The relatives in Liu Jingru's family were just like that. When help was needed, no one was around, but when it came to showing off, everyone showed up.
They were afraid you would be more successful than them, and then they would lose their right to speak and their confidence. It was typical behavior to not be able to stand seeing you do better than them.
Heh heh, it's still early, still early.
Liu Jingru chuckled, not knowing how to respond.
"Brother-in-law, you know, his uncle is Secretary Peng, and Secretary Peng is Deputy Provincial Governor Qu's secretary. He's quite influential." Zhou Li didn't care about Liu Jingru's reluctance to speak and continued to pull her along.
"Mhm, we met once before when the family invited guests for a meal," Liu Jingru nodded.
"Alas, it's a pity you're working in Hangcheng, otherwise I'd have your brother-in-law introduce you to a rich person too," Zhou Li said, glancing at Liu Jingru with a hint of sourness. What's the use of being so pretty if you don't know how to use it? If only this face were mine.
"No, no need." Liu Jingru quickly waved her hand and then said, "Cousin, I'll pay the bill first. My friends are still waiting for me in the private room."
Liu Jingru didn't want to say more and prepared to pay the bill.
"Alright, you pay first. I have nothing to do anyway, I'll wait for you." Zhou Lu didn't realize that Liu Jingru didn't want to talk to her anymore.
Liu Jingru: ...
After waiting for a while, Liu Jingru paid the bill. Zhou Lu leaned closer and exclaimed in surprise, "It cost 2800? How many friends did you bring? We usually spend only a few hundred here for hot pot with a few people."
"Including me, eleven people," Liu Jingru said.
"Your earnings aren't easy, don't spend so lavishly. What kind of friends are they, spending 2800 on one meal?" Zhou Lu pouted, as if Liu Jingru's spending pained her.
"Cousin, that's none of your business." Liu Jingru finally couldn't hold back and said with displeasure.
The others didn't say anything, but Xia Lin was her good sister, and Liu Jingru wouldn't mind spending any amount of money on her.
Now that Zhou Lu said, "What kind of friends are they," it made Liu Jingru a little angry.
"I'm just kindly advising you because your parents don't earn money easily, and you're getting upset. Fine, it's not my money anyway, spend it however you like," Zhou Lu said, trying to persuade her earnestly.
"I'm going to find my friends in the private room first." Liu Jingru didn't want to say more and turned to walk towards the private room.
"Tsk... She just works at Abc, really thinks she's rich now," Zhou Lu said sourly, watching Liu Jingru turn away.
As soon as Liu Jingru returned to the private room, Xia Lin asked, "Jingru, why did it take you so long to pay the bill?"
"I just went to the restroom," Liu Jingru replied.
"Okay, Jingru, let's go sing. Everyone was saying we should go have some fun," Xia Lin said.
"Okay, shall we go now?" Liu Jingru asked.
"Let's go now. I know a place with great sound quality," National Little Wang stood up and said. Everyone prepared to leave Xiao Long Kan.
A group of people took a taxi to a private club. National Little Wang was a regular here.
Although National Little Wang didn't live in Chengdu, his legend was well-known there, and he was more familiar with the city's food, drink, and entertainment than the locals.
After everyone entered the private room, Yu Wei picked up tissues from the coffee table and wiped his seat.
Although Yu Wei was a bit on the heavier side, he was personally very clean and wiped wherever he sat.
*Pfft...*
As soon as Yu Wei sat down, he couldn't help but let out a fart. The sound wasn't loud, but everyone heard it.
"Holy crap..."
"Damn it... We just ate hot pot, what are you doing? Are you protesting?"
Qin Dou and Jiang Xin immediately mocked him.
Yu Wei was extremely embarrassed, his large face quickly turning red.
"Hey! You say you're clean? You wipe it, but then you have to fart?"
National Little Wang said in a Chengdu dialect, suppressing his laughter.
"Haha..."
National Little Wang's words caused everyone to burst into laughter, which helped to ease the awkward atmosphere in the room.
"My apologies, everyone, it was unintentional," Yu Wei said awkwardly.
Of course, no one would truly mind. These were all physiological reactions, unavoidable.
"Haha... It's fine. Just don't put the microphone in the wrong place when we sing," Qin Dou said with a laugh.
The topic soon passed. After all, they couldn't keep mocking Yu Wei for farting.
"Lin'er, what do you want to sing? I'll pick a song for you," National Little Wang said, handing the microphone to Xia Lin.
Xia Lin quickly shook her head and said, "No, I'll just listen to you guys sing quietly. Singing isn't my forte."
When it came to singing, Xia Lin truly had no talent. She couldn't grasp the rhythm and always sang off-key.
"Lin'er, your voice is so beautiful, you just need to hum along," Qin Wen said with a smile.
Her voice was indeed pleasant, but she rarely sang and couldn't grasp the rhythm, so she always sang off-key.
"You guys sing, I'll pick a song that suits me first." Seeing everyone happy, Xia Lin decided to try singing a song.
While everyone was singing their hearts out in the private room, Liu Jingru went out to make a phone call.
"Dad, I'm back today. I won't be home for a few days. I have friends visiting Chengdu, so I'll be with them," Liu Jingru made a phone call.
"Okay, do you have enough money on you? Be sure to treat your friends well," Liu Zhongwu asked with concern.
Although his daughter had been working for two years, in her parents' eyes, she was always a child who hadn't grown up.
"I have enough money. What about Mom?" Liu Jingru asked about her mother.
"She's right beside me, on speakerphone, so your mom can hear you," Liu Zhongwu said.
"Jingru, tell Mom when you're coming home next time, and bring your friends over for dinner," Cai Wenli said from the side.
"Mom, I got it. Whether I come for dinner depends on the situation," Liu Jingru replied.
"Are you embarrassed to bring a boyfriend?" Cai Wenli asked with a smile.
"No, it's Lin'er and some of her friends," Liu Jingru quickly said.
"Oh, Lin'er. I haven't seen her in years," Cai Wenli reminisced. When Liu Jingru was in college, she brought Xia Lin to stay at her house for two months.
"Yes, Lin'er will definitely come. I'm not sure about the other friends. We'll see then." Liu Jingru finished speaking and then asked, "My eldest cousin got married, why didn't you tell me?"
"You're not married yet, so we didn't tell you," Cai Wenli replied.
"I ran into my cousin Zhou Li at lunch today. I told her I'd attend her sister's wedding on National Day," Liu Jingru recounted meeting Zhou Li that day.
"Since you met her, you can go together. You know, your aunt's family looks down on us. Now that your eldest cousin has found a good match, they look down on us even more, so Mom didn't plan for you to go."
Cai Wenli explained, her tone filled with disappointment.
Liu Jingru was silent for a moment and said,
"Mom, things will get better in the future."
...................
(ps: Is everyone on holiday? Going on trips? Envious!)