Zhou Cheng looked at Ye Xin in awe, swearing he had never seen such a beautiful woman. Those long legs, that figure, that face—she was a hundred times prettier than any internet celebrity or movie star!
He felt like he was falling in love at first sight!
"Excuse me!" Zhou Cheng stepped past Yang Chen and approached Ye Xin, asking, "Is this Yang Chen's wedding banquet venue?"
"That's right." A trace of disgust flashed in Ye Xin's eyes.
Yang Chen leaned close to Chen Siyan, whispering, "Little sister, why does this guy seem familiar?"
"Did you forget?" Chen Siyan whispered back, "He used to be particularly fat and bullied the kids at our orphanage. His name was Zhou Dazhuang, remember now?"
"Oh, oh, oh! So it's him. Didn't I hear he went abroad to study?"
"Well, he's back now!"
...
While they whispered on the side, Zhou Cheng was doing everything he could to make a good impression in front of Ye Xin.
"Thank you. Are you here for the wedding banquet too?"
"Yes!"
"What a coincidence! Here's my business card. My name is Zhou Cheng, and I'm the General Manager at Huicheng Trading. I hope we have a chance to sit down for a drink sometime."
Yang Chen couldn't stand it any longer. This guy dared to hit on his wife—he was asking for it!
He rushed over, grabbing Ye Xin's hand, and said, "Wife, the wedding banquet is about to start. Let's go inside!"
With that, Yang Chen led Ye Xin inside.
Chen Siyan also stuck out her tongue at Zhou Cheng and hurried to catch up.
Zhou Cheng was dumbfounded because he clearly heard Yang Chen call Ye Xin 'wife.' Could it be that this wedding banquet was for the two of them?
"Yang Chen!" Zhou Cheng clenched his fists, his voice low and mixed with anger, "You used to compete with me when we were kids. Do you think you can still win against me now?"
Zhou Cheng snorted coldly and strode inside.
Because they were old customers and had been neighbors for so many years, the boss was very kind and specially arranged a hall, set up three tables, and provided two boxes of good wine, with two main dishes on each table.
Qin Zhiyuan was very happy. This group of old friends was very considerate and gave much face, and each of them gave a nice red envelope.
As the food was served and everyone was seated, these old men and women laughed happily while looking at Yang Chen.
Qin Zhiyuan said, "Xiaochen, you've been gone for eight years. Stand up and say a few words to all the grandpas and grandmas."
"Okay!"
Yang Chen stood up with his wine glass and said to everyone, "I have impressions of all the grandpas and grandmas here. You could say you watched me grow up, and every step of my growth has had your witness. The reason I am able to be who I am today is thanks to your care. For all the grandpas and grandmas, what I hold in my heart is a feeling of gratitude, gratitude that heaven let me meet you. People may go through painful experiences, but heaven will always compensate you in another way. You are the compensation heaven gave me, thank you!"
After speaking, Yang Chen downed his drink in one go.
Several old men praised, saying, "This kid is something now, he's got a way with words!"
"Well said!"
"Good job!"
Yang Chen poured himself another glass and said, "Originally, my wife and I weren't planning to hold a wedding banquet because she doesn't have relatives here, and neither do I. But I didn't expect that in Ningchuan, I would have so many relatives. Thank you all!"
Ye Xin also stood up and said to everyone, "Thank you all for making our wedding complete!"
The two of them raised their glasses together.
Everyone applauded, this display of husband and wife unity was very fitting, making people feel the two were truly well-matched.
Yang Chen had another solo drink, three glasses in, it was quite on point.
Grandpa Yang on the side praised, "Xiaochen has really grown up, it's been a few years, and he's so good with words and deeds now!"
Yang Chen smiled at Grandpa Yang and said, "Grandpa Yang, are your orchids still being cared for?"
"Of course, I am! Do you like them? If you do, I'll give you a few pots. I'm not bragging, but in all of Ningchuan, you won't find anyone who grows better orchids than I do!"
Looking at Grandpa Yang's childish demeanor, Yang Chen couldn't help but smile and flatter, "Indeed, how many years have you been growing them! I've seen so many orchids outside over the years, none are as good as yours!"
Hearing this, Grandpa Yang laughed heartily.
Zhou Cheng snorted coldly on the side and said, "Yang Chen, weren't you off to be a guard? How come you're back?"
Yang Chen smiled slightly, "I can't stay with the Guard forever. I've retired from there."
"Oh, so what are you doing now?"
Yang Chen thought for a moment and said, "I just found a job today, working as a bodyguard."
"A bodyguard, huh?" Zhou Cheng felt more disdain and asked, "How much can someone pay you?"
"Not much!" Yang Chen took a bite of food, unwilling to say more.
"Being a bodyguard is exhausting. The housing prices in our Ningchuan have risen to fifteen thousand now, can you even buy half a square meter in a month?" Zhou Cheng said unabashedly.
Yang Chen said nothing.
"How about this, our company is still looking for a warehouse manager in the foreign trade department. I'll arrange for you to go there, earning six to seven thousand a month is no problem!" Zhou Cheng said with a superior tone.
Several elders nodded at once.
"Five to six thousand a month is not low!"
"A freshly graduated college student only earns two to three thousand yuan working outside."
"Xiaochen doesn't have a degree, he can consider working for Zhou Cheng!"
"Zhou Cheng truly has skills, going abroad to study and coming back to become the general manager right away."
"It's thanks to the good upbringing of the Zhou family."
...
"No need." Yang Chen said, "Being a bodyguard is pretty good, and I've already promised the person. I'm someone who values promises."
"Promises mean nothing," Zhou Cheng snorted coldly, "In today's business world, who isn't scheming against each other, stabbing you in the back now and then? Take my advice, how much can you earn as a bodyguard? Don't let your wife suffer and go hungry with you. Come work for me, at least I can guarantee you a meal!"
Ye Xin snorted coldly, her pretty face frosty, and said coldly, "That's unnecessary. We aren't at the point of starving. Although being a bodyguard can't compare to you glamorous high-end white-collar workers, we can also earn money."
Zhou Cheng laughed, "Beauty, don't be foolish. What kind of future can being a bodyguard have? How much can you earn in a month?"
"Sorry!" Ye Xin sneered, "My husband doesn't take a monthly salary. It's an annual salary, one million, already paid in advance!"
"What?" Zhou Cheng's face shifted; he couldn't believe it.
The other elders were also shocked, not expecting Yang Chen to be so capable, earning a million right after returning.
"Really? Does being a bodyguard pay so well now?"
"Yes, isn't being a bodyguard like being a security guard? One guards the gate, the other guards people?"
"One million a year, that's ten thousand a month!"
The elders were amazed, all praising Yang Chen for his ability.
Ye Xin naturally clung to Yang Chen's arm, appearing blissful, which made others envious.
Zhou Cheng clenched his fists, unable to stand their affection, and snorted, "A bodyguard earning a million a year? What a joke! You can't even boast properly! What is a million? My base annual salary is one hundred and fifty thousand, plus year-end bonuses, usually three to five million, it's quite normal!"