CHAPTER 438: 438 AGREEMENT

After the two families’ elders met, they all had a good impression of each other. You can tell if someone is easy to get along with just by their appearance.

The Qiao Family was very enthusiastic. The elderly couple from the Yao Family also showed a willingness to marry their son, which made the Qiao Family very satisfied.

The two mothers were having a great conversation, hitting it off increasingly well. Mother Yao is gentle, while Mrs. Qiao is lively and generous. Despite their differing personalities, they were quite compatible. They couldn’t stop talking, and it seemed like they regretted not meeting sooner.

The other five people watched the two ladies being so affectionate with each other that they found it amusing. If nothing else, once the two families are united, even if the kids argue in the future, the two mothers would surely be able to keep the peace and prevent things from escalating.

The two fathers had a more formal discussion. However, both being retired military officers, they also cherished each other as comrades-in-arms.

Yao Shimin sat next to Qiao Jingyi. He whispered in her ear, "Are you going to take a leave and come back with me this time? We’ll go to the furniture factory to order furniture. Since it would take one or two months to customize, and it needs to be set aside for a while, we should hurry up."

"Sure, if it weren’t for your second phone call, I probably would have already taken leave and gone over."

"Okay, let’s hear what your parents have to say."

Only Qiao Dongshan sat there alone, suddenly feeling that he should settle down as well.

The men reminisced about the past, talking about their days on the battlefield.

The women chatted about the children’s past.

"Sister-in-law, you don’t know, I regret it so much that I could cry. I used to be too stubborn, thinking of finding a wife for Shimin back in our hometown, hoping he would want to return home in the future.

I never considered the issue of the couple living apart. It was all my fault. If we had searched here from the start, the kids wouldn’t have ended up like this."

"Sister, that’s all in the past. Think positively; it shows that fate brought Shimin and Jingyi together. Otherwise, how would they have had the chance to meet?"

"Exactly, the way you explained it makes me feel much enlightened. Sister, now that you’ve met our family today, you can see we are all just regular folks living our lives. Do you think the kids can get engaged in these few days first?"

"Sister-in-law, I invited your family over for just this reason. The kids aren’t getting any younger; we are quite satisfied with Shimin. We understand it’s not easy for you and your husband to come by; both of your jobs are busy. It’s fine to have the engagement first."

"Can we aim for tomorrow? There’s a lot to prepare post-engagement. Shimin said the house is already prepared, though getting married by National Day isn’t feasible. Shall we plan for a wedding in December?"

"Sister-in-law, we also don’t know about these things. Let’s find someone to check the calendar later."

"That sounds great." Mother Yao brought a thousand yuan for her son and some jewelry. Preparing for the engagement should be manageable.

The two sisters-in-law hurriedly went out after finalizing the details.

The two fathers grew more excited as they chatted, feeling as if they’d met after many years apart.

Qiao Jingyi checked the time and thought about preparing dinner.

"Jingyi, where are you going?"

"It’s getting late; I’m going to make dinner."

"Since it’s the first time our parents are meeting, let’s eat out."

"Eating out? Isn’t eating at home more convenient to chat?"

Qiao Jingyi nodded towards the two fathers.

"That’s fine too, whatever you decide. Let’s go grocery shopping."

Qiao Jingyi informed Mr. Qiao, then the two headed to the supply and marketing cooperative together.

Today they were really lucky as the supply and marketing cooperative still had pork available.

Yao Shimin had food tickets for ten pounds of meat, but they were only sold two pounds. Qiao Jingyi also bought two pounds, which was quite a bit.

They bought double portions of eggs too, four pounds in total.

There were vegetables in the home garden. They also bought two blocks of tofu.

"You thought of everything, even bringing a basin."

"Buy what we have; it’s no trouble if we don’t get it."

"Jingyi, shall we stop by the grain station? I still have plenty of fine grain tickets."

"No need, we have quite a bit at home."

"It’s fine, I’ve saved these food tickets myself. Being alone, I never finish them monthly."

"Alright then, not too much though. Let’s see if there’s any rice today; the rice at Xinyu’s house was delicious."

"Haha, Vice Factory Director Jiang never skimps on food. I always think about catching a free meal but feel embarrassed."

"Yao Shimin, Xinyu is pretty and capable, haven’t you ever thought about it over the years?"

Yao Shimin looked at Qiao Jingyi in surprise and then burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Jingyi, let me say this: when I met Vice Factory Director Jiang, she was a young girl, and even after we’d interacted, I felt she was a very formidable young girl.

I prefer ordinary girls. If women are too strong, I feel pressured."

Qiao Jingyi understood what Yao Shimin meant.

"No one at your textile factory likes her? That’s impossible?"

"I don’t usually pay attention to that."

"Our Xinyu is so perfect! I wonder which scoundrel dared to abandon her? If I find out, I’d definitely teach him a lesson."

Yao Shimin stared speechlessly at his future wife. She even had a violent streak, yet he liked such straightforward individuals.

The two went to the grain station and bought five pounds of rice, then returned home.

Upon arriving, they found that the two mothers hadn’t returned yet; now, only the two fathers and Qiao Dongshan were chatting in the house.

The two greeted them, then went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Qiao Jingyi was not confident with dishes like braised pork, but she could handle the preliminary preparations.

Yao Shimin was in charge of tending the fire and assisting. Before long, Qiao Dongshan joined in, taking charge of picking the vegetables.

Once Qiao Jingyi had blanched the meat and cut it into smaller pieces, the two mothers returned.

Seeing the three children in the kitchen, Mrs. Qiao felt quite proud.

"Shimin, accompany your mom back to the room; the kitchen is too hot."

"Sister-in-law, no need, let the kids come out, and we can handle it."

"Let’s have Jingyi stay. I pampered her too much as a child; she can’t even stew meat. She has to learn."

"Then let Shimin learn too; how can we let Jingyi do it alone?"

Mrs. Qiao was even more satisfied with Mother Yao’s words. Whether Yao Shimin would help in the future or not, their family’s attitude was upright.

By half-past twelve, a large table of dishes was ready. Qiao Dongshan even brought out two bottles of wine.

The seven family members sat together, chatting and laughing, "Old Yao, the kids’ engagement date is set, so tomorrow will be the engagement, and the wedding day will be on the 16th of December.

The fortune-teller said that the 16th of December is an auspicious day."

Neither father had any objections and agreed it was good.

After the meal, Qiao Dongshan went to work, while the four elders continued chatting.

"Sister-in-law, we don’t know the customs here. Do you think giving Jingyi a hundred and one yuan for the engagement is okay, along with some gold jewelry my mother-in-law gave me?"