Chapter 98
After making the decision with Gu Xinxin, Gu Daniu always felt that something was not right, but he couldn't tell what it was.
But before he could think it through, Cheng Shansong came over with his parents and the matchmaker.
Gu Daniu was fine, after all, Gu Xinxin had given advance notice. However, Old Lady Gu and Gu Chen were practically stunned – with such a big deal going on, and Gu Xinxin looking like she was about to agree, was she really that careless?
The matchmaker had come several times before, but she didn't like any of them, no matter if it was the young manager of the Song family, the young master of the He family, or the handsome young man in the village. Now, as soon as the Cheng family showed up, she hid in the house. Doesn't this make things clear?
She had never been shy before, and had always dealt with the matchmakers herself. Luckily, the matchmakers knew Gu Xinxin's abilities, as she owned her own shop and earned her own money, so they didn't say anything. If it were someone else, they would have ruined her reputation long ago.
She wasn't shy before, but now she covers her face and goes into the house... Gu Chen looked at the people from the Cheng family, then at Gu Daniu, her face a little stiff: "This..."
She wanted to refuse. After all, she still wanted to introduce Gu Xinxin to her nephew. Although Gu Xinxin had said early on that she looked down on the Chen family and was very wary of the young men of the Chen family getting close to her, she went out either with Gu Daniu or with the old women in the workshop and was never alone... But even tigers take naps, so who knows, maybe Gu Xinxin would be careless at some point?
But she didn't dare to refuse directly because the yard was small and Gu Xinxin was listening in the house.
She dared to say it. If she dared to say no today, she would be sent back to the Chen family overnight. So, what was Gu Chen doing just staring at Gu Daniu? She had to refuse quickly.
Then, Gu Daniu laughed and said, "Are you here to propose marriage to my Xinxin? You really have good taste. You won't find such a capable girl in the whole county, let alone the surrounding area. Besides, our Xinxin is good-looking and smart. She used to learn to read with her brother, and now her handwriting is neat and she can even do accounting. Your family is really discerning to choose Xinxin."
He raised his finger and praised the Cheng family.
Dean Cheng laughed heartily. "Yes, I said so too. Xinxin is such a good girl, we must hurry. Otherwise, if we are slow, we will miss her. It would be a real shame. I know Xiangrong. Xiangrong is a very hardworking child in the academy. Except for going to the toilet, he never leaves his desk. The brother and sister can be so resilient, which shows that they are both promising talents. Xiangrong is a boy with a bright future. Although Xinxin is a girl, I dare say that she will also achieve something in the future. Brother Gu is able to raise such an outstanding pair of children. He is really much more capable than me."
Dean Cheng's wife, the scholar's wife, Cheng Li, grabbed Gu Chen's hand and said with a smile, "Your daughter is really good. When the matchmaker heard it was your daughter, she rushed over and said she had to come quickly. If she was taken away by someone else, it would be a big loss."
Gu Chen's expression hadn't softened yet, but she had to keep smiling, otherwise it would be a bit too... Although she was a vicious stepmother, she didn't want others to say she was vicious. So her face was a bit unbearable to look at, stiff and distorted. I didn't know that a human face could have such an expression.
Mrs. Gu listened for a while and suddenly asked, "How much do you, the Cheng family, plan to give as a betrothal gift?"
Before Dean Cheng could say anything, the scholar's wife raised her finger and said, "Five hundred taels."
The whole yard was silent. Not only were the Gu family members speechless, but even the matchmaker who came with them was so shocked that she couldn't make a sound.
Dean Cheng was also a little slow to react, but his wife had already said it. Looking at his son, who was nodding repeatedly beside him, he knew in his heart that he could not object. If he objected, his daughter-in-law would not be able to marry into the family, and he might not be able to keep his son and daughter-in-law either.
Furthermore, he is a scholar, and scholars value keeping their promises. Although his wife is not making a promise now, the words have already been spoken. If he goes back on his word, it would seem like he is going back on his word, which is the most taboo thing in the minds of scholars.
Dean Cheng felt bitter. His parents wanted money, his elder brother wanted money, and his wife had promised him five hundred taels... If he really gave them five hundred taels, there would be very little left in the family. But Dean Cheng had to maintain a smile and nodded, "Yes, five hundred taels."
Dean Cheng's ability to cultivate his qi was far superior to that of Mrs. Gu Chen. At least her face didn't twist, and her smile looked sincere and frank. "Xinxin is very capable. My son's marriage to her is a blessing accumulated over eight lifetimes. We feel that no matter how much the betrothal gift is, it is not worthy of Xinxin, but our family can only offer five hundred taels. I hope Brother Gu will not despise it."
He looked at Gu Daniu with great sincerity: "For these five hundred taels, let's buy whatever Brother Gu says he wants to buy."
