Chapter 49

On the other side, at the old Li family’s house, Liu Xinghua glared at her daughter with a look that showed she was both angry and anxious.

“Meili, have you really thought this through? Once this match is made, there’s no turning back!”

“Mom, I’m not regretting it. I’m happy to marry Xu Guoqing.”

Liu Xinghua frowned. “That Xu Guoqing is just a young intellectual. In the future, he’ll probably return to the city for good, and his family has no brothers to help him; everything will be on him alone.”

“Mom, I’ve thought it through. Not having a mother-in-law is actually great. I won’t have anyone bossing me around. Just look at your own life—so much repression.”

“But… but you don’t know him well enough.”

“I’m just afraid he’ll turn out to be an ingrate.”

“Mom, don’t worry. Xu Guoqing seems like an honest person.”

“Fine, since you’ve already made up your mind, tomorrow, get ready for him to come and propose!”

Before dawn, Li Yuechan woke up groggily, hugging her mother as they returned to the small bed.

After releasing her mother from the sleep pressure point, she turned over and continued to sleep soundly.

Soon, she heard the bed creaking, accompanied by some rustling sounds.

She knew her mother had woken up. Su Lizhen looked at the clock and was quite puzzled.

Usually, when she slept with Xiao Chan, she felt the bed was small and cramped, making her feel uncomfortable. But today, she felt unusually at ease.

She glanced at her daughter, still fast asleep, and tucked the blanket around her before quietly leaving the room.

When Li Yuechan woke up again, it was already 10 AM. She got up and saw her mother coming back from buying groceries.

“Xiao Chan, have you had breakfast? I made some delicious food for you.”

“I haven’t eaten yet, but I’ll have lunch at home later. I’m heading back to Grandma’s house.”

Su Lizhen was confused. “Why are you going back there?”

“Oh, Meili is getting engaged today, and I promised Grandma I’d go.”

“Ah, Meili is getting engaged? I didn’t hear anything about it from your aunt!”

While eating, Li Yuechan explained everything she knew about the engagement.

Su Lizhen sighed, “Shouldn’t I go back with you?”

“Oh, I’m representing our family. You still have to work the night shift tonight, so stay home and rest. I’m going now!”

“Alright, but be careful on your bike!”

“Got it.”

Li Yuechan rode her bike toward Da Huaishu Village, determined to keep her promise.

On the other side, Xu Guoqing woke up early, went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some snacks, and even used his only meat ration coupon to buy some meat.

He asked the wife of the brigade leader to accompany him to Li’s house to propose.

Because Xu Guoqing was coming to propose, the entire Li family took the day off from work.

Liu Xinghua had been waiting since early morning, partly out of concern that Xu Guoqing might change his mind, and partly because she didn’t want her daughter to be embarrassed. She hadn’t slept well the night before because of it.

When Xu Guoqing arrived at Li’s house with the brigade leader’s wife, Liu Xinghua saw what they were carrying and smiled with satisfaction. At least, Meili wouldn’t be embarrassed.

Xu Guoqing nervously rubbed his hands together and said, “Aunt, even though Meili and I haven’t known each other long, I sincerely hope to marry her. I will do my best to treat her well.”

Liu Xinghua smiled and nodded, “You seem like an honest young man, but in our village, the betrothal gifts must follow the customs.”

Xu Guoqing quickly agreed, “I understand.” Then, he took out fifty yuan from his pocket. “Aunt, this is my bride price.”

Liu Xinghua didn’t hesitate and took the money.

Zhang Laidi, standing nearby, gave a slight scoff. But when she saw Xu Guoqing holding the meat, she immediately jogged over to him.

“Wow, Xu Guoqing, you’re quite the handsome young man. Meili is lucky to have you!”

Xu Guoqing hurriedly smiled warmly, “Aunt.”

“Well,” she then turned to Liu Xinghua and said, “Sister-in-law, the vegetables are ready, I’ll go cook now.”

Liu Xinghua smiled and nodded. She could tell what Zhang Laidi was after—she was only being so kind because of the meat. But since today was Meili’s good day, Liu Xinghua decided not to dwell on it.

The group sat in the yard, and Liu Xinghua cheerfully said, “Sister-in-law, Guoqing has checked the calendar, and next month has an auspicious date. But it could also be three months from now, depending on what we think.”

Inside the house, Li Meili heard this and frowned. She actually wanted to stay home for a bit longer, but she knew that Xu Guoqing had worked hard the day before and wanted to marry as soon as possible.

He had already learned everything about her family, including the fact that the brigade leader was her cousin. If they got married, the brigade leader would likely help Xu Guoqing with an easier job assignment out of family consideration.

Liu Xinghua thought for a moment and then said, “Let’s choose a date three months from now. Meili, I still want you to stay here a little longer.”

Liu Xinghua glanced at Xu Guoqing, who pursed his lips and, after thinking, replied, “Alright, then three months from now.”

He trusted that he couldn’t bring the wedding date forward.

He then smiled and said, “Aunt, I looked at the house near the east village entrance yesterday. It’s not bad—the yard is big, and it’s enough for the two of us. The roof leaks a little, but I plan to find someone to fix it.”

Liu Xinghua nodded. She knew that house. It had been built by a young intellectual who had since returned to the city. The house had been left to the collective.

“Why hire someone? Don’t waste money. Let Meili’s two brothers fix it tomorrow. As for the other things, take your time collecting them over the next few months.”

Xu Guoqing immediately nodded, “Okay, thank you, Aunt.”

“Do you need to inform your parents?” Liu Xinghua asked.

Xu Guoqing lowered his head and said, “My parents are both working, so they probably won’t be able to take time off to come.”

“What about your siblings?”

“I have three older brothers, two older sisters, and two younger brothers. My older sisters are both married, and my oldest and second oldest brothers are married too. The two younger brothers are still too young, so I don’t think they’ll come.”

Liu Xinghua furrowed her brow, muttering to herself, “This family… Xu Guoqing probably isn’t the most popular at home.”

But she still smiled and said, “Well, it’s fine. But getting married is a big deal. When you have the chance, you should still call and let them know.”

“Okay, Aunt.”

Meanwhile, Li Meili was hiding in her room, looking at Li Meili with curiosity. “Are you really going to marry like this?”