Chapter 147: Elders' Meeting Gift, a Great Favor

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"The fish is here, time to eat."

Aunt Da used the aluminum alloy kneading basin to fill a full basin of Sour Cabbage Fish Stewed with Bean Sprouts, carrying it out from the kitchen.

"Goodness, they're using a basin now."

Seeing this, Da Yifu happily picked up his bamboo clappers and stood up from his chair: "Today we're celebrating moving into a new home, with wine and fish, such a joyous day, we must have a performance..."

"Good!"

The juniors clapped enthusiastically and cheered loudly.

"Hahaha."

Da Yifu laughed loudly: "Since the children are so enthusiastic, I'll tell you a classic routine Guo Qiulin performed at the Spring Festival Gala—blowing hot air."

"Yay."

Xu Yi jumped up from his chair and cheered loudly.

"Children, listen well."

Da Yifu grinned from ear to ear, waving his bamboo clappers as he began his wonderful performance.

—

"Dang li ge dang, dang li ge dang..."

"There was a big old black man who loved to blow hot air; he was originally a small vendor, hawking fish everywhere, while others did business properly, but only he, to make money, just blew hot air..."

"He held a large scale and shouted selling fish: selling fish, selling fish..."

"My fish are yellow croakers from the East China Sea, delicious and fatty; old men who eat them become young, old women who eat them don't lose their teeth, dark-skinned people who eat them turn white, young ladies who eat them become more beautiful, come, come, come quickly, come late and there's no next time."

"Someone stepped forward to speak: Comrade, how much is your fish per jin?"

"Seeing business come, he blew more hot air: now selling cheap at three yuan, just now it was twenty, I sold two big piles."

"Twenty?"

"Yes!"

"This pile of three yuan we'll talk about later; you first pay tax on those two piles at twenty yuan per jin."

"Ah?! No way, comrade, what are you doing?"

"We're from the Tax Bureau."

"No, comrade, I was just blowing hot air just now, there are no two piles of fish at all, besides, since ancient times blowing hot air isn't taxed, if I knew it would be taxed, I wouldn't dare blow..."

—

"Hahaha."

The juniors were all amused by Da Yifu's expressive performance, clapping and cheering enthusiastically.

"You blow less hot air, eat the fish."

Aunt Da tapped the basin twice with her chopsticks, and the fragrant Sour Cabbage Fish Stewed with Bean Sprouts instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"So fragrant, let's eat fish."

Xu Yi was the youngest, with no concern, and reached out his hand first.

"Don't move your chopsticks yet..."

Da Yifu beat the clappers, setting the atmosphere: "Today moving into a new home is a good day; before raising a cup to celebrate, let Mom say a few words."

"I have nothing good to say..."

Grandma smiled and waved her hand: "As long as you're happy."

"Mom, you are the Head of the Family."

Da Yifu beat the clappers a few more times, accompanying himself: "Such a happy day, we must say a few words."

"That's right, Mom, say a few words."

Gu Moujie and her two younger brothers also smiled and urged her.

"Okay okay okay, I'll say..."

Grandma couldn't refuse and smiled in agreement.

"Why insist on speaking?"

Xu Yi wanted to eat fish, drooling, and muttered quietly to himself.

His muttering was a bit loud, and everyone at the table heard it.

"Xiao Yi, put down your chopsticks!"

Chen Xiulan couldn't stand her son's useless look and slapped the table in displeasure.

Xu Yi was startled, and under his mother's Death Stare, he had no choice but to submit.

"He's still young, doesn't understand things, why are you yelling at him..."

Grandma saw her little grandson looking at her expectantly, and couldn't help but soften her heart.

"He should understand things by now."

Chen Xiulan darkened her face, showing displeasure.

"Xiao Yi, listen to your mother."

On this joyous day, Grandma didn't want to ruin the atmosphere and didn't mind her daughter's talking back.

"I put them down already..."

Xu Yi put down his chopsticks with a wronged look, head bowed to listen to the lecture.

"Alright, alright, just put down the chopsticks."

Da Yifu smiled and smoothed things over: "Mom, go on."

"I'm truly happy we can move today."

Grandfather doted on his little grandson, eyes full of kindness: "Our family has lived on Donghua Street for decades. To be honest, before the demolition, I never thought I'd leave in this lifetime."

"Since the Municipal Government has plans, we move if we're told to move. Fortunately there's Xiyu, and little Bin—you two are the great contributors. Without you, our family couldn't live in such a good house. From now on, leave it to your Yifu and Uncle. Let them raise a cup to you."

——

"Good."

