Chapter 23: Setting the Wedding Date

At twelve o’clock, the whistle signaling the end of work sounded on time. The team members laboring in the fields all stopped their tasks, straightened their backs, wiped the sweat from their foreheads, and began walking home in groups.

With Li Xiangbei’s help, Shen Qiuxia had already completed most of the production team’s assigned tasks for the morning, leaving only some finishing work.

The two walked home together. Along the way, whenever someone greeted them, Shen Qiuxia would smile and introduce Li Xiangbei.

Xiangbei also followed behind with a big smile, greeting the uncles, aunts, and elders continuously.

Just as they neared the doorstep, a somewhat sharp voice suddenly interrupted.

“Mom, so this is your younger daughter’s fiancé?”

The smile on Shen Qiuxia’s face faded slightly, and a trace of subtle helplessness passed across her expression. “Xiangbei, this is Yueyue’s second sister-in-law…”

Xiangbei politely greeted, “Hello, Second Sister-in-law.”

Wu Xiulian smiled back and sized Li Xiangbei up and down with her eyes.

Since it was Li Xiangbei’s first time visiting his future father-in-law’s house, he had deliberately worn his best clothes from his wardrobe. A fountain pen was tucked in his chest pocket, making him look both spirited and respectable.

Wu Xiulian noticed this, and her enthusiasm immediately increased. She then launched into a series of questions: “Brother-in-law, I heard you work as a purchasing agent at the supply and marketing cooperative? How much do you make a month? Can your cooperative get defective goods? Those cheap but useful defective goods—could you get some for our family? Also…”

Seeing Wu Xiulian blocking the doorway and asking nonstop questions, Shen Qiuxia interrupted directly, “Enough. Xiangbei has been working hard all morning; let him rest.”

Then she turned to Xiangbei and said, “Let’s hurry home. Yueyue should have the meal ready.”

Xiangbei smiled and replied, “Okay, Mom.”

Wu Xiulian pouted but quickened her pace toward the house, thinking of the meat waiting for lunch.

While the group talked at the door, Su Yue naturally overheard from inside. She prepared two basins of warm water, waiting for the family to come in.

“Mom, Xiangbei, come wash your faces. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Su’s father and second brother would come home late since they had to return farming tools.

Xiangbei took the towel from Su Yue, his grin almost reaching behind his ears.

“Why are you smiling like that? Hurry up and wash,” Su Yue chided.

Xiangbei obediently washed his face.

At this moment, Hongmei came bounding over, asking, “Little Aunt, is this Little Uncle?”

Hongmei had been taken to the Wu family by Wu Xiulian early that morning and had just returned.

Su Yue smiled and said, “Yes, this is your Little Uncle.”

Xiangbei quickly took a candy out of his satchel and said, “You’re Hongmei, right? So cute. Here, Little Uncle will give you some candy.”

Hongmei did not take the candy but looked up at her little aunt instead.

Su Yue gently smiled and said, “This candy is from your Little Uncle; you can accept it.”

Hongmei sweetly smiled and said, “Thank you, Little Uncle.”

Wu Xiulian came out from the room holding her youngest son and saw this scene. She hurriedly said, “Baor, go ask your uncle for some candy.”

Shen Qiuxia smiled at Xiangbei and said, “Xiangbei, come sit and have some herbal tea.”

Xiangbei smiled, sat down, and began drinking the tea.

At that moment, Su’s father and Su Zhiqiang also returned.
Shen Qiuxia quickly introduced, “Dahai, this is Xiangbei.”

Li Xiangbei called out crisply, “Dad, I’m here!”

Su Dahai’s face stiffened, and he muttered to himself, Dad? Who’s your dad? Besides, this is my home.

Su Yue smiled and said, “Dad, Second Brother, come wash your face and hands, it’s time to eat.”

Seeing his little daughter, Su Dahai immediately smiled and said, “Yueyue’s here.”

Su Yue deliberately ignored Su Dahai and instead introduced, “This is my second brother, Su Zhiqiang.”

“Hello, Second Brother, I’m Li Xiangbei.”

Su Zhiqiang smiled and replied, “Hello, Comrade Xiangbei.”

Seeing his daughter act this way, Su Dahai felt a pang of sadness in his heart. Girls grow up and can’t be kept at home!

At that moment, Su Yue brought over a washbasin. “Dad, wash your face.”

Su Dahai immediately brightened up and cheerfully replied, thinking, My daughter is so thoughtful.

Lunch was very abundant. Su Yue made braised pork with preserved vegetables, scrambled eggs with cucumber, cold tomato salad, loofah soup, and braised eggplant. She also specially cut some meat to make egg custard with minced meat for Hongmei and her little nephew.

Seeing so many delicious dishes, Wu Xiulian directly handed her son over to Su Zhiqiang.
Shen Qiuxia saw this and said, “Xiulian, who are you waiting for to serve your food?”

Wu Xiulian pouted, then got up and served a bowl of rice for herself and Su Zhiqiang.

After everyone sat at the table, Shen Qiuxia took out the Fenjiu liquor Li Xiangbei had brought.

Su Dahai’s eyes lit up immediately. “What a good day it is, to drink such fine wine.”

Shen Qiuxia rolled her eyes and said, “This was brought by Xiangbei. If you don’t want to drink, forget it.”

Su Dahai hurriedly said, “I’ll drink, of course. Why wouldn’t I drink? He already called me Dad.”

Su Yue smiled and placed four cups on the table.

“One cup per person only; we still have to work this afternoon,” she said as Shen Qiuxia poured wine for Su Dahai, Li Xiangbei, Su Zhiqiang, and herself.

During the meal, Su Zhiqiang asked Li Xiangbei about the Li family’s situation, and Li Xiangbei honestly answered. After some conversation, Su Zhiqiang became even friendlier toward him.

Wu Xiulian was busy eating and didn’t say much, but she caught every word of their conversation clearly.

Su Yue gave Hongmei several spoonfuls of egg custard and added two pieces of meat.

Hongmei smiled and said, “Thank you, Little Aunt.”

Su Yue liked this sensible niece very much.

After the meal, Li Xiangbei had explained everything he needed to and promised what he should.

Shen Qiuxia smiled and said, “Eldest and third brother sent letters. They said we can set the wedding date for October 1st, and they’ll come on September 30th. Oh, they each sent ninety-nine yuan and said it was for Yueyue’s dowry.”

Su Yue sighed, “Sending that much money? Do Eldest and Third Brother have too much? Mom, give me the remittance slip; I’ll send it back tomorrow.”

Shen Qiuxia explained, “Your brothers said they completed some missions and this was their bonus. Also, your eldest brother and sister-in-law both have jobs. Your sister-in-law said you must accept this money. The same goes for your third brother and his wife. They all told you to accept it.”

Hearing this, Su Yue smiled and nodded, thinking she should send them more in the future.

Su Zhiqiang felt a little embarrassed. Ninety-nine yuan was a lot of money, but he had it now since the family business was all his.

Yet, if he really had to hand it over, he’d find it hard to part with.

After thinking for a bit, Su Zhiqiang decided he would secretly give his little sister thirty-eight yuan later.