latelenovela Chapter 94 Happy conversation
Chapter 94 Happy conversation
The two families warmly welcomed everyone, and they all sat down in the pavilion. Once seated, Xiao Bao and Lin Yue busied themselves bringing out fresh fruit. The two children played nearby, while Gong Yong sat at the tea table and began brewing tea. This series of actions made Xiao Xue's parents, Ms. Yang and her husband, feel the warmth of their hospitality.
After everyone was seated, they introduced themselves to each other, with Xiaoxue helping to do so as well. Xiaobao tried to smooth things over, creating a humorous and harmonious atmosphere. Soon, the topic turned to the two girls' marriages; everyone felt they were getting on in years and planned to get engaged this year.
Lin Yue proactively asked Yang's mother, "How much do you think the bride price would be appropriate?" Yang's mother replied, "When I got married, it was about 188,000 yuan, just a token amount is fine." Lin Yue continued, "Because of business reasons, we hope to hold a large ceremony at the company, so our bride price might be 288 million yuan. Do you think that's appropriate?" She also added, "If you think it's too much or too little, you can say so. I can suggest a few auspicious numbers, such as 166 million, 188 million, 288 million, or 388 million, or even 488 million. What do you think is suitable?"
Lin Yue then brought out a long lacquered box, which served as a plate, containing a stack of three small wooden boxes, two long rectangular boxes, and a large square box. She opened it to show her in-laws. The three small boxes contained three bracelets, one yellow, one purple, and one green, all made of fine jade. The large box was filled entirely with gold: a pair of gold bracelets, two gold necklaces, and four pairs of gold earrings. The two long boxes also contained a jade flute and a jade pipe, which Lin Yue had specially prepared after learning from Xiao Bao that Xiao Xue could play the flute and pipe.
When Lin Yue placed these items on the engagement table, Xiao Bao also brought out bundles of cash tied with red ribbons, totaling 288 million yuan, and placed them on the table. This startled Ms. Yang and Xiao Xue's father, who hadn't expected their future in-laws to be so generous.
Xiaoxue's father and Ms. Yang exchanged a glance, then looked at Xiaoxue, their daughter. Xiaoxue sat there, her mouth slightly agape. She had only known that Xiaobao had mentioned a dowry of approximately 288 million yuan and three or five gold pieces, but she hadn't expected such valuable jade. Based on her limited knowledge of the outside world, Xiaoxue estimated that the two jade flutes alone were probably worth tens of millions, and the two or three piles of jade bracelets were estimated to be worth over a hundred million—truly excellent antiques. This made Xiaoxue's heart pound, and she felt extremely uneasy.
Xiaoxue looked up at her parents, then glanced at Xiaobao and President Lin. After a moment's thought, she nodded to her parents. Seeing her daughter nod, Ms. Yang continued, "In-laws, now that we're family, and you've shown such sincerity, we have no room for negotiation. Actually, our family's circumstances are far inferior to yours. What you've offered is just the tip of the iceberg, while we're only slightly better off than average families. It's like we're not a good match. We're also worried that our daughter's perspective and experience will be too different after marrying into your family. We hope you'll be understanding. My daughter is playful and lazy at home, not as good as we imagined. If she marries into your Gong family and there are things you don't like, or if you need to discipline the children, please don't punish her; you can send her back to her parents' home." These were Xiaoxue's mother's words. Xiaoxue, standing to the side, had tears welling in her eyes.
Xiaoxue's father continued, "My wife is right. If the child does anything wrong, please be lenient and send him back to your parents' home." Lin Yue immediately chimed in, "I'm a mother too, so I understand. Besides, we won't interfere with or participate in their lives. After they get married and have children, her father and I will probably be spending most of our time practicing Buddhism, so we won't have time to help them with the baby or meddle in their lives. Please be understanding. If the young couple encounters a major event like having a child, we hope you can help out. Although we can afford a nanny, she can't be as caring as your own mother, right?"
Hearing their in-laws' reply, Xiaoxue's parents all laughed, and the atmosphere was very happy. After the agreement was reached, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen. Since today was the day for the two families to discuss the marriage, Xiaobao's aunt and uncle had come and were helping in the kitchen. Xiaobao's cousin, a girl about half a year older than him, had also brought her child and was also busy in the kitchen. Xiaoxue's family brought two children, and together with the two little ones from her cousin's family, there were four little ones playing in the small pond nearby. Several pairs of ducklings were in the pond, and they were happily feeding them, while a bodyguard looked after the four children. The group chatted happily, and no one had any objections to the dowry.
