The Bai Family arrived in City A and first checked into the hotel booked in advance by Bai Chengxi, while Zhuo Yuqing and Bai Chengxi went straight back to the Zhuo Family ho. Qiao San and Zhuo Yao had no idea that Yuqing would be coming back for the festival; it was a delightful surprise for them, especially since she had ntioned over the phone yesterday that she planned to spend the Lantern Festival at her in-laws’.
"Co on in." Qiao San joyfully let the two in, and the servant quickly took the various-sized bags from Bai Chengxi.
Zhuo Yao was watching TV, and upon seeing Zhuo Yuqing, his face imdiately lit up with a smile: "I thought you weren’t coming back? Is this a special surprise for us?"
Zhuo Yuqing chuckled and quickly took credit on behalf of Bai Chengxi: "I didn’t plan on coming back, but Chengxi said the Lantern Festival is about family reunion and he wanted to spend more ti with you. I only found out about his plans when we got to the airport."
After hearing this, Zhuo Yao couldn’t help but glance at Bai Chengxi. Although his expression was still sowhat aloof, he motioned towards the sofa: "Take a seat."
This ti, Bai Chengxi had specifically brought a box of fine tea for Zhuo Yao, he showed him the packaging before voluntarily brewing it for him.
"Chengxi, you’re not spending the festival with your parents, did they have any objections?" Although Qiao San was delighted for her daughter to co ho, she is now part of the Bai Family, a prominent household that surely cares about these customs.
Bai Chengxi handed Qiao San a cup of tea, smiling gently, "To be honest, auntie, my grandmother and parents have already arrived in City A."
"What?" Qiao San was surprised, and even Zhuo Yao looked up from his teacup.
"When did they co?"
"They ca with us, and they are currently staying in a hotel," Bai Chengxi replied truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Qiao San beca anxious: "How can this be? The old lady has co all this way for the festival, you can’t let them stay at a hotel. Go fetch them now, we have plenty of space at ho."
Bai Chengxi said, "My grandmother wanted to ask for yours and uncle’s permission first. If it’s convenient for you, they planned to visit afterward. It’s all a bit sudden, and they didn’t want to disturb."
"What disturbance? Your family is too polite. Chengxi, go fetch your grandmother and the rest now; I’ll have the kitchen prepare als," urged Qiao San, while pushing Zhuo Yao: "You and Xiao Yan go buy so groceries."
Zhuo Yao, while not opposed to Zhuo Yuqing and Bai Chengxi’s relationship, imdiately guessed the purpose of the Bai Family’s visit - most likely a marriage proposal.
Thinking about marrying off his daughter, the father felt all sorts of discomfort; it seed like he was about to give away a treasure he had carefully cherished for years, and he was both reluctant and worried.
"Old Five, hurry up, don’t dawdle," Qiao San, who could see through his concerns, winked at him silently as a warning.
Zhuo Yao stood up reluctantly, "Got it."
Zhuo Yuqing and Bai Chengxi exchanged a secret glance, she quietly gave him a victorious gesture; it appeared the grandmother’s tactic of acting first and reporting later was effective.
Soon after, the assistant drove the old lady and Bai’s parents over, and when the two families t, the greetings were unavoidable. The Bai Family brought an array of gifts, clearly well-prepared and piled up like a small mountain.
Once the al was ready, everyone gathered around the table to eat. Bai’s father had been an idol of Qiao San in her youth, and now he had beco her in-law, so she was absolutely thrilled, especially since he brought signed videotapes and early collectible posters, items that couldn’t be bought with money.
The grandmother was also very friendly and sat next to Zhuo Yuqing, chatting and laughing with her from ti to ti, behaving almost like a playful old child, which made her quite endearing.
Although Zhuo Yao had so reservations about the family’s visit, he did not neglect the proprieties of hospitality, making the al joyously lively with great excitent.
After the al, with everyone lounging in the living room sipping tea personally brewed by Bai Chengxi, Zhuo Yan couldn’t stop pestering Bai Chengxi to explore his singing potential, drawing a few rebukes from Qiao San.
Zhuo Yan rolled his eyes, "Future brother-in-law, you didn’t co to propose, did you?"
As this was sothing no one had explicitly brought up for fear of awkwardness, there was an abrupt silence, but the grandmother promptly spoke up: "Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Qiao, the child is right. We ca for a marriage proposal. Our Chengxi has been in love with your Yuqing for a while, and both feel very well-matched. Indeed, Yuqing is such a good girl that we really want to bring her into the Bai Family every minute. We’ve also prepared the betrothal gifts, and are just waiting for both of you to agree."
The elderly lady is very fashionable, even using internet vocabulary. After speaking, she gently patted Zhuo Yuqing’s hand twice, "Frankly speaking, at my old age, while I am still in good health, I wish to see my only grandson get married soon. If I live a few more years, I might even get to embrace a great-grandson. This ti, we are sincerely coming to ask for a marriage with all our hearts, and Bai Family will never mistreat Yuqing in the future. If Chengxi ever does anything to hurt Yuqing, I will be the first to not let him off."
