My Life with Narration

Chapter 416 - 410: The Clown

This is how people are: sometimes when you speak nicely, others think they’ve found your weak spot, but when you counterattack without mercy, they instead become wary.

Most people think that speaking harshly makes things awkward and creates silence, but who cares? Let it be awkward. After all, someone is hoping to see him make a fool of himself this time.

He and Wang Xing have known each other for years, their coordination seamless. With their tactful and slightly aggressive interjections, Yang Zhiming was instantly bewildered.

Su Qing’s words were utterly blunt and harsh, clearly meant to stir things up. Not only were their high school classmates taken aback, but even Zhang Chao and Ning Tong’s college friends sat there in bewildered silence.

As things started to get awkward, Wang Xing immediately stepped in to smooth things over with a joke, lightening the atmosphere. He laughed and said he couldn’t care less about the money, making things a lot better.

Everyone felt less uncomfortable, and neither Su Qing nor his friend took any losses. Only Yang Zhiming was left fuming, caught in a dilemma of whether to stay or leave.

If he left, classmates would call him petty and narrow-minded. If he stayed, it was awkward anyway.

"Su Qing, you’ve changed so much these past few years. How did you do it? I want my boyfriend to try it too!"

"Well, Su Qing has always been quite the catch. By the way, is that your dog? I love it!"

"Come on, let’s take a picture together! Here’s a celebrity right by my side!"

"Su Qing has never shown his face in videos, has he? Taking a picture with him is pointless!"

"Old Su, how much do you earn from your short videos per month?"

"It must be hundreds of thousands, right? How do you do it? Teach me—I want to make some videos too, but I have no idea where to start!"

"Exactly, if one gets rich, shouldn’t everyone?"

A group of classmates surrounded him, bombarding him with questions. Those who had a mediocre relationship in high school, or even some girls he hadn’t spoken to much, suddenly became enthusiastic.

As for those asking how much he earns in a month, he acted like he didn’t hear. Adults know it’s not polite to ask such questions, usually brushing it off with a laugh.

However, some truly wanted to get into the short video business and asked him things.

For what he could share, he never held back. The success of self-media largely depends on luck.

He could only smile wryly at this; if possible, why wouldn’t he help Wang Xing make money as well?

As time ticked away, the hall gradually filled with guests, and by a bit past eleven, the hall was packed.

After chatting for a while, Su Qing suddenly felt someone tugging at his hand. When he turned to look, he saw a girl in a bridesmaid dress he didn’t recognize.

"What’s up?" Su Qing asked softly.

"Nothing, I just think your watch looks great. By the way, I’m Su Yao, a college friend of Ning Tong. We share the same surname!"

[A materialistic girl with a strong sense of vanity, she thinks you have good conditions and started your own business. Surely you must have more money than the average rich kid. She wants to hook up with you. Young man, don’t take the wrong path! There’s no such thing as a free lunch!]

The narrator’s cue was timely, but suggesting him not to take the wrong path was a bit cheeky. Do I look like an idiot?

Besides, he just started seeing Aunt Shen not long ago. Appearance-wise, this woman may be okay, but she’s no match for Shen Yi, and her "software" doesn’t keep up either.

Passing up a brand-new supercar to drive an unknown used tractor? That’s not just questioning his character but also insulting his intelligence.

But it had to be admitted, this woman was better than the "sea-queen" Wang Xing once met. At least she understood that the average rich kid doesn’t have much money in hand.

Indeed, unless they’re super-rich, average rich kids don’t generally have a lot of money. After all, it’s not their call yet; they ask for a house, ask for a car, having twenty or thirty thousand a month for spending money is pretty good.

Take Zhang Chao, for example; his family is quite well off. To the average person, he’d count as a rich kid, but he doesn’t really have much money in his hands.

"Hello, I’m Su Qing!" he smiled and nodded, maintaining a modest distance as he naturally moved his hand under the table.

"Are you free tonight? After dinner, Ning Tong said we young people should get together for a drink?" Su Yao invited softly, looking at him with pure admiration, giving an impression of a naïve, easily fooled girl.

Most men wouldn’t remain unmoved.

"Uh... sorry, I’m busy tonight. I’ll let Old Zhang know; I have to go back and accompany my girlfriend."

Knowing this woman’s intentions, he naturally wouldn’t have any ideas. Besides, it’s okay when single, but once you’re in a relationship, you have to keep a distance from the opposite sex as a sign of respect for your partner.

"Groomsmen and bridesmaids, please get ready; the ceremony is about to start!"

At that moment, the host on stage checked the time and began calling out. Hearing this, the nearby groomsmen and bridesmaids stood up one after another.

"I know, but I don’t mind!" Su Yao whispered as she slipped a napkin into his hand. She then glanced at him with a knowing look before joining the other bridesmaids to prepare, moving naturally, as if she’d done this many times.

Her words were pretty clear already. Who cares if you have a girlfriend? Offering a freebie, bet you can’t resist.