There are many... versions of the betrothal gift list. For example, as for the two geese, if you have money, you can buy real geese. If you don't have money, you can buy two wild ducks. If that's all that matters, you can buy two domestic ducks, but the price of each one will definitely be lower than the other.
As for the dim sum, you can buy the perfect one, the eight blessings and eight longevity one, the six smooth sailing ones, or the four seasons of everlasting spring.
As for the meat, you can buy it whether you buy a whole pig, half a pig, a pig's head, ten pounds of meat, or six pounds of meat.
Anyway, as for the five hundred taels, his wife had already boasted about it, so Dean Cheng was generous and let the Gu family decide how to spend the money.
Gu Daniu immediately said, "We need to ask Xinxin herself about this matter. It depends on what she wants to buy, clothes or jewelry. After all, we don't plan to keep the betrothal gifts. We will give them all to her as a dowry. Besides, you know that our family has a workshop, and we will give Xinxin a 20% profit from the workshop."
Gu Chen was anxious: "Brother Daniu."
When Gu Xinxin wasn't suppressing him, Gu Daniu was actually quite smart. He waved his hand at Gu Chenshi and said, "Go to the kitchen and prepare the meal. Dean Cheng and I have a good relationship. I'll let Dean Cheng stay at our house for dinner today."
He called out to his eldest cousin across the courtyard wall, "Go buy some wine and come and entertain the guests today."
Gu Xiangrong and Gu Wenshu are young and cannot drink alcohol, so they have to invite someone to accompany them today.
The eldest cousin quickly agreed and hurried to buy wine and meat.
Gu Daniu was also willing to play the role of a loving father. He took Dean Cheng's hand and sighed, "Xinxin has been smart and clever since she was young. When her mother just left, she was able to take care of her younger brother. Later, Xiangrong insisted on crying for his mother, and I had no choice but to remarry. I didn't expect that Xinxin would be so thoughtful. Moreover, I am a grown man and careless. I really couldn't think of those delicate things. That's why Xinxin suffered and suffered some grievances. But fortunately, Xinxin is a kind child. She never holds grudges in her heart, and our family is harmonious..."
Dean Cheng liked children like this the most and nodded repeatedly: "If that's the case, Xinxin is indeed a good girl."
Cheng Li looked at her sons. The eldest son had a smile on his face and shook his head slightly - it's not like he hadn't seen Gu Xinxin before. If Gu Xinxin was really wholeheartedly helping Gu Daniu's family, the money she had would be enough to buy a house in the county town. So, she bought a house in the town, or built a new house in the village?
She held on to her money tightly, and even the 30 acres of land that the Gu family had added had to be reclaimed by hiring someone else.
Moreover, her filial piety towards Gu Daniu was not foolish. She was not as obedient as her own father. She could even find ways to make Gu Daniu do what she wanted.
Filial piety does not necessarily mean obedience. Absolute obedience is foolish filial piety.
Cheng Li lowered her eyes. She definitely believed in her son.
Furthermore, if Gu Xinxin was really a weak girl, she wouldn't be able to open such a workshop and make so much money - in the business world, if you are weak at all, you will be eaten up without a trace.
Although Cheng Lishi doesn't do business, she is not ignorant.
Cheng Li looked towards the window again and happened to meet Gu Xinxin's eyes which were visible through the crack of the window. Both of them were stunned for a moment, and then Gu Xinxin smiled politely, and Cheng Li also quickly smiled back.
Turning around, Cheng Li was a little amused and confused - this girl was indeed not a weak and opinionless person. Which girl who was engaged could be like her, who was so open and confident even after being caught?
The marriage went smoothly, and the Cheng family was invited to have lunch at Gu's house. After the meal, Gu Daniu asked his eldest cousin to send the Cheng family away. Perhaps he had a few drinks, or perhaps he suddenly realized that once Gu Xinxin got married, the family's income would be reduced.
So, Gu Daniu sat in the yard in an abnormal manner, chattering about Gu Xinxin's childhood.
The way he just learned to walk, the way he called "Dad" for the first time, the way he grew his first tooth, and the way he would go to the village entrance to greet him every day after he could run.
Gu Xinxin listened to every word he said, and she didn't feel soft-hearted at all, because the little girl who would run to the village entrance to greet him and call him dad in a soft and sweet voice was gone.
She was only considering whether she would have to live in town if she got married. Now that she had enough money to buy a house, should she buy one in town as a dowry, or wait until she had more money and then buy one in the capital?
The county town was not an option, because no matter how she calculated it, she wouldn't live there for too long. Unless she wanted to make the house cheaper for the Gu family, she couldn't buy a house in the county town.
Well, if that’s the case, buying it in town might also be cheaper for the Gu family.
Then just don’t buy it for now, wait until you have more money and buy it in the provincial capital.
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