Soon, the movie began, and the group fell silent, engrossed in the film.

Yu Wanru and Yu Qing were captivated by the bustling metropolis on screen, while Xiao Anlan, having seen more impressive sights, alternated between watching the movie, sneaking glances at Wanru, and sipping his coffee contentedly.

The coffee took its toll, and he soon needed to visit the restroom.

With him gone, Wanru whispered to her brother, “Ah Qing, stop calling him brother-in-law. It’s not appropriate for others to hear.”

Eyes fixed on the screen, Yu Qing replied, “Why not? He told me to, and it feels more intimate. Besides, I saw the marriage announcement in today’s paper. You’re getting married soon, right? If I call him ‘Xiao Ge’ now, I’ll have to change it later anyway. Isn’t that more troublesome?”

Yu Wanru was embarrassed and said, “But I haven’t married him yet. How can you call him that so casually?”

Yu Qing was unconvinced. “Brother-in-law called me ‘little brother-in-law’ the first time he saw me at school this morning. Why don’t you tell him off for addressing me like that, but you only scold me? You’re biased!”

Yu Wanru was rendered speechless by his retort. She couldn’t possibly explain that she was too shy to confront Xiao Anlan about it and thus could only reprimand her younger brother.

She wanted to persuade her brother further, but seeing Xiao Anlan returning, she had to hold her tongue.

Not long after, the movie ended, and the group left the cinema.

Standing on the bustling Heping Road, Xiao Anlan pointed to the towering Wanchang Hotel not far away and said to Yu Wanru and Yu Qing, “Wanru, Ah Qing, let me treat you to dinner. We can also explore the hotel; there are lots of interesting things there.”

Yu Wanru shook her head. “There’s no need. Our parents are waiting for us to have dinner at home.”

Yu Qing was somewhat tempted but, without the approval of their parents, didn’t dare make a decision and followed his sister’s lead.

Xiao Anlan didn’t insist. After all, their engagement was now public. Soon, everyone in Liucheng would know about their upcoming marriage. Once they were married, taking her out would be much easier.

The three strolled down the street for a while longer, during which Xiao Anlan bought a newspaper.

Their engagement announcement was prominently displayed on the front page.

It wasn’t surprising. The Xiao family was the most prominent in Liucheng, and although the Yu family wasn’t as prestigious, they had a long-standing reputation. The marriage between the eldest son of the Xiao family and the eldest daughter of the Yu family naturally drew attention.

Thankfully, the newspaper didn’t publish their photos; otherwise, they might have been recognized on the street.

Before dinner, Xiao Anlan took the siblings home. Madam Yu invited him to stay for dinner, but he politely declined.

….

Back at the Xiao residence, it wasn’t yet dinnertime. Some family members were still at work, others hadn’t returned from school, and some were in their rooms. Only Madam Xiao was sitting in the downstairs living room.

Seeing him return, she beckoned him over. “Come, take a look at the betrothal gift list I’ve prepared for Wanru. See if it meets your approval.”

Xiao Anlan replied, “I’m not familiar with such things. Mother, whatever you decide is fine.”

Madam Xiao gave him a sideways glance. “Trying to shirk responsibility, huh? I asked you to look so you wouldn’t later complain that I was stingy with your bride’s gifts.”

Xiao Anlan smiled as he loosened his tie. “How could I? I know you’re always generous.”

Madam Xiao jokingly scolded, “Flattery won’t work on me!”

“Indeed, Mother, you’re the wisest.”

Madam Xiao gave him the list. “Stop sweet-talking me and look at this. It’s modeled after my own dowry. If you think it’s fine, I’ll have Madam Zhang deliver it to the Yu family tomorrow to see if they have any other requests.”

Madam Zhang was their matchmaker.

Xiao Anlan took a glance. The list started with 100,000 silver dollars, followed by a Ford car and a shop on Heping Road.

These were the major items, with smaller ones like bicycles, phonographs, and cameras listed afterward.

Betrothal gifts not only showed the groom’s respect for the bride but also reflected the groom’s family’s wealth and status. Thus, neither Madam Xiao nor Master Xiao was sparing with the expense.

This list, if shown to ordinary folks, would surely leave them speechless.

Just the 100,000 silver dollars alone was an unimaginable fortune for most, let alone the other items.

But Xiao Anlan, having grown up around such wealth, found nothing extraordinary about it. After a cursory look, he handed it back to his mother and said, “It looks good. I trust you and Father to handle it.”

Madam Xiao folded the list slowly. “You’re our eldest and only son. Your father has to consider your uncle’s reputation. That’s why this list is more generous than what your siblings will receive in the future. Just keep this in mind, and there’s no need to bring it up around them.”

