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The warmth of the Bai family pleased Old Zuo. Once Han Ying finished her arrangements in the kitchen and came back, Zhang Lan and she began to discuss the marriage arrangements between their families formally.
“Auntie, this is a little token of my regard,” Zhang Lan said as she pushed the gifts she had brought toward the elderly lady. Driven by curiosity, the old lady opened a jewelry box, and a dazzling brilliance caught her eye, taking her by surprise.
She had seen fine things before, but this pearl necklace was truly exceptional. “My dear niece, this is too precious. I can’t accept this. But I will accept these on behalf of Jianing; after all, we will need such things for the wedding.”
Zhang Lan pushed the jewelry back with a smile, “Auntie, it’s fate that we have met. This modest gift is a symbol of my respect. Please accept it. Wearing this necklace will not only maintain beauty but also add a touch of elegance. I didn’t bring many gifts, so please be sure to accept this one.”
Yesterday was a gold bracelet, and today a pearl necklace; the Zhang family’s generous gifts had left everyone in the Bai household quite impressed. Those present were people of some experience and could estimate the value of the jewelry. The Bai brothers, in particular, now seemed eager to have their sister married to Zhang Weiguo.
Han Ying truly liked the necklace, and after much polite refusal, she finally accepted it. Zhang Lan took the opportunity to bring up the marriage again. “Auntie, Weiguo is not getting any younger, and Jianing is also of marriageable age. They are both keen on each other, and I’m sure you’re aware of Weiguo’s situation. Why don’t we arrange their wedding sooner rather than later? After they’re married, they can focus on their studies and work. What do you think?”
Han Ying found Zhang Lan’s suggestion reasonable, yet she had hoped to keep her daughter at home for a few more years. That’s when Hao Lianchun chimed in.
“Older sister, considering that Weiguo is in the capital, even if Jianing gets married, she’ll be close to you. Life after marriage for the young couple won’t be much different from now. You can expect them to drop by for meals often, and you’ll be kept busy in the future. Plus, think of it as gaining another son, right?”
Han Ying glanced around at her family. The message in everyone’s eyes was clear: she should agree promptly. Then, looking at her daughter’s hopeful expression, full of pleading, she sighed inwardly. “A woman is not meant to stay at home indefinitely,” she thought. Clinging to her daughter could turn into a source of resentment; she couldn’t keep her daughter’s heart even if she physically stayed. Deciding not to be the one to stand in the way, Han Ying conceded, thinking it might be better for her daughter to start her own family earlier so she could help with future grandchildren.
“Alright, we’ll do as you suggest. Weiguo’s family home is far away, so we’ll have the ceremony here in the capital first. Later, whatever arrangements the Zhang family wants to make back home, I won’t interfere. I’ll check the lunar calendar to pick a date, and older sister, I’ll need your input as well.”
Bai Jianing’s palms were sweating with nervousness, fearing her mother might not agree to an early marriage. She knew better than anyone just how outstanding Zhang Weiguo was. He was a man of integrity and intelligence, a raw gem that she had luckily encountered first. Otherwise, she couldn’t guarantee that once he graduated from the military academy and began to shine, whether ladies from influential families might notice his merits. With the financial backing of the Wang family and the support from Elder Zuo and Uncle Wu, she was certain Zhang Weiguo was destined for great success. She didn’t want to gamble on the future, firmly believing the best course was to marry soon, ensuring this man would belong only to her.
Wang Qian, standing to the side, couldn’t help but smile at Bai Jianing’s eager expression, happy that as long as the two loved each other, they would end up together.
“Old Bai, congratulations on gaining a fine son-in-law,” remarked Wu Changyong, unable to contain his excitement. “If only my family had a suitable girl, I would have offered her. You’re lucky to have Weiguo, you should be over the moon.”
Hao Lianchun, meanwhile, was discussing with Zhang Lan and Han Ying about setting the wedding date for the National Day holiday on October 1st. Although it was a bit rushed, the date was significant and carried commemorative value.
“Weiguo, you’ll be busy with the wedding preparations for a while, but make sure you don’t fall behind in your schoolwork.”
With the date set, Bai Jianing and Zhang Weiguo’s wedding was officially on track, prompting a round of congratulations from everyone.
“The timeline is tight, but if we hurry with the arrangements, there shouldn’t be any problems,” someone commented.
Wang Zhenhe patted his brother-in-law, Zhang Weiguo, on the shoulder. At this moment, Zhang Weiguo was the happiest man there, whispering a word of thanks to Wang Zhenhe, “Brother-in-law, I really have to thank you. Honestly, without your help, this might have been delayed.”
Knowing that his brother-in-law was sincere, Wang Zhenhe just smiled and put his arm around his shoulder, “Weiguo, I should be congratulating you, too. Soon you’ll have your own little family. You should spend some time talking with your uncles; you’ll be dealing with them a lot more in the future. It’s good to start building those relationships now.”
Zhang Weiguo nodded with a smile and struck up a warm conversation with the three Bai brothers, while Zuo He moved closer to Wang Qian and whispered, “I really envy the little uncle, snagging such a beauty so quickly.”
