Chapter 1725 - 1660: The Counterpart of the All-Pampered Novel 90_2

After all, in today’s society, when two families get married, it’s usually the man who doesn’t want to give a bride price, and the woman who keeps asking for more, which leads to a fight, and the marriage doesn’t happen.

But in the case of the Ren Family and the Xiao Family, it’s the man who insists on giving more, and the woman who doesn’t want it. If something were to happen, it would only be a joke to everyone else, thinking these two families are quite amusing, while also believing that they truly care for their children.

Meanwhile, Anning and Mrs. Ren remained quiet on the matter, engaging in light-hearted conversation while keeping an eye on the situation.

Seeing things get out of hand, Anning and Mrs. Ren stepped in to stop it. Mrs. Ren easily pushed Mr. Ren aside with a comment that he’d had a few too many drinks and didn’t even know his own name. Anning then came over and smoothed things over with a few kind words, returning the families to a state of harmony—this is knowing the right moment.

They finally arrived at Xiaxi Village.

Xiao Yuan and Mr. Ren went to slaughter sheep, while Anning and Mrs. Ren exchanged stories about their families’ situations, dispelling any previous tensions with ease.

The Ren Family stayed in Xiaxi Village for three days, partly to understand the Xiao Family better, and also to give the Xiao Family time to learn about them.

During these three days, it was all about eating, drinking, and having fun; neither family mentioned the engagement again until the Ren Family left, leaving the matter unsaid.

This provided an opportunity for reconciliation.

Both families needed time to think carefully about whether this marriage could work and to have a heart-to-heart with their children.

Especially since Mr. Ren said before leaving that they’d come again during the New Year, which left even more room for negotiation.

In this way, the children were saved from embarrassment, keeping them happy, while leaving room for the families to take a step back.

Si Ya wasn’t foolish; she just didn’t care to put her mind to it, preferring to focus on the food and the animals at home, but she could still see what was happening.

At this point, with a little thought, Si Ya understood completely.

However, she didn’t blame her parents: "When my dad and Uncle Ren were arguing about the bride price, my heart was in my throat. I thought my dad didn’t like Ren Lu and was using the bride price as an excuse to break things off so our engagement couldn’t go through."

Anning laughed, "Your dad isn’t that silly. Besides, he trusts you not to pick Ren Lu if he wasn’t a good guy. It’s not easy to find someone you like, so your dad wouldn’t really mess it up for you; it’s just a strategic move."

Si Ya nodded with a light smile, "I understand now. So what should we do about this? When will Ren Lu and I be engaged?"

"Soon." Anning smiled, patting Si Ya’s hand, "With such a good daughter, any family would be lucky to have you. I’m sure Ren Family has set their sights on you, and it won’t be long before they officially propose."

Xiao Yuan grunted in agreement, "The Ren Family follows traditional customs, and for a formal proposal, it won’t just be Ren Lu’s parents. They’ll have to find a matchmaker and come with gifts to formally seek your hand, as is proper and customary."

Anning laughed softly, "This time, the Ren Family won’t bother us about how much the bride price should be—they’ll have it all prepared. After all, a child’s marriage isn’t a business transaction full of haggling. If they play that game again, it won’t mean anything, and the marriage will fall through."

Aside from the Xiao Family, Mr. Ren was discussing this very matter with Ren Lu on the way back.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead, "Kid, your future father-in-law is not simple."

Ren Lu massaged his dad’s shoulders, "With such a big business, how could he be simple?"

Mr. Ren chuckled, "Once you marry Si Ya, you better treat her well. If you mistreat her, your father-in-law will know exactly how to deal with you, and I won’t step in to help."

"Dad, I’m getting married to settle down. Once I choose a person, it’s for life, and Si Ya is the one I want to spend my life with. How could I mistreat her?" Ren Lu hurriedly assured his dad, "Dad, as soon as you’re back, you should get the betrothal gifts ready. You don’t know; there are others in my class who have their eye on Si Ya. Like that one classmate, his family owns several ranches in the grasslands with countless cattle. He said if Si Ya doesn’t want me, he’ll go after her."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ren immediately became anxious, "This won’t do, absolutely not. Si Ya is the daughter-in-law your mom and I have chosen. Son, you better keep a close eye on her and not let anyone else take her away. Your mom and I will find a matchmaker to prepare the gifts as soon as we’re back. Rest assured, you’ll be married before the end of the year."

After returning, the Ren couple started looking for an appropriate matchmaker, and indeed, they managed to enlist Huang Long’s help.

A few days later, Huang Long brought Ren Lu along with the betrothal gifts to the Xiao Family to formally propose.

As soon as Huang Long stepped into the Xiao Family’s yard, he laughed, "Ayuan, congratulations!"

Xiao Yuan welcomed Huang Long into the house, "Brother, come in quickly with all your congratulations. I’m getting confused by your congratulations."

Huang Long pointed at Xiao Yuan, "Pretending to be oblivious to me, do you? Don’t you know why I’m here?"

After they sat down, Huang Long signaled to Ren Lu, "Go out and see if there’s some work to do. How could a newcomer show up without doing any work?"

Ren Lu immediately obliged and went out.

Only then did Huang Long discuss things in detail with Xiao Yuan, "Ayuan, the Ren Family is truly wonderful. I thoroughly checked before coming over. The Ren couple is virtuous, and Ren Lu is a sincere young man. Listen, Si Ya calls me Uncle, and I’ve watched her grow up. How could I not care for her and her future?"

"Have some tea." Xiao Yuan handed over a cup of tea, "With you saying this, I can finally be at ease. If I can’t trust anyone else, I can trust you. How long have we been friends? Let me tell you from the heart, even if I don’t trust my own brother, I trust you."

Huang Long felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this, "Then it’s settled. I came with the betrothal gifts. The Ren Family is far from here, so they couldn’t prepare much, mostly small items."

As Huang Long spoke, he began laying things out.

He opened the box he had brought and took out a pair of jade bracelets, "These are family heirlooms passed down through the Ren Family, always given to the eldest daughter-in-law. Ren Lu’s mother asked me to bring them for Si Ya."

Then, he presented an entire set of pearl jewelry, "This is accumulated by the Ren Family over the years, specially commissioned in fine gold to have this set created for Si Ya."

Upon seeing these items, Xiao Yuan knew how highly the Ren Family valued Si Ya.

Huang Long continued taking items out, "There’s also some real estate, including a villa in the Capital and a building in Dream City, as well as a cash gift, which, between your two families, is just a formality, symbolically set at 8.88 million for a lucky number."

This time, Xiao Yuan didn’t refuse; he accepted them all, "With your endorsement, if I said or did anything else, I’d be letting you down. Alright, it’s settled then. I’ll accept the gifts and prepare a dowry for Si Ya. She’s my only daughter, and she won’t leave lacking."