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Engagement
Sang Xinqi was busy all day on Monday. In the morning, she and Xu Jianian drove to the school. In the principal's office, they carefully reviewed the school uniform samples and the pictures of the models trying them on.
"This neckline design is very unique," the principal said, adjusting his glasses and nodding with satisfaction. "It's more refined than the previous one."
Sang Xinqi smiled faintly, her fingertips gently running across the sample fabric. "We've also made some improvements to the cuffs. The looser cuffs make them more comfortable on the wrists, but they won't get in the way and affect writing or anything like that."
They chatted like this for the whole morning. When it was time for lunch, the principal invited them to have lunch together. After they declined several times, the other party insisted, so they no longer refused.
The lunch lasted longer than expected.
The principal was talking enthusiastically about plans for the new semester, and it was not until the restaurant waiter came to refill tea for the third time that they realized it was already past two in the afternoon.
As they had something else to do in the afternoon, they said goodbye to the principal.
After leaving school, they went directly to the factory. After discussing the design drafts, samples and various production matters in detail with the person in charge, the two left.
But it was already six o'clock in the evening and the sky was gradually getting dark.
"Are we going back to the studio?" Xu Jianian loosened his tie, his voice filled with fatigue.
Sang Xinqi glanced at her watch, the dial shimmering in the twilight. "Let's just go home," she said, unconsciously turning the ring on her left ring finger.
Xu Jianian's gaze lingered on the ring for a moment, his Adam's apple rolling slightly, "Your boyfriend... proposed to you?" His voice was so soft that it almost blended in with the sound of the engine starting.
In fact, he had noticed it a long time ago, but he just didn't ask. But in the end, he couldn't help but ask.
Sang Xinqi's eyelashes trembled slightly, "Yes."
"The ring is dazzling," Xu Jianian forced a smile, his fingers tightening as he turned the steering wheel. The neon lights outside the car window cast changing light and shadows on his profile, covering up the loneliness in his eyes.
The car fell into silence, with only the occasional mechanical prompt from the navigation system. They tacitly limited the topic to work until the car stopped at Sang Xinqi's residence.
"Thank you for sending me back," Sang Xinqi said politely.
Xu Jianian smiled and said, "You're welcome. Bye!"
Sang Xinqi nodded, "Bye."
As she said this, she got out of the car, then she closed the door, looked out the window at the driver's seat, and waved.
Xu Jianian nodded, started the car and left.
Seeing him walk away, Sang Xinqi turned around and walked towards the community. After taking two steps, she saw Liao Yishen's slender figure standing at the entrance of the community.
"Come here to pick me up?" She trotted to his side.
Liao Yishen took her bag, but his eyes drifted to the taillights of the receding car, "Who just sent you back?" His voice was a little tense.
"Xu Jianian," Sang Xinqi answered frankly, then suddenly leaned in to examine his expression. "What's wrong? Are you jealous?"
"I didn't," Liao Yishen quickly denied, but the tips of his ears turned red.
Sang Xinqi smiled and said, "We recently collaborated on a project and went to the factory together today to coordinate."
After hearing her explanation, Liao Yishen felt much more comfortable. He replied, "Okay."
With that, the two of them walked home hand in hand.
When we got home, Liao Yishen said, "Chinese New Year is coming soon, let's get engaged two years ago."
This is the second time Liao Yishen has mentioned this.
Sang Xinqi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and agreed, "Okay."
Liao Yishen was very happy to hear her agree. He said, "Let's have a meeting between our parents this Wednesday."
Sang Xinqi nodded, "Okay, I'll talk to my parents."
-
Soon it was Wednesday evening. Sang Xinqi and Liao Yishen both left work an hour early and went to pick up their parents to take them to the booked hotel.
I originally thought that Liao Yishen's family would arrive first, but unexpectedly there was a traffic jam on the road, and the two families met unexpectedly at the hotel entrance.
As soon as Father Sang saw Lao Zhang, his eyes lit up. The two of them walked towards the private room, arm in arm, as familiar as when they were young. "Lao Zhang, who could have imagined that we would become in-laws one day?"
Lao Zhang said, "It's true. I couldn't have imagined it in my dreams."
We soon arrived at the box.
In the box, Mother Sang and Mother Liao got along very well and were chatting animatedly.
When Mother Sang talked about the interesting things that happened when Xinqi was a child, Mother Liao immediately followed up with the embarrassing things that happened when Yi Shen was a child, and the two mothers laughed together.
While the elders were chatting happily, Sang Xinqi and Liao Yishen looked at each other tacitly and quietly ordered all the dishes on the menu that both families liked.
After ordering the food, the two of them listened to the four parents chatting without interrupting.
The food was served soon.
Uncle Zhang said, "Everyone, eat. Don't be polite. We are already so familiar with each other."
After three rounds of drinks, the topic naturally turned to the two children.
Uncle Zhang took a sip of his wine, his face flushed as he said, "Old Sang, I watched both Sangsang and Yi Shen grow up. It's truly a match made in heaven that they're together now."
He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Sangsang will be treated like our own daughter when she marries into our family. If Yi Shen dares to bully her, I will be the first to break his legs!"
Father Sang laughed heartily upon hearing this, raised his glass and clinked it with his old friend. "With what you said, why should I be worried? We've been friends for so many years!"