Zuo He really wanted to say, “When can I marry you and take you home?” But considering the young girl’s age, he decided to wait and address the matter in the future; patience was on his side.
Zuo Zhanshan, observing his grandson’s blushing face, couldn’t help but smile. He felt a mix of annoyance and urgency, wishing Zuo He would be more proactive. He didn’t want his grandson to miss the opportunity with such a beautiful girl. However, upon further reflection on Wang Qian’s young age and physique, he sighed internally, realizing why his grandson had not made a move. If it weren’t for her skipping grades, she would probably still be in middle school.
Back at the Bai household, the kitchen work was complete, with the daughters-in-law and the younger family members helping to serve the dishes. Han Ying’s smile grew broader as she observed the Wang family’s children working so efficiently.
The Bai family’s grandchildren had gathered to meet their future uncle-in-law, curious about the person who would be joining their family. Initially, they were skeptical, having heard from their parents about Zhang Weiguo’s background, and suspected he might be interested in their family’s influence and power. The brothers even considered testing him to see if he was genuine, or if they found him disagreeable, they might make things difficult for him.
Upon witnessing the entourage that the Zhang family had brought along, the Bai family’s younger generation was somewhat taken aback. They were all well-acquainted with the power dynamics within the large courtyards of the capital’s political elite, and they knew the standing of each family. They understood who could be trifled with and who could not, a necessary knowledge for navigating the social circles of Beijing. Not understanding these dynamics would mean they had no place in such influential circles.
Having Zuo Zhanshan take the initiative to visit personally clarified for them the extent of the Zhang family’s influence. The presence of such a figure, who was not easily persuaded to make house calls, indicated that the Zhang family held considerable sway and was not to be underestimated.
Bai Qingyuan went around introducing everyone, emphasizing that they were all going to be family and that it would be embarrassing if they did not recognize each other outside the home.
The younger Bai’s, upon seeing the presence of esteemed elders such as Elder Zuo and Elder Wu, behaved with exceptional decorum, a stark contrast to their usual vivaciousness.
Wu Changyong, looking at the subdued youngsters, chuckled and teased, “Aren’t you all usually full of energy? Why so quiet now?”
The youngsters knew very well what kind of person Elder Wu was. While their families had close interactions with him, their immediate shift in demeanor upon catching a glimpse of the respected elder was telling. Wu Changyong quickly understood the high regard in which the elder was held and why the usual rowdiness had been replaced with respectful silence.
“Ha, old Zuo, in the future, if we have any unruly kids around here, just take a stroll our way. You’re sure to keep these rascals in line. And if they don’t listen, just issue an order to send them all to the front lines. I want to see who would dare to misbehave then.”
Zuo Zhanshan looked at his old comrade with a smile, “Old Wu, you’re always the one who isn’t afraid of a little chaos. If I really sent all these young ones to the battlefield, wait and see, our houses would be besieged by people complaining. You—”
Zuo He continued where his grandfather left off, “Grandpa Wu, if you send them all up there, you definitely won’t be able to take it. Your family still has a few grandsons. When the time comes, don’t you be too reluctant to let them go.”
With laughter and conversation filling the room, the food was served, and everyone began to take their seats. Bai Jianing sat with the women of the family, while the boys had a separate table. Initially, the Bai boys were quite reserved, given that they were not very familiar with everyone and were very aware of the statuses of the individuals present. They were cautious not to behave inappropriately and potentially give the guests a reason to find fault.
Zuo He, taking the lead, raised his glass, “Fellows, let’s not beat around the bush. Today, we’re all here thanks to Uncle Weiguo and your aunt. In a roundabout way, we’re all relatives now. Let’s not stand on ceremony. Come on, let’s drink to this!”
With Zuo He, a special guest, initiating the toast, the young men of the Bai family and their friends, including Mingyuan, were not to be outdone. They all raised their glasses with hearty spirits and drank freely, embracing the jovial atmosphere.
Meanwhile, at Zhang Weiguo’s table, the mood was just as lively. Although their parents had agreed to the marriage and they personally approved of their future brother-in-law, the three Bai brothers were still keen to test Zhang Weiguo’s capacity for alcohol. They believed that a man’s character could be revealed through his drinking behavior, as someone with poor alcohol discipline might be prone to mistakes in the future. Hence, the Bai brothers were enthusiastically toasting with Zhang Weiguo, calling him “brother-in-law” with each drink, but each term of endearment came with the expectation of another round of drinks.
On this joyous day for the Bai family, Bai Qingyuan was not concerned with the antics of his sons. He was content to enjoy his own drinks, engaging with the two elders and Wang Zhenhe.
The two elders had no concerns about Zhang Weiguo’s ability to hold his liquor because they were familiar with his background. Zhang Weiguo, after all, came from the military barracks, where a soldier’s hearty drinking is the norm. Furthermore, Zhang Weiguo was born by the sea, and those who go to sea to fish can handle their drink, as it’s necessary to withstand the bitter cold of the ocean.