Tian Xiang got up, washed, and had a quick breakfast with the family before hastily tidying up the small living room and their respective rooms.
Today is the engagent ceremony, Tian Family’s relatives co first; Hu Honglian’s family also arrived, and two great aunts and a granduncle from the Tian Family’s side ca as well.
With so many people, they have to have lunch here.
The place is small, it would be more appropriate to go to a restaurant.
But a restaurant doesn’t have the comfort of one’s own ho.
Hosting at ho, they can eat as long as they want, chat about anything without being criticized.
Considering everything, they decided to host at ho. By then, they would fit two small tables in the small hall, and set up two more tables in the rooms for the won and children.
Early in the morning, Hu Honglian went to the market with her daughter-in-law, buying chicken, fish, and ribs.
Upon returning, she borrowed two coal stoves in the courtyard, and began simring the chicken and ribs.
Today, Tian Xiang is the central figure, no need to work, just entertain the guests.
The second branch of the Tian Family was buzzing with activity, while the next-door main branch seed quiet although it was the weekend and everyone was there.
Tian Weijun finished breakfast and sat by the table smoking, lost in thought.
Tian Shuyang paced back and forth, appearing sowhat anxious.
He Cuifen sat silently looking out the window, while the rest of the family stayed quiet, only Tian Chuying tidied the table, taking bowls outside to wash.
After finishing her chores, she returned ho, still seeing the sa scenario, and asked He Cuifen, "Mom, is Second Brother really not coming back for New Year?"
He Cuifen: "I don’t know; he didn’t send any telegram."
Tian Shuyang said, "If he doesn’t co, he doesn’t co. Why talk about this?"
Tian Chuying glanced at her big brother, too lazy to argue with him.
That interruption seed to calm Tian Shuyang a bit, who then suggested to Tian Weijun: "Dad, maybe you should go next door and see; Third Aunt and Granduncle are here."
Tian Weijun blankly looked at his son, should he go visit?
Considering their relationship, he should, since Tian Xiang is his niece, but they were not welcod there. Wouldn’t it just cause trouble by showing up uninvited?
Although their relations have always been diocre, at least there was so semblance before, but now...
Thinking about how things have deteriorated between the two families in half a year made Tian Weijun quite restless.
Tian Weijun tilted his head, "If you want to go, you go." He certainly wasn’t going to face that embarrassnt.
Tian Shuyang frowned, trying to convince him, as his father’s identity would make more sense.
However, Tian Weijun wouldn’t listen, refusing to take responsibility, adamantly staying put.
Tian Shuyang was speechless and had no choice but to change clothes to take a look himself.
At this mont, Tian Chuying walked out of the room.
"Big brother, forget it. Aunt and Sister Xiangxiang’s anger is not that easily diffused. Going over there is just asking for humiliation, straining relations further. So things can’t be undone; once they happen, they happen. If you truly want to nd the relationship, stay silent, focus on yourself, and be patient.
Tian Chuying had been studying recently, planning to take the college entrance exam next year.
She had been learning well to preach such patience like waiting for a flower to bloom.
Tian Shuyang, already lacking confidence, decided against going after his sister’s advice, sinking into a chair with a sigh.
Just past ten in the morning, two cars and a small truck stopped at the entrance of Sanli Lane Courtyard.
The ng Family ca to deliver the betrothal gifts.
Whoa, they used vehicles to bring them over, what exactly did they bring, was it a lot?
The news of the ng Family’s leader coming had spread days ago, and now that they had arrived, everyone was craning from their courtyard gates or windows to catch a glimpse.
Leading the way was likely the leader and his precious grandson!
Oh, they were both so tall.
Mr. ng had completely white hair, wearing a military uniform adorned with nurous dals, looking imposing.
Tian Xiang’s fiancé wore a dark gray suit with a black cashre coat, his stature was upright, exuding an unmistakable sense of nobility even from a distance. As he approached, people took another look at his face.
Tsk tsk tsk, so handso!
The young wives and won inside suddenly understood Tian Xiang, no wonder even family background issues couldn’t keep the couple apart.
With such a handso man, they wouldn’t be able to resist either.
On the Tian Family’s side, Hu Honglian caught wind of the news and promptly got her husband to set up chairs and such.
Upon hearing the news, the room full of relatives stood up silently.
The leader, even hearing the na Mr. ng, everyone inexplicably felt a sense of respect.
Xu Jiafeng told the two relatives from the Tian Family, "Don’t worry, the old man is very kind, always smiling and joking."
The two relatives nodded, though they couldn’t quite relax inside.
Tian Xiang ca out of the room and heard people had arrived, intending to go out and greet them, but Xu Jiafeng held her back.
"You stay inside, your father and two brothers are enough outside."
No unmarried girl should go outside to greet, it wasn’t proper.
This was about them coming to propose, not about Tian Family rushing for it, maintaining composure was important.
Tian Xiang didn’t understand, but listened to her grandmother.
Tian Weibing and his two sons didn’t go out to greet, just waited at the courtyard entrance.
Soon, voices could be heard from afar, with Mr. ng’s hearty laughter, "In-laws..."
The ng family, with grandfather and grandson followed by a group of guards carrying the engagent gifts, arrived.
During the prior family eting, the agreed betrothal gifts were four essential items, others left to the ng Family’s discretion, knowing that whatever was brought over for the wedding would also be reciprocated when the daughter was married.
For today’s engagent, Mr. ng brought over the four essential items, along with a television and a washing machine.
Wow, the television and washing machine were rare treasures, especially since no one in Sanli Lane had them yet.
It’s said that even with tickets, you still need to line up and have connections to buy them.
The Tian Family had prospered, gaining without any effort.
Hu Honglian only wanted a bicycle, radio, watch, and sewing machine, but now with two additional big items, she was startled.
Yet after the shock ca happiness, directing the young ones to place the items under the eaves; there’s just too much and they’d have to find a spot for everything.
Ten or so young lads greeted and then left, they just ca to deliver the gifts, not to eat.
Inside, Mr. ng shook hands with everyone, chatting a bit with those he hadn’t t before to foster closeness.
ng Cheng’an entered, greeted everyone, and began searching for his fiancé among the crowd, quickly spotting Tian Xiang standing by the bedroom door.
He quietly approached, admiring her light blue coat, "New?"
Tian Xiang nodded, "Is it nice?"
ng Cheng’an’s eyes twinkled like they held the stars, "Yes, very nice."
The light blue coat paired with a white sweater, rather than her usual two braids, today her hair was pinned up, revealing her slender neck, giving her a very elegant aura.
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