Chapter 321: Only Her

The Mu grandfather and Jiang grandfather sitting to the side saw how the two children got along, clinked tea cups, exchanged a smile, and the thoughts in their hearts were already mutually understood.

"Old Mu," the Jiang grandfather said, taking a sip of hot tea, his voice carrying the certainty of an elder, "This year has been lively and smooth."

Mu grandfather thought of Mu Xin and Grandmother Song's words, chuckled, "Yes."

Jiang grandfather then probed the bottom line, "In another two years we'll truly be in-laws, and it'll be even livelier then!"

Grandmother Song nodded repeatedly beside them, "Both children have grown up under our watch; together they are each other's blessing, and also a blessing for our two families."

Though not explicitly said, every elder present understood, and they all laughed in agreement, the atmosphere harmonious.

Shen Ningmu and Jiang Su sat at the side, hearing several core elders relax and voice their stance, their eyes instantly lit up.

The couple exchanged a quiet glance, each seeing the same calculation in the other's eyes.

After the New Year, pick a good day, prepare generous gifts, formally visit to propose, settle the children's matter completely, fulfilling the elders' wishes of both families.

When they reach a suitable age, hold an engagement banquet.

The brothers didn't respond.

Mu Youyu's small hand holding the red packet paused, and she involuntarily glanced up at her childhood friend beside her.

A few days ago, Grandmother gave her a preventive shot and asked if she was willing to be with A Jin for life.

Mu Youyu is so perceptive, how could she not understand Grandmother's implied meaning—

If she agrees, the two families will first privately settle the marriage, then hold a nationally watched engagement banquet when she comes of age.

Mu Youyu has been inseparable from Jiang Liangjin since childhood.

After returning to C Shi in May, over these six months of interaction she also understood her own feelings for him.

They are innocent childhood sweethearts, not sibling affection, so how could she be unwilling?

Jiang Liangjin caught her gaze and lightly placed his hand on the back of hers.

He had long known the elders' plan.

Mu Xin had already privately greeted him a few days ago, saying the elders intended to arrange the engagement, asking how he felt; he replied with just four words: "Only her."

On this side the younger generation each had their own thoughts, while on the other side servants had already begun serving breakfast.

The main table was laden with breakfast, mostly prepared according to Mu Youyu's taste.

Everyone took their seats in order; Mu Youyu was pulled by Grandfather Jiang to sit beside the main seat, with Jiang Liangjin on her left and Grandmother on her right—a proper central position.

The brothers of the Mu and Song families sat around the table in a circle, their gazes fixed in unison on the dishes.

Actually each was watching the little sister's movements, afraid she couldn't reach the food, afraid she'd get scalded, afraid she'd eat too little.

Mu Youyu eats little in the morning; after she finally drank half her porridge, one brother brought her another small bowl of porridge and also placed some vegetables on her plate, pushing it toward her.

Jiang Liangjin thoughtfully took a spoon.

Shen Ningmu silently gave his son a thumbs-up, smiling broadly, "A You, eat more, don't be shy, treat it like your own home!"

Mu Youyu silently put what she couldn't finish into Jiang Liangjin's bowl; he said nothing, expression unchanged, and finished it.

After finally finishing breakfast, everyone gathered and walked to the open space outside the courtyard.

The courtyard of the Jiang family's old residence is spacious; the open space outside has already been swept clean, and under the trees hung with red lanterns are arrayed various fireworks and firecrackers.

"Wow, let's play with sparklers!" Mu Youyu spotted the pink sparklers piled in the corner at a glance, grabbed Jiang Liangjin's hand and ran over.

Seeing the sister and Jiang Liangjin walking side by side, their figures leaning against each other.

Song Huaiyu finally couldn't hold back, stepped forward quickly, shoved his red packet into Jiang Liangjin's hand, and said awkwardly, "Hey, New Year's red packet, take it, and treat my sister better from now on."

Jiang Liangjin took the red packet, his fingertips pausing slightly, he lifted his eyes to face the brother before him, voice solemn: "I will."

Song Huaiyu said no more and turned to leave.

After Mu Youyu and Mu Xin were pulled away by Grandmother, Song LuXiao found a gap to intercept Jiang Liangjin.

Jiang Liangjin knew him, the brother who loved to tattle.

He asked, "Brother Song LuXiao, what's wrong?"

Song LuXiao didn't mind his form of address, glanced left and right, confirming that the surrounding elders and other brothers were chatting and laughing, no one paying attention here.

Then he lowered his voice and got straight to the point: "You and Youbao, how did you end up arguing?"

Jiang Liangjin froze for a moment, then realized he was asking about the year they split, that regret he never wanted to mention again in this life.

He lowered his eyelids and gave a rough explanation of what happened back then.

Song LuXiao frowned, "What An Family? In our Mu and Song circles, is there something that dares… to bully you?"

"Bankruptcy, completely vanished from C Shi." Jiang Liangjin said lightly.

"Did you do it?"

"No." Jiang Liangjin shook his head, "I only had someone take care of that woman."

The An Family was still handled by people sent by Mu Xianqi.

Song LuXiao's expression showed disdain, "You still haven't wiped out the An Family completely?"

Jiang Liangjin knew he was at fault, saying, "Sorry, I'll do it from now on."

Song LuXiao gave a soft "tsk," no longer dwelling on the past, took out a red packet from his pocket and shoved it firmly into his hand, voice stern: "Accept it. Our little treasure is still young and simple-minded; you need to know what you can and cannot do."

"Understood, thank you, Brother Song LuXiao." Jiang Liangjin smiled.

He had just put away the red packet when several footsteps sounded from behind.

Leading the way, Mu Nian strode over, bold and hearty, handing over an unwrapped black card, "Here, keep it up."

Mu Xi raised an eyebrow, "Hold onto it, always keep Youbao first."

Mu Yichen: "Received."

Mu Yichi also came over to hand him a red packet, "Remember to send one to Xinbao later; no matter what, he's younger than you."

Jiang Liangjin thanked each in turn and agreed.

Immediately after, Song Lujing walked over holding a tablet, with Song Huaixian following behind; the two exchanged a glance and then each produced a red packet to hand over.

Song Lujing's stance is clear: "Red packet in hand, Youbao is our family's bottom line; if you dare to betray her, I… oh no, my brother has plenty of ways to make you suffer."

Song Huaixian leaned nonchalantly against the pillar, shaking the red packet in his hand, "Don't listen to my brother's scary talk; as long as you treat Youbao well, we're on the same side—if you dare to change heart, you're done."

Song Huaiyu said nothing.

Song Yusui, smiling, walked up from behind, handing over his and his brother's red packets together, his tone bright: "Our A Jin will keep striving."

Lu Yuchu said concisely: "Watch yourself."

Song Yan hesitated a few seconds, took out his signed photo, "Forgot to prepare, here's my heart."

Several brothers looked at his signed photo in his hand, falling silent for a moment.

Lu Yuchu: "…Are you embarrassed?"

"Not embarrassed."

Jiang Liangjin didn't mind, reached out to take the signed photo, gave Song Yan a slight nod, "Thank you, Brother Yan, I'll keep it safe."

The juniors of the Jiang family saw him holding over ten red packets in his hand and were very envious.