being deceived, so she said.
"I know. Sit down first. Let's talk after you sit," Xia Li said, pulling Xin Rui to sit down.
Xin Rui's mind was full of questions, wondering how these three people could get along so harmoniously.
"This is my boss, and also my friend. We've been busy with wedding preparations recently.
However, the bride isn't me, it's Xiao Xi Jie.
I didn't expect to run into Yang Zi and Xiao Xi Jie. I just wanted to invite you over to try the lamb soup here, it’s very good."
"Then you're still friends with him?" Xin Rui muttered.
It was awkward to bring this up, but she couldn't help but stand up for her best friend.
"Our country's law doesn't allow polygamy, so only Xiao Xi Jie is marrying Yang Zi.
We can only wait for an opportunity to get married overseas."
"You? How many people are there?"
"I'm not sure. Five or six, maybe."
"I really don't know what you're thinking. You have people who like you, and you have education. Why do you insist on hanging yourself from a crooked tree?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"I really don't. Oh, right, take this back. I can't keep it." Xin Rui took out the small stone and handed it to Guo Xu Yang.
"There's no reason to take back something that's been given. You can keep it as a toy," Guo Xu Yang said.
"Did Yang Zi give this to you?" Xia Li asked, looking at the small stone in Xin Rui's hand.
"Yes. They got their marriage certificate late this afternoon, near closing time.
After it was done, Mr. Guo gave me this small stone and said there was a surprise inside."
"If Yang Zi gave it to you, you should keep it. After dinner, I'll take you to my place to have someone open it for you."
"Be careful, it's hot. Don't move," the proprietress said, carrying a large teapot over.
"This is clear broth. Add it yourself later."
Then, a young waiter came and placed four bowls of lamb soup in front of the four people, along with a plate of sheep intestine and a cold lamb dish.
"This is too much, isn't it? We can't finish it," Xin Rui said.
"It's okay. We have a big eater here, nothing will be left over," Xia Li said, nodding towards Guo Xu Yang.
"Xia Li said you drove here, so we won't be drinking. Let's eat," Guo Xu Yang said, handing Li Min Xi a sesame cake, and taking one himself.
Xia Li gave Xin Rui one, but Xin Rui only broke off half of it and gave the other half to Xia Li.
Xia Li wasn't wrong. Guo Xu Yang ate two and a half of the four dishes.
By the end, Guo Xu Yang had eaten three sesame cakes, a pound of lamb, and several other dishes.
Li Min Xi didn't eat the lamb in the soup, giving it all to Guo Xu Yang, and only ate a few pieces of cold lamb.
Xin Rui, on the other hand, was not polite. She ate half a sesame cake, drank a bowl of lamb soup, and asked for clear broth twice more.
"This sheep intestine is cooked so well. It's even better than the lamb," she said.
"If it's good, we'll come again next time. I'll treat you."
"How much does your boss pay you? You can still treat me. People who can afford lamb soup these days are all bosses.
You, a worker, should save up some money for your dowry," Xin Rui said to Xia Li, glancing at Guo Xu Yang.
"It's okay. My boss is very generous, and can afford to treat you to lamb soup every day."
"Really? How much does your boss pay you per month?"
"One hundred thousand, plus commission."
"How much? One hundred thousand? You're not trying to help your boss save face, are you?"
"Xia Li is right. One hundred thousand a month, plus commission," Guo Xu Yang said from the side.
"Really? Do you need anyone there? Can I work for you?"
"You can't handle that kind of hardship. You'd better stay at your current job."
"With one hundred thousand yuan, what kind of hardship can't be endured? I work hard and only earn a little over five thousand a month, less than a hundred thousand a year.
Mr. Guo, if you're hiring, I can come work for you." Xin Rui's eyes sparkled.
She suddenly understood why Xia Li was willing to be someone's mistress.
Not a mistress, a girlfriend. Yes, just a girlfriend.
"If you really want to, you can work with Xia Li for two months to try it out. But you'd better not quit your current job.
It's not too late to quit when you're sure you can come here," Guo Xu Yang said.
"Thank you so much. Come, Mr. Guo, I'll use tea as a toast, cheers to you."
"You don't have to be so polite." Guo Xu Yang still picked up his tea cup and took a sip.
He really couldn't drink anymore. He had already drunk several bowls of clear broth.
"Are you done eating? If you're done, let's go back," Li Min Xi said, standing up.
She was a little angry but couldn't do anything about it. She could only watch as another beautiful young girl jumped into a fire pit.
When men have money, they become bad, and when women become bad, they have money. This saying seems to have some truth to it.
Xin Rui wanted to pay the bill, but Guo Xu Yang paid for it.
"Mr. Guo, you must come next time I have an event."
"No problem. Just have Xia Li tell me."
"Okay, then I'll be going back now."
"What's the rush? It's not quitting time yet. Come up and take a look with me.
Xiao Xi Jie has decorated the new house upstairs. It won't delay your work," Xia Li said.
"Alright then. You lead the way." Xin Rui said, going to the back to drive.
Guo Xu Yang took Li Min Xi straight to King's Villa.
It had to be said that Li Min Xi's team was efficient. They had decorated King's Villa beautifully.
The welcome banquet was spread across the lawn, arranged in different patterns.
Red ribbons were wrapped around several evergreen trees, and each tree had a large bow tied to it, making them very eye-catching.
Window decorations were added to the windows of several rooms.
The bedroom was decorated with big-headed doll pictures. The only thing missing was wedding photos.
A platform for the wedding ceremony was set up in the backyard. The tablecloth hadn't been laid yet, as they planned to use it on the day itself, fearing it might get dirty in the coming days.
"Why are there no wedding photos?" Xin Rui asked after looking for a while.
"We haven't had time to take them yet," Guo Xu Yang said.
"Oh, do you know when you plan to get married?"
"The twelfth."
"Isn't that just a few days away? Can you still make it?"
"We're taking photos this afternoon. They'll be here soon. They should be ready by tomorrow."
"Wedding photos need to be booked. You might not get them for ten days or half a month."
"It's okay, these people can manage it. Xia Li, has Old Xu left?"
"He's left. He'll be back this afternoon."