Chapter 135: The Wedding Date Has Been Set (5)

Whenever people got to talking, they could not help wandering from one subject to another and boasting about anything and everything, so they quickly lost all sense of time.

As the hours slipped away unnoticed, Yang Xiaofan gave a quiet cough. Only then did his father remember the matter at hand and hurriedly say, “Well, why don’t we go to the hotel? It’s almost one o’clock. We should eat first, and chat while we do.”

“Yes, yes, let’s eat first and talk over the meal.” Qin Nuan Yu’s father came to his senses as well, and the two families immediately went downstairs to the hotel.

Since the hotel was right outside, neither family bothered to drive. They went straight to a private dining room.

Yang Xiaofan wore a baseball cap and a mask throughout. Besides, it was already so late that most diners were nearly finished with their meals, so no one recognized him.

By the time they reached the hotel, the waiters had not yet served all the dishes, but Yang Xiaofan’s father and Qin Nuan Yu’s father had already begun drinking.

People of their generation still seemed to place great importance on the culture of drinking at the dinner table.

Even Qin Nuan Yu’s father, who worked in the city, was no exception.

In fact, before the demolition and relocation, the Qin family had lived in a rural area on the outskirts of the city. It was only after the redevelopment that they moved into the urban district.

Yang Xiaofan automatically filtered out all the polite formalities exchanged over the drinks. Throughout the meal, he did nothing but serve food to his beloved future wife, stuffing Qin Nuan Yu until she was thoroughly full.

After three rounds of drinks, Yang Xiaofan’s father gradually came to the main point.

“Well, Brother Qin, for our Xiaofan to marry your daughter is his good fortune, and the good fortune of the Yang family as well. Today is the day our two families formally arrange their engagement. So I want to assure you here and now that once Nuan Yu marries into our family, her mother-in-law and I will treat her like our own daughter. We will never let her suffer the slightest grievance in our home. If anything ever troubles her, come straight to me. Whether you want to scold me or beat me, I will have no complaints whatsoever.”

Qin Nuan Yu’s father had drunk until his face and neck were flushed, his eyes bloodshot and clouded with tears. He said, “Brother Yang, with those words from you, I have nothing more to say. From now on, our Nuan Yu is in your family’s hands. We have spoiled her since childhood, and sometimes she may be thoughtless or immature. I hope you will be patient with her and not take it to heart. If she ever goes too far, tell me, and I will certainly discipline her.”

“Nuan Yu is a sensible girl. Our whole family likes her very much. Once she marries into our family, she will only bring us joy. She will never give us cause for sorrow.”

Qin Nuan Yu’s father nodded and wiped the corner of his eye. Then he looked at his daughter with a solemn expression.

“Nuan Yu, once you marry Xiaofan, you will no longer be a girl living under your parents’ roof. You cannot throw little tantrums the way you do at home. You must understand the proper way to conduct yourself, live well with Xiaofan, and show respect to your in-laws. Do you understand?”

Qin Nuan Yu’s eyes had reddened as well. She nodded.

Yang Xiaofan’s father took a bank card from his pocket and handed it to Qin Nuan Yu’s father.

“Brother Qin, this is a token of our family’s sincerity in welcoming Nuan Yu. There is one million eight hundred and eighty thousand on it. It is an auspicious number, symbolizing that their marriage will proceed smoothly. Please accept it.”

Since Qin Nuan Yu’s father had agreed to the marriage, he naturally would not refuse.

Yet the instant he took the card, his hands still trembled slightly.

It was not because the sum was so large, but because accepting the money meant that, from then on, his daughter would no longer belong solely to him.

That kind of sorrow was something only a father with a daughter could understand.

If the two families had not been there, Qin Nuan Yu’s father might well have burst into loud sobs.

Even so, he could not stop himself from wiping away his tears with his sleeve.

Qin Nuan Yu’s mother patted him on the back and chided him, “Why are you crying? This is a joyous occasion.”

Yang Xiaofan’s father comforted him. “Sister-in-law, it’s all right. Nuan Yu is your daughter, after all. It is only natural that he cannot bear to part with her. But Brother Qin, you needn’t be sad. Times have changed. It is no longer like before, when a daughter was said to be water spilled after marriage.”

“These days, when children marry, it is the same for both families. Xiaofan and Nuan Yu will not be living with us every day. The young couple may settle in northern Jiangsu.”

“When you retire, have them buy two houses close to each other for the two of us. Then we can be neighbors every day. During the holidays, the young couple will not have to choose between visiting her parents or his. We can all celebrate together in harmony.”

Qin Nuan Yu’s father pulled out a tissue, wiped his tears, and blew his nose. Then he clasped Yang Xiaofan’s father’s large hand in both of his and said gratefully, “Brother Yang, those words mean more to me than if you gave me ten million, a hundred million, or even ten billion!”

To him, money was not the most important thing. What mattered most was being able to remain close to his daughter.

He had thought that once his daughter married Yang Xiaofan, he would hardly see her again.

Now that Yang Xiaofan’s father had said this, his final worry had vanished. What more could he ask for?

He was completely satisfied with his daughter’s marriage!

Seeing Qin Nuan Yu’s father break into a smile through his tears, Yang Xiaofan’s mother stood up as well. She took a red envelope from her pocket, walked over to Qin Nuan Yu, and said with a smile, “Child, this is a gift from your Uncle Yang and me for changing the way you address us. From now on, you cannot keep calling us Uncle and Auntie.”

“Yes, thank you, Auntie.”

Yang Xiaofan’s mother gazed at her with a smile. “What should you call me now?”

Qin Nuan Yu’s face grew even redder. In a voice barely louder than a whisper, she said, “Mom.”

“Yes!” Yang Xiaofan’s mother answered merrily.

The sight made everyone laugh. The two little girls, Yang Xiaoyun and Yang Xiaoqing, even blushed with embarrassment and lowered their heads, secretly stealing glances at their future sister-in-law.

How embarrassing!

As for Qin Nuan Xin, she watched the entire scene like an intensely curious child, bubbling with excitement from beginning to end. There was not the slightest trace of sadness on her face.

Anyone who did not know better might have thought that she was not the one getting married at all.

The engagement banquet ended in perfect harmony, and the wedding date was set for January 9.

Apparently, the reason was that Qin Nuan Yu’s grandfather had passed away less than three years earlier. According to local custom, this year was the final year of mourning, during which marriage was forbidden.

Thus, even though Yang Xiaofan wanted to marry as soon as possible, before Qin Nuan Yu’s pregnancy began to show, there was nothing he could do.

Still, by then, Qin Nuan Yu should be less than four months pregnant. Her belly ought not to be too noticeable, so holding the wedding would not be a problem.

With the matter settled, the two families were considerably closer than they had been when they first met.

Qin Nuan Yu’s father even took the initiative to suggest that they all go to a karaoke club with Yang Xiaofan’s family.

Normally, his lifestyle was exceedingly simple. Apart from playing chess, he went for walks or read books.

He was a teacher, after all.

For him to volunteer to accompany Yang Xiaofan’s family to an entertainment venue and relax with them was already an extraordinary departure from his usual habits.