On the third day, Mr. Qin put on brand-new clothes, along with Mr. Li, and including Li Jianqing, all setting out with two cars heading directly to the Lu Family, reminiscent of the traditional small engagements of the past.
The higher the seniority of those who came, the more it demonstrated the groom’s side’s regard for the bride’s side, with all items wrapped in bright red cloths – tobacco, liquor, food, fabrics, along with two pig hind legs, six large carps, and of course, jewelry, amounting to a huge pile.
Since it wasn’t an engagement party, after setting down the gifts, everyone chatted briefly for an hour and then returned.
After seeing off the guests, Mrs. Lu and her daughter-in-law sorted and arranged a table full of gifts.
Xi Yunmei was amazed; when she got married during difficult times, they simply had noodles together, and that was it, but look at her sister-in-law now, although it was said to be simple, look at all these items.
Mrs. Lu, seeing how much the groom’s side valued her daughter, felt much less dissatisfaction. She directed the maid to store the two pig hind legs in the fridge and cleaned and froze the fish. With both her sons gone, it was just their family left now, so all this food would have to be consumed slowly.
The stack of fabrics in the end especially pleased her heart: half of it wool, some dacron, and some cotton for underwear; such thoughtful consideration.
But Xi Yunmei was holding a box with her mouth gaping open in shock, and couldn’t help exclaiming when she saw her mother-in-law looking over, "Mom, look at this!"
Mrs. Lu took the box and was also wide-eyed with shock; such an array of jewelry treasures! The Qin Family was unexpectedly generous, such a surprising move!
Mr. Lu, who had been outside talking to his younger son, came in and, seeing his wife’s stunned face, walked over curiously, and was also caught off-guard.
In the end, Lu’s mother worriedly said, "Is this all right?"
Mr. Lu smiled and shook his head, "It’s fine, this is their appreciation for your daughter. I initially wasn’t pleased that Nana fell for that young man, but when I heard his brother was Qin Xi, I wavered. After meeting this young man, I found he wasn’t bad, a good match indeed. I didn’t expect the Qin Family has such discernment. Not bad, not bad."
Curious about her husband’s thoughts, Lu’s mother asked, "Why did you agree because of Qin Xi?"
With a good mood, Mr. Lu explained, "This Qin Xi had helped the Armed Forces Department capture spies back in Guanzhong, and was awarded for it. He later got into Capital University and even helped establish amendments for the Prosecutor’s Office while studying. Don’t you think he’s a talented person? Could he have prospects? Originally, I considered him for Nana, but that boy already had a partner and even got married right before the school started. Unfortunately, Nana missed out, which I regretted somewhat. But unexpectedly, two years later, Nana started dating his brother, which is also good. He surely won’t ignore his brother and sister-in-law."
Regarding his daughter, Mr. Lu never considered political alliances; his eldest son was married during difficult times unavoidably, but his daughter was the treasure in his palm, and he only hoped she would be happy.
Lu Anna, coming downstairs and hearing her father’s words, hurriedly said, "Dad, don’t mention your past fondness for Qin Xi anymore. If people heard about that, it would be so embarrassing." With that, she handed over a stack of papers she was holding.
Mr. Lu initially wanted to tease his daughter, but seeing that she was giving him something, he casually took it. Upon seeing the cover, he was stunned and immediately became very impressed after finding a mirror to read it more clearly.
Lu’s mother, disdainful of her husband’s womanly behavior, took what he was holding from his hand to look, and she too was stunned.
Xi Yunmei, holding a large box of jewelry, came over and handed it to her sister-in-law, then leaned next to her mother-in-law to see. The minor bitterness she had felt vanished the moment she saw what it was; she was beyond convinced.
It was a property deed, transferred just yesterday, showing a nearly two-thousand-square-meter courtyard with a two-story Western-style building; the house was registered under Qin Zhen.
It seemed the Qin Family had purchased this specifically for their youngest son’s marriage, showing their sincerity.
Mr. Lu, looking at his daughter studying the box of jewelry, spoke to his wife, "The Qin Family is good."
Lu’s mother nodded and responded, "Indeed, they really value our Nana. Qin Zhen is a tall and strong lad, looks promising."
Anna, holding a coral bracelet and pouting, wondered who had described Qin Zhen as crude and unrefined just yesterday, and how the tone had changed today.
Indeed, it couldn’t be said that parents love money; materials are a form of expression of how much one values another person. Having more doesn’t necessarily prove true love, but being stingy definitely can’t convince anyone of care, especially when marrying off a daughter. Which parent wouldn’t want their daughter to marry into better conditions, to at least not suffer in life?
Three days later, on February 26, ten days before the start of school, both families reserved a spot at Quanjude for an engagement banquet. No outsiders were invited; it was just a family dinner.
Lu Anna was two years older than Li Xianglu, and thus also two years older than Qin Zhen; she was already 22, with Qin Zhen just turning 20. So both families agreed that upon graduation, the couple should marry.
The issue of Qin Zhen’s school had already been resolved; he attended a military academy in Northeast and had processed his transfer. He needed to leave three days before school started, or he would be late.
Li Jianqing also left for school two days later, leaving the courtyard empty, just with Qin Xi’s couple and Mr. Li. The sudden quietness was a bit unbearable for the three, but someone visited the day before school started, immediately livening up the courtyard.