According to the customs of the countryside, the engagement ceremony is held at the woman’s home, while the wedding ceremony is held at the man’s home.
Even though the engagement takes place at the woman’s house, everything from the menu to the drinks is prepared by the man’s side, even a small snack needs to be provided by the man.
He Ximei called on quite a few helpers to assist with preparing the meals and washing dishes.
Wu Wenli sat in her room, her face flush with shyness.
For her, Su Peng was a good man, worthy of her lifelong commitment.
"Xiaofeng," Wu Wenli sat there, unsure where to place her hands, "I’m surprised your brother agreed to get engaged with me first."
"My brother must have fallen for you, seeing your good qualities, so he’s eager to bring you home," Xiaofeng helped with the arrangements, "besides, my brother also needs to have a sense of crisis, right? You’re so popular now, what if someone else steals you away?"
"I only have your brother in my heart, no matter how outstanding other men are, they can’t catch my eye."
"You can say my brother has the fool’s fortune of encountering you."
"Your brother’s not foolish now."
"Right, he’s not foolish now, he’s being smart, knowing to act first and strongly."
"Stop it, always making fun of people." Wu Wenli’s face grew even redder at Xiaofeng’s words.
Xiaofeng knew by looking at Wu Wenli’s shy demeanor that she truly liked her elder brother, and Xiaofeng was really happy for him for finding a woman he liked.
"Oh my, it sure is lively." Xiaofeng stepped out the door and immediately heard some unfamiliar voices outside.
Today was the engagement day for both parties, and those who came were the most important relatives from both sides, so unfamiliar faces weren’t unusual.
Wenli’s mother saw the visitors, and her face fell, "Why have you come? I don’t recall informing you."
"You’re my own daughter; as a grandmother, I naturally need to come over and share in the joy," the group, two men and two women, came in with an air of displeasure, clearly up to no good.
Wenli’s mother, upon hearing their words, merely smiled faintly, "I thought we had no relation anymore. Didn’t you say to act as if you never had this daughter? What, did you hear I was getting my daughter married and rushed over for a red envelope? Have you no shame?"
Turns out, Wenli’s mother was given away as a child by her own mother and was subsequently ignored by her.
Ironically, when she got married, this "mother" suddenly appeared, demanding to split the bride price with her adoptive family.
The adoptive mother, not wishing to argue, gave her half of the bride price.
Now that she was getting her own daughter married, this woman showed up again.
"Axiu," the elderly lady sighed, "you really misunderstand me. We truly came only to offer our blessings. As for the red envelope, does mother look like someone desperate for money?"
She had made sure to find out that the man Wenli was marrying came from a wealthy family, belonged to a good household, and that his family owned a factory. If she could forge a connection with him, the advantages in the future would be numerous.
Upon hearing the voice, Wu Wenli walked out from inside and sneered at the sight of the visitors, "I wondered who it might be, and it’s you. Mom, since they’re here, we have no reason not to host them properly. Just let them sit down, we’re not short on a few bowls and chopsticks." Today was her engagement day, and Wu Wenli didn’t want to spoil the mood because of them.
Wenli’s mother thought about it and agreed, today was Wenli’s big happy day. If a dispute arose, what would the man’s side think of Wenli, she said with a cold snort, "Since you’ve come, enjoy a good meal. We have plenty of food in our house."
The visitors seemed to know better and sat down at a table without causing further issues.
"Wenli has great taste in men, just look how handsome this young man is." The elderly lady looked at the vigorous Su Peng with approval, attempting to strike up a conversation, but Su Peng paid little attention to them.
Seeing them trying to talk to Su Peng, Wenli immediately came over and led Su Peng away, which infuriated the old lady.
Now that you’ve grown up and become successful, haven’t you?
"Don’t pay attention to them, and don’t deal with them in the future." Wu Wenli told Su Peng, "Just treat them like strangers."
Su Peng was a bit puzzled, "She said she is your grandmother."
"So what if she is? My only grandmother is her," Wu Wenli pointed to a short elderly lady at the adjacent table, "she’s the one who raised my mother from childhood."
Su Peng nodded, "I understand your feelings."
He himself had deep understanding of such behavior of giving birth without taking responsibility.