Xiao Anlan nodded. “Understood.”

The Xiao siblings had always been close, and Madam Xiao was always courteous and considerate toward the concubines.

However, distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children were clear. Though rarely mentioned, everyone understood it.

Especially concerning his uncle. If his father treated all his children equally, his uncle would be the first to disapprove.

Luckily, the concubines in the Xiao family were well-behaved. Over the years, there had been no trouble. Even the second concubine, who bore the second son Xiao Anze, focused on her son’s studies rather than seeking a place in the family business.

Xiao Anlan asked, “Mother, will Uncle come to my wedding?”

Madam Xiao replied, “I’ve sent him a telegram. He’s your only uncle; he’ll make the effort to attend. Once the date is set, I’ll send him an invitation. He’s been very busy lately with his new military rank.”

Xiao Anlan grinned. “Busy or not, remind Uncle to find himself a wife.”

Madam Xiao sighed. “You think I haven’t tried? Your uncle’s head is filled with nothing but military matters. At thirty-something, he still hasn’t thought about settling down. What’s the point of all the fighting?”

Xiao Anlan teased, “Once he finds someone more interesting than military affairs, he’ll settle down.”

Madam Xiao playfully smacked him. “Cheeky boy! What did you and Wanru do today? Why are you back so late?”

“Picked up Yu Qing from school in the morning, had lunch at the Yu residence, then went to a movie with her and Yu Qing in the afternoon before heading home.”

Madam Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Calling him ‘brother-in-law’ all morning, but now you’re quiet. Why not continue?”

Xiao Anlan chuckled. “That was outside, where you couldn’t reach me. If I did it now, I’d be asking for a beating.”

Madam Xiao feigned displeasure. “Am I that fierce?”

Xiao Anlan quickly replied, “No, you’re just efficient, straightforward, and decisive—not fierce.”

Madam Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Where did you get such a sweet talking tongue? Neither your father nor I are like that.”

Xiao Anlan took her words as praise. “By the way, Mother, where did you put the two boxes of books I brought back?”

Madam Xiao said, “They’re in your study, under the cabinet. I didn’t even open them, just had them placed there. Why? Did you leave something important inside?”

“No, it’s just that I promised Wanru I’d lend her some books.”

Madam Xiao understood. “I see. If it wasn’t for Wanru, you wouldn’t have remembered those books. They’d just gather dust and feed the cockroaches.”

With a laugh, Xiao Anlan headed upstairs. “I’ll go check them out.”

Taking the steps two or three at a time, he quickly reached the second floor.

Madam Xiao shook her head, thinking how attentive he already was to his future bride. It was easy to predict how their life would be once they were married.

While she pondered this, the sound of a car pulling up came from outside.

Madam Xiao looked up to see Master Xiao stepping out of the car, holding a box as he walked into the house.

She went to greet him, taking his hat. “Why are you home so early today?”

“There wasn’t anything urgent at the company, so I didn’t need to stay.”

Madam Xiao hung up his hat, called for tea, and then asked, “What’s in the box you’re carrying?”

“This?” Master Xiao appeared nonchalant, pushing the box toward her. “I saw it in the jewelry store’s display window. It looked pretty, so I bought it on a whim.”

Madam Xiao opened the box to find a complete set of pearl jewelry. Each pearl was as large as a person’s thumbnail, perfectly round, and gleaming with a lustrous sheen. It was the exact set she had recently admired in a magazine.

She glanced at Master Xiao, who had been sneakily watching her. When she turned her gaze toward him, he quickly looked away, pretending to be fully absorbed in his tea.

Madam Xiao found it amusing. Even after more than twenty years, some things never changed. She was three years his senior and could still act like his older sister.

She teased, “It’s quite lovely. Which of your concubines do you plan to gift it to?”

Master Xiao hesitated, “What do you think? If you like it, it’s yours. The others can wait.”

Madam Xiao chuckled, “I do like it, but I can’t be seen competing with the other ladies. Let’s give it to them first.”

Master Xiao hesitated for a long moment before confessing, “I bought it specifically for you. Keep it. I’ll get something else for them tomorrow.”

With a smile, Madam Xiao said, “In that case, I’ll accept it. No need to buy more. I have a few sets of jewelry I no longer wear. Let them choose what they like from those.”

Master Xiao quickly interjected, “If you give them your old pieces, I’ll get you new ones.”

Madam Xiao nodded gently, “You’re very thoughtful, dear.”

Master Xiao then began scheming in his mind, planning how to learn more of her preferences from their son.

