Chapter 415

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

Looking at the clock, it wasn't even six-thirty.

But his grandfather, grandmother, his old man, and even Han Chunmei had already changed into new clothes, looking ready to go.

Yesterday, Teacher Ke told Wu Juying that they had booked a big banquet today and asked the Li Kaijian couple to come over for a gathering.

But this was too early! They should have gone around ten-thirty or eleven.

So Li Ye said lazily: "Grandma, this is too early. It's just meeting for a meal, don't make it so serious."

His grandmother glared sternly: "Don't say another word to me today. Do as you're told. Go call your sister right now, and then we'll meet at that restaurant in Chaoyang. You know that restaurant, right?"

Seeing this scene, Li Ye felt a bit like the Zou family in the TV series "The World" preparing to welcome their eldest son's high-ranking in-laws, and he subconsciously put himself in a low position.

So he was a bit unhappy and immediately complained: "I haven't eaten yet! You..."

Wu Juying poked Li Ye on the forehead with her finger: "Eat, eat, eat, you won't starve to death if you miss one meal. Save your stomach for the banquet at noon!"

Li Ye wanted to argue, but he saw his grandfather's expression was also unfriendly, and his cheap old man, Li Kaijian, actually put his hand on his belt buckle.

This damn pressure from three mountains at once, who could stand it?

Li Ye had no choice but to mumble as he went out to call his sister and brother-in-law.

And his eldest aunt, Li Mingyue, who had long heard the commotion, also walked out and smiled as she found her father.

"Dad, what are you all going to do? Wait for Zhixian and me! We'll just wash our faces."

Li Zhongfa looked at his eldest daughter, who was showing signs of being a "nuisance," and could only say coldly: "Mingyue, there are some things I don't say, but you should understand. So don't always be a nuisance. If you want to go back today, go back; if you don't want to go back, go out and stroll around by yourselves..."

Li Mingyue looked at her father blankly, the grievance in her heart surging like a stormy sea.

She really didn't understand; her family had only made such a small mistake, and it hadn't caused any substantial loss to Li Ye, so why were they so unwelcome now?

Zaojunmiao was not far from Zhongguancun. Li Ye deliberately slowed down, and it was just past seven when he arrived at Li Yue's door.

But by this time, Li Yue was already up and had even taken a broom to sweep the courtyard clean.

Thinking of the new brides in later generations, those who didn't sleep until eight were considered diligent; someone like his sister Li Yue was simply an extinct species.

Seeing Li Ye arrive, Li Yue said in surprise: "Brother Xiao Ye, why are you here? I'm not going back for the post-wedding visit until tomorrow? Were you drunk yesterday?"

According to Dongshan custom, the bride's younger brother should pick up his sister for the post-wedding visit on the third day. Today was only the second day, so Li Yue laughed at Li Ye for being drunk.

Li Ye looked at the broom in Li Yue's hand and said with a drooping face: "Why isn't that Yang guy up to sweep the courtyard? Acting like a master?"

Li Yue laughed: "No, he went out to buy groceries. There's a spontaneous vegetable market to the west where nearby farmers bring their own vegetables to sell. It's very fresh and cheap; if you go late, you can only pick what's left."

Li Ye calmed down after hearing this.

"Pick out a suitable outfit for him. Teacher Ke and Uncle Wen are inviting our family to a meal today, and they specifically asked you to bring him along."

"Bring Yumin along? Oh, oh, I'll go find him an outfit right now..."

Li Yue was stunned for a moment before rushing off to find clothes.

Only Li Ye, who had been going to the Wen family for meals every other day for the past few years, didn't take such a dinner party seriously. Even Li Yue, who ate with Watching Wen Leyu in Zaojunmiao every day, didn't dare to neglect such a matter.

And when Yang Yumin returned with two net bags of vegetables, Li Yue urged him to take a shower; it was just like a ritual cleansing.

Only now did Yang Yumin realize Watching Wen Leyu's status, and he couldn't help but sigh at how deeply Li Ye had hidden it.

Many people were very envious of Li Ye and Watching Wen Leyu's relationship; after all, they were dating while in college, and their feelings were deep and strong. It was just that later, many girls with "good conditions" gave Li Ye hints, leaving some people with regrets for Li Ye's sake.

But looking at it now, Li Ye could be said to be ruthless and accurate, locking in a crushing-level little bride years in advance.

When the group arrived at the dining location, it was indeed still early, but Watching Wen Leyu and her brother Wen Guohua had been sent by the Wen family to "prepare the ground," arriving even earlier than them.

Now both sides were even more pleased, as they each valued the other.

Wen Guohua greeted Li Zhongfa and the others to go to the room to drink tea first, while Watching Wen Leyu circled around Li Yue, like a kitten looking for food, sniffing around mysteriously.

Li Yue couldn't help but laugh and ask: "Xiaoyu, what are you looking at? Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

Watching Wen Leyu shook her head slowly: "I want to see where you've changed."

Li Yue's pretty face turned red instantly.

She said angrily: "What's the rush? You're still a child, it's still early!"

