Chapter 1358 - 1230: Engagement

Chapter 1358: Chapter 1230: Engagement

On the other end of the phone, Cheng Ruzhu laughed heartily upon hearing the request to be a matchmaker, "No problem, I’ll rush over after work tomorrow, we’ll talk when we meet."

Wen Congxue, not really paying attention, was flipping through the book in his hand. As soon as his wife hung up the phone, he immediately asked, "Should we call the eldest sister-in-law? She’s more experienced than you."

"Are you underestimating me?"

Wen Congxue shook his head with a chuckle, "It’s not about underestimating or not; it’s the first time the eldest brother’s family is organizing a wedding. Don’t mess it up."

Cheng Ruzhu hesitated for a moment, "Why don’t I give the eldest sister-in-law a call? This time, Ping’an and Liu Yi are sending the betrothal gifts together, and I really need her advice about any taboos involved."

Wen Congxue quickly extended his right hand, indicating she should go ahead and call. He silently cursed his brother-in-law; fortunately, it’s just an engagement. If it were a wedding, it would be a disaster.

There’s a particular order for welcoming new brides into the family.

Especially since one child takes the father’s surname and another the mother’s, it may not be noticeable usually, but when it’s showtime, family indifference isn’t enough to counter malicious gossip.

Thinking about this, his thoughts were entirely absorbed in Cheng Ruzhu’s conversation with her sister-in-law. Sure enough, Liu Xiu, the sister-in-law, was personally chosen as the elder daughter-in-law by his father-in-law and mother-in-law.

——She could clearly and methodically lay everything out, watching his wife busy herself with it. Hahaha... He really thought he underestimated her.

The next day after work, Cheng Ruzhu hurriedly rushed to the Big Courtyard with a few sheets of paper in tow.

"Auntie, have a cup of tea first. When did you come over? I drove to your workplace after work, and the guard said you’d already left."

Big chill weather, sitting freezing in the bike, Cheng Ruzhu had no interest and quickly waved her hand, "I’ve been pretty free lately, I leave as soon as I finish work, unlike you."

Zhou Jiao rolled her eyes silently. What a show-off, so annoying! She’s been busy, hoping to have a few days off at the end of the year, and you?

Nearby, Miao Lishan took Cheng Ruzhu’s coat and led her to a seat, smiling, "Don’t mention ’free’ to her, she’s been very busy these days, just said the days aren’t livable."

Cheng Ruzhu raised her chin in surprise toward Zhou Jiao and looked at Miao Lishan, "What’s going on? Is she really busy? I haven’t heard of any big projects at her department recently."

"Who knows? She mentioned she has to work overtime again tomorrow night."

Cheng Ruzhu shook her head, "You’re the lucky one."

"Lucky for what? Not having to travel at the end of the year?"

"It’s almost New Year, any trip would have to wait until next year." Cheng Ruzhu glanced outside and lowered her voice, "Recently, they’re busy investigating corruption, neglecting other matters."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao’s eyes flickered.

"Serves them right! You don’t know how Brother Zheng recently got worn out by these things; there’s trouble in both the local and military sections, Xiao Wu is busy at home every night."

Zhou Jiao quickly changed the topic, "Auntie, take a look at the list my mom and I made. What do we need for the betrothal gifts? I don’t understand."

"Wait, I still have the list from your great-aunt from the Cheng family. She’s way more experienced and mentioned several things. Too bad she’s busy and can’t make it back, but she said she’ll definitely come back for Ping’an’s wedding."

"No problem, it’s all family, I know she’s busy. Originally, we thought of calling with you today. But you were too hasty."

"How could I not rush? It’s a major event. Who knows if she’ll be home for a sudden call? You look through it carefully, and then we can discuss together."

The three stages: substantial betrothal, engagement gifts, completing the betrothal. It sounds difficult but it isn’t too hard.

The three families are well-matched and know each other well, and the kids have been dating for a while. The initial stage can be skipped.

As for asking for the birthdates, which is part of betrothal traditions, it’s not a formal process now, but Zhou Jiao had already discreetly sought out the Divination Master.

She even included May 1st and Little Jiu’s birthdates in the process.

Superstition is such a thing, better to believe it exists than not.

She almost got kicked out by the old lady; she was adamant about retiring. Otherwise, she would have tried to persuade them to divine for her three sons.

Cheng Ruzhu made two rounds among the three families, and everything went smoothly. At the Qiu Family, they didn’t ask much about the gifts; at the Yi Family, Da Yi made everything efficient.

He’s great, and so am I.

With a mood full of joy, Zhou Jiao certainly wouldn’t shortchange her future daughters-in-law, adding another Jade Stone Face as instructed by her great-aunt from the Cheng Family.

In truth, without the great-aunt pointing it out, her family knew well that for harmony and prosperity, regardless of the children’s surnames, everything will be balanced.

The year turned over, and they picked an auspicious date; on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the engagement ceremony was bustling and complete.

As for how the youngsters are celebrating, Zhou Jiao didn’t bother intervening, soon sending her in-laws two gifts for her future daughters-in-law.

A sense of closure hung in the air.

Having a formal status makes a difference indeed.

Qu Shengmei and Yi Tangtang began visiting more often, coming over every few days to cook a few dishes, making Aunt Chen repeatedly praise their choice.

Fortunately, they wouldn’t chatter endlessly, or Zhou Jiao might have driven them away; her quiet days would be gone forever.

With two lovely guests, life certainly became busier, having to consider everything, like she couldn’t carelessly act coy in front of her husband, and more social interactions...

However, her father seemed quite pleased. Although he maintained a stern face and scarce smiles, his appetite increased significantly.

Zhang Guoqing privately mentioned his father-in-law was showing support for his daughter!

But happiness in seeing these two girls wasn’t misplaced; come Qingming Festival, he let Ping’an and the Liu Yi Brothers take their partners for a family trip to the mountains for tomb-sweeping.

Okay!

Compared to the first time Ping’an visited the mountains as a little toddler, this time the numbers did increase, so long as her father’s happy!

In the phone conversation, May 1st couldn’t let it go, "Mom, where’s grandpa? You have to tell him every day my little grandson dreams of him and misses him dearly."

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily upon hearing, "Alright, I’ll tell him every day before he goes to work. But, aren’t you afraid we’ll get jealous?"

"Of course, I miss you too, miss dad, miss grandma too. As for my brothers, tell them to catch up with their letters to me?"

"Hahaha... Okay, I’ll tell them."

"Are they still spending their vacation taking their wives shopping and watching movies? Tell them, if they are, I’ll come home and punish them."

"Nah, after the eighth day of the New Year until now, I’ve barely seen their shadows."

"Unfilial, really unfilial. Mom, it’s because I’m not around you, otherwise I wouldn’t go anywhere."

May 1st’s exaggerated act made Zhou Jiao laugh until she bent over, and the receiver was quickly snatched away by Zhou Xiaozheng who had been waiting.

"Come, first say something to grandpa."

"Grandpa, finally hearing your voice; don’t forget the old for the new. Your little grandson will cry for you to hear."