Chapter 57 (Combined)
At the dinner table, Li Yan kept giving Yan Mingtao meaningful glances, signaling him not to agree so quickly.
Yan Mingtao either didn't see her or pretended not to, he just ignored her, and she's still unhappy about it.
Yan Mingtao was a little confused. "I'm the one making furniture for Ruyi, not you. What do I need to discuss with you?"
"Judging from Ruyi's words, she probably wants a lot of furniture made. It will take you at least ten days to half a month to finish. If you work for her, you won't have time to take on other jobs, and you'll lose a lot of money. Putting aside everything else, she has to pay you for the work. Even close brothers have to keep clear accounts. You have to talk to her about the wages beforehand. If you bring it up after everything is finished, it'll be too late."
She originally intended to say, "What if she doesn't pay me after everything is done?"
Yan Mingtao was protective of his own, so she didn't dare say it outright.
Yan Mingtao was shocked. "I made furniture for my sister, and I still charge her for her work?"
Li Yan: "It's not something that can be done in a day or two, shouldn't we accept it?"
Yan Mingtao firmly disagreed, "That's my own sister. She's my only sister. Even if she works for a year, I can't ask her for wages!"
Yan Mingtao's attitude was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Li Yan almost cried in anger, "You only have eyes for your sister, do you even have eyes for her? She should have brought up the issue of wages herself. The fact that she didn't means she never intended to pay you. She's so rich, yet she doesn't want to pay you. It means she doesn't even have eyes for you, her second brother. And yet you're always protecting her."
Yan Mingtao felt that Li Yan was simply unreasonable.
It's not something a brother should be expected to do!
If he has to pay his sister for making furniture, he'll never be able to call her "Second Brother" again.
Li Yan felt that Yan Mingtao was even more unreasonable. Even if she was his own sister, they were now two separate families. He couldn't work for free without getting paid.
Moreover, Yan Ruyi is so rich that even a little bit of money leaked between her fingers would be enough to cover Yan Mingtao's wages.
She's about to give birth, and there will be many expenses after that. Shouldn't she save more money?
Neither of them could convince the other. Considering that Li Yan was pregnant, Yan Mingtao didn't dare to argue with her. No matter what Li Yan said, he remained silent.
Li Yan's punches were like hitting cotton; the more she talked, the angrier she became. She stopped walking and stood defiantly on the side of the road.
Yan Mingtao thought for a moment, still afraid of upsetting Li Yan, so he wanted to persuade her to go home first. When he looked up, he saw Fang Caiyun.
"Sister-in-law, why are you here so late?"
Fang Caiyun said, "I just fried some vegetarian meatballs and brought some over for you."
She had already seen Yan Mingtao and Li Yan, and was about to greet them when she heard them arguing.
She heard what was going on.
Afraid that Li Yan would pull her aside and ask her to judge the matter, she simply stood there, thinking she would come over after the two stopped arguing.
But in his heart he thought, Li Yan is too short-sighted.
Yan Ruyi has found a good partner, and her own work is thriving. She's been featured in newspapers and on television, and things are only going to get better from here on out.
Now that she's doing well, how could she forget her family?
At this point, while it's not about currying favor with her, you certainly can't afford to offend her for some petty gain.
Furthermore, given Yan Ruyi's character, even if Yan Mingtao hadn't brought it up, she wouldn't have let him work for nothing.
She saw it all clearly, so why couldn't Li Yan see it?
While she was pondering, Li Yan and Yan Mingtao stopped arguing, and that's when she came over.
Yan Mingtao didn't know if Fang Caiyun had heard what he and Li Yan were saying.
He felt somewhat uneasy that Li Yan was plotting against his own sister, so he stopped going for a walk with her and the three of them went home together.
Yan Ruyi was making a list for her second brother when Ye Hongzhen came in.
What kind of furniture are you planning to have made?
"A three-door wardrobe, bedside table, writing desk, cabinet, cupboard, washbasin stand, dining table, and chairs—that's all."
Ye Hongzhen said, "There are so many, it will take at least a month to finish them."
Yan Ruyi pondered her mother's words and exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be too late?"
