◇ 【080】 Discussing engagement
"Grandpa Xi, that's too polite. I'll be relieved if you like it." Gu Juan picked up another gift box.
He gave Father Xi a complete set of jade chess sets. Father Xi was very happy and started playing chess with Old Man Xi.
"Aunt, sister-in-law, this is for you. I made this beauty cream with flower petals. I plan to sell it in limited quantities at the flower base. The smell is not strong, and it won't cause allergies to any skin type, so you can use it with confidence. If you find it effective, I'll make some more for you."
Both Xi's mother and Luo Qingyou were very happy, especially Xi's mother. Which woman doesn't want her youth to last longer?
"Second brother, this is yours." Gu Juan handed a rectangular gift box to Xi Cong, "This is a calligraphy and painting. Although it is not from a famous artist, it is unique."
Xi Cong, who had always loved calligraphy and painting, immediately took it out and unfolded it. The characters were vigorous and powerful, with a flamboyant and graceful flow. Even without looking at the characters themselves, the strokes alone conveyed a sense of freedom and unrestrainedness, instantly broadening one's mind and filling one with lofty sentiments. Admiration and appreciation were immediately evident in Xi Cong's eyes.
"Xiao Gu, second brother is welcome. I accept this gift."
"Good calligraphy!" Old Master Xi praised, feeling a little tempted. But then he thought that he had already got such a good thing, and it would be bad to snatch it from his grandson, so he gave up.
Gu Juan picked up the two smallest identical gift boxes and handed them to Luo Qingyou, "Second sister-in-law, these are for Duoduo and Doudou. They are two jade lockets. Let them wear them around their necks. It's best not to take them off. This will keep them healthy and pain-free."
Thinking of the jade pendant on Xi Lang's neck, Luo Qingyou estimated that the two jade lock pieces were probably not ordinary items. After expressing his gratitude, he immediately put them on the two children.
The whole family sat together to discuss the engagement.
During the conversation, the question inevitably arose as to whether there were any relatives on Gu Juan's side who needed to be notified. Gu Juan frankly told them his life story. The Xi family sighed deeply and felt even more sympathetic towards him.
Xi Lang drove into the yard and immediately felt a different atmosphere. It seemed that Gu Juan was in the house. But he thought it was just an illusion because he missed Gu Juan too much. When he entered the house, he saw Gu Juan sitting and laughing with his family. His eyes were full of joy, and he quickened his pace.
"Little Dependent!"
"Are you back?" Gu Juan raised the corner of his lips to him but didn't stand up.
Xi's father and others glanced at Xi Lang, ignored him, and continued their discussion.
Xi's mother held Gu Juan's hand warmly, saying something to him. Gu Juan listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
Doudou and Duoduo really like Gu Juan, and they lie on his knees on the left and right to play.
Xi Lang stood there alone, feeling strangely desolate. He stared at Gu Juan for as long as he stood there, but Gu Juan never glanced at him again. He could only shake his head helplessly, walk over to Gu Juan, pick up Doudou, who was blocking his way, and sit down next to him.
"Xiao Juan, since you're coming here, why don't you come with me? Why don't you tell me so I can pick you up? How did you get here? By plane or train?"
"You have so many questions." Gu Juan glanced at him and said, "Can't you see I'm talking to my aunt?"
Xi Lang's forehead jumped.
Xi Cong laughed.
Xi Lang had no choice but to ask Xi Cong, "Brother, did something happen?" His family members looked at him strangely, a little amused, a little gloating, and a little disappointed. What had happened to make them feel so complicated?
"Now you know how good it is for me to be your brother?" Xi Cong said kindly, "After all, I'm your brother. I'll tell you, Xiao Gu came to our house to propose marriage. We've accepted all the gifts."
Xi Lang was stunned for a moment, his mouth slightly open in a state of disbelief. When he came to his senses, he couldn't help but hold his forehead. This kid is so cunning, in order to get ahead of him, he even used the art of war on him. He turned his head to look at the child depressedly, and the child was smiling triumphantly at him. But he could still see a hint of nervousness in the child's eyes. This was the second time the child had experienced such a big thing since he lost his parents, following the college entrance examination. It was amazing that he could handle it so well. Xi Lang was so distressed that he couldn't speak for a while. He held Gu Juan's hand and didn't let go no matter how he struggled. The joy in his heart could not be controlled, gushing out, making the corners of his mouth curl higher and higher.
"Stop making trouble." Gu Juan scolded in a low voice.
"No trouble." Xi Lang said calmly.
Mrs. Xi smiled and said, "Alright, you two, if you have anything to say in private, go back to your room. We'll take care of the engagement."
Xi Lang immediately pulled Gu Juan up and said, "Thank you, Mom."
After entering the room, before the door was closed, Xi Lang pressed Gu Juan against the wall and kissed her deeply, his tongue entwining with Gu Juan's, penetrating to the root of his tongue.
Gu Juan felt like his soul was being sucked out of him, so he simply relaxed completely and responded with total devotion. The passionate kiss made his heart beat faster and faster, as if it would explode at any moment. The happiness and satisfaction in his chest made him reluctant to leave Xi Lang. He leaned softly against the wall, letting Xi Lang lead him up and down.
