Wang Qiqi and Han Tao hadn't even stepped through the Song family gate with their luggage when they heard Wang Dagui’s booming voice: “Where did you put the baijiu? . . . Where are the drinks? . . . Are the wedding candies and lucky eggs fully prepared? Oh, right, is everything ready for the 'descendant package'? That’s the main focus for tomorrow. We can’t afford any slip-ups. . . . And have you prepared the firecrackers? Did you get extra?”

Wang Qiqi thought to herself, with this demeanor, Wang Dagui sounded like the overall commander of this wedding. “Wang Dagui?” No way. Didn't Song Ziwen previously object to him interfering with his wedding? Even Song Wenbo wasn't particularly fond of this brother-in-law. Wang Damei also felt her brother was embarrassing; how long had it been for his entire attitude to shift like this?

Song Yao nodded. “Yes, I have to admit Wang Dagui is quite good at flattering people. Of course, don't worry, we handled all the purchasing, and we're keeping a close eye on the goods. He just gets a kick out of being in charge. My mother said we can let him handle some things; no need to be polite.” Song Yao shot Wang Qiqi a meaningful glance—you get it.

So, Wang Damei was just using Wang Dagui as free labor. But Wang Qiqi didn't believe Wang Dagui was quite that simple. How could he not see Wang Damei's intentions? However, since Song Yao and the others were watching the supplies closely, it ruled out any possibility of Wang Dagui skimming anything. Achieving this much was enough. “By the way, Han Tao and I won’t be taking orders from anyone,” Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered something and clarified with Song Yao first.

“Understood, relax. My mother invited you so Han Tao could meet the relatives, effectively integrating him into the extended family circle.” Song Yao certainly knew that if Wang Dagui started bossing Wang Qiqi around, telling her to do this and that, Wang Qiqi would flip her lid almost instantly.

“You guarantee it,” Wang Qiqi pressed.

“I guarantee it, alright,” Song Yao replied helplessly. When had she ever seemed so untrustworthy?

Wang Dagui stood in the living room, ceaselessly directing this and that, clearly enjoying the hustle. When he suddenly saw Wang Qiqi appear, he was startled. Then, seeing the tall and straight Han Tao beside her, a pang of regret hit him. Who would have guessed that this young man nearby would turn out so successful, while the young man her daughter had favored, Gao Kai, had ended up like this? Wang Dagui had to admire Wang Qiqi’s judgment of character, but he quickly dismissed all thoughts. His daughter was right; once she got into university, she would definitely find a promising young man. “Qiqi, Xiao Tao is back.”

Wang Qiqi hummed in acknowledgment, indicating she heard him, but Han Tao reacted differently to Wang Qiqi’s reserved attitude. “Yes, just got back. Uncle Wang, what are you up to?”

Wang Dagui thought he should at least offer a greeting, especially in front of both the Song and Wang family relatives. He hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to give him absolutely no face—so impolite! Of course, Wang Dagui wouldn't lose his temper now. He knew if he did, he’d be the only one to suffer the consequences. His strategy was to endure. With so many elders present, if they witnessed Wang Qiqi being so disrespectful to her own uncle, their impression of her surely wouldn’t be good. Wang Dagui felt a surge of smugness. “It’s my nephew’s wedding; how could I, as his uncle, not contribute? Especially since Qiqi’s parents aren't here, if I, as her uncle, didn’t pitch in and support things, how would that look?”

Wang Qiqi understood the hidden meaning in Wang Dagui’s words: he was emphasizing that he was her uncle and that by acting this way, he was showing everyone how little respect she showed her elders. Did Wang Qiqi care what these relatives thought of her? Even if she didn't recognize every elder present, following Song Yao's subtle cues, she greeted them all one by one. Unsurprisingly, she received a few cold glares. Those who knew a bit of the backstory got a direct look at Wang Dagui’s brazenness. However, for Wang Qiqi showing such blatant disregard for her elders, many still felt the girl’s conduct was a bit much. They knew that after marriage, a woman often relied on her maternal family for support. By acting like this, wasn't she pushing her own family away?

“Qiqi, were you tired from the journey?” Wang Damei knew Wang Dagui was trying to tarnish Qiqi’s reputation while everyone was watching, but did he not realize that for Wang Qiqi, these so-called relatives and this so-called reputation were as worthless as trash? “Xiao Tao, I’m sorry to trouble you for the day after tomorrow.”

Han Tao had only just learned he was supposed to be the best man; the original choice had a last-minute work trip a few days prior and couldn't make the wedding. Song Ziwen couldn't find a suitable replacement friend and eventually turned to Han Tao. It certainly helped that Han Tao held his liquor reasonably well, or Song Ziwen would have been frantic. “It’s nothing, Aunt.”

