Zheng Yang went back inside, and his two cousins ​​helped him get the prepared gift boxes. According to the old custom, engagement boxes had to be made of mahogany, but nowadays there aren't so many rules. The Zheng family prepared two outfits for Jiang Ruyu. It just so happened that Zheng Yang had driven to Shanghai a couple of days ago, where the clothes were even more stylish. Zheng Yang decided to buy his girlfriend a red cashmere sweater, which was quite expensive.

I also bought a khaki coat, a thin one. The salesperson said it was called a trench coat and came from the south. It wasn't cheap. I also bought two pairs of leather shoes, socks, and a scarf, all in red.

Following the old custom, Zheng Dali prepared four kinds of candies, four boxes of different biscuits, a basket of eggs, red dates, dried longan, walnuts, pine nuts (a set of dried fruit gifts), and four bottles of Moutai liquor.

The gifts totaled six items. The Zheng family carried the gifts to the Jiang family's house. People in the front and back yards and alleys all knew that the two families were getting engaged today, and they were all watching the excitement in the yard or at the door.

"Oh my, look! The Zheng family is really generous. Look at this, how much money is this?" The onlookers began to discuss among themselves.

"The Zheng family is very wealthy. Think about it, they don't have any expenses. There are three people in the family, two of whom are earning money. Now all three of them are earning money, not to mention that Zheng Yang's salary is so high."

Some people also disapproved of this practice of taking other people's property: "There are quite a few wealthy people in our alley, but how many spend money like the Zheng family on their engagement? And it's only because they are satisfied with Ruyu. Ruyu's job is much more desirable, with a good salary and good benefits."

"That's right, our Ruyu is sensible, obedient, filial, has a good job, and is beautiful. The Zheng family boy has high standards. With Ruyu being so outstanding, he has to pay more attention to her." The speaker was Old Mrs. Li. She was on good terms with Old Mrs. Jiang, and Jiang Ruyu and her siblings were always very affectionate towards her. Of course, she would speak more favorably of her old friend's granddaughter.

Li Xiuying smiled and chimed in, "Ruyu is one of the best girls in our alley. The Zheng family's gift isn't much, but Ruyu is a perfect match for it."

Jiang Ruyu and Zheng Yang came out of the house smiling and handing out wedding candies: "Aunties and ladies, come and have some wedding candies, and share in the joy!"

"It has to be our Ruyu, so generous!" Old Mrs. Li said with a happy smile as she accepted the wedding candy.

There were at least a dozen people surrounding them, and the two of them each gave three or four pieces of candy, which was quite a lot, since you need candy coupons to buy candy.

The group chatted and laughed, and when Jiang Ruyu and Zheng Yang returned, Grandma Jiang waved and gestured for her granddaughter to come over.

Then, taking Jiang Ruyu's hand, he said, "Ruyu, we've discussed setting your wedding date for December 16th next year. What do you think?"

Huh? Jiang Ruyu was completely confused. Wasn't it an engagement? Why was a wedding date set? She glanced at Zheng Yang subconsciously, and seeing that he was also looking at her in shock, she knew that he didn't know either.

She looked at her grandmother and grandfather, a little bewildered. They were both smiling at her. Jiang Ruyu knew that she hadn't asked her grandmother beforehand. She thought the engagement was just a formality, but she didn't expect that the wedding date would be set directly.

Although she wasn't opposed to marrying Zheng Yang: "Yes, next December, that's fine, I'm willing."

Everyone laughed when she nodded. Zheng Yang hadn't known that engagement meant setting a wedding date, and he was quite surprised. He was afraid that Ru Yu wouldn't realize it and would refuse directly. Now that she agreed, he relaxed and was overjoyed.

Zheng Ru smiled broadly. She stepped forward, took Jiang Ruyu's hand, and slipped a round gold bracelet onto her wrist. "Ruyu, this is a family heirloom of the Zheng family. It was originally supposed to be worn by Zheng Yang's mother, but now your aunt can wear it for you. You two are both good girls. Our whole family is relieved that Zheng Yang has found you to be his wife."

Jiang Ruyu glanced at Zheng Yang and saw him nod. She then looked at her grandmother, who also nodded with a smile. Only then did Jiang Ruyu not refuse her aunt's offer to put the bracelet on her.

She glanced at the plain gold bracelet on her wrist and felt a strange sense of being branded. She shook her head and smiled as she thanked her aunt, "Thank you, Auntie."

The room was small and crowded with so many people. After exchanging a few words, everyone prepared to go to the restaurant. It was then that my uncle-in-law arrived late, alone. He didn't look too good.

Liu Yuanchao was furious, but today was a special day, so he held back and apologized with a dry smile: "I'm sorry everyone, I'm late. There was an emergency at home. Hongying couldn't come, please don't mind."

Jiang Ruyu looked at her grandmother, only to see the smile on the old lady's face freeze for a moment before she waved her hand and said, "It's nothing, I'm busy with my own things. You can come. Come on, let's go to the restaurant. It's getting late."

Everyone tacitly refrained from asking any further questions. Jiang Hongying had truly abandoned her family since she didn't even attend her niece's engagement. Jiang Jianguo's expression was grim, but he couldn't show it due to the occasion.

After going outside, they congratulated the neighbors again, and it took them a while to finally leave the alley and go to the restaurant.

We booked a table at a restaurant on Qianmen Street, and it really cost a bit of money. Roast duck was a must, along with prawns, seafood, braised pork, chicken soup, and several other main dishes. We also finished the four bottles of Moutai we brought. The group of us who came here in high spirits ended up leaving feeling dizzy.

When they finally left, Zheng Dali was so drunk he could barely walk straight. Liu Yuanchao, preoccupied with his own thoughts, also drank quite a bit. Hu Qingling, the eldest uncle, was also quite drunk, even though he was standing in for the old man, Hu Jun. Jiang Jianguo was happy that his niece had found a husband, feeling that he could finally give his brother an explanation, but he was also upset about Jiang Hongying's situation.

As the eldest son, he felt responsible for his younger siblings' affairs, especially since his father had died early. Now that his sister was acting like this, seemingly severing ties with her family, he felt like a failure as the eldest brother.

Zheng Yang, on the contrary, was quite sober. He had also drunk quite a bit. Perhaps it was because he was in high spirits and metabolized alcohol quickly. Although he was a little dizzy at the moment, he was still walking normally, with a silly grin on his face.

Jiang Ruyu followed beside her grandmother and grandfather, while Zheng Yang walked behind them, chuckling every now and then. After hearing it a few times, Grandma Jiang and Hu Jun couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Jiang Ruyu blushed immediately. She turned around and glared at Zheng Yang, who then grinned, revealing his buck teeth.

A group of people helped several drunk people back to the courtyard. Jiang Ruyu went to pour tea and made a cup of honey water for her uncle and aunt to help them sober up.

As a result, the brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who had drunk the water, sat on the steps at the door and started complaining.

"Brother, you have no idea how hard my life is."

"Brother-in-law, my elder brother isn't having an easy time either."