Chapter 414: Li Ye: Where Did You Learn That Love Poem?

The next morning, Li Ye was yanked out of bed by his grandmother.

He looked at his watch—it wasn't even half past six.

But his grandfather, grandmother, father, and even Han Chunmei had all changed into new clothes, ready to depart.

Yesterday, Teacher Ke told Wu Juying that today they'd set up a grand banquet and invited Li Kaijian and his wife to join.

But this was way too early! At least wait until ten-thirty or eleven.

So Li Ye lazily said, "Grandma, this is way too early—it's just a meal and a meet-up, no need to make it so formal."

His grandmother glared sharply. "Don't utter a single word today. Do exactly as you're told. Go call your sister right now, then we'll meet at Chaoyang Restaurant—you know that place, right?"

Seeing the scene, Li Ye felt like he was in some TV drama, like the Zou family preparing to welcome their eldest son's high-ranking in-laws, and he unconsciously lowered himself in status.

He grumbled in protest, "I haven't eaten yet! You—"

Wu Juying jabbed a finger into Li Ye's forehead. "Eat, eat, eat—missing one meal won't kill you. Save your stomach for the banquet at noon!"

Li Ye wanted to argue further, but saw his grandfather's cold gaze—and his cheap father, Li Kaijian, had already gripped his belt buckle.

Three mountains crushing down at once—who could take it?

Li Ye grumbled and went out to call his sister and brother-in-law.

His aunt, Li Mingyue, who had heard the commotion, stepped out and smiled over to her father.

"Dad, where are you going? Wait for me and Zhi Xian! We'll just wash our faces."

Li Zhong glanced at his eldest daughter, who was showing signs of becoming a "sticky glue," and said coldly, "Mingyue, there are things I don't say, but you should understand—so don't keep being a nuisance. If you want to come back today, come. If not, go out and wander on your own."

Li Mingyue stared blankly at her father, her heart swelling with grievance like a stormy sea.

She truly didn't understand—how could one tiny mistake, which caused Li Ye no real harm, make them so unwelcome now?

Zaojunmiao wasn't far from Zhongguancun; Li Ye deliberately slowed down, arriving at Li Yue's door just past seven.

But Li Yue was already up, and had swept the courtyard clean inside and out with a broom.

Thinking of modern brides who slept until eight, Li Yue was practically an extinct species.

Seeing Li Ye, Li Yue exclaimed, "Xiao Ye, why are you here? I'm not supposed to return home until tomorrow—did you get drunk yesterday?"

According to Dongshan custom, the bride's younger brother picks her up for her return visit on the third day; today was only the second, so Li Yue teased him about being drunk.

Li Ye glanced at the broom in her hand and scowled. "Why didn't that Yang guy get up to sweep? Acting like a master?"

Li Yue laughed. "No, he went to buy vegetables. There's a spontaneous market to the west—local farmers sell their own produce, fresh and cheap. If you go late, you only get what's left."

Hearing this, Li Ye softened.

"Pick out some proper clothes for him. Today, Teacher Ke and Uncle Wen are treating our family to a meal—they specifically asked you to bring him."

"Bring Yu Min? Oh, okay—I'll go find him clothes right away."

Li Yue paused, then hurried off to find clothes.

Only Li Ye, who had casually dropped by the Wen household for meals over the years, took such gatherings lightly—even Li Yue, who ate daily with Wen Leyu in Zaojunmiao, wouldn't dare neglect this.

After Yang Yumin returned with two bags of vegetables, Li Yue made him take a bath—like preparing for a ceremonial change of clothes.

Only now did Yang Yumin learn Wen Leyu's identity, and he couldn't help but marvel at how deeply Li Ye had hidden it.

Many envied Li Ye and Wen Leyu's relationship—they'd fallen in love before college, their bond deep and strong. Later, many "better-off" girls subtly hinted at interest in Li Ye, leaving some to regret their missed chances.

But now it was clear: Li Ye had been ruthless and precise, locking in a superior bride years in advance.

When the group arrived at the restaurant, it was still early—but Wen Leyu and her brother Wen Guohua had already been sent ahead by the Wen family to prepare the ground, arriving even earlier.

Now both sides clearly valued each other.

Wen Guohua ushered Li Zhongfa and the others into a room for tea, while Wen Leyu circled Li Yue like a kitten sniffing for food, curious and secretive.

