"I'm fine, really," Long Jinjing said in a hurry. Then she tugged Lu Zihao's hand. "Don't scold my sister. It's not her fault that I'm so clumsy."
Lu Zihao studied her for a few moments, checking if she was really unhurt, before finally nodding.
Iris also continued observing the two of them, a small smile playing on her lips. She didn't mind that her brother scolded her a little and was being protective of Long Jinjing. On the contrary, she found it very intriguing.
"What's going on here?" Jin Liwei's voice interrupted them when he arrived beside Iris. He wrapped his arm around her waist before looking at Lu Zihao.
"Nothing much, darling," Iris replied. "We were just making sure that Big Sister Jinjing is not hurt."
Jin Liwei nodded.
"We, ladies, are done with our bouquet toss. It's the men's turn now for the tossing of the garter. Get everyone ready, Liwei."
"Okay, love."
Iris, Long Jinjing and the other members of the girl squad all moved to the side. Yu Mo handed the video camera to Dom so that he could also record the garter toss.
"Come here, dear," Huang Yuyan called and patted at the empty space on the sofa beside her.
Iris headed straight to her mother-in-law. Huang Yuyan immediately gestured for the butler to pour Iris a fresh cup of hot ginger tea and some herbal snacks.
On the nearby sofa, Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui were sitting together. Lin Yehan handed Little Jun to them before joining the rest of the men for the garter toss.
Grandpa Lu's booming voice cheered for his own grandson. "Haohao my boy, Jinjing my girl successfully caught the bouquet so you have to catch the garter next! If you don't, then you're a good-for-nothing dunderhead! I don't have a grandson who's a good-for-nothing! Even if you have to teleport, you have to catch that garter! Are you hearing what your beloved grandpa is saying? Tell me, I want to know!"
"Yes, I hear you, old man," Lu Zihao replied.
"What did you call me, you pinheaded rascal?!"
"Grandpa."
"Hmph!" Grandpa Lu turned his head and looked at Long Jinjing. He beamed. "Don't worry, my girl! Haohao might be a pinhead sometimes but he'll keep his promise and catch that garter for you!"
Long Jinjing hid her face behind the huge, draping bouquet. She glared at her best friend who was sitting beside her.
Chen Fei pretended not to see her expression. To be honest, she wanted the bouquet because she liked to win but just as her hand was about to catch it, her eyes caught the scary glower of Grandpa Lu. The meaning of his look was very obvious. He didn't want her catching the bouquet but the person behind her. Not wanting to incur the displeasure of the old man, Chen Fei made the decision to withdraw at the last second and allow the bouquet to land on Long Jinjing's lap instead.
Grandpa Lu continued cheering for his grandson. His booming encouragements were bordering on threats but Lu Zihao didn't appear affected. Lu Zihao still looked casual as always, like a lazy panther who was about to take its afternoon nap.
"Quiet down, you old gorilla," Grandma Li scolded her friend. "Be fair and don't just cheer for one person."
Grandpa Lu didn't look happy but he still listened and became quiet.
Back to Jin Liwei and his groomsmen, they were all ready after finding their own spots.
"Let's make this more interesting," Jin Liwei announced all of a sudden. "Whoever catches this garter, I'll buy you something you want."
"Oooooooooh~" Dom's eyes began sparkling. "Sir boss, can I join the garter toss, too?"
"No. You already joined the bouquet toss so you're not eligible for the garter anymore."
Dom pouted but he didn't look dejected. He busied himself in capturing the moment on video.
Iris turned to Long Jinjing. "Since it's like this, I'll buy you something you want too, Big Sister."
"N-no, there's no need for that," Long Jinjing said.
"I insist. Please think of something by the time Liwei and I return from our honeymoon."
Long Jinjing was about to decline again but Chen Fei blocked her and answered Iris on her behalf. "She says yes. She's going to think of something when you return."
"Why did you say that?" Long Jinjing was miffed at her best friend.
"Xiulan is your sister. Since she gave you such a nice offer, then you shouldn't keep on rejecting her good will. If I was in your shoes, I would gladly accept it and request for a penthouse unit at one of her numerous Gold Heights properties. She's rich even without your new billionaire brother-in-law."
Long Jinjing opened her mouth and was about to argue but Chen Fei shushed her up because the garter toss was about to start. [This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you're not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It's very discouraging to see thieves profiting from my hard work. Please support the original author, ArriaCross. Thank you! Also follow me on Instagram @arriacross]
Yu Mo came over to Lu Zihao and patted his shoulder. "Sorry, Fifth Bro. I'm not personally interested in the garter but I want a new sports car for my collection. Third Bro will surely buy me a customized one if I catch the garter."
"Big Bro, if I say I want a property here at Dragon Palace Homes, can I get one?" Jin Chonglin asked.
Jin Liwei didn't bat an eye. "I can negotiate to buy out a property from the current owner. No problem. But first, you must catch the garter."
"Cool! The security here at Dragon Palace Homes is the best. That garter is mine!"
Although Lin Yehan and Wang Yingjie weren't saying anything, it was obvious from the look in their eyes that they were also gunning for the garter. They also had something that they want their third brother to buy for them.
It was only Lu Zihao whose expression didn't change even after hearing Jin Liwei's additional incentive. He wasn't even looking at the garter.
"Alright, are you ready?" Jin Liwei asked.
"Hell yeah! Send it flying straight to me, Third Bro!" Yu Mo went into a semi-lunge position.
"No, send it here, Big Bro! I'm your flesh and blood brother!" Jin Chonglin also went into a similar battle-ready position.