“There’s still time. Xiao Song’s mother and I picked six auspicious days, including May and June. Your Aunt Zhao said June is good, but she still needs to calculate and decide on a specific day in June. I reckon it will probably be June 28th.”
Yan Ruyi calculated the time and concluded that if it was set for June 28, then there would be no problem.
Seeing that Ye Hongzhen seemed to have something to say, Yan Ruyi asked her directly, "Mom, just say what you want to say. I'm not an outsider, what can't you tell me?"
Ye Hongzhen, "I just want to ask you, how do you pay your second brother for making the furniture for you?"
She saw it all during the meal; Li Yan kept giving the second son meaningful glances.
She understood Li Yan's thoughts perfectly; Li Yan was afraid that Yan Ruyi wouldn't pay her wages.
That's why she came over to remind her daughter.
Although they are siblings, once they get married, they become two separate families. It's best to keep their finances separate so that their sibling relationship can last.
What's more, the second son's family is also petty.
Yan Ruyi said, "The wages will definitely be paid according to the market price. I can't let my second brother work for me for free."
She asked Luo Huihui to inquire for her. Her second brother makes furniture for people and usually charges by the square meter, which is 5 yuan per square meter.
She planned to calculate her second brother's wages at the same price, and then treat him to a meal with Song Yiping once the furniture was finished.
Ye Hongzhen was relieved to hear Yan Ruyi say that.
She knew her daughter was sensible.
Hearing a noise in the yard, I looked out the window and first saw the second son and his wife return, followed by Fang Caiyun.
Ye Hongzhen went out and asked Fang Caiyun, "Why are you here so late?"
Fang Caiyun said, "I fried some vegetarian meatballs and brought some over to you."
Fang Caiyun took the basket hanging on the handlebars and gave it to Ye Hongzhen.
Ye Hongzhen took it, "Then I'll cook some meatball soup and heat up some steamed buns tomorrow morning, that will save me trouble."
Fang Caiyun said, "There's something else. My brother-in-law is going to the countryside to buy cotton the day after tomorrow. I was thinking that Ruyi is getting married, and we'll definitely need to make quilts at home. So why don't we take this opportunity to ask my brother-in-law to buy the cotton we need at the same time, so you won't have to look for cotton everywhere?"
Ye Hongzhen is having a headache over this matter.
She plans to make 10 quilts for her daughter's wedding.
The thinnest one weighs 2 jin (1 catties), and the thickest one she plans to make weighs 10 jin (5 catties).
Based on this calculation, at least 50 kilograms of cotton will be needed.
Cotton is bought from cotton purchasing stations. But with so much cotton, the stations usually won't sell it all; you have to accumulate it little by little.
She has only gained 10 jin (5 catties) so far, which is still a long way from 50 jin (25 catties).
If Fang Caiyun hadn't mentioned it, she would have forgotten that Fang Caiyun's brother-in-law worked at the city's cotton and oil station and often went to the countryside to collect cotton.
Fang Caiyun said, "You've come at the right time. I was just worried about this. Ask your brother-in-law to help carry 40 jin. I've already saved up 10 jin, and another 40 jin should be enough."
Yan Ruyi was shocked. "It will weigh 50 jin in total. Mom, how many quilts are you planning to make?"
"Not many, only 10."
Yan Ruyi said, "Why make so many? I have nowhere to put them."
Ye Hongzhen said, "You don't understand, so don't interrupt."
Fang Caiyun laughed and said, "That's how it is when a daughter gets married. The roof will last a lifetime. Families with the means will make 10 roofs. When I got married, my mother made 6 roofs for me."
Li Yan felt a little uneasy.
Her family wasn't well-off. When she married Yan Mingtao, her family only gave her two quilts as part of her dowry. She didn't bring back a single penny of the betrothal gifts from the Yan family; they were all left at her family's home.
She was used to being ignored at her parents' home since childhood, but the Yan family was the complete opposite. They treated their daughter like a treasure, making 10 quilts for her wedding and who knows how much dowry they would secretly give her.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to stand Yan Ruyi.
She couldn't get a word in edgewise and went back to her room.
Fang Caiyun came mainly to talk about cotton. After informing Ye Hongzhen, she stayed for a while and then left.
