Chapter 81: The Heart Changes in an Instant

Father Si: ……

Did he agree to let this brat marry his daughter?

He remembered clearly that he hadn't agreed yet.

Could it be that he was drunk again?

Father Si looked at the wine glass in front of him, feeling somewhat puzzled.

But he hadn't even started drinking yet.

Si Han and the second sister-in-law, Tian Chang, both burst into laughter at the same time.

"Well, there's no need to be in such a rush; my dad hasn't even given you the 'change-of-address' money yet," Si Han teased.

Jiang Cheng was incredibly embarrassed, his earlobes quickly flushing red.

"Uncle, what do you mean by sincerity?"

As long as the Si Family brought it up, he would definitely strive to fulfill it.

"Do your parents know you came to propose today?"

Mother Si gently patted Father Si's leg to signal him to shut up, so she could speak herself.

He wasn't hitting the mark.

There were plenty of ways to express sincerity; if she didn't make it clear, how would a man who had never been married understand anything?

Besides, Jiang Cheng's conditions were indeed good, and their daughter was willing; if they made things difficult for him now, what if he held a grudge and made things difficult for their daughter later?

Jiang Cheng nodded, "My parents know. They originally wanted to come together, but they were worried that the whole family showing up abruptly would be too intrusive, so they booked a table at Jin Ding Fu for tomorrow noon and would like to invite you to dinner."

Mother Si nodded; the Jiang Family was quite tactful.

Sure enough, some in-laws are different from others.

By comparison, that old hag from the Shen Family seemed truly awful.

Back when their daughter married into that family, never mind the lack of a dowry, that old hag even had her eyes on their daughter's personal dowry.

All these years, it was as if she couldn't see their daughter's contributions to the household at all, only feeling that her son was capable for being able to marry a daughter of the Si Family.

Heh, now that he has left the protection of the Si Family, let's see how much capability her son really has left.

Since they were taking the initiative to invite them to a restaurant, the Jiang Family likely wanted to discuss the marriage.

"My Rongrong has been spoiled by me since she was little; she speaks without thinking. If she marries into your family later and has conflicts with your parents, what will you do?"

Her question was selfish, but when it comes to their children, every mother is selfish.

Since ancient times, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have been natural enemies, especially since her daughter was infertile, which greatly increased the probability of such conflicts.

For instance, that old hag from the Shen Family used to curse her daughter behind her back as an 'old hen that couldn't lay eggs,' which Wang Ma had overheard several times.

It is better to say the ugly things upfront; having a solution ready is better than panicking and seeking help blindly when the trouble actually arises later.

"Auntie, this is what I've thought: I've prepared two marital homes. One is at my family's place, and the other is at the Junshuyuan. The military assigned me a small courtyard by the sea. After Rongrong marries me, she can live wherever she likes more."

The main thing was that his family hadn't divided the household yet.

In Huaiyang, in their situation, the whole family lived together.

Mother Si was satisfied with this answer.

"That's good; you've considered things very thoroughly." He hadn't said he would make his wife completely obey his parents, nor had he said he would ignore them; his character was still quite good.

Living separately is better. 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder, proximity breeds contempt'—that is the truth of it.

"Then let's eat! We can discuss the specific wedding date in detail tomorrow after we meet your parents."

Mother Si made the final decision.

Her sister-in-law was right; it was hard to find someone with such conditions.

Just based on what her second daughter-in-law told her—that Jiang Cheng had already put his entire savings of over 200,000 and several property deeds into their daughter's hands—Jiang Cheng had already surpassed the vast majority of men.

The men ate and drank.

Originally, Si Han thought he could get Jiang Cheng drunk within three cups, but he didn't expect this guy to have a good tolerance for alcohol.

He gave his eldest brother a wink, then got up and went to the kitchen to pour some vinegar to sober up.

He returned to the dining table only after drinking it.

Si Rong twitched her nose, "Hmm? Where is this strong smell of vinegar coming from?"

Si Han: ……

Her little sister's nose really should belong to a dog! Why is she a dragon?

"It's the vinegar in the dish," he lied without changing his expression, "Li Sao made this sweet and sour pork tenderloin, so there must be a vinegar smell."

Si Rong: ……

Very well, the moment her second brother spoke, she identified the source of the vinegar smell.

Her second brother drank vinegar before drinking alcohol; he was truly cunning.

Sure enough, soon, under the offensive of the two Si brothers, Jiang Cheng began to look drunk.

His cheeks were flushed, and the corners of his lips were curled up as if he were smiling foolishly and unconsciously.

"Jiang Cheng? Are you drunk?"

Si Han asked.

"No! I am not drunk!"

Jiang Cheng immediately denied it.

Everyone: ……

"Well, Jiang Cheng, I can tell you aren't drunk. Are we good brothers?" Si Han coaxed.

Jiang Cheng loosened his collar with one hand, his exposed Adam's apple flushed with a faint red.

He nodded.

"Then if a good brother asks you something, must you answer honestly?" Si Han led him step by step into his trap.

Jiang Cheng nodded obediently again, then pointed blankly at his own head, "I am a soldier, I don't lie!"

Li Sao held Si Rong's arm and laughed uncontrollably.

She whispered in her ear, "This guy actually likes to smile when he's drunk."

Si Rong felt that Jiang Cheng was a bit cute.

Like a little fool being bullied by her second brother.

This thought in the bottom of her heart startled Si Rong slightly; how could she have such a thought?

Could it be that before even marrying Jiang Cheng, her elbows were already turning outward?

Soon, the question her second brother asked left Si Rong with no mind to think about other things.

"Jiang Cheng, all these years, besides my little sister, have you ever wanted to marry any other woman?"

After all, he was at such an age; while it was said he hadn't married for so many years, Jiang Cheng hadn't been in Huaiyang before.

If the little sister married him and some woman or child popped up later, how troublesome that would be.

Jiang Cheng's head swayed slightly in the air, as if struggling to resist the drunkenness, "No, no, all these years, I have only wanted to marry Rongrong..."

As his voice trailed off, he leaned back against the chair and passed out completely.

"Quick, Li Sao, brew some hangover soup," Mother Si instructed calmly, "Eldest and Second, help Jiang Cheng to the guest room to rest."

It was the first time Si Rong had seen Jiang Cheng like this.

"Little sister, I think this man is not bad," Tian Chang said, crossing her arms, "He's worth marrying!"

The eldest sister-in-law also nodded, "Truth comes out after drinking; men like to brag when they are drunk, so if he says he only wants to marry you, it must be his true inner thought."

"How romantic," Tian Chang wanted to remarry again at this moment.

Another day of envying the little sister.

Marrying a man who is full of you in his heart and eyes, how could one not be happy?

And how could life be the same no matter who you spend it with?

Si Rong felt a bit sweet inside, but the hurt she suffered in her previous marriage constantly reminded her that a woman must remain vigilant at all times.

The love is real, but a sincere heart changes in an instant.