Chapter 148

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Take it."

Guben took it for her, deliberately setting the mood: "My dad doesn't make a move lightly, but when he does, it's a nuclear bomb. This time he really stunned even me. This engagement gift suits me perfectly — as expected, the one who understands their son best is still his own biological father."

"So you know your biological father is good now?"

Gu's father darkened his face again and scolded irritably: "Engagement is such an important matter and you dare decide it on your own? If your elder brother hadn't told me, I still wouldn't know. The engagement banquet must be held separately."

"Eldest Brother's mouth is too fast."

Guben was rarely embarrassed: "I just said it casually, it wasn't finalized yet, and he went and told you guys first."

"Still dare to talk back."

Gu's father glared, about to scold, but was interrupted by Fu Nainai.

"Alright, say a few words less. The in-laws are here, the brat isn't here for a moment, don't let people see a joke."

"Little Bin's dad looks like a soldier at a glance, has dignity, can hold down the scene."

Lin Xiyu's mother Chen Xiulan, seeing the Fu family valued her daughter so much, also felt favorable toward Gu's father, willing to speak nice words, praising him.

"Let the in-law mother see a joke."

Guben's mother wasn't present, so Gu's father had to face the in-laws himself and exchange pleasantries: "This stinky brat of mine, unlike his brother, was mischievous from childhood. Give him a little good face and he'll climb on the roof and tear off the tiles. If he dares to bully Xiyu in the future, you tell me, I'll teach him a lesson."

"Little Bin is a good child, studies well, character is also good. Our Xiyu having such a good match is her blessing."

Chen Xiulan knew perfectly well in her heart; the other party scolding their own son is fine, but if she also joined in criticizing, that would be unlikeable.

"Xiyu is also very excellent."

Gu's father was indeed very happy hearing this, rarely looked at Guben with a pleasing eye, and didn't scold him again.

"Since we're all very satisfied, we can proceed to the next step."

Grandfather Gu seized the opportunity to speak, snatching back the initiative: "Regarding the betrothal gift and the engagement banquet, do you have any requests? Let's take this opportunity to discuss."

"The betrothal gift, Little Bin already......."

Chen Xiulan just wanted to decline, saying it had already been given, but was interrupted by a light cough.

"The matter of the betrothal gift, I've already told Auntie......"

Guben pretended to cough, giving Chen Xiulan a meaningful look.

"Oh oh, right......"

Although Chen Xiulan didn't understand what he meant, she still followed his words and continued: "Little Bin told me, we have no objections. As for the dowry, I've also prepared it, wait until the two of them get the marriage certificate, then give it to them."

"Gu Lao, what are you dawdling for?"

Fu Yeye couldn't wait, urging hurriedly: "Hurry up, bring out the betrothal gift, let us also see your sincerity."

"We naturally have also prepared it."

Grandfather Gu at this moment was truly very glad he had prepared a double portion of betrothal gift, and didn't lose face in front of the Fu family.

Grandmother Gu and her old partner cooperated with tacit understanding, taking out the brocade box containing the betrothal gift in front of everyone.

A pair of gold bracelets with dragon and phoenix auspiciousness, a pair of gold rings inlaid with jade egg faces, a pair of gold necklaces with novel styles.

The jade egg faces were imperial green, looking deep green and luminous under the lights, exceptionally eye-catching.

"The rings are not bad."

Fu Nainai commented fairly: "Pity the bracelets are hollow, the weight isn't quite enough."

Grandfather Gu's mouth twitched: "It's not handcuffs, what do you need it so heavy for?"

"Hmph, the way you talk......"

Fu Nainai considered her own family's betrothal gift to have extraordinary significance, held the upper hand, and was quite proud: "The betrothal gift represents sincerity, heavy weight means valuable. But no matter how expensive yours is, it can't compare to my old man's sincerity. This time, our Old Fu won."

"Mhm mhm."

Fu Yeye listened pleasantly, nodding very proudly.

"You're cheating."

Grandfather Gu was choked with anger: "Who sends a Military Merit Medal as a betrothal gift? You're deliberately dismantling my platform, wanting to see my joke."

"Grandfather, Grandpa......"

Guben feared the two elders would speak more and more stiffly, making it hard to end the scene, and had to jump out again to play peacemaker: "Let's stop at the betrothal gift. Let's discuss the engagement banquet. Originally I wanted to hold it at Minghu Building, but now it seems the number of people is a bit many, the hall here isn't that big, can't accommodate that many people."

"Then let's set it at Dongfang Building."

Gu's father spoke at the right time, giving his suggestion: "Dongfang Building was completed last year, 25 floors total, is a newly completed landmark building in JN City. The second floor banquet hall area is very large, enough to accommodate several hundred people, setting up a few dozen tables is no problem."

"A few dozen tables?"

Guben was rarely shocked: "Need to entertain that many people?"