Everyone watched as Wang Damei made no move to chastise Wang Qiqi for disrespecting her elders. Instead, she asked with concern if Qiqi was tired from the trip, or how her studies in Beijing were going. This surprised many present. Wang Damei was known for being extremely proper; seeing this situation without a reprimand made them wonder if there was some underlying issue. The judgmental looks vanished, replaced by curious scrutiny directed at Wang Qiqi and Wang Dagui.

Wang Qiqi noticed the shift in the way people were looking at her. She thought, as expected of Wang Damei, devising a countermeasure so quickly. “Auntie, if you need anything done, just direct Xiao Tao. Don't stand on ceremony. As for me, I will definitely handle the logistics. My dearest and only cousin is getting married; as his cousin, I must perform well.”

Wang Qiqi pulled out a pair of dragon and phoenix bracelets from her backpack. “Auntie, what do you think of this pair of bracelets? They might be a bit rustic, perhaps too showy, but they can be kept as a family heirloom for my cousin when he marries, right?” Wang Qiqi hadn’t intended to show off her gift, but suddenly she felt compelled. She wasn't heartless; she was being so good to her aunt and cousin while being cold to her own uncle, not even acknowledging him. It was bound to make for good drama.

Everyone was startled by Wang Qiqi’s generous gesture. A pair of dragon and phoenix bracelets like that had to be worth at least three thousand. Didn't this girl still attend school? Even if her parents left her some money, surely this was too extravagant? Wait, a sudden possibility dawned on everyone. Could it be? They felt the thought was too much, but it was the only way to explain the stark difference in her attitude toward her aunt versus her uncle.

Wang Dagui’s heart turned cold. The reason he dared to slight Wang Qiqi and set traps for her was because he had been running around organizing everything for Song Ziwen’s wedding these past few days. He always assumed his older sister, Wang Damei, would give him some face. But to have her completely ignore him—not only refusing to scold Wang Qiqi but actually showing concern for her journey—and then Wang Qiqi pulls a move like this! Wang Dagui thought that perhaps his sister knew Wang Qiqi was going to give a significant gift, which is why she was treating Qiqi so favorably. But Wang Qiqi might lack other things, but money she certainly didn't lack. With such a heavy gift in front of her, his older sister wouldn't dare say anything against Wang Qiqi. Thinking this, Wang Dagui swore again that he must get his daughter into university and find her a rich boyfriend. “Hmph, I absolutely cannot be outdone by the boyfriend Wang Qiqi finds!”

Wang Damei looked at her little brother’s resentful expression and sighed inwardly. She truly couldn't understand what he was thinking. Didn’t he consider Wang Rui’s current reputation? Did he think that by ruining Qiqi’s reputation too, he would be happy? How would outsiders view the Wang family? Wouldn't they think the Wang family’s upbringing was poor, that both their daughters caused such scandals? Thinking of this, Wang Damei glared fiercely at Wang Dagui, signaling him to behave.

Song Yao noticed her mother’s fierce gaze and immediately buried her head in her son’s embrace. She dared not let her mother see her smiling, or she’d definitely face consequences.

“Take Qiqi and Xiao Tao upstairs to put away their luggage. Oh, and Qiqi, you’ll need to help dye the red eggs and package the wedding candies later.” Wang Damei instructed.

Wang Qiqi froze when she heard she had to dye the red eggs. In her memory, these items were usually bought directly from the market. Why did she have to do this herself? Then it hit her; at this time, things weren't industrialized. Wedding candies and eggs had to be prepared by hand. “Is that all?”

Wang Damei affirmed with a nod. “We’ll handle the rest. Oh, Xiao Tao, you must come for dinner tomorrow night too,” Wang Damei remembered something and specifically instructed him. Tomorrow was the day they would dine with the ancestors to inform them of the new additions and ask for blessings.

Han Tao acknowledged with a brief, “Okay.”

Wang Dagui shot a glare at Han Tao’s retreating back, muttering, “Hmph, the appearance of this kid has completely turned my family into a joke.” He complained, “Sister, how can you let him take center stage tomorrow? Although he’s capable, isn’t Qiqi also quite good? Didn’t you say last time that Qiqi was working as a translator in Beijing, in addition to what her older brother left behind? How can this boy not be considered marrying up?” Such a man would be perfect for Xiao Rui. Then he could follow his daughter and son-in-law to America for a change of scenery.

Wang Damei, hearing such unreliable talk, truly regretted opening her mouth and telling her younger brother about Qiqi’s affairs in the first place. “That’s Qiqi’s choice. Don't you think about why Qiqi became estranged from you back then? Besides, if Xiao Tao isn't good enough for Qiqi, is he then a perfect match for your Xiao Rui?” Wang Damei thought he was dreaming. “Even without Qiqi, Han Tao wouldn't look at Wang Rui. Sometimes, he should consider his own family’s standing against the other party’s.” If it were her, as the mother-in-law, she would absolutely not agree to let such a daughter-in-law into the family—her reputation was poor, and she was so calculating. How could such a young girl harbor so many petty schemes? Marrying such a daughter-in-law home would surely make the house too quiet.

(To be continued)