After receiving no objections, Lin Yue continued, "My dear in-laws, it's like this: both children are getting on in years. After the engagement, let's pick a date for their wedding. What do you think? According to the old customs of aristocratic families, you need to give me the children's birth dates and times so Xiao Bao and I can combine them and then find a fortune teller to choose an auspicious date for their marriage. What do you think?" Xiao Xue's parents said, "Okay, Xiao Xue is almost 27 now. Although she's 26 now, she'll be 27 at the beginning of the year, so it's time for her to get married. We'll go back and prepare her dowry." Lin Yue said, "The amount of her dowry is up to you. We don't have any requirements; we can even leave it entirely. As for the betrothal gifts we gave you, you can decide what to do with them. If your family needs them, you can keep them. However, this flute and this xiao (vertical bamboo flute) are special gifts from Xiao Bao and me for Xiao Xue. Please make sure Xiao Xue decides what to do with these two items herself. As for the other gold, silver, and jade, you can handle them as you see fit."
When the conversation reached this point, Xiaoxue's parents quickly said, "Thank you so much for your understanding, in-laws." Just then, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen; her aunt and uncle were calling Xiaobao to invite the relatives over for dinner. Everyone then went to the dining room and filled a large round table. Everyone remarked that the dishes were even more abundant than those in a five-star hotel, and the ingredients were exceptionally fresh. Xiaoxue's father nodded repeatedly as he ate. Because Xiaoxue's father was also a spiritual practitioner, he knew from his first bite that the food was full of energy and spiritual power, and he couldn't help but eat more. Ms. Yang also tasted it and recognized it as the legendary spiritual rice and noodles. Remembering that Xiaobao had brought some to their daughter's room earlier, and they had already eaten two meals from it, the elderly couple, seeing so many spiritually potent items on the table, ate heartily. At the table, everyone ate quietly, occasionally raising their glasses to greet each other. Xiao Bao is a big eater, and he was the only one enjoying the meal. Xiao Xue also ate with gusto, her mouth dripping with oil. The four children, in particular, were very happy with their meal because the juice was made from spirit fruits, which they drank non-stop.
The engagement banquet was simple, thoughtful, and impeccably conducted. After the meal, Xiaobao led Xiaoxue's parents and friends on a leisurely stroll through the valley, explaining things to them. They greeted some of the little spirits they encountered. Occasionally, the spirits would bring baskets of mountain fruits to give to Xiaoxue, expressing their joy for their future mistress. During the in-laws' banquet, the rat spirit and willow spirit had already informed all the spirits in the valley that their future mistress was indeed Xiaoxue. This slow walk was essentially an introduction to all the spirits in the valley—those about to take shape, those already formed, and those with sentience. Everyone wanted to see her, being careful not to hurt or frighten the young mistress, lest anything go wrong.
After touring the canyon, it was already evening. Lin Yue prepared a large and sumptuous dinner. After dinner, the table was still filled with smiles, and everyone was very happy. Xiaoxue's father and Yang's mother said, "In-laws, as we get older, we're thinking of retiring nearby. What do you think?" Lin Yue said, "Sure, why not? You're welcome anytime. There are plenty of houses in the canyon for you. If you prefer, you can stay outside and come in occasionally, or even live in the valley long-term. It's just that it's not very convenient to come and go from the valley." Ms. Yang said, "We'll come in when we have time, and stay outside with the children when we don't." Lin Yue said, "Okay, whatever you prefer. Make yourself at home here." The two families finished dinner in this warm atmosphere.
Lin Yue and Gong Yong stepped forward and waited until Xiao Bao drove the van over, helped the elderly couple into the car, and then Xiao Bao and Xiao Xue's two nephews and nieces also got in. Afterwards, Lin Yue told Xiao Bao to drive slowly to ensure the family arrived home safely. Only after they drove out of the canyon did Lin Yue and Gong Yong turn around to prepare dinner. Lin Yue arranged for her younger brother and sister-in-law, along with her sister-in-law's child, to return to the valley to sleep while she entertained the guests. Lin Yue's parents were overjoyed to see their son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren, and they sat together chatting.
Half an hour later, Xiao Bao took Xiao Xue's family back to Xiao Xue's dormitory building. He put the bag of spirit rice, the bag of spirit noodles, some chicken, duck, fish, spirit flowers, and spirit fruits that Lin Yue had given him before leaving into the trunk and used a trolley to pull them up. After pulling them up, Xiao Bao gently took Xiao Xue's hand, kissed her cheek, and said, "You two get some rest. I'll bring you breakfast tomorrow." Then he went downstairs and drove back to his own place.