Li Yue couldn't help but laugh. "Leyu, what are you looking at? Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

Wen Leyu slowly shook her head. "I'm trying to see what's different about you."

Li Yue's face flushed bright red.

She huffed, "What's the rush? You're still a child—you've got time!"

But Wen Leyu's face also turned red; after a long pause, she lowered her head and whispered, "It's not too early."

Around ten, Teacher Ke and Wen Qingsheng arrived.

After some cheerful small talk, they got to the day's real purpose.

Li Ye had assumed the Wen family had gathered today because they couldn't attend Li Yue's wedding yesterday and wanted to make up for it.

But he hadn't expected this gathering was arranged because of him.

Teacher Ke smiled. "In just two years, since Xiao Yu and I left Qingshui County, our relationship hasn't grown distant—it's grown closer."

"But the two kids have always talked alone, and we adults never took a stance. Isn't that against Dongshan's customs?"

"Wen Lao and I both really like Li Ye, so we wanted to ask you—what do you think of our Xiao Yu?"

When Teacher Ke finished, Li Ye, Li Yue, and Yang Yumin were stunned.

They never expected Teacher Ke would bring this up directly—it was practically a "reverse proposal."

This wasn't decades later; in many parts of Dongshan, "reverse proposal" still brought honor to the groom's side.

But Li Zhongfa, Wu Juying, and even Li Kaijian showed no surprise.

Li Zhongfa said humbly, "Technically, we should've initiated this. But I thought the kids were still in school, so we were negligent. You ask what we think of Xiao Yu? Of course she's perfect—perfect in every way."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone laughed, and Wen Qingsheng grinned at Li Zhongfa. "Negligent? Don't say that, Uncle Li—it sounds awkward. You've got to drink an extra cup today. No more formalities from now on."

Li Zhongfa puffed out his chest proudly. "One cup? Not enough! Today's a major joy—we've officially agreed on the kids' future. I'll drink at least four, five, six, seven cups!"

"Shuō kāi le" was the first formal step in marriage in some parts of Dongshan—similar to gaining parental approval elsewhere, meaning both families supported the couple's romance.

This differed from free love; the next steps were choosing an auspicious date, engagement, official registration, and the wedding.

After "shuō kāi le," the groom's family had to send festival gifts on Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chinese New Year.

Once "shuō kāi le," the young couple's marriage path was officially set—unless in rare cases, no one would dare break them apart.

Li Ye was stunned and delighted; Wen Leyu was delighted and shy.

Especially when his grandmother Wu Juying and Han Chunmei each handed her a red envelope, her face turned as pink and radiant as peach blossoms in March.

The money couldn't be refused—if she refused, it meant she disapproved of the groom's family.

Seeing Wen Leyu's flushed face, Wu Juying smiled. "Look, the kids are too shy. Why don't you two go out and play for a while?"

Li Ye and Wen Leyu stood up and left.

Li Yue considered leaving too—she was a junior here and had no say.

But Teacher Ke smiled. "Xiao Yue, you and your husband can't leave—who's going to pour tea and wine?"

Wen Qingsheng also said to Yang Yumin, "Our unit had a group activity yesterday, so we couldn't attend your wedding. Uncle owes you one. I'll host another gathering soon and invite your colleague Old Qi to celebrate you properly."

"Go pour your Uncle Wen a drink."

Yang Yumin hurried to pour wine, quickly wondering—who in his unit was named Qi?

He couldn't recall anyone named Qi except one top-ranking boss.

After leaving the private room, Wen Leyu's face slowly lost its crimson hue—but still glowed redder than usual.

She swung her slippers, lightly kicking the floor, head down, smiling as if lost in thought.

Then she heard an annoying remark: "This tradition has its flaws—you get red envelopes, but I get nothing? Money's not the issue—it's disrespectful to men."

In Dongshan, grooms traditionally received a "change-of-address" gift, but never a "meeting red envelope."

Wen Leyu stared at Li Ye for a long moment, then suddenly thrust both envelopes toward him. "Take my money. Let me stay with you for life—will that do?"

Looking at Wen Leyu's now-reddened face, Li Ye murmured, "Where did you learn that line of poetry?"

Wen Leyu's chest heaved with indignation. "Learned? I thought of it myself!"

Ignoring the crowd, Li Ye suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered, "Hmm, think up more like that—I'll write them down. When we're old—"

"Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get lost!"

How could he? After all this, he wasn't going anywhere.

(End of Chapter)

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