Su Yao had successfully used this trick countless times. When a woman puts aside her reserve and actively pursues a man, the success rate is pretty high. If the seduction is blatant, the success rate is at least eighty percent. If the girl is also good-looking and has a great body, well, sorry to say, but nine out of ten men will fall for it.

But this time, she encountered a man who could see through her thoughts at a glance.

Su Qing looked down and indeed saw a string of numbers on the tissue, immediately scrunched it up and threw it on the ground.

Soon, as the time arrived, the ceremony began; the bridesmaids and groomsmen took the stage, the bride appeared, and then on stage, they exchanged rings, said blessings, tossed bouquets, and finally, both sets of parents went up to speak, changing terms of address. During this time, dishes started to be served at each table.

The entire process was clichéd and uninspired, but nothing unexpected happened either.

For weddings, no surprises are needed; nothing unexpected is the best outcome.

It wasn’t until the host spoke and officially announced the start of the banquet that the atmosphere in the hall began to liven up.

Originally, Su Qing also thought nothing else would happen today. He planned to eat quickly and leave as soon as possible, but someone else disagreed.

"By the way, how much did you all chip in for Old Zhang’s wedding?" Yang Zhiming suddenly asked.

The sports committee member, Li Zhipeng, answered, "I gave 1000!"

"Me too, a thousand!"

"I gave 999! Sent as a WeChat red packet!"

"I gave 1314!"

Although these gifts weren’t huge, they were still quite significant, and the ones speaking up were all close friends of Zhang Chao and his college classmates.

As for those who didn’t speak, they most likely gave 500, as both Su Qing and Wang Xing did. This was based on what Wang Xing learned from some classmates.

Everyone was just ordinary classmates, relationships were average, just came to see old classmates, have a little reunion, how much could you possibly give?

Among classmates, gifts almost never fall below 100, and 200 is not presentable anymore. As for 300, it’s considered inauspicious; three means "scatter", and four hundred, even more so, is avoided due to taboos. So, five hundred is the most appropriate amount.

Among colleagues, the going rate is typically a modest 200.

"Su Qing and Wang Xing, what about you two?" Yang Zhiming asked.

"Qingzi and I each gave 500, why?" Wang Xing retorted.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhiming suddenly got excited, with a somewhat sarcastic smile, "No, I gave 2000. Not to mention, Old Wang isn’t working now, so 500 is fine. But, Su Qing, you’re making big money now, why are you still so stingy? Or is your relationship not that close? If you really feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to come, it’s not like you don’t have it..."

As he spoke, Yang Zhiming shook his head, as if implying he was unhappy that Zhang Chao could marry Ning Tong.

The reason seemed far-fetched, but at least it was plausible enough; at least their high school classmates all knew he once had feelings for Ning Tong.

The intention of Yang Zhiming was to let the classmates know Su Qing was jealous of Zhang Chao, unwilling but helpless, only able to rage with impotence, so he kept steering the conversation toward his old crush on Ning Tong.

Anyone who heard this would think Yang Zhiming was out of his mind. Mind your own business, if you chipped in 2000, so be it, like a dog meddling in a rat’s affairs.

But only Su Qing understood that although the words were from Yang Zhiming, they reflected Zhang Chao’s intentions. Otherwise, Yang Zhiming wasn’t stupid; why get involved in such matters?

Initially, Zhang Chao had planned to subtly mock his job and income, but unexpectedly, not only did his image improve dramatically, he also earned more, disrupting Zhang Chao’s plans entirely.

After much thought, he found out at the entrance where wedding gifts were registered that Su Qing only contributed 500, but he couldn’t say it himself. So, he got someone else to mention it, and that someone was Yang Zhiming.

There wasn’t any deep reason, just that he didn’t want Su Qing to have a good time. With the wedding ceremony over, anything next wouldn’t matter much.

"True, you gave more. Will you have money for food this month? Why don’t you take some home later? Don’t worry, we’re all classmates, no one will laugh at you!" Su Qing wasn’t someone to mess with either, and immediately snapped back.

Standing beside him, Wang Xing quickly added, "Yeah, those of us who gave 500 aren’t even worthy to eat here. How about we leave, then!"

As soon as these words came out, a few classmates immediately spoke up, "Exactly, let’s tell Old Zhang and skip the meal!"

"Yeah, we can’t afford it!"

"You give your share, mind your own business, are you nuts?"

It should be known, there were not only the two of them who gave 500; this comment offended quite a few people, and some couldn’t suppress their anger.

Seeing this unravel, Yang Zhiming quickly changed his tune, "That’s not what I meant. I was talking about Su Qing. It’s not like he doesn’t have money now. Giving this amount clearly shows the relationship isn’t close. If you feel bad, just say it out loud. It’s because you feel bad seeing Ning Tong marry Zhang Chao, right?"

At this moment, Su Qing didn’t even want to bother rebutting. Even if you want to pick a fight, at least find someone intelligent to do it. This guy acts like an idiot, making even Su Qing feel embarrassed.

"Why shouldn’t I be happy? I’m quite happy, actually."

Yang Zhiming: ...

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