Xiaoxue's parents, having finished showering, sat in the dining room. Xiaoxue, having also washed up, sat down as well. Her two nieces and nephews, tired from playing all day, had showered and gone to bed immediately. The elderly couple and Xiaoxue then sat down at the dining table, each holding a bowl of juice made from the spiritual fruit Xiaobao had brought, and began discussing the dowry arrangements.
The three sat around the table. Yang's mother said, "Xiaoxue, your father and I will give you half of our savings, about 60 yuan. This is our cash dowry. Then we'll give you some other things. What do you want?" This was the amount that Ms. Yang and Xiaoxue's father had discussed beforehand: 60 yuan in cash, and some jewelry. They had previously bought Xiaoxue several bracelets and necklaces, all in gold, as well as some earrings. It would probably fill two or three boxes.
Xiaoxue thought for a moment and said, "Mom, I don't need these things. I have about 120 million yuan in salary and savings over the past few years. I've had room and board provided at the company, and Mr. Lin pays me a high salary, so I really don't need you to give me a dowry. My 120 million yuan is enough. Besides, this is our new home. I'll take you to see the villa tomorrow. I'll just add a few small items to make it more cozy. As for other things, the house we live in now, I've been working here for five or six years since graduating from university and then graduate school. In four or five years, this house will be completely my personal property. It's premarital property. It was a gift from the company. Even if Xiaobao and I have any problems in the future, this house will still be mine. I can buy and sell it, but I can only sell it to people within the factory area or sell it back to the company. These are the policies."
When Yang's mother heard about the company's policies, she also felt that Xiaobao's family was very kind and generous. Speaking of which,
Xiaoxue's father said, "You are your own person, and what we give is what we give. As for cash, your father and I will transfer 600,000 yuan to you. Didn't Xiaobao bring back all the betrothal gifts he gave today? We won't keep any of these things; we'll take them all back with us when you get married."
Xiaoxue said, "Why don't we leave those bracelets for my brother and sister-in-law?"
Xiaoxue's father said, "That won't do. What's yours is yours. Your brother and sister-in-law aren't that short-sighted."
Xiaoxue said, "Alright then, I'll take out one million from my dowry, plus your six hundred thousand, so I'll say one million six hundred thousand on the surface. That's a lucky number. I'll keep two hundred thousand to buy other things." Mother Yang said, "Don't touch that two hundred thousand. Keep it as your own private savings. From now on, your salary will be basically transparent. Your mother-in-law will know how much you get paid each month, how much your husband pays you, and how much the company pays you."
Xiaoxue said, "I have other sources of income, such as part-time jobs."
Mrs. Yang said, "Where will you find the time to do those side jobs? After taking care of things at home and at the company, you'll still have to spend time with Xiaobao. Being a wife is not the same as being a girl." Xiaoxue fell silent at this point.
Xiaoxue's father said, "Alright, it's so late, let's go to sleep. We've reached an agreement, now it's up to Xiaoxue."
Xiaoxue returned to her bed and began replying to Xiaobao's messages.
Xiao Bao sent a message asking, "Are you guys asleep, Xiao Xue?"
Xiaoxue replied: "I'm going to sleep soon. We just finished discussing the dowry."
Xiao Bao said, "Whether or not you bring a dowry is irrelevant. I'm not looking at you for anything."
Xiaoxue said, "My dowry is my source of confidence."
Xiao Bao smiled and said from across the table, "From now on, everything that's mine is yours."
Xiaoxue said, "Then what's yours is mine, and what's mine is still mine."
Xiao Bao said, "Okay, what's yours is yours, and what's mine is still yours."
The young couple ended their conversation in this heartwarming way, and fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
Many people say that once a marriage has been discussed for a long time, problems often arise regarding the bride price or the wedding banquet. Honestly, if both families are financially well-off and not vain or concerned about appearances, a simple wedding is perfectly acceptable. However, if the groom has sufficient financial resources and the bride isn't too picky, a simple wedding can resolve all the issues. Frankly, weddings are a matter of personal preference. Some want a grand affair and a prestigious ceremony, while others prefer a simple one; it depends on each family's needs.
However, some families are unaware of their own financial situation and insist on putting on a show of wealth beyond their means. For example, the groom may be financially strapped, while the bride makes excessive demands; or the bride may be financially struggling while the groom is very well-off. In such cases, the two families have differing needs, which can easily lead to a breakdown in negotiations, especially regarding the bride price. Frankly speaking, it's normal for the bride's family to ask for a bride price, but it should be tailored to the individual, the local circumstances, and their financial capabilities.