Hearing Grandfather's words, Da Yifu was like receiving an imperial edict, instantly energized: "Mom has spoken, little Bin. You can't refuse anymore. Tonight you must drink your fill—no drunk, no return."

"Fine."

Guben gave strong support: "Grandmother says drink, I must drink. Accompanying Yifu to drink heartily is my honor."

"Hahaha, little Bin still knows how to talk."

Da Yifu laughed even happier, directing Cousin to pour wine, filling it up for him.

"I have a premonition..."

Female Cousin crept close to Lin Xiyu's ear, whispering: "Seeing Dad this excited, he won't rest until he gets someone drunk. Guben probably won't go home tonight."

"Not going home won't do."

Lin Xiyu slightly furrowed her brows: "His Grandfather and Grandmother treasure him dearly. If he doesn't return past midnight, they'll come looking for him."

"That's even better."

Female Cousin laughed and teased: "No need to deliberately arrange time; the two families' Elders meet in advance."

"You're still in the mood to joke?"

Lin Xiyu was utterly speechless.

"He's not my Boyfriend anyway."

Female Cousin deliberately stimulated her, watching for fun: "What does it matter to me if he gets drunk? I'm kindly reminding you—if he really gets drunk, with your frail little body, you probably can't carry him. Do you need to find someone to help? Decide in advance, so you won't be at a loss late at night..."

"Thank you..."

Lin Xiyu rolled her eyes in her heart, glanced away and ignored her.

"Hehe."

Female Cousin achieved her goal, letting out a pleased laugh from her Throat.

——

A warm meal of Rice, eaten in harmony.

Da Yifu intended to ply him with wine, and Guben indeed drank too much, vomiting messily by the Moat.

"Let you show off, insisting on drinking, I advised you but you wouldn't listen..."

Lin Xiyu sent him home, heartbroken, scolding him in no good temper.

"I can't not drink..."

A cool night breeze blew, and Guben's wine had mostly worn off: "The engagement is coming soon. I dare not offend your Da Yifu at this critical moment."

"Grandfather said the two families' Elders should meet early rather than late. The day after tomorrow works, do you think it's okay?"

Lin Xiyu carefully supported him, afraid he'd stagger, slip, and fall into the river.

"Fine, it must be fine."

Guben leaned on her, almost all his weight pressing on her.

"Are your Grandfather and Grandmother free? Won't it be too sudden?"

Lin Xiyu, considering he was drunk, didn't argue with him.

"Won't be."

Guben's head was still fairly clear: "They've long been ready. My Dad and my brother might come too..."

"Your Dad is coming too?"

Lin Xiyu was slightly surprised.

"His son is getting engaged."

Guben took it for granted: "As his father, shouldn't he show up?"

"Uh."

Lin Xiyu laughed awkwardly: "I didn't mean that..."

"What are you thinking?"

Guben, emboldened by drink, wanted to tease her again: "Surely you haven't forgotten your childhood embarrassments?"

"I haven't..."

Lin Xiyu was both shy and annoyed, and shoved him hard.

"Ow..."

Guben was muddled by alcohol, slow to react, somewhat out of control. Lin Xiyu shoved him hard, he tilted, and with a splash, fell into the water.

"Ah?!"

Lin Xiyu's Heartbeat nearly stopped from fright. Without thinking, she jumped in too.

——

Under the night sky, the Moat's current was slow, the river water cool.

Guben seemed asleep, floating motionless on the surface, letting the current carry him away.

Lin Xiyu, by the dim moonlight, swam hard toward the center of the river.

The two gradually drew closer, and she reached out, wanting to grab his arm.

The person floating on the water suddenly turned over and hugged her, sinking beneath the surface.

Lin Xiyu was both angry and amused; just as she was about to push him away, warm lips pressed down, sealing her mouth.

—

"I'm the fool for actually jumping into the river to save you; I'll never trust you again..."

The two returned to the shore, and Lin Xiyu, both shy and annoyed, punched him several times hard.

"Worry leads to confusion."

Guben's antics had completely sobered him up; he took off his outer garment and wrung out the water hard.

"When did you learn to swim?"

Lin Xiyu was wearing a skirt and couldn't be as casual as he was; she glared at him again, not in a good mood.

"I grew up soaking in the Wangfu Pool..."

Guben deliberately misinterpreted her meaning: "You can, so I can't?"

"You're just doing this on purpose to make me angry."

Lin Xiyu removed her hairband, using her fingers to separate her dripping wet hair, hoping to let the night breeze dry it.

"That won't do..."

Guben glanced at her hair, his sword-like brows slightly furrowed: "It's autumn now, and the night wind is cool; I'll take you back first."

"Don't bother taking me back."

Lin Xiyu laughed helplessly: "Us going back and forth like this, we won't get home all night."

"I really wish the 9th would come soon..."

Guben reluctantly embraced her: "Once we're engaged, we can live together and won't have to torment each other like this anymore."

"What are you thinking?"

Lin Xiyu smiled and scolded: "I knew you had ulterior motives, which is why you're so eager to get engaged."

"Don't you want to?"

Guben used some force, pulling her even tighter.

Skin against skin, burning hot, Lin Xiyu's cheeks were also flushed red with heat.

"I guess, you want..."

Guben gave a teasing smile, lowered his head again, and kissed her soft, fragrant lips.

—

September 3rd, Minghu Building.

Chen Xiulan bought a new set of clothes for her daughter. Grandmother also changed into her treasured qipao on the day both families' elders met, dressing especially elegantly and appropriately.

To Guben's surprise, his relatives also attached great importance to the engagement.

Not only his grandparents, but his father and uncles, not a single one missing, all rushed back from all over the country.

When the relatives of both sides met, Lin Xiyu's grandmother and mother, facing the groom's large group of relatives, still didn't sigh too much, but Guben's grandfather exploded first.

Facing a family that was stealing the spotlight, the old man was furious and slammed the table on the spot: "Old Fu, what do you mean? What's a whole family doing butting in? Doing this on purpose to make me lose face, right?"

"Xiao Bin is my biological grandson; when the elders of both families meet, how could I not come?"

Fu Yeye was also stubborn; he rolled up his sleeves and provocatively challenged: "What's the matter, not convinced? Let's have another round."

"Wasn't it agreed with Xiao Bin that we'd hold separate banquets?"

Guben's grandfather, feeling he was in the wrong, his momentum weakened: "Why must you insist on butting in and letting outsiders laugh at us?"

Fu Yeye snorted contemptuously: "If we don't come, that's when outsiders will laugh at us."

"Exactly."

Fu Nainai was also unhappy and complained endlessly: "Is this how you handle things? It's one thing that Xiao Bin takes your surname, but not letting us attend the engagement and insisting on separate banquets—this isn't how you bully people. Do you think our Fu family has no one to back us and that we're easy to push around?"

"Who dares to bully you?"

Guben's grandfather looked at the five brothers opposite, who were eyeing them like tigers watching their prey, and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Alright, stop talking."

Guben's grandmother smiled and smoothed things over: "You're in the wrong on this; I said holding separate banquets wasn't proper, and you wouldn't listen. Now look, they've come to our door to block us."

"They're deliberately sabotaging me."

Guben's grandfather felt wronged: "Xiao Bin had no objection and agreed to hold separate banquets."

"It's my fault."

Guben didn't want things to get too stiff, so he took the blame for his grandfather: "I thought too simply and didn't consider Grandpa and Grandma's feelings."

"Xiyu, we've made you see a joke."

Fu Nainai kindly held Lin Xiyu's hand, her eyes full of kindness: "My husband and I came this time with a special gift for you."

"I'm just glad you can come."

Lin Xiyu was truly happy from the bottom of her heart to see Fu Yeye and Fu Nainai.

"You must accept this gift."

Fu Yeye provocatively glanced at Guben's grandfather: "Those Three Golds for the engagement are too vulgar; we don't care for them."

"Cough, cough."

Guben's grandfather was choked by him, and a mouthful of spit almost choked him.

"What gift? So mysterious?"

Guben smiled and smoothed things over: "Even I was kept in the dark; not a word was leaked."

"This was specially commissioned by Xiao Bin's father, who searched for a long time before finding it; it took a lot of effort."

While Fu Nainai spoke, she glanced at Guben's father, signaling him to take out the gift.

"Xiyu, come over here..."

Guben's father understood, smiling and waving at Lin Xiyu.

"Go."

Fu Nainai patted the back of her hand affectionately.

"Mm."

Lin Xiyu forcibly suppressed the excitement in her heart, and under everyone's scorching gazes, she took small steps over.

"Take a look."

Seeing her come closer, Guben's father took a brocade box from his pocket and opened it very solemnly: "Is this Military Merit Medal exactly the same as your father's from back then?"

"Yes."

The sight that met her eyes made Lin Xiyu widen her eyes in surprise, tears falling uncontrollably.

"This Military Merit Medal is given to you."

Guben's father's usually stern expression rarely softened, adding a hint of barely perceptible warmth: "Consider it our family's sentiment, as a betrothal gift for you and Little Bin."

"This... is too valuable..."

Besides excitement, Lin Xiyu felt a surge of unease.

The Military Merit Medal was too precious; she did not know if she had the fortune to bear such a great kindness for her.