Chapter 66
The man recording the gifts took the writing brush, dipped it in ink, and asked: "Whose name should I write down?"
Little uncle said: "Write down my mother's name, Li Fengjiao."
"What did you say? Fengjiao as in proud?"
Little uncle couldn't explain clearly and shook his head. Little Qi saw a brush nearby, wrote down the name and handed it over.
"Li Fengjiao"
Without flamboyance, but Little Qi had been practicing her writing recently. Although she was still a beginner, the amount of time spent was increasing.
Moreover, her beginner-level words were better than most people's already.
These three casually written words had a much grander aura and were nicer looking than those of the middle-aged gift recorder.
Originally everyone felt awkward about whether to count this somewhat pitiful amount of money. Now the topic was nicely changed.
"Little miss writes very beautifully, she has practiced. "
"Dalong, this is your nephew's daughter. She's grown up nicely!"
Although surprised, today was his son's big happy day, so praise was good.
Seeing that he had recorded and taken the money, honest rich Su asked: "Uncle, where do I move the wine to? I'll go now."
Little Qi also wanted to go along. She was only familiar with little uncle. She didn't recognize anyone else so sitting there would be awkward.
Li Dalong was used to ordering people around. Seeing the little girl dressed prettily and cleanly, he also wanted to maintain face and go along.
He waved his hand: "Forget it. I'll call to have the wine delivered. The shop is over on Maken Road. You guys go inside and sit."
Little uncle had a silly disposition. If not allowed to go, he wouldn't insist on asking why. He just went inside.
The interior was decorated rather nicely. There was a big stage draped in red with many flowers on top.
There weren't many guests yet. The people preparing the wedding were still busy. Little Qi found a corner and sat down, preparing to continue learning English on her phone. Little uncle couldn't stay still. Seeing Little Qi sit down, he went off wandering.
Little Qi opened the Xi Ma La Ya English program to listen and practice.
She discovered there was a period of weariness when learning. At the very start of studying, attention was highest. In the middle there would be some laziness and need for rest or change of material. So some study gods, when tired of math, would switch to do some Chinese for a bit.
Her English studies were the same. First listen to New Concept book 4. It had been tough these days but somehow using her method of more reading, writing and review was working. Spending twice or even more effort compared to when she had good memory buff, she could still remember stuff. Although progress was slower, as long as she spent the time she could learn. She had basically internalized over half the book by now.
After studying hard for over half an hour, feeling her efficiency dropping, she switched to some English songs.
She also stood up and stretched. Not finding little uncle, after a while she saw him lugging box after box of wine in, still being used for hard labor...
Little Qi wanted to call out uncle but he turned and went out again...
She could only sit and continue listening to English. After the focused learning state and then relaxing with some music, her energy was better but not like the start. So next Little Qi listened to simpler English shows, very colloquial, which she could basically understand. This method for learning listening was very good.
She really admired those who knew many languages. Little Qi wondered if she'd get exposure to other languages in university. But for now she shouldn't aim too high. Mastering English first, the most familiar language, able to handle her tutoring work, listening and speaking, Little Qi felt that would be a great level to reach.
Learning time always passed swiftly.
Unknowingly the seats around Little Qi were nearly filled. She kept a spot for little uncle next to her in case the silly guy, after finishing work, didn't even have a seat.
Sure enough more and more people came. The music started playing. The bride and groom entered. Little uncle was still running around carrying things. Little Qi saw the main table with uncle and the elders had no seat kept for little uncle.
She strangely thought of a phrase - a sycophant fawns to the point of losing everything.
Although pathetic, this phrase truly suited Granny's family's situation.
Other relatives might not give so much monetary gifts, but looking at their status, the main seats, the best seats, the private room seats, even if your status wasn't good, even if you exhausted your family fortune giving them gifts, they still wouldn't think highly of you. They'd take it for granted.
Little Qi felt she was already quite silly, but seeing little uncle ordered around like that, she really couldn't stand watching.
The groom upstairs was chubby with a big belly. The bride was quite young and pretty wearing her white dress. She was even taller than the groom.
The emcee hosted. Laughter rang out. Little Qi saw no one was paying attention and got up to call little uncle over to sit.
She saw grey dirty smudges on little uncle's white shirt and dusty shoulders, probably from moving things around.
He came over completely sweaty.
The dishes at the wedding banquet were generally very oily since they were prepared early and somewhat cold now.
Little uncle had done a lot of labor and was already hungry despite having eaten his fill this morning.
So he ate rather heartily when served.
Little Qi also had a big appetite.
Although she looked delicate with quite good temperament, she didn't eat daintily at all like others around her who ate very little to keep up appearances since they were dining at a hotel.
Midway through the meal, the newlyweds came to toast. The groom called little uncle "Little Money". They were clearly very familiar, ordering him around to work. He casually put his arm around little uncle's shoulder. "Couldn't find you just now, Little Money."
Little Qi was now 1.65 meters tall without high heels. Standing next to little uncle.
The groom was clearly drunk, words slightly slurred, swaying a bit.
The bride had a slightly protruding belly, said to be a few months pregnant already.
This "uncle" had already married and divorced not long ago. Judging by the bride's belly, she was already pregnant when he left his previous marriage.
Little Qi rarely attended such occasions and wasn't very used to it. Seeing the swaying groom stagger over, she moved aside a little.
The groom had people propping him everywhere today yet unexpectedly got avoided here.
Lifting his head he saw a little girl, unexpectedly very pretty, tall, very young with an air unlike others, probably a well-educated feeling. He was used to putting his arm over people but actually drew back.
"Congratulations Uncle and Auntie. Happy marriage, may you be together for a hundred years." Little Qi raised her cola and toasted the people before her.
Held up by the bride, the dizzy groom drank another cup of wine.
Others teased to drink more alcohol.
Little uncle quickly said: "My niece is still in school, not eighteen yet. Cola is fine. I'll drink wine."
He foolishly downed a cup of wine in one gulp.
The newlyweds had to move on to toast the next table.
Little Qi breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know why but the groom's gaze just now was so uncomfortable, somewhat disgusting.
Even though he was her elder.
She heaved in relief.
It was the first time she felt that having a mysterious untouchable buff was pretty good. But how could she make herself truly unattainable as well?