[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-696":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","1987: My Era",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259856,4409,"Chapter 696: Betrothal, Criticism","1987-my-era-chapter-696",696,"\u003Cp>A Sihe Academy and four apartments in Changshi—this was a truly grand gesture, leaving Jiang Yue stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, she quietly told her husband Song Shi the news, and he too fell silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her husband silently smoking, Jiang Yue said: “If only Li Heng weren’t so fickle—this son-in-law… sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Shi flicked ash with his pinky: “Hard. As our little sister said, even if Li Heng stays home and never steps out, women will still come to him on their own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The couple looked at each other, both understanding one fact: no matter which man, if he held Li Heng’s current status and wealth, it would be nearly impossible for him to have only one woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Xila Hutong, Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e had never been here before; after touring the three-court courtyard, Tian Run’e asked her son: “Manzai, have you had this Sihe Academy renovated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The furniture and ornaments in this Sihe Academy were even better than those in the old Li family home in Gulou, no wonder she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng replied: “I bought these Sihe Academy through Teacher Yu, and she helped me decorate them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning Teacher Yu, the elderly couple fell silent. Song Yu and her family were still in the house; saying too much might slip up and be overheard, which would be bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief wash and rest, at just after five in the afternoon, both families went shopping for ingredients to prepare dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Li Heng had wanted to take everyone out to eat, but Song Yu said cooking at home created better atmosphere and strengthened family bonds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone agreed with this suggestion, so they went to the market, bought some ingredients, and returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting sun shone golden across the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both families sat together on stone benches beneath the grape arbor, picking and washing vegetables while chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They began with everyday topics: customs in Yueyang and Shaoyang, fishing stories from Dongting Lake, amusing childhood memories of their children. Since both families were here to build goodwill, the conversation flowed warmly and the atmosphere was excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They prepared twelve dishes in total, filling the entire table—a symbol of perpetual prosperity, an excellent omen in their hometown customs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the male head of the Li family, Li Jianguo stood up and poured wine for Song Shi and Jiang Yue—Moutai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Shi and Jiang Yue didn’t refuse, smiling as Li Jianguo poured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pouring, Li Jianguo and his wife stood, raised their cups, and toasted Song Shi and Jiang Yue: “In-laws, this is our first drink at home—insufficient as a gesture, but thank you for coming to Beijing amid your busy schedules for Li Heng and Yu Bao’s sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Shi and Jiang Yue also stood, all four clinked cups, then took a small sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking, they sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Jiang Yue seized the opportunity to say: “Since we’re talking about Xiao Heng and Yu Bao, Jianguo, Run’e, I have something I’m not sure whether I should say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e put down their chopsticks, sat up straight, and looked at Jiang Yue. Tian Run’e spoke gently: “Today we sit at this table as one family; if you have something to say, say it plainly. If we can do it or make it happen, we won’t hesitate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their sincere attitude, Jiang Yue no longer held back. She first turned to Li Heng: “Xiao Heng, do you truly love our Yu Bao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng reached out and took Song Yu’s hand: “Truly love her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue nodded with a smile, then turned again to Tian Run’e and her husband: “Run’e, I won’t hide it from you. Because Xiao Heng has come to Dongting Lake several times, not only have our hometown folks learned he’s Yu Bao’s fiancé, but even several of my sisters-in-law’s workplaces are spreading this news. This is, of course, a wonderful thing, and our whole family agrees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I have one request.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, everyone present was no fool—they all sensed Jiang Yue’s next words were crucial, directly determining the future of Li Heng and Song Yu’s relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Run’e and Li Jianguo exchanged glances; the former maintained her gentle demeanor: “In-law, speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue scanned the room, her gaze finally settling on her daughter, and said seriously: “Song Shi and I have only one daughter. We’ve cherished her since birth. She’s been ambitious, got into Peking University, and chosen a partner as rare as a once-in-a-century gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, Xiao Heng said he truly loves our Yu Bao. Song Shi and I came to Beijing for one reason: if the two of you remain together, we hope Xiao Heng will marry Yu Bao openly, legally, and obtain a marriage certificate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Core meaning: marry Yu Bao openly, obtain a marriage certificate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew this was coming—Tian Run’e and Li Jianguo glanced at each other again, then turned to look at Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue and Song Shi also looked at Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lan looked at Li Heng too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Song Yu sat composedly in her seat, eyes fixed on her wine cup, calm and serene. They say true gold fears no fire—this was Li Heng’s test, but she trusted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Li Heng did not disappoint her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without making anyone wait long, Li Heng squeezed Song Yu’s hand firmly, gazing at her tenderly: “I am more than willing to marry Song Yu—not just marry her, but hold a traditional Chinese wedding, a grand ceremony, so everyone can bless us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng wasn’t speaking blindly; in his past life, Song Yu loved watching short videos of traditional Chinese weddings. Though she’d never mentioned “marriage” to him, deep down she longed for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he catered to her wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of everyone, the calmness vanished from Song Yu’s eyes, replaced entirely by tender joy. Her red lips parted gently: “Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the young couple so perfectly matched, Tian Run’e happily chimed in, declaring to Song Shi and Jiang Yue: “Such a wonderful daughter—we the Li family won’t be uncouth. When the time comes, we’ll marry Yu Bao in with eight bearers and a grand procession.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue breathed a silent sigh of relief, exchanged a glance with her husband, nodded with a smile, then raised her cup to toast Tian Run’e and Li Jianguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the elders finished drinking, Li Heng stood, poured wine, and pulled Song Yu to face Jiang Yue and Song Shi: “Dad, Mom, Song Yu and I toast you—thank you for raising Yu Bao all these years. Please rest assured, I’ll take good care of her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden change in address stunned Jiang Yue and Song Shi. After drinking with the young couple, they rushed to the bedroom to prepare two red envelopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng and Song Yu accepted the envelopes and said: “Thank you, Mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, they poured wine again and turned to Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e: “Dad, Mom, Song Yu and I toast you—drink up, then give the daughter-in-law her red envelope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu, for the first time, blushed and spoke: “Dad, Mom, I toast you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, thank you, Yu Bao!” Being toasted by such a beautiful daughter-in-law, Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e felt overwhelmed with delight, their smiles stretching wide, nearly reaching their foreheads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all four drank, Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e, as expected, pulled out two large red envelopes—each containing 1200 yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu accepted both envelopes: “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Run’e patted Song Yu’s hand and smiled: “Wishing you happiness, fulfillment, and a lifetime together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu smiled again and thanked them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lan watched all this, thinking: Now you treat Song Yu like a treasure—wait until those other women come along, and you’ll have headaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meal was effectively a betrothal banquet; both families ate joyfully, and by the end, Li Jianguo and Song Shi were slightly drunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue helped her husband to the bedroom, closed the door, and whispered: “I’ve finally resolved my greatest worry—Li Heng didn’t let me down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Shi sat heavily on the edge of the bed, lit a cigarette, and smiled without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue asked: “Why are you just smiling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Shi said: “If Yu Bao is happy, I’m happy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not be happy? He was a complete daughter Nu —everything he did was for his wife and daughter. Tonight, his daughter smiled throughout the entire meal—a rare sight indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1412,"2026-06-19T15:27:37.732Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","db55246fdb05b5d9ba1e3f4ba97bd93dcf321aabcf8ce768a2687d286b9dd803","1987-my-era-chapter-697","1987-my-era-chapter-695",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]