Ye Hongzhen said to Yan Ruyi, "Go and find Sihe. It's so late, why aren't you home yet?"
Yan Ruyi went out with Fang Caiyun.
Ye Hongzhen intentionally sent her daughter away. Only after her daughter left did she say to Yan Mingtao, "Ruyi just told me that if you make furniture for her, she will calculate your wages according to the market price. You should pay whatever it is. Don't be embarrassed to accept it. Even close brothers should keep clear accounts. Just put in a lot of effort when you're doing it."
Yan Mingtao's face flushed red. "I'm making furniture for my own sister, and I still want her wages? Am I not human?!"
Ye Hongzhen said, "Alright, she doesn't lack this little bit of money. Take it if you want. Xiao Yan is about to give birth, and there will be many expenses in the future. Let's save as much money as we can."
When Li Yan and Yan Mingtao came back, they didn't look too happy. Ye Hongzhen guessed it was because of their wages, and the two had argued.
So she sent Yan Ruyi away and spoke frankly with Yan Mingtao.
She whispered to Yan Mingtao, "Xiao Yan is about to give birth. You can't argue with her about this and make her sick."
Mr. Li's second son in their neighborhood had a fight with his wife when she was eight months pregnant. His wife went into premature labor, and the baby had to stay in an incubator for a week before he survived. However, he is still weak and is almost one year old now, but he still can't stand.
Yan Mingtao said sullenly, "I know."
Yan Ruyi was still in shock that her mother wanted to make her 10 quilts. The next day, she met Song Yiping and told him about it.
Song Yiping: "What a coincidence, both mothers have the same idea. My mother also said she wants to buy 10 quilts."
Fang Yuru doesn't know how to make quilts, and no one around her knows how either, so she simply and directly bought ready-made ones, and planned to buy 10 of them.
Yan Ruyi took out the list she had made for her second brother again and added another item to it: a large cabinet.
She plans to build another cabinet specifically for storing quilts; otherwise, she has nowhere to put so many quilts.
Just as I finished adding the cabinet, I heard Song Yiping say, "The marriage application has been approved."
Yan Ruyi thought Song Yiping would discuss with her when to get their marriage certificate.
She replied that he hadn't proposed to her yet.
In the foreign romantic movies she watched, there were always scenes of men proposing to women.
Women are naturally romantic, and she wanted Song Yiping to propose to her.
In an incredibly romantic atmosphere, she agreed to marry Song Yiping.
It's something to look forward to.
But Song Yiping didn't mention getting a marriage certificate to her. Instead, he looked at his watch and said to Yan Ruyi, "It's already 3 o'clock, let's go."
Yan Ruyi pouted, "Where are we going?"
Song Yiping chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Going to see a movie, forgot?"
Yan Ruyi remembered that Song Yiping had invited her to see a movie today, and the tickets had already been bought. It was a foreign film, "The Rose of Rome".
The movie was showing at 4 o'clock, and after the movie we would go to Little Birch for dinner. This was the date arranged by Song Yiping.
"The Rose of Rome" is a romantic comedy film about a pair of bickering lovers who initially oppose each other but eventually fall in love. The film ends in a restaurant where the male protagonist proposes to the female protagonist with flowers in hand. Overjoyed, the female protagonist accepts his proposal.
As Yan Ruyi left the movie theater, she was still immersed in the romantic atmosphere of the film.
That's how a marriage proposal should be done—in a romantic atmosphere, you agree to spend your life with your partner.
Yan Ruyi didn't have the courage to let Song Yiping propose to her in public like in the movies, but it would be just as good if they proposed when no one was around. The important thing was to have that process.
But Song Yiping seemed unmoved; after watching the movie, he took Yan Ruyi to eat at Xiaobaihua.
Yan Ruyi thought defiantly that she would definitely order the most expensive dish to make up for it later.
It was lunchtime, and many people were already eating at Xiaobaihua.
Two tables were occupied by foreigners, who appeared to be two couples.
Song Yiping's Suzhou dialect was much better than Yan Ruyi's. After exchanging a few words with the waiter, the waiter led the two to a window seat.
