August 26, Qian Chengwang and his mother ca to Lu Family Village. They arrived in Uncle Guai’s ox cart, which brought them directly to Shirley’s courtyard.
The courtyard was very tidy. Shen ng also took a day off to stay at ho and witness Shirley’s happiness together with Wang Lianhua, Xifeng, and Xie Jinghao.
Zhu Juying, wearing the dress from Lu Xiangxiang’s wedding, ca forward to greet Chengwang and his mother.
Daya and Xiao Ya were also very affectionate upon seeing them, imdiately calling out "Grandma," which made Old Mrs. Qian so happy that she pulled Xiao Ya close and kissed her hard twice.
Xie Jinghao took a day off from the factory, and also called Lu Jiasheng over, and several people unloaded everything from the ox cart.
Zhu Juying was busy serving water and candies, and Mingyang’s children’s pockets were stuffed full.
The cart full of good things was brought to Shirley’s house, visible to everyone in the village. So idle elderly n and won gathered around to watch and learned that it was the county hospital’s senior doctor who had co to propose to the forr Lai Zi’s wife.
The news spread through the village as if it had wings.
"My goodness, they bought so many things. Shirley has really found a good family."
"Indeed, I just saw Old Mrs. Qian bring out a gold bracelet. It looked heavy; such a valuable item, probably a family heirloom!"
"It’s worth giving it to Shirley."
"Exactly, a generous dowry proves the Qian Family’s sincerity. They truly see Shirley as one of their own. Just seeing how close Daya and Xiao Ya are with Chengwang and his mother shows they’ve invested genuine affection and patience."
"Yes, seeing Shirley like this, my heart is genuinely happy!"
They all had watched Shirley’s journey, from her initial desolate state, lifeless and spiritless, to her transformation today—it was a drastic change.
Shirley watched her sisters whispering among themselves, a rare shyness on her face.
"Sister Qian, Chengwang, our Shirley is a good girl. Once she marries into your family, you must treat her well. After the wedding, when she brings a son or daughter to the Qian Family, a harmonious family life is better than anything."
"Older sister, you’re right. I truly cherish Shirley. She’s hardworking, clean, and endures hardships. I promise you, and these sisters, that I’ll treat Shirley as my own daughter, and Daya and Xiao Ya as my own granddaughters. The courtyard we live in now is where Chengwang’s father got married. Once Shirley marries in, we’ll find a ti to transfer the house to their nas, and I’ll peacefully help them with the children at ho."
"There’s no need, Aunt," Shirley objected.
Aunt Qian waved her hand to interrupt Shirley.
"Silly girl, why not desire such things? It’s better to be ambitious. I know my son; he’s very focused. When he’s working, his mind is fully on official matters, and he lacks any romantic genes. If you ever get upset, he likely won’t know how to comfort you. I’m giving you the family heirloom and transferring the house to make it clear, as well as this dowry of one thousand yuan—a select choice. Once you and Chengwang register your marriage, he will even hand his salary over to you. No matter what, I won’t let you, Daya, or Xiao Ya feel insecure."
Shirley’s eyes welled up with tears. Initially, when she t Aunt Qian, she felt sowhat indifferent, but after eting Daya and Xiao Ya, her smile beca genuine. Now, she felt incredibly warm, never having expected Aunt Qian to think so much for her.
Juying felt the sa; her words were ant to ensure the Qian Family treated Shirley well. Even if they didn’t hold her in high esteem, they should at least live well with her, but Sister Qian had gone a step further.
This is sothing not just anyone can accomplish.
Xie Jinghao and several others were almost holding hands in shock; had it not been for Shen ng gripping them tightly by the side, they might have already jumped up in surprise.
"I lost my husband early on, and have been living alone for years. Chengwang, being a doctor, is imrsed in the hospital year-round, and seldom stays at ho. This has gradually made beco reclusive. The first ti Shirley visited our ho, I just felt this girl looked good, and seed just like soone from the Qian Family, but it had been such a long ti since anyone spoke to with warmth, I did not know what to think at first. When I saw Daya and Xiao Ya, my heart softened! I sympathize with Shirley and the children for their past hardships, and my heart aches for her doing everything as a mother. From now on, they are part of our old Qian Family, and you, as her family, just watch over them. The words I, this old lady, say—are they not sothing I can achieve?"
"Shirley, before it was my mother who made the decisions at ho, but wait, when you marry into our family, you will be in charge, and we will all listen to you."
As Qian Chengwang finished these words, his face turned bright red; being a man of few words, he felt extrely embarrassed discussing his marriage in front of so many people.
"Ah, we will, we will all listen to Aunt Qian."
Usually, when the two of them talked together it wasn’t so awkward, but now in front of so many people, even making eye contact made them very flustered.
The Qian Family brought two hundred jin of fine grains, ten packs of noodles, ten jin of pork, ten pig trotters, ten jin of brown sugar, ten ters of fabric, ten jin of cotton, and six sets of bed linens and pillowcases, warmly covered flasks... all these items were adorned with the character for "happiness", reflecting a very generous gift.
Qian Chengwang works in the county hospital, earning a good salary and receiving good benefits.
Over these years, he has eaten at the canteen, and with just an old mother at ho, he spent very little money, saving up quite a bit over the years.
"In a few days, the sewing machine and watch will also be delivered. What others have, we have too; what others don’t have, we must have too. We can’t be worse than others."
"Aunt, all I want is to live well with Old Qian and save so money. I don’t care about those things; living life still requires careful managent."
"It’s okay, spending money on you and Chengwang, makes happy."
Zhu Juying laughed cheerfully, and called out to drink so water.
Shen ng and the others exchanged looks; given the generous betrothal gifts from them, as her maternal family, they also needed to provide so dowry.
The room was warm and lively, full of festive atmosphere.
anwhile, Xu Laizi’s family arrived at the door with Dezi, who was crying incessantly.
Lai Zi struck Dezi hard with a poplar branch.
"Crying, crying, crying, that’s all you know! You haven’t managed to get any money from that shaless mother of yours all this ti, what use are you to ? Now that woman is getting married and won’t want you anymore, you should take advantage while you can, otherwise what will you have later, you good-for-nothing."
Lai’s parents watched their grandson getting beaten, their hearts aching so much they could hardly breathe, but the old couple also held back their temper; if they didn’t make a scene today, that cold-hearted old woman would truly get married and their grandson would really have nothing.
In their minds, they even hoped that today’s disruption would prevent Shirley from getting married, so she would stay in Lu Family Village for life, and the money she earned in the future would all go to their grandson.
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