"What are you doing?"

"Ah! Nothing!"

Xi Yiqian and Luu Qi guiltily lowered their heads. Xia Liang was somewhat baffled.

But on stage, the couple had already begun to exchange the ceremonial wedding cups. When this was all done, the main event began.

I remember the procedure, Kong Man thought. Boss, just watch me perform! Ambition gleamed in her eyes.

"Next," the host announced, "the newlyweds will offer a deep expression of gratitude to their parents by serving tea and formally addressing them as family."

Kong Man's parents hadn't come, so only Dai Yingyue was on the stage to represent the parents' side. At that moment, Dai Yingyue was extremely happy, grinning from ear to ear.

"First bow, to thank your parents for the gift of life. Second bow, to thank them for the gift of your upbringing. And a third bow, to wish them both health and longevity."

Following the host's instructions, Kong Man obediently did as she was told.

"Come! Serve the ceremonial tea to your new mother."

The best man dutifully brought over a cup of tea. As Kong Man carried the tea to Dai Yingyue, the male host leaned in.

"So, what should you call her now?" he asked, handing the microphone to Kong Man.

"..."

Silence.

Five seconds later, the host realized something was wrong. But, being a professional, he was quick on his feet. "It seems our bride is a little shy! Let's give her a round of enthusiastic applause to encourage her!"

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Xia Liang clapped along, but he knew Kong Man was about to make her move.

The microphone was passed back to Kong Man. Again, she remained silent.

The host was stunned. In all his time hosting weddings, he had never encountered a problem like this. Usually, any issues arose during the "I do's." Most of the drama, like someone objecting, happened then. How could there be a problem with the part where she's supposed to say 'Mom'?

At the side of the stage, Zheng He snapped out of his daze. He nudged Kong Man and whispered, "Manman, what are you doing? Hurry up and say it!"

Dai Yingyue was also getting anxious. What was happening now?

Although Zheng He's voice was soft, the groom was wearing a mic, so everyone present heard it. A confused murmur spread through the crowd.

"What's happened?"

"Why won't she say it?"

"She must be shy."

"Probably."

Only those who had been part of the groom's party to fetch the bride felt their hearts skip a beat. Not again... Is there another problem?

As if to confirm their suspicions, Kong Man finally spoke.

"You haven't given the renaming gift yet."

Her words were like a bomb dropped into a calm sea.

"So that's why she wouldn't say it! They haven't given the renaming gift yet."

"Even so, you shouldn't bring it up at a time like this."

"I think it's perfectly normal. Why should she call her 'Mom' if they haven't given the gift?"

"Exactly, that's the custom."

The hall erupted into a buzz of discussion. Dai Yingyue felt as if she'd swallowed a fly. She hadn't, in fact, prepared a renaming gift. All her money, including her pension, had been spent on holding the wedding at this high-end hotel. Her face turned shades of green and purple.

Zheng He grew anxious as well. "Manman, this is not the time to be stubborn. Everyone's watching. If you want the renaming gift, we'll give it to you later..."

After all, with everyone watching, they couldn't possibly take out the gift money they'd received and use it for this. They couldn't afford the loss of face; their family's reputation would be in tatters.

"I don't want it later," Kong Man declared. "If I don't get the renaming gift now, I won't say it, and I'm not getting married."

As she spoke, she yanked the ring from her finger and threw it on the ground.

"Manman! Manman!"

Witnessing this scene, the audience below was thrilled. Good heavens, the gift money they'd given for this wedding was totally worth it. Unexpectedly, such an explosive event was unfolding. Nearby waiters were already pulling out their phones to record, ready to post it on social media.

The entire stage was in chaos as everyone tried to reason with Kong Man. But she insisted on a renaming gift of an absurdly specific, paltry sum. Without it, she wouldn't say a word. No matter what they said, her mind was already on which bank she would deposit the pittance into once she received it.

Five minutes of persuasion had no effect. The male host was dumbfounded. Eventually, he turned to the groom's family.

"Why don't you just give her the renaming gift?"

Both Dai Yingyue and Zheng He's faces were still cycling through green and purple. They wanted to, but they had no money. What about using the gift money? Dai Yingyue wondered, but just then, her gaze drifted to Zheng Jin.

That's right! Her eyes lit up, and she stood and walked towards Zheng Jin.

Seeing this, Zheng Jin felt remarkably calm.

"Daughter," Dai Yingyue began, "do you still have any money?"

Looking at her mother's demeanor, Zheng Jin had completely given up hope. "I do. But I'm not giving you any."

As the crowd of relatives and friends looked over, Dai Yingyue felt her face flush with shame.

"What are you saying, you wretched girl?" she screeched, her voice growing louder. "I gave birth to you, I raised you! What's wrong with giving a little money for your brother's wedding?"

Her shouting attracted a crowd of onlookers. Zheng Jin knew exactly what was happening: her mother was trying to use their relatives to pressure her.

Sure enough, as the group surrounded her, they began their assault.

"It's true what they say: raise sons to provide for you in your old age."

"The old proverb is right, 'A married daughter is like spilled water.' Look at her, and she's not even married yet."

"Bullshit! My daughter isn't like that."

"That's right! A daughter is her father's little padded jacket, a source of warmth."

"Well, it looks like their padded jacket is full of holes."

If this had happened before, Zheng Jin might have buckled under the pressure and handed over the money. But now, she simply smirked coldly, folding her arms as she sat and watched Dai Yingyue's performance, completely ignoring the words of her relatives as if she couldn't hear them.

When her first trick failed, Dai Yingyue came up with another. She began to wail loudly.

"I can't go on! I can't live! To work so hard raising a daughter only for her to treat me like this! To see her own brother in need and do nothing! I'm worthless! Oh, Old Zheng, I'm coming to join you!"

As she spoke, she made a move to crash into a table, but the relatives nearby struggled to hold her back.

"This trick again?" Zheng Jin said coldly.

Her words angered the onlookers.

"What do you mean by that?"

"If you have the money, just hand it over! You're family, after all."

"Exactly! So heartless. Your mother is in this state, and you don't even care."

"You heartless, ungrateful wretch."

Even Zheng He, still on the stage, glared at Zheng Jin. "If anything happens to Mom, I'll make you pay!"

Hearing that, the fuse on Zheng Jin's explosive temper was finally lit.

BANG!

She snatched a plate from the table and smashed it down. Roaring at Zheng He, she screamed, "Come on! You said you'd make me pay, didn't you? Bring it on!"

Her ferocity stunned everyone into silence. Even Dai Yingyue forgot to cry.

Gazing at the crowd of relatives, Zheng Jin roared, "What do you people know? You call me ungrateful? Why don't you ask them what they treat me as?"

She slapped her chest, her voice filled with raw hysteria.

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