Coincidentally, Yan Ruyi and Luo Huihui sat in this very spot when they came to eat last time.
Since she had already eaten here once, Yan Ruyi ruled out the dishes she had tried last time. She ordered four dishes that she had never tried before and that looked relatively expensive.
After ordering, Song Yiping asked her, "Didn't you say you liked the kvass here? Why didn't you order it?"
Yan Ruyi had already tried kvass when she came last time, and since she was already here, she wanted to try something else this time.
However, she only knew that kvass and vodka were the most famous products from the Soviet Union, and she didn't know anything else.
She had already drunk kvass, and vodka was too strong for her to drink.
Song Yiping suggested, "Their white wine is also very good, how about we get some white wine?"
Yan Ruyi had tasted red wine before, but had never tried white wine. After Song Yiping suggested it, she wanted to give it a try.
Song Yiping turned and gave instructions to the waiter.
The food and white wine we ordered arrived quickly.
Song Yiping poured half a cup for himself and Yan Ruyi each.
Yan Ruyi took a small sip first. It was a bit spicy, and she thought kvass tasted better.
She put down her wine glass and noticed that Song Yiping was staring at her.
She wasn't as embarrassed as before, and glared at Song Yiping, saying, "Eat your food properly."
Song Yiping smiled and replied, "Okay."
Yan Ruyi felt that Song Yiping was acting strangely today, frequently glancing at the service counter while eating.
Curious about what he was looking at, she turned her head to look at the service counter again and saw a waiter carrying a large bouquet of flowers coming towards them.
And judging from the looks of it, it's coming this way.
Yan Ruyi's heart pounded. She wanted to ask Song Yiping if he had asked the waiter to deliver the flowers.
They were also afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing themselves and Song Yiping.
I didn't dare ask.
The waiter came over, but instead of giving the flowers to Yan Ruyi, he gave them to Song Yiping. "Sir, these are your flowers."
Yan Ruyi understood what he meant. She was a little confused. Could it be that some girl had taken a liking to Song Yiping and asked the waiter to send him flowers?
She had heard that the girls in Su were very passionate and bold.
However, seeing that Song Yiping wasn't surprised at all, she felt it didn't seem like it.
Just as I was wondering, I saw Song Yiping stand up with flowers in his hand.
Yan Ruyi had a feeling she knew what he was going to do, and she stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
Song Yiping placed the flowers in her arms, took a small square box out of his pocket, and then knelt down on one knee in front of her.
"Comrade Yan Ruyi, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I want to spend my life with you and never leave you. Will you marry me?"
The people in the restaurant egged them on in good-nature, "Quickly say yes!"
In front of outsiders, Song Yiping was always reserved and serious.
In front of his comrades, he is a tough, battle-hardened man.
But he knew what Yan Ruyi wanted, so he arranged this public proposal.
This person, who is usually so reserved in front of outsiders, was actually willing to do these things for her, and so naturally, without showing any reluctance.
Yan Ruyi was both shy and touched, and nodded repeatedly, "I do, I do."
Good-natured laughter filled the restaurant.
Song Yiping opened the small box, and inside was a gold ring.
He knew Yan Ruyi liked gold, so he specially bought her a gold ring.
He put the gold ring on Yan Ruyi's left middle finger and then gently kissed her.
Everyone applauded, while Yan Ruyi covered her face, feeling incredibly embarrassed.
Chen Feiyong stood at the restaurant entrance, so shocked that he kept twisting his arm to prove that he wasn't dreaming.
Even in his dreams, he could never have imagined something so bizarre: their ruthless and mighty Commander Song proposing to someone in public.
Today he discussed a business deal with a business partner, who is from the Soviet Union.
In the entire city of Beijing, there was only one Suzhou restaurant, Xiaobaihua, so he brought people to Xiaobaihua.
Little did he know that as soon as he entered the restaurant, he saw someone proposing marriage. He recognized the person who was proposing; it was Commander Song, whom he knew very well.
He once thought he was hallucinating.
He was already quite surprised that Song Yiping asked him to buy a ring.
Unexpectedly, buying a ring wasn't Song Yiping's limit; he also proposed to her in public.