Fu Yeye took it for granted: "You are the first in the Fu family's grandson generation to get engaged, naturally it should be more lively. Invite all relatives and friends......"

"That doesn't need that many people, right?"

Guben subconsciously glanced at Grandfather.

Grandfather is paying for the engagement banquet; he suspected ten thousand times that Grandfather was deliberately setting up Grandfather to fall into a pit, which is why he wanted to entertain that many people.

"Cough cough."

The next second, as he predicted, Grandfather Gu's mouth corners couldn't help but twitch a few times again, using a cough to cover the embarrassment.

"Let's do it at Dongfang Building then."

Grandmother Gu spoke up for her old partner: "The Gu family also has people coming from Jingcheng this time. Little Bin's Sixth Granduncle, that is Lao Gu's sixth younger brother, will come personally. And coming with him are also a few paternal cousins of the same generation as Little Bin."

"Gu Jianye is coming in person?"

Upon hearing that Grandfather's sixth brother would be coming, Fu Yeye's complexion improved somewhat.

The most weighty person of the Gu Family appearing in person shows how much the Gu Family values Guben.

He, this paternal grandfather, was also genuinely happy for his grandson.

"Sixth Brother has already booked the tickets, the 8th at 1 PM, a direct flight from BJ to Jinan."

When Grandfather Gu mentioned Sixth Brother, his confidence was also sufficient, his back straightened, and his aura instantly became different.

Fu Yeye nodded: "Jianye is coming, I'll accompany him for two cups."

Fu Nainai gave him a sidelong glance: "You forgot your health is poor, you haven't touched alcohol for many years."

"It's a rare occasion for joy."

Fu Yeye had the intention to pave the way for his descendants: "Jianye coming in person shows he values Xiao Bin; as the grandfather, how could I not make a gesture? For the sake of Xiao Bin's future, this cup of wine must be drunk."

"Whether you drink or not isn't important."

Grandfather Gu finally caught the opportunity to mock him: "Sixth Brother is coming for my sake; I'll accompany him to drink to his heart's content, that's enough."

"Hey, Gu Lao, you're becoming more and more backward with age, you can't even speak polite words anymore?"

Fu Yeye's old face darkened, and he wanted to retort again.

"Stop!"

Guben stopped them in time, making a pause gesture: "Since my dad said Dongfang Building is good, then let's set it at Dongfang Building. Later I'll discuss with Eldest Brother specifically how many people to invite. There's no time to write invitations, we'll notify by phone call..."

"Done."

"I have no opinion."

Fu Yeye and Grandfather Gu rarely agreed, both nodding simultaneously.

"Maternal Grandmother, Auntie, what do you think?"

Guben was thoughtful and meticulous, turning his head again to look at Lin Xiyu's Maternal Grandmother and mother, soliciting their opinions.

"Fine."

"Okay."

Maternal Grandmother and Chen Xiulan had been unable to get a word in, watching a good show for free, only finding a bit of presence at this moment.

"Then it's decided. I'll tell the manager of Minghu Building right now to cancel the original reservation and change it to Dongfang Building."

Guben was full of initiative; while speaking, he strode out with his long legs, walking out of the private room in a few steps.

——

"Xiyu, do you like the Military Merit Medal? This is what your Fu Yeye racked his brains and spent no small amount of brain cells thinking of, the most suitable betrothal gift for you."

Once Guben went out, the Gu and Fu families started another round of contention.

This time the contending parties became Fu Nainai and Grandmother Gu.

"I like it."

Facing Fu Nainai's deliberate showing off, Lin Xiyu hadn't even had time to express thanks before she was pulled away by Grandmother Gu.

"This set of jewelry is the latest style this year, especially favored by young girls. Xiyu, quickly put it on, let your Maternal Grandmother and your mom see if it's suitable."

"Sure."

Lin Xiyu didn't want to refuse her face; in front of everyone, she put on the full set of necklace, bracelets, and rings.

Her skin was delicate, a cool white; even slightly tacky gold jewelry could set off a dazzling sense of fashion.

"Look, how good Xiyu looks wearing it."

Grandmother Gu was so happy she couldn't close her mouth; the more she looked, the more she found the clear-minded, obedient, and sensible future granddaughter-in-law pleasing to the eye.

"The significance of the Military Merit Medal cannot be compared by these tacky things."

Fu Nainai couldn't stand her showing off, letting out a disdainful breath from her nose.

"Gold jewelry can add luster; even if it's a bit tacky, it lets people see its value at a glance."

Grandmother Gu wasn't one to be trifled with either, immediately retorting: "Unlike the Military Merit Medal, people who don't know the inside story can't understand its value, and it even needs special explanation..."

"Whether others care or not isn't important; as long as Xiyu cares, that's enough."

Fu Nainai was unconvinced and argued back again.

"Xiyu is a sensible child; the sincerity of both our families, she will remember in her heart."

Grandmother Gu was high-spirited and also unwilling to show weakness.

