Chapter 19: Victory by Comparison!

Yi Zhonghai was fuming. This was the grand wedding he had painstakingly arranged for his disciple, Jia Dongxu, yet now all the attention had been stolen by that troublemaker Chen Shi!

But what was done was done. Gritting his teeth, Yi Zhonghai announced, “Leaders, please take your seats!”

Chen Shi chimed in cheerfully, “Yes, yes! Everyone, hurry and sit down!”

Silly Zhu grinned mischievously. “Hey, everyone, take a look—there’s a little secret at this table. Can you spot it?”

The Deaf Old Lady chuckled. “My dear great-grandson, I see it! Every other table has candied yams, but why does the newlyweds’ table have candied lotus seeds?”

Xu Damao feigned outrage. “Hey, what’s going on here? Even the food isn’t fair! Why don’t we get candied lotus seeds?”

Silly Zhu waved him off. “Buzz off, you rascal! The newlyweds get candied lotus seeds for a reason—lotus symbolizes continuous blessings and sons! What would you even do with them?”

Xu Damao shot back, “I’d grow yams!”

The whole table burst into laughter.

Chen Shi, holding Shen Youchu’s hand, began making rounds to toast every table. He had already notified all the neighbors, from Yan Bugui down to the last resident—whether their gifts were a few thousand yuan, a single scallion, a bowl of sauce, or a piece of floral fabric, Chen Shi accepted everything without hesitation.

After collecting the gifts, he even called out to Jia Dongxu, “Hey, Dongxu, what are you standing around for? Isn’t today your big day? Hurry up and start greeting your guests!”

Jia Dongxu snapped out of his daze, shooting Chen Shi a glare before dragging Qin Huairu along to toast the tables.

Director Yang, in high spirits, even officiated another round of blessings for Jia Dongxu—as if he hadn’t already done so earlier.

Once the toasts were done, Chen Shi pulled Shen Youchu back to their seats to dig into the feast.

And what a feast it was!

Before transmigrating, Chen Shi had attended countless weddings with ever-expanding guest lists and increasingly lavish menus—throwing around thousands for a banquet was nothing special. But what truly impressed him was the spread Silly Zhu had prepared for this wedding.

The pork was locally raised, naturally fed, and full of rich flavor. Every ingredient was fresh, organic, and free of pollution.

Chen Shi discreetly piled meat dishes onto Shen Youchu’s plate. “Eat up, wife. You need nourishment! But don’t overdo it—your stomach isn’t used to rich food yet. Too much grease might upset you.”

Shen Youchu’s face burned red as she hunched over her bowl, murmuring in a voice barely louder than a mosquito, “D-Don’t worry about me. You eat more!”

Then, despite the curious glances from others, she bravely picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in Chen Shi’s bowl.

The sight made Silly Zhu, Xu Damao, and Yan Jiecheng groan with envy.

“Ohhh, you eat first!”

“No, you eat first—!”

Xu Damao and Silly Zhu, cackling, leaned toward each other, mockingly mimicking Chen Shi and Shen Youchu’s exchange while waggling their eyebrows at him.

But who was Chen Shi?

A seasoned troublemaker of Beijing’s streets! Did they really think they could tease him?

Chen Shi picked up his bowl and chopsticks, clinking them together like cymbals as he chanted, “Xu Damao and He Yuzhu—get together! Get together! Get together!”

The kids of the courtyard—Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu, He Yushui, and Chen Maihua—immediately joined in, shouting, “Get together! Get together!”

The whole room erupted in laughter.

Silly Zhu and Xu Damao, sworn enemies since birth, turned beet red.

At this point, Xu Damao hadn’t yet developed his later cunning—he was only fourteen and still green.

Silly Zhu, though a tough seventeen-year-old, hadn’t yet mastered thick skin. Within moments, Chen Shi’s relentless chanting forced them into retreat.

“Hahaha! Young people these days—so full of energy!” Director Yang boomed. “Come on, everyone, eat and drink!”

Meanwhile, in a shadowy corner, Jia Dongxu’s face darkened.

This was supposed to be his wedding banquet! Yet now, that good-for-nothing Chen Shi had stolen the spotlight!

No—once the feast ended, he had to confront Chen Shi in the eastern courtyard!

Qin Huairu, sitting beside Jia Dongxu, glanced between Chen Shi and her husband with satisfaction.

She’d made the right choice. Chen Shi was far too unreliable!

Little did she know, Chen Shi now had one foot in the Ministry of Railways.

Besides, a marriage’s success didn’t just depend on the man—it also hinged on his family… and whether he’d live long enough to enjoy it.

After stirring up the banquet, Chen Shi emerged as the courtyard’s brightest star. To outsiders, it might as well have been his wedding—his gifts even doubled Jia Dongxu’s haul!

[Comparison Complete:

Chen Shi’s wedding scale vs. Jia Dongxu’s wedding scale—Victory!

Reward: 2 Comparison Points.].

Chen Shi’s eyes gleamed. His first comparison had earned him one point—this time, he’d gotten two!

Just seven more, and he could unlock his first prize draw.

What would he get?

Even without the draw, he could boost his attributes or skills.

With rewards secured, Chen Shi’s appetite soared. He devoured the feast with renewed gusto.

Once the banquet ended, the neighbors helped clean up. Yi Zhonghai directed most leftovers to the Jia family, distributing the rest among those who’d pitched in.

Auntie Jia’s heart ached at the sight, but she knew better than to hoard everything—after a full day of work, the helpers deserved their share. Refusing would ruin the family’s reputation.

Jia Dongxu, fuming, wanted to pick a fight with Chen Shi immediately.

But Qin Huairu held him back. “If you go now, you’ll only lose face again. Chen Shi already stole the show today. Why not ask your master if he can make Chen Shi share some costs? At least we’d recover something.”

Auntie Jia, arms laden with dishes, nodded. “She’s right. Dongxu, go talk to your master.”

Jia Dongxu hurried off.

Yi Zhonghai frowned. “Chen Shi did go too far today. Let’s go have a word.”

But as they approached the eastern courtyard, Chen Shi’s shouts and Old Chen’s roars spilled out:

“I’ll beat you to death, you unfilial brat! You’ve humiliated me! Who told you to pull that stunt?!”

“Damn, Dad—you’re really hitting me?! I’m your only son! Kill me, and you’ll have no heir!”

“I’d rather have no heir than let you disgrace us! Today was their wedding—not yours! Have you no shame?!”

Chen Shi whined, “Jia Dongxu and Yi Zhonghai were the ones who said I could toast with Shen Youchu to repay them for the camphorwood chests! Yi Zhonghai even prepared wedding candies for me! I just didn’t want to reject such a kind offer from such a respectable man!

Dad, stop hitting—Wife! Mom! HELP!”