Chapter 83: I Do Not Agree to Their Engagement

Voices drifted out from the private room in fits and starts.

Some were familiar, such as Si Mother, who had once treated him with gentleness and courtesy;

others were unfamiliar.

Upon hearing words like "engagement" and "auspicious date," Shen Lan widened his eyes in disbelief.

His entire body even began to stiffen.

Had Si Rong really decided to marry Jiang Cheng?

Had the Jiang Family parents actually agreed?

His heart felt nothing but extreme pain.

Just as he wanted to continue listening, an acquaintance passing by called out to him, "Bureau Chief Shen," and fearing that those inside the private room would discover him, Shen Lan fled in a panic.

But his mind was filled with only one thought: Si Rong was truly getting married, and from this day forward, he would be nothing more than an ex-husband.

Leaving Jin Lai Fu in a daze, it was only after walking a long distance that Shen Lan remembered he had forgotten about meeting that important person today; when he turned back, that important person had already left.

Inside the private room.

The Jiang Family and the Si Family were indeed discussing the engagement.

"February 16th is a good day," Jiang Mother asked Si Mother, "What do you think?"

It was already the end of January, and Si Mother had not expected the Jiang Family to be so solemn about it.

Getting engaged before marriage—it was rare for a groom's family to be like this for a second marriage, but it was also a good chance to let those people in the Shen Family see what a respectable family looked like.

"It is indeed a good day, let's set it for that date!"

Jiang Mother looked at Si Rong and then brought up the subject of the betrothal gifts.

"The betrothal gifts we have prepared for the children are 'one in ten thousand,' the 'three golds,' and 'one moving, one stationary.'"

In the mid-nineties, "one moving, one stationary" referred to a car and a house for the wedding.

But very few families could actually afford to bring that out.

For a second marriage, Si Mother had not intended to ask for betrothal gifts at all, leaving it entirely up to the Jiang Family's attitude.

She had not expected the Jiang Family to buy a car for the young couple.

"The jeep Aiguo drives is provided by the military; I heard Si Rong is taking her driving test, so when she passes, she can just go pick up a Santana."

Seeing the Jiang Family being so solemn, Si Mother immediately stated, "Then we will provide all the electrical appliances for the wedding home, let the children take all the betrothal gifts back, and in addition, we will provide ten thousand and a garden duplex."

The two families discussed things very harmoniously.

Of course, it was mainly Si Mother and Jiang Mother doing the discussing.

Jiang Aiguo smiled gently from time to time, then poured tea for his in-laws, upholding his wife's instructions before they left: speak less and do more.

But there was really no work for him to do in this restaurant.

He had no choice but to keep pouring tea.

And Si Father had also been given strict instructions by his wife before leaving: he must be patient with the in-laws and give them face.

Therefore, as soon as Jiang Aiguo poured tea, Si Father would drink it all in one gulp to show respect.

Before even touching his chopsticks, he was already nearly full from drinking.

Si Rong and Jiang Cheng were actually the most relaxed ones; the two sat together, speaking a few words every now and then.

Jiang Cheng saw Si Rong's hand resting on the edge of the chair, her fingernails pink and rounded, looking very beautiful.

His hand moved over quietly, a little bit, then a little bit more.

Finally, he was almost within reach.

But then he heard his father call out to Si Rong, "Si Rong, drink some tea."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Just a moment away, and that little hand turned to pick up the teacup instead.

Jiang Cheng glared fiercely at his father.

Jiang Aiguo:...

What did he do wrong?

At this moment, Si Father, having already drunk three cups of water, stood up, "I'm going to the restroom."

He really couldn't hold it anymore.

His in-laws were truly enthusiastic.

He stepped out and saw a white-haired old woman leaning on a cane standing at the door looking around, followed by a girl with braided hair; they seemed to be looking for someone.

"Do you know Jiang Aiguo?" the old woman asked him.

Si Father was stunned. Jiang Aiguo?

It sounded familiar; he remembered, it seemed to be his enthusiastic in-law.

"Who are you?"

"I'm his mother!"

The old woman had no teeth, so her speech was not very clear, but as soon as Si Father heard this, he opened the door to the private room.

He guessed in his heart that perhaps this old woman was also here to discuss her grandson's engagement.

Seeing her son and daughter-in-law in the private room, the old woman immediately rushed in, pointing at Jiang Aiguo and scolding, "You unfilial thing! Your grandson is getting engaged and you didn't call your mother?"

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

Jiang Aiguo was somewhat speechless to see his mother.

The old woman raised her cane, ready to hit him.

Jiang Mother hurriedly went to stop her, "Mom, we didn't mean to leave you out; Aiguo was just afraid you would be too tired. Come, sit down and rest!"

The old woman was helped to a seat by her and snorted, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking? You want to find a second..."

She could not finish what she was about to say before her daughter-in-law covered her mouth; Jiang's mother knew that her mother-in-law was overbearing and shrewish, and she certainly wouldn't say anything good.

Her son had finally agreed to get married after all these years, so she could not let this old hag ruin his marriage prospects.

She would just have to be unfilial today.

"Uh, Aiguo! Quick! Mom has a toothache! Take Mom to the hospital!"

Jiang's father also reacted, as he knew his mother's character all too well.

"Right! A toothache can't be delayed; I'll take Mom to the hospital to pull the tooth right now, you stay here and eat with the in-laws!"

As he spoke, he covered the old lady's mouth and carried her out of the private room.

Everyone:...

Jiang Laotaipo:...

Zhang Cuilan, who had come along with the old woman Jiang:...

When they were at home, Nainai said that she would never let her eldest grandson marry a woman who was divorced and unable to bear children, and that she would come today to have her engaged to Jiang Cheng directly.

She was a young widow from the village, with a son in tow.

She had originally come for the Jiang Family's good circumstances, but she hadn't expected Jiang Cheng to be so young and handsome.

She was willing!

But, the Jiang Family didn't seem to be playing by the rules.

She had thought that if Nainai ruined the engagement between the Jiang and Si families, she would be able to successfully take her place.

Anyway, Jiang Cheng was going to marry a divorcee, and she was also a divorcee, so what was the difference?

In the end, despite all her calculations, she hadn't counted on Nainai's combat effectiveness being so weak; she was dragged away before she could even finish a sentence.

And Jiang's father and mother were so rebellious and unfilial, it was simply shocking!

Now, being left behind all alone made her feel somewhat awkward.

"Brother Jiang Cheng, do you still recognize me?" Zhang Cuilan asked shyly, fiddling with the braided pigtails hanging over her shoulders with both hands.

Jiang's mother deftly took over the conversation, and with a single sentence, she made her doubt her own existence.