The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 797 - 766 - Less Talk, Li Mingkai

Chapter 797: 766 Chapter Less Talk, Li Mingkai

Cui Ying chuckled, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"I invited you all to have a meal, and yet you’re also helping out," Cui Ying said. "I’m sorry. I wanted to eat out, but I couldn’t get a reservation."

Decent restaurants were few, and none had available seats.

"It’s fine, we’re classmates, let’s not be so formal," He Tiantian said. "Gathering for a casual homemade meal is good enough, and we can catch up with each other. Jingli, Qin Li, don’t you think so?"

"Yeah, it’s just nice to get together," Huang Jingli said. "After graduation, it’s not like during school where we could see each other every day. Now it’s not easy to meet even once, since everyone has gone their separate ways after graduation. I try to keep in touch to see if we can meet up by the end of the year. Even if classmates from other places can’t make it, those of us in Nan City can still gather."

"Great, I love class reunions," Qin Li nodded. "When the time comes, I’ll help you organize it. As for Tiantian, I guess she’ll be busy and might not have time."

He Tiantian chuckled and said, "If I don’t have time to help arrange, I can sponsor the expenses for the food. How does that sound?"

Not having time to prepare, she was willing to contribute money—He Tiantian was quite straightforward about it.

"I was just waiting for you to say that," Huang Jingli said. "When the time comes, we can all visit the school and then find a place to eat. If we go Dutch, that’s fine too. However, for those who are not so well-off financially, they might not want to come. I’ll also chip in for the costs; I can’t let Tiantian be the only one paying."

"I’ll contribute too," Qin Li added.

Cui Ying chuckled and said, "Hehe, if you all are chipping in, I have some spare money, I can also contribute."

Since they insisted, He Tiantian did not refuse, saying, "Alright then, do what you can, I have some extra money from the shop."

"Well, well, Boss He, not seeing you for three days and you’re already such a sight to behold!" Qin Li laughed and bowed to He Tiantian, "I hope Boss He will take care of me in the future!"

He Tiantian said proudly, "Sure, sure."

As they were all fairly close friends, He Tiantian couldn’t back down.

With Cui Ying’s family having already done most of the work, the addition of three helpers quickened the pace, and everything was ready in no time.

Since it was summer, dining outside was cooler.

Cui Heng had ordered some kind of pine-scented product that filled the yard with its fragrance, driving away the mosquitoes.

The men sat at one table, the women at another.

The men drank and talked about different topics than the women, which worked out just right.

At the table, Cui Yong and Cui Heng were very attentive hosts to Huo Yingjie, Wu Youliang, and Yuan Chengcai.

Huo Yingjie understood what was going on, but Wu Youliang and Yuan Chengcai were quite flattered.

First, because Cui Heng was a professor at the school, and students naturally felt restrained in front of a teacher; secondly, as the hosts were their elders and being so warm, it also surprised them somewhat.

However, considering that this was a belated wedding banquet hosted by Cui Ying and Huashan, it was understandable for the elders to be enthusiastic.

During the meal, they discussed their respective jobs, the problems they had encountered at work, and how they had solved them. Some issues that couldn’t be resolved were also brought up, to listen to others’ suggestions, and indeed, effective methods were found for some of them, which proved to be very useful.

Because everyone worked in different positions without conflicts of interest, they could speak their minds without worry.

In particular, Wu Youliang and Yuan Chengcai learned quite a bit.

As for Huo Yingjie, sometimes he would add a point when others were speaking, but often, this comment was incredibly insightful, so even though Huo Yingjie spoke less, he still gained everyone’s attention.

Huo Yingjie’s work involved a high level of confidentiality, and the fact that there were two people guarding him at the door reinforced his importance.

"Qin Li, when are you and Yuan Chengcai planning to get married?" Cui Ying asked, "I hope you won’t do it at the end of the year or during the New Year’s time, because my brother Huashan and I might not be in Nan City then, and we wouldn’t be able to attend your wedding."

Qin Li blushed slightly and laughed, "We’ve just got engaged, and the wedding date is set for the sixth day of next February, which is a good day. By then, you’ll probably be back from your hometown after the New Year, so you should be able to make it. Be sure to come!"

"Definitely," Cui Ying said, "There aren’t many of us classmates in Nan City, and we should keep in touch. We’ll definitely attend your wedding."

Upon hearing this, He Tiantian said, "Alright, we’ll definitely come to join the fun and share the joy."

Huang Jingli laughed and said, "Just be a happy bride with peace of mind."

"Thank you," said Qin Li, "I am honored to be good friends with all of you."

Especially He Tiantian.

Although there was her cousin Wang Bing before, Qin Li was a bit scared when she faced He Tiantian again. However, after getting to know her better, she found He Tiantian to be very friendly.

Her cousin Wang Bing had brought about her own downfall through her actions without seeking redemption.

If He Tiantian was not at fault, why should she hold a grudge against Tiantian because of her cousin who had no sense of repentance?

Amidst laughter and conversation, Cui Ying suddenly said, "By the way, class leader, I ran into Lin Xiaoru a few days ago, standing with a man who appeared to be Li Mingkai."

"Ah?" Both Huang Jingli and He Tiantian were startled. How did those two end up together?

"I know Lin Xiaoru, the one who threatened our class leader, but who is this Li Mingkai?" Qin Li inquired. Privately, she had investigated through her father’s connections about Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru and found that He Tiantian was right: Lin Xiaoru had always been bullying Huang Jingli.

The things that Lin Xiaoru had done indicated her despicability.

"A youth sent down with us to Qijia Village, good-looking but with questionable character," Cui Ying, who was always forthright, directly assessed Li Mingkai, which was pretty accurate.

He Tiantian nodded and said, "Birds of a feather flock together. Even though Li Mingkai didn’t do anything too outrageous in Qijia Village, it’s best to keep a distance from him if he’s getting along with Lin Xiaoru. Who knows what excessive things the two of them might do!"

"Hmph," Huang Jingli sneered, "Accountant Qi always suppressed Li Mingkai, not wanting him to leave the countryside. But Li Mingkai, being so shrewd, how could he ever just stay content in the countryside? It’s easier to move back now than it was before, and he has used god knows what means. Tiantian is right, someone who consorts with Lin Xiaoru is no saint."

"I mentioned it to give you a heads-up when I saw it with Brother Huashan, so you should be prepared," Cui Ying said, "in case Lin Xiaoru comes back from ashes to stir up trouble."

Huang Jingli chuckled and replied, "I used to be afraid, but not anymore. My only disadvantage was my landlord background. Now that one’s background doesn’t matter anymore, I’m not afraid of her. If she dares to provoke me, I’ll be sure to deal with her properly."