Just then, Xiao Anlan came bounding down the stairs, greeted his parents, grabbed his coat, and prepared to leave.

Madam Xiao quickly asked, “Where are you going? Dinner’s almost ready.”

Xiao Anlan replied, “I’m heading to see Zhou Sheng to borrow some books. I’ll have dinner with him, so don’t wait for me.”

Madam Xiao scolded playfully, “You’re always out and about. When was the last time you had dinner at home? I even had the kitchen make your favorite fermented bean curd pig’s trotters.”

Hearing this, Xiao Anlan stopped, turned back, and smiled. “For you, Mom, I’ll stay for dinner. I can visit Zhou Sheng later.”

Madam Xiao beamed, patting him lightly, “You’re a good boy. Didn’t you have lunch at Wanru’s place today? When will you invite her over for a family dinner?”

Scratching his head, Xiao Anlan replied, “Wanru is shy. I’m not sure if she’ll agree to come over.”

“She’s a modest girl, not like you with your thick skin,” Madam Xiao teased. “Just talk to her gently. Tell her I’d love to meet her. She’s a good child; she’ll come.”

Nodding, Xiao Anlan said, “Alright, I’ll mention it when I give her the books tomorrow.”

“Not tomorrow,” Madam Xiao interrupted. “I’ve asked Madam Zhang to deliver the engagement gift list tomorrow. Don’t let her see you there. It’d be awkward.”

Xiao Anlan agreed. “Then I’ll go the day after.”

Madam Xiao couldn’t help but tease, “You’re completely smitten. Once Wanru moves in, you’ll be glued to her side all the time.”

Grinning, Xiao Anlan responded, “I can’t help it. It’s all thanks to Dad. It’s a proud Xiao family tradition.”

Caught off guard, Master Xiao choked on his tea, coughing profusely. Madam Xiao sighed and patted his back. “At your age, you’re worse than Anqi.”

Feeling wronged, Master Xiao shot a glare at his son, who innocently stared at the ceiling, pretending not to notice.

After dinner, Xiao Anlan headed to the Wanchang Hotel to meet Zhou Sheng. He had gone through his books earlier and found few suitable for Wanru. Remembering Zhou Sheng’s love for reading, he decided to borrow from his collection.

Zhou Sheng was unusually quiet, staying in his office. 

Knocking on the door and leaning against the frame, Xiao Anlan joked, “What’s up, Zhou Sheng? No action today? Realizing even the toughest fields need a break?”

Looking up, Zhou Sheng’s stubble caught Xiao Anlan off guard. Concerned, he asked, “What’s wrong? Family troubles?”

Zhou Sheng shook his head, forcing a smile. “No, it’s just… Xiao Ya wrote to me. She’s not doing well. Her husband hit her. I’m thinking of going to see her.”

Xiao Anlan frowned. Zhou Sheng’s former fiancée, Li Mengya, had eloped with one of her father’s students after he’d been abroad for a year. The Li family tried to save face by claiming she’d died in an accident, but a year later, she returned with a child.

Angrily, Xiao Anlan said, “Are you seriously considering this? There are plenty of women out there, Zhou Sheng. Don’t make me lose respect for you.”

With a bitter smile, Zhou Sheng replied, “You don’t understand. I’ve known Xiao Ya for twenty years. Since I was six, I’ve known I’d marry her. Even now, I can’t let her go. I have to help her.”

Disgusted, Xiao Anlan retorted, “I’d rather you bed every woman in Wanchang than go back to her. But if you must, go. Just remember, if she chooses you, I’ll accept it. If not, don’t ever mention her again, or we’re done.”

Zhou Sheng nodded solemnly.

Satisfied, Xiao Anlan huffed, “Now, about those foreign translations my fiancée wants—bring them all over.”

Chuckling, Zhou Sheng agreed to send the books.

Feeling a bit better, Xiao Anlan offered, “Take my car and driver. Show up in style and reclaim your pride.”

Zhou Sheng nodded in gratitude.

Xiao Anlan reflected on his friends. One, Zhou Sheng, seemed like a reckless playboy, but in reality, he was extremely stubbornly devoted, willing to go through hell and back for a single woman.

The other, Yang Shidong, looked like a big, dumb guy and, well, he really was a big, dumb guy. After more than twenty years, he hadn’t even held a woman’s hand, completely embarrassing the male gender.

A man, in Xiao Anlan’s view, should be like him—with a wife sitting by his side, able to hold her hand, steal a kiss, or wrap his arm around her waist, having whatever he wanted.

Unlike those two, no way, no way.