The two went back and forth, neither willing to concede.

Fu Yeye and Grandfather Gu rarely had the same mind; both chose to stay out of it, not meddling in the women's struggle, silently lowering their eyelids, feigning deafness and muteness.

The others were even more so; the private room fell into an eerie silence, only able to hear the two contending with each other, their voices becoming increasingly sharp and piercing.

——

Qinglong Back Street.

"Those two families, they really let us see something."

The elders' meeting ended, Chen Xiulan returned home, still smiling so much she couldn't close her mouth: "I thought Guben's Maternal Grandfather was once a big Leader, he'd definitely be very serious and hard to get along with. Turns out he's just an old mischievous child, half a catty eight taels with his grandfather, both quite amusing; thinking about it makes me want to laugh."

"That's because they didn't reveal their true natures; you think they're really that stupid, tearing at each other and mocking each other in front of the in-laws."

Maternal Grandmother, old and crafty, had a different view: "What we see is what they want us to see. People who can sit in those positions are not simple lamps; they definitely have unknown sides."

"That's true..."

Chen Xiulan, accustomed to listening to her mother, agreed with a smile: "Mother sees clearly; I was just busy laughing and didn't think that much."

Maternal Grandmother carefully instructed: "Xiyu is getting engaged; you should also calculate how many people our family will invite, and give Xiao Bin a heads-up early."

"Our family only has these people, right?"

Chen Xiulan blurted out: "Eldest Sister's family, plus Third Brother and his wife, at most add one more child."

"Her former homeroom teacher, her close classmates, friends, and Auntie Hu who taught her paper-cutting..."

Grandma smiled and reminded her: "You must think of everyone who should be thought of; don't let people gossip about Xiyu, saying she doesn't know proper etiquette."

"Right, how did I forget about this."

Chen Xiulan slapped her forehead, feeling extremely annoyed: "Xiyu has a good friend named Wu Meng, and her high school homeroom teacher, Teacher Jia, who took great care of her. For such a happy occasion as the engagement, we really should inform them."

"Think a bit more about who else needs to be invited; write it down as soon as you think of someone."

Grandma was feeling a bit tired; she rubbed her brow: "Today is the 3rd, there's still time until the 9th, no rush. Go back and think it over slowly."

"Okay."

Chen Xiulan heard her elderly mother's hint to leave and didn't want to disturb her further: "Mom, you rest first. I'll go back upstairs."

"Go on, go on."

Grandma lay down on the bed and closed her eyes comfortably: "Not napping at noon, I really am a bit tired. Getting old, I have to admit I can't fight age anymore..."

Chen Xiulan didn't say anything more, closed the door quietly on tiptoe, left Grandma's house, and went straight up to the fourth floor.

——

Grandpa Fu and Grandma Fu rarely came to the city once, so Guben and Lin Xiyu had the duty to accompany the two elders on a tour of Daming Lake.

Grandpa Fu had bad legs and feet; he couldn't walk far.

Guben specially rented a pedal boat that could seat four people to take Grandpa and Grandma boating on the lake.

He and Lin Xiyu coordinated seamlessly, pedaling the boat around Daming Lake for a full circle.

In early autumn, the vast fields of lotus flowers had already withered, leaving only a few scattered withered leaves floating on the water surface.

"What a pity..."

Grandma Fu felt a bit regretful: "We couldn't see the beautiful scenery of the lotus flowers in full bloom."

"Grandma likes lotus flowers; next June we'll go to Thousand Island Lake."

Guben coaxed Grandma to be happy: "There are even more lotus flowers there, and the scenery is even more beautiful."

"June?"

Grandma Fu didn't take his words seriously: "Aren't you studying in Shanghai?"

"If Grandma wants to see them, I'll come back anytime."

"Little smooth talker."

Grandma Fu listened happily, her eyes crinkling with laughter: "Only you know how to talk, coaxing people into happiness."

"Grandma, isn't today's lineup a bit too grand?"

Guben took advantage of Grandma's good mood, hesitated slightly, but still asked the doubt that had been pent up in his heart for a long time: "Whose idea was it, exactly, to call all the uncles back?"

"Who else could it be?"

Grandma Fu glanced at her old partner, smiling broadly: "Your Grandpa. He heard your eldest uncle say they wanted to hold the engagement banquet separately, and he sulked for several days. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have run off to your maternal grandfather's house to settle accounts long ago."

"This is my fault."

Guben looked embarrassed, proactively taking the blame for Grandpa Gu: "That day when Grandpa Gu discussed this with me, he had a couple too many drinks, his mind wasn't clear, and he agreed without thinking much."

Lin Xiyu lifted her eyelids and glanced at him.

If she hadn't been there at the time, she almost would have believed it.

"Your Grandpa did it on purpose."

Grandma Fu had a deep prejudice against Grandpa Gu: "He deliberately got you drunk to bring this up, trying to hoodwink you..."