Chapter 1357 - 1229: This Deal Is Truly Worthwhile

Chapter 1357: Chapter 1229: This Deal Is Truly Worthwhile

Two weeks later, watching the two girls coming hand in hand, enthusiastically presenting six mid-length coats, Zhou Jiao burst into laughter.

This deal is really not a loss.

Do her parents, in-laws, and the two of them consider this as enjoying the daughter-in-law’s filial piety in advance?

"Did you use up all the cloth tickets at home?"

"Not yet, godmother. We exchanged some with our girlfriends. But we’re not sure if they fit? The ones for grandpa and grandma were made by Sister Sheng Mei, she’s more skillful than me."

"Oh, stop being so modest, I can’t compare to you. But Aunt Zhou, do you think grandpa and grandma will like them? I didn’t dare innovate too much with the design."

Yi Tangtang was indeed being modest. Her needlework from a young age was under Zhou Jiao’s tutelage, but Zhou Jiao still gave her a approving glance and praised the two little girls a few times.

To mention Qu Shengmei first, not depending on favors, is a good child. And Qu Shengmei, willing to let Yi Tangtang sew her parents’ coat, shows tolerance, which also pleases her greatly.

The fact that these two children considered everything makes her even more gratified.

In her happiness, Zhou Jiao generously gave them a handful of foreign exchange coupons. Her future daughter-in-law shouldn’t have to trade with her girlfriends for supplies.

During this time, even though she turned a blind eye to the commotion in the Big Courtyard, Aunt Chen was at home. It’s said that Mo Xiaobei and the Fang family’s eldest daughter have secretly made things difficult for Qu Shengmei several times.

Affairs of young people, she did not want to interfere, nor did she wish to. For one, as an elder it’s inappropriate for her to step in, and secondly, it was a good chance to see what measures the child would take.

But this doesn’t mean that while letting them stir up trouble, she wouldn’t also protect her own child.

Not to mention the Fang family’s little girl, even Mo Xiaobei left her disappointed.

She had always admired that girl’s boldness, but as things were reaching a critical point, being entangled was already irrelevant— why make a fool of oneself?

Of course, it also shows further that her Ping’an indeed didn’t choose the wrong person; it truly is a mismatch.

Approaching the end of the lunar month, after eating Laba porridge, Ping’an, who hadn’t returned home for ages, came back first. As for her Liu Yi, there is a task, and he still has to return by the end of the year.

Zhou Jiao now had a bit of a guess. Her Liu Yi should be in charge of a special forces team, frequently leading missions to the Southern Border.

And Ping’an, working as the deputy commander, probably isn’t an easy job either. Previously when she went to the special zone for investigation, the wild boy didn’t even come back to see her.

Later, even more so, she didn’t see his shadow, running in a state like Beijing is huge, not as if he is Dayu controlling the waters, what’s with passing by the door three times without entering?

However, her son has grown up, and seeing him come back healthy and strong, Zhou Jiao decided not to bring these matters up again— lest her son is even less willing to come home if he feels annoyed.

Alright then, she might as well turn a blind eye and just mention the Qiu family girl a bit more— with concerns, let’s see if you few dare to work yourselves to death!

Feeling mischievous, Zhou Jiao naturally mentioned the conflicts among the little girls, because the root cause lies on you, the troublemaker!

Ping’an laughed out loud at this, "Mom, you didn’t see at the beginning how over-the-top Mo Xiaobei was with Yueya’er. And also, I don’t like girls who drink heavily."

"You make her sound like a drunkard." Zhou Jiao muttered under her breath with a smile, waving her hand, "Alright, my son’s got good taste, but remember to keep your attitude straight."

What does ’keeping your attitude straight’ mean?

It means if you have no intention, don’t give her hope, and don’t come up with some nonsense about being friends, or being bosom buddies. She’s tired of these antics!

Ping’an knowingly nodded. In fact, he didn’t need his mom to explicitly point it out— if he really acted ambiguously, his father would deal with him.

"Mom, I want to directly get engaged at the end of the year during the holidays, so our family has a stance on it— prevent people from gossiping. I don’t have the energy to waste on these trivial matters."

"Alright." Since her son put it that way, Zhou Jiao decisively agreed, "I’ll have your Aunt Wan go to the Qiu family. She’s been wanting to act as a matchmaker; this time I’ll trouble her."

"Just a simple ceremony, the simpler the better."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao hesitated and nodded.

For her first child, her father and husband still wanted to follow the traditional six rites. It seems she would have to discuss this with her father-in-law and son-in-law.

And what are the six traditional rites?

First receiving the proposal, second asking the name, third receiving the fortune, fourth receiving the gifts, fifth setting the date, and sixth welcoming the bride.

Carrying out the six ceremonial rites is nothing short of grand!

"Dad, I’m tired."

This is a powerful reason!

Zhou Xiaozheng gave his son-in-law a sidelong glance— what a mischief-maker! He seemed to forget that just a moment ago, he was enthusiastically chatting with his son-in-law about it.

Zhang Guoqing speechlessly rubbed his head, "Then let’s make it simple with just receiving gifts and welcoming the bride."

"Yes, that’s necessary." Zhou Xiaozheng naturally took over the conversation, "Since we’re having it, let’s do Liu Yi’s at the same time, so we don’t have to go through the trouble again later."

Zhang Guoqing thought of his second son with his serious face, touching the girl’s cheek— such a repressed romantic. By the way elders won’t bring it up, he’s probably secretly anxious.

"Dad, that’s a good suggestion. Should we find a more reliable matchmaker? Da Yong’s wife is still a bit young to handle such a responsibility."

"It’s a pity your eldest aunt isn’t here, let’s ask your little aunt, she’s the most suitable."

"Alright, the couples who had her as a matchmaker all ended up pretty well, all had big chubby sons, not to mention a blissful marriage— she’s the one!"

Zhou Jiao watched in disbelief as this pair of father-in-laws made decisions all on their own, pulling her perpetually grinning mother aside: So, it’s settled just like that? And without even asking her Liu Yi?

And Qi Meizhen, how would she explain to her? She’s been yearning to be a matchmaker for ages. Is it acceptable to dismiss her for being too young?

"In big matters, men should make the decision! See, how fitting. It’s just right to have Ping’an and Liu Yi’s engagement together, making the dowry exactly the same to avoid future disputes over who gets more or less."

Miao Lishan added with a sigh, "If only our May 1st would join too, it would be perfect."

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Her May 1st? That’s still a long way off.

Once Miao Lishan started speaking, she couldn’t stay seated, pulling her up, "Come, let’s deliberate on what to prepare, we must first make a list."

Zhou Jiao shook her head with a smile.

"Ping’an is older than Liu Yi, we can have the wedding earlier, and you two discuss a date. Later on, remember the betrothal gifts, and make sure the timing is during the May 1st holiday."

Miao Lishan hurriedly pulled Zhou Jiao away, not forgetting to leave behind a task.

Zhang Guoqing spread his hands to his father-in-law, shaking his head repeatedly, expressing his cluelessness! When is the head of the family going to think things through if not now?

National affairs are important, but family matters can’t be neglected, right?

Zhou Xiaozheng glared, scolding with a laugh, "You brat, don’t you want to hold your grandchildren? Come over and jot down some time slots for Ping’an to choose from when the time comes."

Zhang Guoqing honestly hadn’t planned on becoming a grandparent this early; he was still young. The thought of having a little one calling him grandpa gave him a shiver.

"Dad, you do it; for the sake of being called great-grandfather, a little hard work is fine, I’ll call little aunt now."