Grandpa Sang’s eyes were also red, but he held back his tears. “You old woman, what are you talking about, saying he doesn’t even have a home? Our little Xi is about to get married now, and once he has a wife, he’ll have a home.”

“That’s a joyous occasion, so don’t cry.”

“Yes, yes, our little Xi is going to have a wife and a home. I won’t cry, I won’t cry.”

Sheng Zexi took out a handkerchief and gently wiped his grandmother’s tears. “From now on, I’ll often bring your granddaughter-in-law to visit you.”

“Good, good.”

“By the way, tomorrow is the engagement day. Have you prepared all the betrothal gifts?”

The two elderly folks began checking Sheng Zexi’s betrothal gifts, worried that something might be missing.

Watching his busy grandparents, warmth spread through Sheng Zexi’s heart.

Thinking that tomorrow would be the day he and Gu Jianing would be betrothed, that warmth was tinged with sweetness.

That night, a light drizzle fell, adding a chill to the winter air. By dawn, the rain had stopped, and sunlight broke through the clouds, casting the morning light.

As Yao Chunhua pushed open the door, fresh air greeted her.

A magpie, from who knows where, perched on the jujube tree in the yard, chirping away.

“Oh my, a magpie calling from the branches is an auspicious sign,” said Yang Manman, coming out of her room with a book.

“Today is Ningning’s engagement day, so it must be very auspicious,” Yao Chunhua beamed.

During breakfast, Gu Jianing also heard about it, and her mood lifted even more.

“Little sister, go back to your room and stay there. I’ll call you when it’s time for you to come out,” Gu Jianing was called back to her room by her sister-in-law after breakfast.

According to the customs of Huaihua Village, on the day of the engagement, the bride must stay in her room. The dowry matters are handled by the bride’s family and invited relatives. Only when everything is almost done will the bride come out to meet the groom and his elders.

On the Gu family’s side, Yao Chunhua had invited her sister-in-law Lin Qiaoyun from the old house, her sister-in-law Gu Yue who had married into the county town, and her sister-in-law Gu Rou who had married into the neighboring Xinghua Village.

Gu Yue only found out two days ago when her nephew Gu Yunting came to her house to ask for her help that her niece Ningning had met an officer from Beijing with the rank of battalion commander, and they had hit it off.

Now, the groom’s side was coming to propose and present the dowry, so the Gu family naturally had to call on relatives for help.

Gu Yue quickly agreed, but she couldn’t help but marvel at Ningning’s good fortune.

Gu Yue was a worker at a food factory. After she married, she took over her mother-in-law’s position. Yesterday, she took leave from the factory and came today.

To be honest, she had always been somewhat disapproving of how her brother’s family doted on Ningning, feeling that Ningning was too spoiled and worried that it might bring trouble to the Gu family.

Especially after hearing about what Gu Jianing had done for the educated youth Wen, her premonition grew stronger.

Unfortunately, not only did her brother and sister-in-law not listen to her, but even her nephews didn’t pay her any heed.

She had thought that Ningning would eventually marry that educated youth Wen, but she never expected that she would meet an officer and now be about to be betrothed.

Today, upon meeting her, she noticed a change in Ningning and felt that this was a good thing.

Her heart, which had been worried for her brother’s family, finally settled.

“Sister, do you think after Ningning marries the officer, there might be a chance to introduce my Minmin to an officer too?” Gu Yue was pulled out of her thoughts by her younger sister’s words.

Seeing the envy in her younger sister’s eyes, Gu Yue said, “There might really be a chance in the future. After all, Minmin is still young, only 16. Don’t rush to find a match for her. Waiting a couple more years is fine. After Ningning gets married and moves with the army, she might get to know some people, and then there could be an opportunity.”

“Okay,” Gu Rou, having received her sister’s reply, was very happy.

The four siblings of the Gu family, although each had their own families, got along quite well.

Gu Yue and her younger sister Gu Rou had been close since childhood. Gu Yue had two sons, so she didn’t have to worry about finding sons-in-law. Gu Rou had two daughters and a son. The eldest daughter was Minmin, who was 16 this year and at the age in the village where matchmaking was considered.

But they hadn’t found a good match yet, which was a bit worrying.

Gu Rou had never been very decisive, unlike her older sister Gu Yue, who was straightforward and assertive. So, whenever something came up, she would habitually turn to her older sister Gu Yue.

Now, having received her sister’s reply, her heart was also at ease.

At that moment, the sound of a car horn came from outside.

The sisters exchanged a glance—the groom had arrived!

The officer who had previously met Gu Jianing was coming with his family to propose to the Gu family!

A green jeep parked at the entrance of the Gu family’s home immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the village. Upon asking, they learned that it was the officer who had previously met Gu Jianing coming to propose and present the dowry.

Look, there was even a truck following behind, and items from the truck were being carried into the Gu family’s home one by one.

A bicycle, a sewing machine, a radio…

“My goodness, there’s even an electric fan. This must be more than just the ‘three rounds and one sound.'”

People in the fields couldn’t focus on their work anymore. Upon hearing the news, they rushed to the Gu family’s home, eager to see the spectacle.

Yao Chunhua dealt with the chatter of the crowd one by one.

“Oh, my son-in-law is from Beijing.”

“Yes, he’s an officer, a battalion commander in the northwest region, with a monthly salary of 100 yuan.”

“Once my Ningning marries him, she’ll move with the army.”

“What do you mean my Ningning is lucky? My Ningning is beautiful and has a great personality, that’s why my future son-in-law likes her so much.”

“Yes, today is the engagement day. In 12 days, there will be a wedding banquet. Everyone must come.”

As soon as Zhao Weihong heard the news, her face lit up with joy, and she immediately ran to the educated youth point.

Li Juan watched Zhao Weihong’s figure from afar, knowing that she was going to tell the Wen Zhuqing.

That suited her just fine.

It’s just that Gu Jianing’s luck was too good. After losing Wen Zhuqing, she got an officer from Beijing. How could she be so lucky?

At this moment, Li Juan’s thoughts were the same as most of the girls in the village, all marveling at Gu Jianing’s good fortune.

In her room, Gu Jianing, who was alone, knew from the sounds outside that Sheng Zexi had arrived. Thinking about her past life and now being reborn and bound to a system, she had the chance to choose her life anew.

How could she not consider herself lucky?

Thinking that she would soon meet Sheng Zexi and his grandparents, Gu Jianing, holding a small mirror, couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous as she checked her makeup.

At this moment, everyone in the Gu family was stunned by the dowry Sheng Zexi had brought.

The ‘three rounds and one sound’ plus an electric fan, and the betrothal gift was 500 yuan.

In the countryside, not only was it rare to have the complete ‘three rounds and one sound,’ but even the betrothal gift usually didn’t exceed a few dozen yuan.

Sheng Zexi’s offering of 500 yuan truly shocked everyone. As for the other items like fruits, biscuits, milk powder, and canned fruits, they were even more impressive.

Such generous gifts naturally showed the groom and his family’s high regard for the Gu family and Ningning.