As for Da Wa, although he and Ji Rou were in the same military region, they had different positions and lived in their respective dormitories. They could only meet during their rest time.
However, after learning that both of their jobs were stable, Zhao Qinglan decided to formally meet the Ji family couple.
Even if they can't get married right away, they should at least get the two children engaged now. As the men, they need to be more proactive in this regard.
After communicating with his family, Da Wa quickly told Ji Rou, and the two of them submitted their relationship reports at the same time.
When their leader saw this, he called them over and asked them about the situation of their partner.
Upon learning that the two had met at military academy, and with their parents finding out as well, they jokingly said, "Don't let good things go to outsiders," and encouraged them to get married quickly.
After the children finished the basic procedures, Zhao Qinglan and Li Huai quickly prepared gifts.
After agreeing on a date to meet, Da Wa and Ji Rou took leave and went home. Da Wa and his parents then went to the Ji family home with gifts for a formal visit.
The Ji couple had heard their daughter describe their eldest child's parents before, but they were still quite surprised when they actually met them.
"Xiaorou told me you look young, and now that I see you, you really look like Yansen's older sister," Ji's mother remarked.
Zhao Qinglan touched her face and smiled. "Maybe it's because I take good care of myself."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhao Qinglan seized a moment to ask her son in a low voice, "Da Wa, does the Ji family know about your background?"
Da Wa was stunned for a moment before he realized what his mother meant. He hadn't taken it seriously and had never mentioned it before, not even to his girlfriend Ji Rou.
Seeing him shake his head, Zhao Qinglan sighed. "Since we're going to get married anyway, we can't keep this a secret any longer. We don't think there's anything wrong with it, but what if the Ji family finds out and thinks we're deliberately hiding it?"
The eldest child wasn't stupid; he understood his mother's concerns.
"Here's what we'll do. Meeting now is a good opportunity to lay everything out. The Ji family and Ji Rou value you as a person, so they probably won't disagree because of this little bit of inside information. But if we don't tell them, it would be our fault."
"Okay, Mom, then tell me."
"Mom just wants to let you know. I'll talk to you in a bit, just listen."
After discussing it with her son, Zhao Qinglan whispered a few words to her husband. Li Huai hadn't expected this and immediately agreed.
In fact, Ji's mother noticed their whispers and was curious about what they were saying.
Once seated, Zhao Qinglan looked apologetic. "There's something we, Yan Sen, have overlooked and haven't told you. It's our carelessness as parents, but we absolutely have to tell you the truth now."
Upon hearing this, the Ji couple exchanged a glance, sensing that something bad was about to happen. Even Ji Rou became tense.
"You say I look young, and on the one hand, I do have some experience in skincare, but on the other hand, there are other reasons. I am not Yan Sen's biological mother."
The three members of the Ji family felt a jolt of fear, and Ji Rou looked at the eldest child in shock.
"Yan Sen's biological mother divorced his father when he and Yan Xun were still young." Li Huai nodded in agreement.
"There's nothing that can't be said, it's just that the two of us are incompatible in terms of personality and other aspects. Later, through the introduction of his father's leader and a comrade-in-arms, I met his father and eventually got married."
“My daughter is also my daughter with my ex-husband. After we got married, we had our youngest son, Yan’an. Although Yan Sen and Yan Xun are not my biological children, I have always regarded them as my own.”
The eldest child nodded in agreement this time.
"Over the years, our family has almost forgotten about those things from the past and didn't take them too seriously. That's why we forgot to mention them. Now that our two families are related by marriage, I just remembered this. I still think it's better to be honest."
Although they knew that Zhao Qinglan was a stepmother and that their family was a blended family, the Ji couple were still somewhat worried about their daughter's lifelong happiness.
But then she remembered that her daughter had mentioned that this family got along very harmoniously and warmly, and was even happier than the average family.
If Zhao Qinglan hadn't brought it up today, no one would have known they were a complicated blended family.
For her daughter's sake, Ji's mother still voiced her concerns. "Then, Yan Sen's biological mother?"
It's unacceptable for a daughter to have two mothers-in-law after she gets married, and for the relationship to remain the same.
Upon hearing this, Li Huai spoke up. "Yan Sen's mother and I have had no contact since our divorce. We've also made it clear that Yan Sen and Yan Xun have nothing to do with her anymore, and she doesn't need to worry about anything they do."
Upon hearing this, the Ji couple finally breathed a sigh of relief.
I just hope my daughter won't have two mothers-in-law weighing on her head in the future.
Because of Zhao Qinglan's initiative to confess, their impression of Zhao Qinglan and Li Huai improved.
They were able to raise four successful children, so the couple's character is quite reliable.
They quickly realized that their daughter would be living with Yan Sen in the future. Even after they got married, she would probably live in the apartment provided by her work unit and wouldn't have many opportunities to go back home throughout the year. As long as their son-in-law was a good person, that was better than anything else.
The Li family isn't going to be a burden, so the two of them can rest assured.
While the parents were chatting and laughing, Ji Rou took the opportunity to pull Da Wa outside, and then started to act up.
"Well, Li Yansen, you've kept such a big thing from me all this time."
Da Wa smiled wryly. "Rou Rou, I really didn't mean it. My mom treats me and Yan Xun like her own children, and we treat her like our own mother. We didn't think that much about it at all."
"real?"
“It’s absolutely true, I swear.”
He had just raised his hand when Ji Rou pressed it down. "Alright, alright, I believe you're not good enough yet."
A smile finally appeared on Da Wa's face. "Rou Rou, you're so kind."
"Hey, let go of me, or my parents will see us."
Both sets of parents were satisfied, and they quickly finalized the engagement.
Because of their children's work restrictions, they agreed not to have an engagement ceremony, but to hold one when they get married.
The Ji family invited several relatives to witness the event, and they had a meal together.
However, the decision not to hold a ceremony does not mean that the groom has not made any gesture.
During the meal, Zhao Qinglan took out the engagement gift for Ji Rou: a set of gold jewelry from a time-honored brand, which she had someone bring back from Hong Kong.
There are bracelets, necklaces, and earrings; the total weight is quite substantial, and they don't look cheap at all.
Although they felt it was valuable, the Ji family accepted it because it was an engagement gift.
The groom's formality made the Ji family feel proud in front of their relatives and friends, and both sides were happy.
When Zhao Qinglan and the others were about to leave, they agreed that the children should work hard for a year first, which would give them time to prepare. Then, they would choose an auspicious day to hold a wedding for the two children the following year.
When the topic of marriage came up, both Da Wa and Ji Rou were filled with anticipation and blushing.
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