Chapter 271: Farce

Soon it was the day of Hao Manru's wedding. Although the timing was a bit rushed, it was clear that Hao's mother had put thought into it, preparing everything thoroughly. Besides the four essential items for a wedding, the bedding and wardrobe were all present.

They had even specially approved a new two-bedroom, two-living-room apartment for them; overall, it was already quite good.

Yet neither Hao's mother nor Hao Manru showed any joy on their faces.

Many people came to attend the wedding. When Su Ruo and Song Jingyu arrived, they immediately drew everyone's attention. The wedding guests glanced at Su Ruo and Song Jingyu, then at Hao Manru and Wang Yi, their faces full of gossip.

Hao's mother's expression immediately darkened; she was clearly displeased with Su Ruo's group's arrival, but she couldn't lash out.

Hao Manru looked at Song Jingyu, her eyes filled with complex emotions. If she could, she wished Song Jingyu would take her away and tell her that the person he truly loved was actually her.

But upon seeing Su Ruo and Song Jingyu's arms linked, the light in Hao Manru's eyes instantly vanished.

Song Jingyu didn't like her and never would. This realization made Hao Manru's jealousy flare madly; she clenched her fingers tightly together, only after a long while did she calm herself. She told herself it was fine, as long as she could stay here and see him from time to time.

After today, no one would be able to drive her away from here. In the days to come, she believed Song Jingyu would one day love her and discover her goodness.

Wang Yi stared at his wife without blinking, his eyes flashing a sinister light at the sight of Song Jingyu, but he quickly concealed it.

The hall was crowded; for her daughter's first wedding, Hao's mother was reluctant to spare any expense.

Every table was laid with dried fruit and candy, four stacks per table—this was already a considerable gesture nowadays.

The adults chatted while cracking melon seeds, and the children were delighted because they had received their favorite candies, making the atmosphere lively.

But this harmonious, joyful scene was soon shattered by a harsh voice: "You little brat, whose child are you? How ill‑mannered you are, daring to snatch my grandson's candy."

Wang Yi's mother, Wu Xiue, angrily pointed at a five‑year‑old girl and scolded her. The girl stood there, wronged, eyes red but not daring to cry.

The girl's mother shielded her behind her, glaring angrily at Wu Xiue who was shouting abuse at her daughter, wanting to retort, but Wu Xiue was an elder, and Wang Yi's rank was higher than her husband's, so although angry she endured it.

The little girl hid behind her mother and said, aggrieved, "I didn't take his candy; that candy was mine first, he took it from me."

Wu Xiue immediately shouted back, "What are you! All the candy here today belongs to my family. You little lying girl, you still dare to want candy!"

The little girl, scolded by Wu Xiue, instantly burst into tears.

Behind Wu Xiue, Wang Yaozu, seeing his grandmother protecting him, made faces at the girl on one side and said on the other, "All this candy is mine. Dare to snatch it from me again, and I'll beat you to death, you lowly girl."

Wang Yaozu's grandmother didn't think her grandson was wrong; instead, she proudly stroked his head and said, "Good boy, you're right. All this candy is yours. Those low‑class wretches, worthless goods, don't deserve to eat candy."

Wang Yaozu, seeing his grandmother shielding him, grabbed another handful of candy and stuffed it into his upper‑pocket.

But he had already stuffed many before; his pocket couldn't hold more, and as soon as he moved, a few candies fell to the ground.

Although today Wu Xiue and her family were the hosts, the surrounding people looked down on the behavior of Wu Xiue and her grandson.

Seeing this, the girl's mother could no longer bear it, picked up her daughter and walked out, refusing to drink the wedding wine.

Hao's mother, Hao Manru, and Wang Yi also noticed the commotion over there; Hao's mother's face immediately sank.

She had long known Wang Yi's mother was not presentable, but she hadn't expected her to be so petty, ruining her dignity on such a joyous day.

All the effort she had poured into today's wedding—so much thought, money, energy, even calling in many favors—had been to make her daughter's once‑in‑a‑lifetime wedding dignified, but now it was all ruined by Wu Xiue.

Wang Yi instantly saw his mother‑in‑law's displeasure, and his own face looked terrible.

He had repeatedly warned his mother yesterday to just look after his son when she came today and do nothing else.

Yet he never imagined that his mother, who had promised yesterday to behave well, would today make him lose face in front of all the leaders and comrades.

It's just a few pieces of candy! If his son wanted them, he could easily afford them—why act so petty, embarrassing himself here? His mother‑in‑law already looked down on him, and now she looks down on him even more.

Although Wang Yi felt angry inside, he had to step forward and mediate; he couldn't let his mother ruin his wedding over a couple of candies.

Wang Yi stepped forward, smiling, and said, "Mom, what's wrong? It's just a couple of candies. Ya Ya wants them—give them to her. Today is a happy day; why quarrel with a child?"

Wu Xiue still wanted to say something, but upon meeting Wang Yi's warning gaze, she swallowed her words. Though she appeared fierce and wild on the surface, she still feared her only son deep down.

Seeing his mother silent, Wang Yi turned to Huang Sanni nearby and said, "My mother is old‑aged and sometimes muddled in her actions. I apologize to you here; please don't hold it against her."

After speaking, Wang Yi grabbed another handful of candy, handed it to Ya Ya, and said, "Ya Ya, just now it was Grandma who was wrong; please forgive her, okay?"

Ya Ya timidly looked at me, Wang Yi, and reached for the candy, her gaze seeking her mother's approval.

Huang Sanni had originally been furious seeing her innocent daughter bullied, but now seeing Wang Yi's sincere apology, she also couldn't bring herself to get angry again.

The situation had come to this point; leaving now would clearly be inappropriate. She forced a smile and said to her daughter, "Ya Ya, since this candy is from Uncle, just take it!"

Ya Ya then accepted the candy Wang Yi offered, whispering, "Thank you, Uncle."

The matter was thus settled, but the atmosphere was no longer as lively as before; both adults and children became somewhat restrained.