Zhuo Yuqing could feel the sentint when the elderly lady repeatedly ntioned not having many years left, imdiately her nose tingled and she softly said, "Grandma, may you live a hundred years."
"Mhm, Grandma will surely live well." The elderly lady’s eyes brimd with tears, "Our Bai Family is truly blessed to find such a wonderful girl as Yuqing."
Qiao San was the only person from the Zhuo Family who knew the inside story, and it was unexpected to her that the Bai Family valued Yuqing so highly. Despite they were already married, they still comnced with a marriage proposal to win Zhuo Yao’s consent, and Qiao San was truly moved by their sincerity and generosity.
"Mrs. Bai, I have always respected Yuqing’s opinions," Qiao San said generously. "If she is willing, her father and I will not object."
After Qiao San spoke, she quietly took Zhuo Yao’s hand, knowing that Zhuo Yao surely felt reluctant to marry off his daughter, but she truly saw the Bai Family as a good match. Chengxi’s kindness to Yuqing was not lost on her, nor was the importance Bai Family placed on Yuqing; isn’t this what she wanted Yuqing to marry into?
Even though Zhuo Yao had reservations about his wife’s reasoning, seeing how Zhuo Yuqing and Bai Chengxi’s hands were clasped together continuously, and their inadvertent eye contact, he as soone who had been through it all could clearly perceive the deep affection in their eyes.
He loved his daughter dearly and was reluctant to let her go, but it was impossible for her to stay with him forever. She had to pursue her own happiness, her own world for two, and what he could do was silently safeguard her, not allowing anyone to harm or let her down.
Zhuo Yao put down the teacup in his hand and finally spoke up, "Although I respect Yuqing’s decision, let be blunt, Yuqing has been pampered with us since childhood, never having suffered any grievances. I hope that after marrying into your Bai Family, she can still live carefree and untroubled as she does now, and I hope her future husband can be committed to her for a lifeti, forever loving her. Of course, I know my demands are a bit excessive, but you can also..."
"I will." Before Zhuo Yao could finish, Bai Chengxi fixed his gaze steadily on him, "Please rest assured, uncle. Once I marry Yuqing, she will be the only wife of my life. I will lavish all my caring on her, and if she desires to grow old with , I will stay by her side till the ends of the earth. If one day she tires of , I will let her go free. As long as I, Bai Chengxi, am physically able and ntally clear, I will not allow her to suffer any distress or bullying. Please, uncle and aunt, supervise and spur on. I will stay devoted to Yuqing and never change."
The sincerity in Bai Chengxi’s speech touched everyone present, and even Zhuo Yao gave him a aningful look.
Whether his words were rely formalities or ca from the heart, since it’s already an established fact, it was sowhat unreasonable for Zhuo Yao to oppose further.
"Well then, I hope you rember what you said today."
"Absolutely," said Bai Chengxi, looking towards Zhuo Yuqing. Mingling embarrassnt with happiness, she flashed him a shy smile. She believed what he said.
Zhuo Yao finally relented, and the Bai Family also breathed a sigh of relief. Bai’s father took out a prepared kraft paper bag from his bag and handed it to Qiao San, "In-law, this is the betrothal gift we prepared for Yuqing. It might seem insignificant to your Zhuo Family, but this represents our sincerity and heartfelt gesture, and we hope you can accept it."
Qiao San smiled as she took it, opened it to find a check for eighty-eight million eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand, two properties, two sports cars, and a list of jewels and jewelry. The total dowry from the Bai Family had already exceeded a hundred million.
Zhuo Family lacks not for money, but as Bai’s father said, it’s the thought that counts. They truly valued Yuqing as a daughter-in-law and were willing to spend over a hundred million to bring her into their family.
"This granddaughter-in-law is priceless, not sothing that can be asured with money," the elderly lady chuckled. "In-laws, please accept it; the upcoming wedding, our Bai Family will also make sure it’s a splendid affair."
"Then I’ll accept it," Qiao San sealed the kraft paper bag, "However, these items will be transferred entirely to Yuqing’s na, it will still belong to them, for them to manage."
The elderly lady nodded, "Completely up to you, in-law."
Thus the matter was basically settled smoothly. Everyone was chatting when Zhuo Yao suddenly said to Bai Chengxi, "Co with ."
Bai Chengxi put down the teapot he had been brewing and stood up to follow, while Zhuo Yuqing was sowhat uneasy, afraid Zhuo Yao might make things difficult for him. Bai Chengxi gave her a reassuring look and left with Zhuo Yao.
Zhuo Yao and Bai Chengxi entered the Zhuo Family’s basent, which had two levels; the first was a cinema and so entertainnt facilities, while the deepest level was a shooting range.
Bai Chengxi saw the clean and stylish shooting range in front of him, with all the facilities being professional and first-class, and a row of neat targets arrayed in front, peppered with bullet holes.
Zhuo Yao took a handgun and tossed it to Bai Chengxi, "Play a few rounds."
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