Even he wouldn't have had that courage.
He witnessed the whole thing, but the two were so engrossed in their romance that they hadn't seen him yet.
He needed to escape the scene as quickly as possible before Song Yiping discovered him and killed him to silence him.
He made up an excuse and ran away with his business partner.
Yan Ruyi admired the ring; it was just the right size.
Yan Ruyi: "How did you know what size I wear?"
Song Yiping: "I measured it with my hands."
Yan Ruyi didn't even know when he took the measurement.
However, Song Yiping liked to play with her hands, which was probably the time when he measured them.
When Yan Ruyi came out of the little white birch tree, she felt a little dizzy, not sure if it was from the wine or from excitement. "When did you start planning this? Why didn't you tell me?"
Song Yiping: "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."
When did you buy the ring?
"At the end of last year."
At the end of last year, before she had even met his family, he was already planning to propose to her.
Yan Ruyi thought to herself with delight, how much he wanted to marry her.
She followed Song Yiping for a while before remembering to ask him, "Where are we going now?"
"Photo studio".
Why go to the photo studio?
"Taking wedding photos."
If you expedite the process, the photos should be ready by tomorrow morning, and you can go get the marriage certificate in the afternoon.
Song Yiping also drank alcohol. Although he has a high alcohol tolerance, his reactions are somewhat sluggish after drinking, so he didn't drive.
He remembered there was a state-run photo studio nearby, so he went there based on his memory and found it in just 5 or 6 minutes.
When they arrived, there happened to be another couple taking wedding photos inside.
The two sat side by side on a long bench, their hands on their knees, sitting very upright.
The background is a striking bright red.
The photographer was still reminding them, "Be serious when I take the picture, don't smile. This is for our marriage certificate, it'll be on it for a lifetime."
Yan Ruyi muttered to herself, "That's why you have to smile. Otherwise, when people see it later, they'll think you didn't want to get married."
Song Yiping squeezed her hand.
The two quickly finished taking the photos, paid, and the photographer gave them a receipt, telling them to come back in 5 days to pick them up.
The photographer put the receipt book away and asked Song Yiping and Yan Ruyi, "Are you two also taking wedding photos?"
Song Yiping nodded.
The photographer pointed and told them to sit on the bench.
Yan Ruyi: "Master, do you have a comb? I'd like to comb my hair."
Most of the people who come to take photos are women. Women love beauty and want to dress up in front of the mirror before taking photos. Photo studios usually have combs and mirrors.
The photographer pointed to something, and Yan Ruyi combed her hair.
Song Yiping had a buzz cut and didn't need to comb it, but he still straightened his collar in front of the mirror.
Then the two sat down on the bench.
The photographer said, "Madam, could you please put down the flowers you're holding? You can't bring flowers when taking wedding photos."
Yan Ruyi had forgotten that she was still holding flowers, and quickly put the bouquet aside.
The photographer also reminded them to be serious and not to smile when taking the picture.
Yan Ruyi did indeed obey at first and did not laugh, and kept reminding herself to be serious.
As the photographer was taking the pictures, she thought of the scene of Song Yiping proposing to her earlier, and in her excitement, she burst out laughing.
The photographer happened to capture it.
The photographer was also surprised; everything was fine before the photo was taken, but the moment he pressed the shutter, both of them burst into laughter.
I didn't see them discuss it beforehand, and I don't know why they were so in sync. They didn't laugh when they weren't laughing, but they laughed together when they were laughing.
The photographer said, "They're both so happy taking wedding photos, what should we do? Let's retake them."
Yan Ruyi thought she was the only one who laughed, but unexpectedly Song Yiping also laughed.
She didn't really want to retake the photo, but she wasn't sure if the photo on the marriage certificate had to be serious, so she hesitated and said, "Then let's retake it."
Song Yiping: "No need to reshoot, it's fine as it is."
Actually, there's no rule against smiling in wedding photos.
However, those who come to take wedding photos generally have a blank expression.
The photographer also felt that getting married was a very serious matter, so the photos should be taken in a serious manner.
Therefore, photographers always remind couples who come to have their wedding photos taken not to smile.
