They were concerned about hosting the engagement banquet and inviting guests because Meng Xinian, as the prospective grandson-in-law, would have to pour drinks and offer cigarettes to the elders, perhaps with onlookers coming to gawk. There might be gossip and criticism from the village women, their words possibly harsh, and they feared Meng Xinian might not be willing.
"Sure, my grandparents and uncle can decide," he said.
Unexpectedly, hearing this, Meng Xinian felt a secret thrill.
He had somewhat grasped the thoughts of that young girl, Chiang Xiao. Despite seeming acquiescent the night before, actually, she likely wanted to treat the engagement as just a charade, accepting only the superficial title of fiancée, to stave off rumors and act as a shield.
No doubt, she didn’t take their engagement seriously at all.
If she didn’t truly regard him as her fiancé, it’d be highly possible for her to fall for some "brother" or be spirited away by someone else.
Only by making her deeply aware that she was truly betrothed, had a fiancé, could he restrain her.
After all, she was still young, and the fanciful thoughts of a young girl can be quite troublesome. Right now, he couldn’t just charm her senseless with his good looks; it was all quite worrisome.
"You agree?" Chiang Songhai was taken aback by his swift response.
"I agree, let’s do it today. What else needs to be prepared? I’ll take care of it."
"No need, no need," Chiang Songhai hurriedly said, "But there is something else. Around here, once we hold an engagement party, it’s almost like being married. How should we inform your family?"
"No need to inform them, my grandfather will absolutely agree. After the banquet, I’ll just call him from the village."
"Grandpa, my mother passed away a long time ago. I have the final say in this matter; you needn’t worry." Meng Xinian sidestepped mentioning his father.
Chiang Songhai nodded, "Then, let’s do it."
Ge Liutao looked at Meng Xinian with some pity; he too was a child without a mother.
And so, everyone got busy.
Thus, when Chiang Xiao got out of bed and came out, she saw Ge Liutao actually cutting out the character for "happiness" from red paper!
On the table in the main hall, the things that Meng Xinian had brought were neatly stacked, each cushioned with red paper. She was still in a daze when she heard Liu Pei’s voice outside.
"Big sister, brother-in-law, are you already bustling around? I just heard from De Jun! This is truly a joyous occasion! Ah, if it weren’t for Xiao Tong’s condition, we would have waited for the ox cart and arrived earlier. What can we help with now?"
Ge Liutao nudged Chiang Xiao, "Little, go wash up, and then hurry on in. I’ll take your measurements for a new dress."
Chiang Xiao was completely stunned. What was happening?
She went to wash up in a daze and was pushed into the room by Ge Xiaotong, with Ge Liutao and Liu Pei also coming in.
Chiang Liutao approached her with a measuring tape in hand.
"The cloth you picked isn’t bad. Little looks good and has fair skin; she needs a bright and lovely piece of clothing." Liu Pei was beaming with excitement, holding a piece of pink fabric with light blue checks and spreading it on her bed. "I’ll drop everything and sew all morning; I should be able to finish the dress."
The fabric was also one of the items brought by Meng Xinian.
"Grandma, Aunt, what’s all this for? When can’t a dress be made?" Did they really need to rush it?
"Silly girl, you’re getting engaged today. Don’t you need a new dress? Alright, you’re still so young; you don’t understand these things yet. Stay inside today and do as you’re told, got it?" Liu Pei spoke to her with a warm smile.
Chiang Xiao’s eyes widened.
She had only agreed to pretend to be Meng Xinian’s fiancée!