While the waiters were serving the dishes, Liao's mother said, "I checked with someone, and the 26th and 28th of the twelfth lunar month are both auspicious days."
Mother Sang nodded when she heard this. "But the 26th is a bit rushed, so the 28th is just right, and there's plenty of time to prepare."
The elders of the two families discussed it with each other and soon decided that the engagement date would be the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month. There was constant laughter in the box and the night outside the window became increasingly gentle, as if it was also witnessing the happiness of the newlyweds.
After the dinner, they went back home.
Mother Sang kept Sang Xinqi chatting for a long time before letting her go back to her room to sleep.
-
On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, the sun was shining brightly, and Liao Yishen and Sang Xinqi did not go to work in the afternoon.
Liao Yishen drove her to buy hardware for the engagement.
In the car, Sang Xinqi tilted her head and looked at him with a sly smile in her eyes, "Wu Jin, can I have five bracelets?"
Liao Yishen held the steering wheel with one hand, chuckled softly upon hearing this, and said in an indulgent tone, "Of course."
Seeing that he agreed so readily, Sang Xinqi felt embarrassed and said, "I was just kidding."
Liao Yishen glanced at her sideways, the corners of his lips raised slightly, "I'm not kidding."
Half an hour later, the two walked into the gold shop. The glass counter shone brightly under the light. The clerk greeted them enthusiastically and introduced the latest gold jewelry one by one.
Sang Xinqi tried rings, necklaces, and earrings, and finally she was stumped about bracelets. She chose two models, one simple and elegant, the other exquisitely carved, each with its own beauty when worn on the wrist.
"Which one should I choose..." She gestured back and forth hesitantly.
Liao Yishen stood behind her, his eyes fixed on her slender wrist, and suddenly said, "I want both."
Sang Xinqi was stunned and looked up at him, "Then it's six golds?"
He chuckled softly, reached out and rubbed the top of her head, and said in a gentle voice, "As long as you like, a few gold coins are fine."
Sang Xinqi felt warm in her heart and couldn't help but curl her eyes. Her smile was brighter than the gold on the counter.
-
Soon it was the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month. As soon as it was light, Sang Xinqi got up and began to dress up.
Although an engagement is not as grand as a wedding, Sang Xinqi still carefully selected a simple and elegant beige dress with delicate lace patterns faintly visible at the hem. She carefully painted in front of the mirror, gently smudged a touch of light pink eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes with her fingertips.
"So beautiful," Chang Yisi leaned against the door frame, his eyes full of admiration.
Sang Xinqi turned around, her skirt drawing an elegant arc. Hearing Chang Yisi's compliment, she smiled, and two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks.
"Come, let's take a picture," Chang Yisi took out his cell phone and put his arm around her shoulders affectionately. In the camera, the two girls were leaning their heads against each other, and Sang Xinqi's smile was brighter than the morning light.
Chang Yisi took several photos in a row, and finally chose the one he was most satisfied with and posted it on WeChat Moments with the caption: "My baby is the most beautiful today!"
As they were talking, Jiang Xun came over, holding a gift box in his hand. He looked at Sang Xinqi and said, "Congratulations."
Then he handed her the gift box in his hand, "Engagement gift."
Sang Xinqi looked at him with a smile, "Thank you."
At around nine o'clock in the morning, the community suddenly became lively.
Liao Yishen came with his family and guests, attracting the elderly people in the community to come out and watch.
He was wearing a neat dark blue suit today, and he looked extraordinarily handsome.
The moment he saw Sang Xinqi, Liao Yishen's eyes lit up. He respectfully presented a bouquet of champagne roses to Sang's mother, then, like a magic trick, he pulled out another bouquet of red roses from behind and handed it to Sang Xinqi.
Sang Xinqi took the flowers, her face flushed. She turned around and took out a carefully wrapped bouquet of carnations from the entrance, handing it to Mother Liao who was standing beside her. "Auntie, this is for you."
This unexpected surprise made Liao Yishen stunned for a moment, and then a gentle smile appeared in his eyes.
He reached out and gently rubbed the top of Sang Xinqi's head. The soft touch from his fingertips made his heart warm. Sang Xinqi raised her face, with a cunning light flashing in her eyes, as if to say: Look how thoughtful I am, come and praise me.
The two elders were sitting in the living room chatting animatedly. The coffee table was filled with wedding candies and fruits. The sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making the entire living room warm and bright.
Near noon, the group arrived at the hotel they had booked.
Today is an auspicious day. Newlyweds and guests in formal attire can be seen everywhere in the hotel lobby. Their private rooms are decorated elegantly and warmly, and on the main table are placed the three books and six ceremonies carefully prepared by the two families.
Amid the blessings of their relatives and friends, Liao Yishen and Sang Xinqi stood side by side and solemnly signed their names on the marriage certificate.
The rustling sound of the pen tip scratching across the paper seemed to be composing the prologue of their future life. When their names appeared side by side on the marriage certificate, the box erupted in warm applause and cheers.
Liao Yishen quietly held Sang Xinqi's hand. The moment their fingers were intertwined, he felt her fingertips trembling slightly. Turning his head, he met her smiling eyes, which were filled with expectations and happiness for the future.
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