Chapter 57: The Betrothal Banquet

Seeing this, the Third Master couldn't help frowning. Only after He Yushui's figure had completely vanished through the doorway did he turn back to He Yuzhu, saying with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Zhuzi, as her older brother, you really need to guide Yushui properly." The Third Master spoke earnestly, a trace of worry in his eyes.

"That girl Yushui is growing into a young woman right before our eyes, yet she still doesn't even greet people when she sees them. That's just far too lacking in manners." He shook his head, looking somewhat helpless.

"If she keeps going like this, how is she ever going to get married in the future? In this day and age, what family would be willing to take in a bride who doesn't know her manners?"

Once the Third Master opened the floodgates of his chatter, he went on endlessly like a breached dike.

However, He Yuzhu was in no mood to listen to his nagging at the moment. He interrupted the Third Master, saying, "Third Master, didn't you come here specifically to discuss the engagement banquet with me? Let's get straight down to business." He tried to steer the conversation back onto the right track.

Upon hearing this, the Third Master immediately responded with a beaming smile, "Ah, yes, yes, yes! Almost forgot. I just wanted to ask, how many tables are we planning to set for this engagement banquet? We need to plan it out properly."

Hearing this, He Yuzhu felt a private groan in his heart, as he had always been rather averse to such tedious matters.

So, he said decisively and cleanly, "Third Master, you're the capable one in our courtyard; I'm going to leave the entire organization of this matter in your hands. Just figure out how many tables are needed and how to arrange everything yourself."

With that, He Yuzhu drew a piece of silver from his lapel and handed it to the Third Master, saying, "This is to cover your trouble in helping out—please don't be stand-offish with me."

When the Third Master laid eyes on the silver, his eyes lit up instantly.

Since he was naturally fond of lively atmospheres and bustling affairs, and now had money to be made besides, his enthusiasm was soaring. He patted his chest and guaranteed, "Zhuzi, don't you worry! I'll make sure this affair is handled as pretty as a picture for you!"

The Third Master had merely asked a casual question, yet he never expected that this simple remark would plunge He Yuzhu into deep contemplation, leaving him dazed and unresponsive for a long time.

This whole matter had to be traced back to a rather unreliable figure in He Yuzhu's heart—his father, He Daqing.

The mere mention of He Daqing caused He Yuzhu's expression to sink and his brows to knit tightly together, as though he were recalling some deeply unpleasant events.

His silence and pensive demeanor left the Third Master completely baffled.

The Third Master couldn't help muttering inwardly, wondering if he had said something he shouldn't have, or done something to displease He Yuzhu. He looked this way and that, utterly unable to figure out the reason behind it all.

"Zhuzi, what's wrong with you? Why aren't you saying anything?" the Third Master asked cautiously, terrified of stirring up any further trouble.

Only then did He Yuzhu snap out of his reverie. He forced a smile, though it looked far more wretched than crying.

"Oh, Third Master, about the engagement banquet you mentioned—I reckon there'll be about five tables of people." His tone carried a hint of reluctance, and his mind was clearly elsewhere.

"Five tables? Very well, then we'll prepare one extra table just in case. If more people show up, at least there will be somewhere for them to sit." The Third Master was quite broad-minded and warm-hearted about it.

Yet He Yuzhu's distracted appearance extinguished any desire the Third Master had to stay any longer. He could tell that He Yuzhu had things on his mind, and staying here would be a waste of effort.

"It's getting late, Zhuzi. I'll be heading back now; you go on with your work."

Time flew like a white horse passing a crevice, and in the blink of an eye, the day of He Yuzhu's engagement banquet arrived as promised.

Early that morning, when the first ray of sunlight pierced through the curtains and illuminated the room, He Yuzhu noticed something unusual—his right eyelid kept twitching incessantly, as if signaling some ominous omen.

Even so, he didn't take it to heart, assuming it was mere coincidence.

However, reality proved that his intuition had not deceived him. This day was indeed fraught with twists and turns for him.

He Yuzhu had never been fond of clamor and commotion, so he hadn't invited many people to his engagement banquet; he had merely gathered a few close friends and relatives with whom he was usually on intimate terms. Among them were old neighbors from the courtyard as well as colleagues who worked alongside him in the cafeteria.

Yet it was precisely the arrival of these people whom he considered close that caused him to lose face completely at today's engagement banquet.

As the guests took their seats one after another, time quietly slipped by. However, the delicacies that should have been served on the tables punctually were nowhere to be seen.

At this point, Xu Damao, who was sitting some distance away from He Yuzhu, could finally contain himself no longer. He picked up his chopsticks, tapped them against his bowl and plate, and loudly complained, "He Yuzhu, are you having us all come here just to smell the aroma? We're almost starved to shadows, and there isn't even a shadow of a dish in sight!"

Xu Damao's words immediately struck a chord with the surrounding guests, who began to whisper among themselves and murmur in discussion.

Listening to these complaints, He Yuzhu experienced a whirlwind of mixed emotions inside. Mindful of the Ran family members seated nearby, he could only force a tight smile and comfort everyone, saying, "Please remain calm, everyone. Dinner will be served shortly. Just bear with it for another moment."

Yet Xu Damao refused to let the matter rest. Rolling his eyes, he raised his voice and shouted, "I've already heard those exact words three times! He Yuzhu, give it to us straight! Are we actually going to get to eat this meal today or not?"

Xu Damao's volume was exceedingly loud, making it crystal clear to every single guest inside the restaurant. They began to grumble loudly in response; some accused the restaurant of poor service, while others expressed doubts about He Yuzhu's competence. Worse still, some began to gossip about He Yuzhu's family background, bringing up his father who had eloped and been away from home for many years.

"It really is bizarre. The promised time keeps getting pushed back and back—the service at this restaurant is simply dreadful," someone complained, casting a dissatisfied glance toward the entrance in anticipation of a waiter's appearance.

"You said it. The expressions on the Ran family's faces are so dark you could wring water out of them; the atmosphere for this meal is completely ruined," another chimed in, casting a sympathetic look at He Yuzhu, fully aware of his predicament.

"Alas, the boy He Yuzhu is far too honest. With all that reading he's done, sometimes he's just too rigid and doesn't know how to be flexible," an elderly guest shook his head and sighed. "That father of his ran away from home ages ago without a trace, yet the Ran family insisted on seeing him at the engagement banquet—aren't they deliberately making things difficult for He Yuzhu?"

"Come to think of it, He Yuzhu himself didn't handle the situation thoroughly enough," another guest cut in with a tone carrying a hint of blame. "If he had communicated properly with the Ran family beforehand or figured out a way to deal with such a scenario, he wouldn't have left the rest of us waiting here dryly and wasting time."

Hearing all these gossiping remarks, He Yuzhu felt as though his heart were being sliced by a knife.