But Watching Wen Leyu's face also turned red, and after a long time, she lowered her head and whispered: "It's not early anymore!"

Around ten o'clock, Teacher Ke and Wen Qingsheng both arrived.

After everyone exchanged pleasantries happily for a while, they entered the main topic of the day.

Li Ye had originally thought that the Wen family was holding this dinner because they couldn't attend his sister's wedding yesterday and wanted to express their congratulations.

But who would have thought that this gathering was organized by him.

Teacher Ke smiled and said: "In the blink of an eye, Xiaoyu and I have been away from Qingshui County for more than two years, but in these two years, our relationship has not only not drifted apart, but has become even closer..."

"It's just that all along, the two children have been talking to each other, and we adults haven't taken a stance. This doesn't conform to our Dongshan customs, does it?"

"Old Wen and I also like Li Ye very much, so we thought we'd take this opportunity to ask you all... what do you think of our Xiaoyu?"

When Teacher Ke said this last sentence, Li Ye, Li Yue, and Yang Yumin were all very shocked.

They really didn't expect Teacher Ke to take the initiative to bring this up; it was almost the rhythm of "proposing the match from the girl's side."

It wasn't decades later; in many parts of Dongshan, "proposing the match from the girl's side" still made the man's side feel very honored.

But Li Zhongfa, Wu Juying, and even Li Kaijian were not as surprised as Li Ye and Li Yue.

Li Zhongfa said very shamefully: "Logically, this matter should have been 'initiated' by us, but I thought the children were still in school, so our family was negligent. If you want to ask what we think of Xiaoyu? That goes without saying; she is perfect in every way."

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone laughed, and Wen Qingsheng also smiled and said to Li Zhongfa: "Negligent or not, Uncle Li, I find that awkward to hear! You must drink an extra cup later; from now on, we don't need to say such distant things."

Li Zhongfa puffed out his chest and said heroically: "One cup isn't enough! Today we've settled the children's affair; it's a great joy, I must drink at least four, five, six, or seven cups."

"Settling it" is the first formal process of marriage in some parts of Dongshan, similar to "meeting the parents" and getting approval elsewhere, indicating that both sets of parents support the two children dating.

This is different from free love; the next steps are picking a date for the engagement, getting the marriage certificate, and the final steps of the wedding.

And after it's "settled," during the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Spring Festival, the man's side must send holiday gifts to the woman's family.

It can be said that once it's "settled," the marriage path of the young couple is on the right track, and unless there are very rare circumstances, there will basically be no "breaking up the lovers" incidents.

Li Ye was surprised and happy, while Watching Wen Leyu was happy and shy.

Especially when Grandma Wu Juying and Han Chunmei each took out two "look-money" envelopes and handed them to her, her little face looked like peach blossoms in March, tender and beautiful.

This money had to be accepted; if you didn't accept it, it meant you weren't satisfied with the man's family situation.

Wu Juying saw Watching Wen Leyu's face turn red with shyness and smiled: "Look, both children are embarrassed. Why don't we let them go out and play for a while?"

Li Ye and Watching Wen Leyu stood up and went out.

Li Yue thought about it and wanted to go out too; after all, she was also a junior and couldn't get a word in here.

But Teacher Ke smiled and said: "Sister Xiao Yue, you two can't go out! If you go out, who will pour the wine and water?"

Wen Qingsheng also said to Yang Yumin: "Yesterday our unit had a collective activity, so we didn't attend your wedding. Uncle owes you for that. I'll organize a gathering another day, call your unit's Old Qi, and congratulate you separately."

"And pour your Uncle Wen a glass of wine..."

Yang Yumin hurriedly got up to pour wine, thinking quickly while pouring: who in his unit was surnamed Qi?

It seemed that apart from a big shot with a very high ranking, there was no one surnamed Qi.

Li Ye and Watching Wen Leyu left the private room, and the latter's little face slowly became less red, but it was definitely redder than usual.

Watching Wen Leyu swung her little shoes, kicking the ground lightly, lowering her head and smiling, not knowing what she was thinking.

But then she heard an infuriating sentence: "This tradition also has its unsatisfactory aspects. You have 'look-money,' why don't I have any? It doesn't matter if the money is more or less, but this rule is disrespectful to men."

In Dongshan for a long time, the groom had "change-of-address money," but there really were no "meeting red envelopes."

Watching Wen Leyu stared at Li Ye for a long time, then suddenly handed over her two "look-money" envelopes: "I'll give you my money, and you let me look at you for a lifetime, okay?"

Li Ye looked at Watching Wen Leyu, whose face had turned rosy again, and suddenly said: "Where did you learn this love poem?"

Watching Wen Leyu's little chest heaved with anger: "What do you mean learned? I thought of it myself, okay?"

Li Ye ignored the public and suddenly wrapped his arms around Watching Wen Leyu's waist, murmuring: "Hmm, think of a few more in the future, I'll write them down, and when we're old..."

"Get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, you get lost!"

How could that be? It was hard enough to get to this point, no getting lost now!

(End of chapter)

mhtxs

To download the latest txt e-book of this book, please click:

This book: