novelden Chapter 129 It's settled then.
Chapter 129 It's settled then.
As Mr. and Mrs. Li listened, their eyes gradually softened.
Li's mother looked at her daughter, then at Li Xiangyang, and said softly to Li's mother, "Sister, I can feel your sincerity. It's not that we disagree with the two children being together, it's just that Xiaoyun grew up in the city, and we worry about her suffering..."
"Don't worry, sister." Li's mother held Li's mother's hand, her tone sincere. "If Xiaoyun marries into our family, she'll be my own daughter."
"Although Xiangyang grew up in the countryside, he's thoughtful and caring."
At this moment, Li Xiaohua chimed in, "Yes, yes, my brother is so good to my sister-in-law. Not long ago, he even gave her a mink coat; it's so beautiful."
Li Xiangyang felt a little embarrassed and coughed lightly.
Li Xiaoyun also blushed and lowered her head.
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Mrs. Li's eyes: "A mink coat?"
"Yes. It's too expensive, I can't bear to wear it," Li Xiaoyun said softly.
Father Li took a sip of tea, his gaze lingering on Li Xiangyang for a moment.
This young man exudes a down-to-earth quality, and he is genuinely good to his daughter.
Let alone in the countryside, even in the city, who would be willing to give away a mink coat?
Hunting, after all, is still somewhat dangerous.
But asking them to quit is obviously unrealistic.
Father Li is now basically satisfied, but he's worried that his son might encounter some danger in the mountains; what would happen to his daughter then...?
"Uncle and Aunt, let me take you to see the place where the new house will be built. It's right across the street, a great location—sunny in winter, and well-ventilated in summer..."
Father Li nodded: "Alright."
As the group walked out, Li's mother took Li's mother's hand: "Sister, don't look down on our family's poor conditions. Once we build a new house in the spring, I promise Xiaoyun will have a good life."
Looking into Li's mother's sincere eyes, Li's mother couldn't really find fault. She patted Li's mother's hand and said, "Sister, look at what you're saying. We've also come from hard times, how could we look down on you..."
Stepping out of the yard, the warm winter sun shone on the snow, reflecting a shimmering light.
“Uncle, look,” Li Xiangyang pointed to Old Zhou’s house, “Xiaoyun and I will live here from now on. This house faces south, and it’s well-ventilated in both the front and back. Old Zhou’s family has moved to the city, and I’ve already applied to the village to build a house on this plot of land.”
Mr. Li looked at the location of the house and thought it was indeed a good one.
Just then, Old Party Secretary Zhang saw a group of people looking at houses and walked over with a smile.
"Old Party Secretary," Li Xiangyang greeted him quickly.
"These must be Xiaoyun's parents?" Old Party Secretary Zhang looked at Mr. and Mrs. Li and said with a smile, "You've come at the right time. I was just about to tell you about this boy."
The old Party Secretary pointed to Li Xiangyang, his face filled with gratitude: "This kid is honest, kind-hearted, and most importantly, kind. Not long ago, I had a heart attack, and if it weren't for him taking me to the hospital and paying my medical bills..."
Upon hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Li nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing this, the old Party Secretary added, "His mother is also a capable woman; she's now the production team leader in our village. Don't worry, if Xiaoyun marries into our village, with his mother looking after her, she'll definitely be well taken care of."
At this point, the old Party Secretary hardened his expression, pointed at Li Xiangyang with his cane, and said, "Kid, if you let Xiaoyun suffer any injustice, I'll break your legs!"
Li Xiangyang, feeling embarrassed, scratched his head and said, "How could I dare?"
Li Xiaoyun listened from the side, her face flushed, and she secretly glanced at Li Xiangyang.
The old Party Secretary's words were sincere, which made Mr. and Mrs. Li even more satisfied.
This future son-in-law is not only capable but also kind-hearted, and with so many elders caring for him, my daughter will definitely not suffer any mistreatment after marrying into his family.
"Regarding Xiaoyun," Mr. Li began, "it's settled then. However..."
“Uncle, please speak.” Li Xiangyang immediately looked at Li’s father seriously.
"We need to hurry up with the house issue; we can't forget anything that needs to be prepared," Mr. Li said seriously.
"Don't worry," Li Xiangyang said solemnly, "I will definitely clean the house and make sure Xiaoyun is comfortable."
"Hmm." Father Li nodded in satisfaction. "Then let's go back inside and set a date."
After bidding farewell to the old Party Secretary, the group returned to the house, where Li's mother quickly poured more tea for everyone.
The warmth of the kang (heated brick bed) warmed people's hearts as well.
“We were thinking,” Mother Li began, “that since the two children have such a good relationship, it would be best to arrange the marriage as soon as possible. What do you think about after spring?”
Li's mother quickly nodded, "That's good. Then Xiangyang can also tidy up the house."
"Alright, we'll pick a date later. We need to discuss how the two children will live together from now on," Father Li said seriously.
Before Li Xiangyang could speak, his mother interjected, "Don't worry about that. Although we live in the countryside, we still need everything we need for daily life. We need beds, cabinets, tables, chairs, bicycles, sewing machines—everything must be provided."
“These are secondary,” Mother Li said, glancing at her daughter. “The main thing is…”
“Auntie, please speak.” Li Xiangyang looked at Li’s mother earnestly.
“The main problem is,” sighed Mother Li, “Xiaoyun grew up in the city, so she might not be able to handle some farm work…”
"Don't worry about that," Li's mother said with a smile. "Xiangyang and I have already agreed that Xiaoyun doesn't need to do any farm work. Xiangyang and I are enough for the household."
Li Xiaohua chimed in, "Yes, my brother said that my sister-in-law should stay home and study so she can focus on her teacher's exam."
Upon hearing this, both of Li's parents showed expressions of surprise.
They never expected that this rural family would be so open-minded.
“Good, good,” Father Li nodded in satisfaction, looking at Li Xiangyang’s reassured expression, and then thought for a moment and said, “Then how about this, for the bride price, you give eighty-eight, just as a token. As for the rest, we’ll prepare it for Xiaoyun.”
"This..." Li Xiangyang was flattered by Li's father's unexpectedly agreeable response.
Mother Li then smiled and continued, "Xiaoyun is the apple of our eye. Now that she's chosen you, we're relieved. Don't worry about her dowry; we've already prepared it for her."
Upon hearing this, Li's mother felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and her eyes welled up with tears: "This is truly too..."
“Sister,” Mother Li said, taking Mother Li’s hand, “we’re going to be in-laws. Xiao Yun is marrying into your family, so naturally we have to prepare everything perfectly for her.”
Li Xiaohua, listening from the side, exclaimed with delight, "That sister-in-law's dowry must be amazing!"
"You silly child," Li's mother said, giving her daughter a reproachful look, but her face was full of smiles.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, and recalling the old Party Secretary's words, Li's father felt even more satisfied.
He picked up his teacup and said to Li Xiangyang, "Xiaoyun's future is in your hands."
"Don't worry, Uncle!" Li Xiangyang solemnly agreed.
Father Li nodded: "Then let's choose a date."
Upon hearing this, Li's mother quickly got up and took a well-worn almanac from the cabinet in the inner room, handing it to Li's mother: "Sister, take a look."
Mother Li took the almanac, opened it, and studied it carefully.
"The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is an auspicious day, and the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month is also fine."
"By the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the work in the fields probably won't be finished. How about we set it for the fifteenth of the fifth lunar month? By then, the busy farming season will be over."
"Okay, May 15th is good. The weather won't be too hot or too cold, and it'll be convenient for visiting relatives."
……
Li Xiangyang listened from the side and glanced at Li Xiaoyun.
Li Xiaoyun kept her head down, but a smile played on her lips, clearly indicating that she had no objection to the date.
"Xiangyang, what do you think of this date?" Father Li asked, turning his head.
"I'll listen to my parents." Li Xiangyang smiled憨厚ly.
"Oh, you silly child." Father Li felt a surge of warmth at his son's address of "Dad." "Then it's settled. It's a bit tight, but there's enough time."
"It's enough, it's enough," Li's mother said hurriedly. "I'll tell Xiangyang to hurry up and finish building the house..."