Since Song Yiping said there was no need to retake the photos, the photographer stopped bothering with it.
Anyway, it wasn't him who took the wedding photos.
When paying, Song Yiping asked the photographer, "Sir, if I want to expedite it, can it be developed by tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, but express service is more expensive. Regular service is 20 cents, and express service is 2 yuan."
"I need it expedited."
Song Yiping paid the money, and the photographer gave him a receipt, telling him to come and pick it up the next morning.
Wine has a stronger aftereffect than beer. After leaving the photo studio, Yan Ruyi was feeling the effects of the alcohol, and her reactions were a beat slower.
She had been drinking, so Song Yiping didn't dare to take her home now.
He had heard Yan Ruyi say that when they went to Xiangzailai for dinner, she drank alcohol, and her mother thought that her second brother had taken her to drink, so she beat up her second brother.
He felt he had let his brother-in-law down.
However, her mother later found out that her second brother had taken the blame.
I roughly know that I drank with him.
Not only did he drink it once, but he actually drank it a second time. He was afraid his mother-in-law would beat him with a broom handle.
Since it wasn't far from Chengnan Park, he took her there.
Yan Ruyi didn't ask where he was taking her, she just obediently followed him.
When the two arrived at the park, Song Yiping noticed that Yan Ruyi was a little sleepy, so he found a bench to sit down.
As the alcohol took effect, Yan Ruyi was indeed a bit sleepy. At first, she tried to stay awake and chattered with Song Yiping, but as she talked, her head tilted to the side and she fell asleep on Song Yiping's shoulder.
The late spring sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on Yan Ruyi's face.
She leaned against him quietly, sleeping soundly.
She was still holding the bouquet of flowers he had given her; she was more beautiful than the flowers themselves.
Song Yiping felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. He gently lifted Yan Ruyi's head, took off his coat with one hand, covered her with it, and then embraced her, letting her lean against him.
When Yan Ruyi opened her eyes, the sun was already setting in the west.
She sat up straight and realized that she was covered with Song Yiping's coat.
How long have I been asleep?
Song Yiping glanced at his watch. "Less than two hours."
Although she was leaning on Song Yiping, she slept very soundly and stood up to stretch.
My stomach started rumbling too.
She was so excited at noon that she didn't eat much, and now she's realizing she's hungry.
A new bakery called Sanle Bakery opened at the entrance of Chengnan Park. When Song Yiping and Yan Ruyi went in, the cream croissants had just come out of the oven, and the whole store was filled with the sweet aroma of bread.
Today is Sunday, and my older brother and his family of three will be coming over for dinner. Yan Ruyi bought a few extra croissants and also specially asked for a small flower basket cake for Miaomiao.
Song Yiping escorted Yan Ruyi to the entrance of the family compound, and Yan Ruyi then told him to go back.
When she arrived home, Ye Hongzhen and the others were sitting in the yard talking.
Miaomiao was nestled in Fang Caiyun's arms when she saw Yan Ruyi, so she ran towards Yan Ruyi.
Every time Miaomiao came over, Yan Ruyi would buy her something to eat, so Miaomiao became especially close to this aunt and would ask Yan Ruyi for a hug whenever she saw her.
Yan Ruyi first handed the paper bag in her hand to Fang Caiyun, and said to Miaomiao, "Auntie, go and put the flowers in first."
Fang Caiyun smiled and said, "Was it a gift from Xiao Song?"
Yan Ruyi was too embarrassed to say that Song Yiping had proposed to her today. She just hummed in agreement, took out the ceramic pot her mother had found for her last time, filled it with water, and put the flowers in it.
I was thinking that after I got married, I would add a few nice vases.
Miaomiao followed her around like a little tail.
She arranged the flowers, bent down, picked up Miaomiao, and kissed her on the cheek.
Li Yan sniffed. "Ruyi, what did you buy? It smells so good!"
Yan Ruyi: "The bread was bought at Sanle Bakery, the one near the entrance of Chengnan Park."
Li Yan had already taken the paper bag from Fang Caiyun's hand. After opening it, she first saw the flower basket and small cake. "Ruyi, you only bought one cake?"
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