Chapter 524: Has he already reached the pinnacle of life?

Wu Yingwei was given special attention, and feeling good, he accidentally drank too much and quickly got drunk.

Mei Yueqin had planned to call Wu Ping for help, but that guy was also dragged into drinking by several people and couldn't get away; as for Wu An, she couldn't even find his shadow, so she had to call Li Juan for help.

The two of them supported Wu Yingwei and went back to the house to rest.

Someone saw the situation and couldn't resist teasing a couple of sentences; Li Juan spoke righteously: "My son follows A An to make big money; helping a bit is nothing—I'd be happy to serve the Wu family as an ox or horse."

Mei Yueqin also gave those gossiping old women a few glances.

The look was unfriendly.

Under Mei Yueqin's gaze, those old women didn't dare say harsher words; of course, behind their backs they surely wouldn't refrain from gossiping.

There was nothing to be done.

In front of the widow's door, there's no shortage of gossip.

Moreover, Li Juan raised A Qing all by herself; the uncles not only didn't help, they were even worse than outsiders, often bullying this orphaned widow and child; in the village, Li Juan and A Qing's life was especially hard, making them among the poorest in the village.

Now A Qing follows Wu An to make big money; the new house has already been built, and many in the village envy them.

This is it.

The people gathered around Wu An all wanted to work on his boat; before he even agreed, they started discussing pay, saying things like they're from his village and should be looked after—just nonsense.

This isn't even the worst; the most outrageous was still trying to set Wu An up with a match right in front of Gu Anran.

Wu An refused.

They still clung to him, urging Wu An to try more, just in case they found a better match.

Originally, Gu Anran had loose hair, wore plain clothes, her face mostly hidden by strands; she didn't speak, just silently poured tea for Wu An, and by his side she was like a transparent person.

So, no one paid much attention to her.

Hearing the matchmakers say more and more outrageous things, she took an unopened disposable chopstick, pulled out one, then raised her fair, slender hands, her fingers deftly twisting her long hair up.

Soon she coiled her hair into a neat bun and fixed it with the chopstick as a hairpin.

Then she swept a wisp of front bangs behind her ear, slightly lifted her head; today it was overcast, scattered sunlight fell, shining on her exquisite face.

In an instant.

The chatter at the wine table suddenly hushed; everyone seemed to hit pause, staring blankly at Gu Anran.

The woman in view had bright eyes, a hint of cold composure, long lashes, translucent skin; beneath her refined nose bridge, her lips slightly pursed, revealing gentleness and beauty; Gu Anran took Wu An's hand, stood, raised a cup, and said: "I and A An offer a toast to everyone."

"I can't hold my liquor; A An needs to look after me."

"Please enjoy your food and drink; please excuse any shortcomings."

Having spoken poised and generously, she drank, then pulled Wu An away from the table.

When Gu Anran stood up, everyone then noticed she wore a red qipao, tailored properly, outlining a woman's most graceful figure; as she moved, she displayed elegance and poise.

Even after Wu An and Gu Anran had gone inside, the people at the wine table remained dazed for a long time.

"Who is that?"

"Who else could it be? A An's fiancée, the Gu family from the neighboring village."

"Is… is that the girl who lost her parents, often goes out to gather seafood and sets up stalls in town?"

"Exactly, exactly."

"I used to see her occasionally at the docks; I never thought she was that pretty."

"She must be wearing makeup now."

"Auntie Yinxiang, don't be jealous—your daughter could get plastic surgery and still not look that lovely; she lacks the foundation, it just wouldn't work."

"Nonsense!"

"Alright, alright, come eat the wedding feast, don't make a fuss—this kid A An has reached the pinnacle of life, truly enviable."

They went back inside.

Gu Anran sat down, fuming.

Wu An asked: "Are you jealous?"

Gu Anran snorted: "Yeah, I'm jealous—so many people want to set you up on dates; it's only natural I'd feel jealous."

Wu An laughed loudly: "Reasonable."

"But now that you've shown your face, none of them will come looking for me anymore."

Gu Anran looked at him: "You still seem a bit regretful?"

Wu An nodded: "Yeah, pretty regretful."

Gu Anran was so angry she wanted to punch him with her little fists.

Wu An continued: "My wife is so beautiful; I originally planned to keep her hidden until the wedding day to stun everyone."

"Today she was exposed early."

"It feels like the surprise was spoiled ahead of time—do you think that's regrettable or not?"

Upon hearing that, Gu Anran's little fists dropped, Wu An seized the chance to hold them, smiling, and said: "It feels like the surprise was spoiled ahead of time—do you think that's regrettable or not?"

Gu Anran smiled, brows relaxed: "What's there to regret?"

"I don't want to show it to others either."

Wu An: "So you only want me to see it?"

Gu Anran blushed and nodded.

The banquet lasted past three in the afternoon mainly because that table of drunks dragged things out; the other tables had already eaten their fill and left, yet those drunks stubbornly drank another hour.

Wu An wasn't in a hurry either; there was enough alcohol.

Seeing them drink with gusto, he also joined in for several rounds.

These drunks, young and old, regardless of age, are outsiders in the village, disliked by everyone; but Wu An thinks they live freely, spending their whole lives at ease, having fun, and drinking to their heart's content.

As long as one doesn't do wicked deeds, nobody can control anybody.

A An, you are this.

Over the years, eating banquets, I feel most at ease eating at your home.

If anything comes up later, just let me know.

If anyone gossips about you, I'll help you scold them.

Wu An watched them sway as they left their seats; when they walked away, each slipped him a pack of cigarettes.

Wu Ping frowned: 'A An, don't take seriously what these drunk people say.'

Wu An smiled: 'I know.'

Big brother, these small favors aren't anything.

Don't worry, I invest; I definitely won't lose money, the return is absolutely off the charts.

Wu Ping didn't really understand.

……

Evening.

The weather forecast said the weather would change; Wu An called Lao Fu Tou, asking him to take the boat out tonight to refuel, and if nothing unexpected happened, they could go out to sea tomorrow.

Lao Fu Tou asked: 'How much should we add?'

Wu An said: 'Of course we fill it up.'

Lao Fu Tou said: 'A An, how many days do you plan to stay out at sea?'

Wu An thought: 'Three or four days, maybe.'

Actually, staying a week at sea would also work, but it's unnecessary.

Why?

Because if the hold fills with catch, he has to come back; if he keeps working and after three or four days still hasn't filled the hold, then his bragging would be unfounded.

This is just his personal thought; actually, sea weather is unpredictable, and if the weather worsens, he'd have to return.

Lao Fu Tou said: 'Good weather only lasts about four or five days.'

Then let's add fifteen tons.

Five days will definitely be enough.

If we fill it up, the load would be too heavy, which would also be wasteful.

Wu An acknowledged; in this matter Lao Fu Tou has the final say, so listening to him is right.

One ton is 4000, so fifteen tons is sixty thousand.

He had Lao Fu Tou contact A Qing; as previously agreed, A Qing would pay for the fuel, which conveniently let A Qing come along.

Don't ask whether A Qing is willing.

If he isn't willing, Wu An could go to his door and kick him to death.

One kick isn't enough, then two kicks.