"One dollar." Lin An's stunning clarification made his guests lower their mouths and turn their heads as if they could feel the burning embarrassment for Director Chu on their faces. This man even had the audacity to guess one billion dollars just now!
Hearing the crowds murmur around him, Director Chu repeatedly glared at those who laughed at him. Like a broken dance doll that only recited specific lyrics, his neck shook in the same direction as he muttered "One dollar..one dollar..."
As if his image hadn't plummet enough, his legs weakened and body lost its balance. For some reason, he spread his arms as if he had expected that people from behind would reach out to prevent the fall from happening.
Bam
Another miscalculation added to his brainless humiliation. The puddle of liquor he had spilled earlier became his butt's leaning cushion to the fall and splattered flat like a water balloon. His pants were stained dark with the liquid's rapid spread.
Seeing the unmoving figure on the floor, nobody stepped forward to help him up. Instead, they returned his earlier glares and despised him. At this moment, Director Chu felt tinier than a particle of dust; even a spit of saliva could drown him in shame.
Hearing Director Chu's repetitive words, Lin An's smile broke as he parted his lips to speak. "Director Chu, are you that happy about the extra ninety-nine cents bonus I chipped in? Your performance for the night deserved the well-earned one cent. The other ninety-nine cents I added was a bonus for all the liquor you've wasted."
"How is this meaningful to you? What's the benefit of making a joke out me? You bastard! You knew I needed investments and yet you still played me!" Director Chu gritted his teeth while his nails dug into the soaked carpet.
"That's not the way to thank your investor. Since you needed investments, I did chip in. Like I said, I will contribute a dollar. In fact, I can give it to you right now before we sign the contract. I'm even thinking about the resources for your company." Lin An rubbed Yao Yao's shoulder with his thumb as comfort for her sufferings from earlier.
Seeing Yao Yao smiling beside him, he could finally sigh in relief. "As for whether what I've done was meaningful, don't you know it best? Director Chu, should I remind you how polite my son was when he offered you the opportunity to present to our family's Lily half an hour ago? You've looked down on our family's Lily and my wife."
"Who was it that said talking to our Lily would be downgrading themselves? Who was it that challenged my wife's authority at my party like a big shot? Since you eagerly wanted an investor and were unwilling to accept my son's offer, I can only step up as the head of the household. Was there anything wrong with what I've done?"
If this wasn't a grand party with many reputable guests staring at them, Lily would've clapped like tomorrow wouldn't come. This man is sharp! Peeking at his girlfriend's reaction, Lin Que decided to say some words as well.
Rotating his body towards Director Chu's direction, Lin Que stuffed one hand to his pocket. "Director Chu, don't look at nor blame anyone for your faults tonight. If you didn't bark wildly at my girlfriend and mother earlier, perhaps you would've gotten one or two investors already from this party. Ah, sorry, I've said the wrong words."
"Even if you did find the one or two investors, they'll opt out of it because of your dishonesty. The proposal you've presented was exactly word for word read from the document. You have a lot of learning to do when it comes to catching preys for your pyramid scheme."
"You should feel grateful for the dollar my father said he would contribute to you. If it was me, forget about even receiving a cent. You'll be considered lucky if you don't get thrown out for those foul words you've spat out earlier."
Director Chu's face looked as if he had drank five bottles of whiskey. Before he could get up by himself, four waiters came through the crowd and carried him away. When he felt arms holding his limbs as if he was a sand bag, he struggled to break free.
He screamed, "You guys are choosing useless women over a profitable business! You'll regret it!"
Hugging Lily in his arms, Lin Que said, "Businesses come and go, but a wife-qualify girlfriend is rare to find. Anyways, Director Chu would never understand this joy as money comes before everything. Also, the term 'profitable business' doesn't fit your way of business. You should change it while you can."
The crowd quickly dissolved after the troublemaker was gone from their sights. Liveliness in the party also resumed. Lawrence, Toby, Ginny and Lucas approached the trio right after everyone went back to enjoying the occasion.
Lawrence laughed, "Like father, like son. You've raised up a good son."
Hearing his compliment, Yao Yao returned the favor. "Lily is also very great. She defended me when that hooligan from earlier insulted me. If my son doesn't protect his girlfriend in front of me, I will be the first to teach him a lesson."
Toby jumped into the conversation and said, "Haha, she got that temper from me. She could stay quiet at any insults thrown at her, but wouldn't let anyone around her suffer the tiniest bit."
Lawrence looked at Lily's cherry blossom cheeks and smiled at the rare expression on her face. It was difficult to tease his daughter on anything in the past! "Oh, right. Lin Que, you are also a qualified-husband boyfriend."
Lily almost choked on the piece of fruit when she heard her father's comment. Lin An stood up while holding two glasses of liquor, "Old Jiang, maybe we will have a larger occasion coming up in the future with our two families. What do you think?"
When he said that, he specifically eyed the young couple on the other side of the table. Lin Que stared at his father and then at Lily. As if he understood his father's intentions, he quickly held Lily's hand with a wide smile on his face.
Once Lily's eyes met Lin Que's, her cheeks grew a few shades darker in red. "I..I..ran out of fruits. I'm getting some more."
"I'll go with you." Helping her up from the seat, the couple left their parents to talk amongst themselves.
Before the couple left hurriedly to get fruits, Lawrence answered, "I'll let the young ones give us the good news when it comes our way."
Ginny and Lucas also snuck away from their parent's talk.
Lucas: "Why are you walking away?"
Ginny: "If they continue, I think they will talk about having grandchildren."
Lucas: "Same. I don't want to be the center of attention. Luckily, Lily and my brother are dating. Spare me from their talk."
Ginny nodded, "Lucky their attention were elsewhere."
Meanwhile, Lily was trying to figure out words to say to Lin Que. He was focused on putting fruits on the plate. When he noticed her small peeks from the side, he turned to her. "Something you want to say?"
"T..thank you for earlier." She said it in such a low volume that he almost wanted to lean his ears to her lips.
"Oh. No need to thank me. You are wife quality. I'm just telling the truth." With a grin on his face, he continued stacking fruits on the plate. He knew she was thanking him for something else, but didn't let this teasing opportunity slip away.
After getting two full plates of fruits, Lin Que cleared his throat. "So..what about me?"
"You what?"
"What do you think of me as a boyfriend? Am I husband material yet?"
"I..I don't know."
"Oh? Then sounds like I need to work harder." He wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked back to their table.
Meanwhile... in Lily's mind: 'Husband material? More like the King of husbands! But I won't tell you. Nope. Nope. Nada.'