After a long time, the two separated, and their saliva formed an ambiguous silver thread at the corners of their lips.
Xi Lang reached out to wipe it away, took Gu Juan into his arms, and gently placed delicate kisses on his flushed cheeks and lips.
"Xiao Juan, I should have been there with you." Xi Lang hugged her tightly, not mentioning that he couldn't help but yearn for intimacy with Gu Juan, and had recently been thinking about getting engaged first. He had originally planned to propose to Gu Juan first, then formally introduce him to his parents. Now that Gu Juan had proposed, there was no need to reiterate his original plan. Regardless, their engagement was a done deal.
"I'll be nervous when you're around." Gu Juan said honestly.
Xi Lang let out a few sexy chuckles from his throat, "Were you ignoring me just now because you were nervous?"
Gu Juan rubbed his face, "You won't blame me for acting on my own, right?"
"Silly." Xi Lang's lips touched his forehead lightly, showing even more intimacy. "I wish we could get engaged today and get married tomorrow."
Gu Juan tugged at the buttons of his shirt and said, "Accompany me to the University of Foreign Languages this afternoon."
Xi Lang knew that he was going to find Gu Yinyin and nodded.
"Come down, you've been up here for a while," Gu Juan said. If they didn't go down, the people below might think they were doing something up there.
The two returned to the living room, where the discussion had come to an end.
Mother Xi waved to Gu Juan, "Come here quickly. I've picked out a few auspicious dates. You two can pick which one is most suitable."
Xi's mother marked several dates on the calendar: June 8th, June 28th, August 8th, August 18th, and October 28th. These are all days in the lunar calendar.
Xi's mother added: "Other good days will have to wait until next year."
Xi Lang glanced at it and said to Gu Juan, "June 8th is not bad."
Xi Cong teased, "That's right, there are less than two months left." He was making fun of Xi Lang for choosing such a recent date, obviously he couldn't wait.
"You must really want me to tell Xiaojuan about what happened before you got married, right?" Xi Lang looked at Xi Cong indifferently.
Gu Juan looked at Xi Cong with a smile, "I'm all ears."
This formed a united front. Xi Cong immediately said seriously, "Mom, I think the eighth day of the sixth lunar month is indeed a good date. Why not set it on this day?"
"Xiaojuan, what do you think?" Xi's mother attached great importance to Gujuan's opinion.
Xi Lang handed the snack to Gu Juan. After such a long car ride and his previous nervousness, he thought Gu Juan must be hungry. Although he would rather go earlier, he also respected Xiao Juan's opinion and didn't rush.
Gu Juan thought for a moment and said, "Isn't the time a bit tight? How about setting it for June 28th? That would be the beginning of August on the Gregorian calendar, when the grapes at the flower base would be ripe. I haven't invited everyone to the flower base yet. After the engagement ceremony, we can go there and stay for a few days, enjoy the scenery, cruise the lake, pick some fruits and flowers, and if my aunt and sister-in-law are interested, they can even make their own beauty creams and scented teas."
"That's a good idea." Xi's mother found it very interesting just by hearing it.
Luo Qingyou was also piqued by Gu Juan. "I've known about the beautiful Juanjia Flower Base from advertisements and photos online, but I've never had the time to go. I also think August would be a good time to go."
"How about setting it for June 28th?" Xi's mother asked.
Since both women in the family thought this date was a good one, and the men had no objections, the date was set.
As for where the engagement ceremony would be held, it went without saying that it would be held at the Xi family's. Firstly, the Xi family was a prominent family, and they couldn't afford to be careless about Xi Lang's marriage. Secondly, Gu Juan's family had no reliable elders, so the engagement would primarily be handled by the Xi family. Gu Juan had no objections to this, believing it was all external and unimportant.
Although Xi's mother didn't have time to cook lunch herself, she asked the family cook to prepare a table full of dishes. The whole family had a lively lunch, and Gu Juan, Xi Lang, and Xi Cong even drank a few glasses of wine with the old man and Xi's father.
After lunch, Gu Juan and Xi Lang rested at home for a while, called Gu Yinyin, and went to see her at school.
"Doudou wants to go too." Doudou is only one and a half years old, but his little mouth is already very talkative. He pulled the corner of Gu Juan's clothes, and his soft voice made Gu Juan unable to bear to refuse.
Gu Juan picked him up and looked at Xi Cong and Luo Qingyou inquiringly.
Xi Cong waved his hand and said, "If you two don't mind him being in the way, take him with you. When this kid is well behaved, you can make people want to bite him, but when he's not well behaved, he's just a nuisance."
"Take it with you." Gu Juan liked Doudou very much and made the decision on his own.
Although Xi Lang was helpless, he had no chance to object and was glad that Duoduo was taking a nap.
"How could you talk about your own son like that?" Luo Qingyou glared at Xi Cong and stood up to pack Doudou's small bag. He had to bring a water bottle, a milk bottle, a sun hat, snacks, tissues and so on.
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