Chapter 369 Chen Tangtang's Engagement
Mother Chen was completely charmed by Ouyang's demeanor and appearance; there was no point in being angry. Her daughter had chosen exceptionally well; such looks were something she could brag about for a year.
"Ouyang, please sit down, sit down. This was all a misunderstanding."
Father Chen was bewildered. What happened to not showing a good face?
Xia Hong and Ouyang breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that they could talk things through properly.
"Tangtang's mother, these are gifts we've brought, all local specialties from Spring City. We also brought you a few clothes. It's not as cold there, so the thickest clothes are only this warm. Please don't mind!"
"We don't mind, not at all. Oh, the patterns are truly beautiful, and the material is good too. You've spent too much. It's Tangtang's fault for not understanding."
Chen Tangtang tried her best to make herself scarce; she had no say in today's conversation.
"Tangtang's mother, I really like Tangtang. In the countryside, Tangtang often kept me company, she's our little ray of sunshine."
"Hahaha, Tangtang has always had a sweet tongue, and she loves to eat."
Ouyang also started chatting with Father Chen. Ouyang was a secretary, and it was easy for him to steer Father Chen's conversation and keep him engaged.
Little Brother Chen sat beside his sister, and they both observed everyone's expressions.
"We are all quite satisfied with the children. Shall we then set the engagement?"
Xia Hong finally stated the purpose of their visit. Once their minds were at ease, they could wait until Tangtang was of age to get married.
Mother Chen was truly pleased with Ouyang's family. Even Tangtang's future mother-in-law was very agreeable, speaking so gently. She didn't seem like someone who would bully her daughter-in-law.
"Alright, setting it now is good. It saves people from gossiping."
Upon hearing this, Xia Hong quickly took a large red envelope from her bag and placed it on the table.
"This is the betrothal gift, one thousand and one. When Tangtang gets married, I will give ten thousand and one, signifying 'one in ten thousand' to show our satisfaction with Tangtang."
Xia Hong was already shocked by the generous sum of one thousand and one. She hadn't expected the subsequent "one in ten thousand." What kind of family had her daughter found?
Chen Tangtang was also startled; they were giving too much.
Ouyang also took out a box from his pocket, revealing a pair of large gold bracelets, a necklace, and a pair of gold earrings.
"Although she can't wear them now, everything that should be there for Tangtang must be."
Mother Chen was truly taken aback. These gold ornaments alone were worth over a thousand yuan.
"This, isn't this too much?"
"Not at all, not at all. Ouyang said that when they get married, Tangtang will manage the household finances. Everything will be hers in the end, so giving it now is never too much."
Father Chen had lost his temper. He was busy calculating his family's assets, worried that their dowry might be insufficient.
Mother Chen felt comfortable and pleased. Her daughter managing the household showed how much they valued her. She had no objections at all.
"This betrothal gift and jewelry will be given to Tangtang when she gets married, with nothing kept back by us. We will also provide the customary dowry."
Xia Hong waved her hand; her family didn't care about Tangtang's dowry.
"We only have Ouyang, so when Tangtang joins our family, she will be everything to us. As for the dowry, we don't mind. We only hope you can all attend their wedding to make it perfect."
"Tangtang is so fortunate to have met your family. In other families, such good things wouldn't happen. I ask for nothing else but that Ouyang treats Tangtang well in the future. If Tangtang makes a mistake, please tell me, and I will travel any distance to discipline her."
Chen Tangtang, who had been smiling ear to ear, now wanted to roll her eyes. Her mother was truly not giving her any face.
"Tangtang is a very obedient child. With me watching over them, they won't have any conflicts. How shall we proceed with this engagement banquet? Only Ouyang's grandfather is missing from your family, but he's too old to be bothered.
The other relatives and friends are all in the countryside. This is what I propose: we hold one banquet in Qishi, primarily for your relatives here. Then, when we return to the countryside, I will host another one, so it's known on both sides that these two children are engaged. What do you think?"
"Yes, of course. Our family has broken ties with the Chen family, so we'll only invite one side. My maternal relatives aren't many, they'll fit at one table."
In those times, they couldn't hold large celebrations without causing trouble.
"Auntie, please choose a date, and I will arrange for a banquet at the state-run hotel. You don't need to worry about the wine or cigarettes; I will handle everything."
Mother Chen was overjoyed. Look at how considerate her future son-in-law was, thinking of everything.
"Going to the state-run hotel will cost a lot of money. I was planning to just cook something at home."
"Cooking at home is too much trouble; eating out is more convenient."
"Alright, just listen to the child. We'll just be responsible for notifying people."
Father Chen made the final decision. He had to accept the respect his son-in-law was showing him. A banquet at a state-run hotel was a significant honor, a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Mother Chen flipped through the calendar, knowing the children had to return to the countryside, so they could only choose a date soon.
"Let's choose two days from now, the twelfth of the first lunar month. It's a Saturday, so those who work will have time to come."
"Okay, so the day after tomorrow at noon at the state-run hotel. We'll come pick you up then."
For dinner, Ouyang directly invited the entire Chen family to the state-run hotel. The manager of the hotel was quite surprised to see Ouyang, not expecting to see the well-known Secretary Ouyang.
"Secretary Ouyang, what brings you to Qishi? Where is Leader Zi?"
Zi Yisheng's resignation had not been widely publicized, only announced internally within Mingcheng. Thus, many in Qishi were unaware.
"I have some matters to attend to. First, please prepare a table of dishes for us and a bottle of wine."
"Certainly, the dishes will be served immediately. We have more supplies after the New Year, so you're in for a treat today."
Ouyang also mentioned the banquet for the day after tomorrow, which delighted the manager. It was rare for people to hold banquets at state-run hotels nowadays, and even just one table meant good business.
"Don't worry, Secretary Ouyang, we will handle it perfectly."
Father and Mother Chen looked at each other with confusion, suppressing their questions.
Ouyang and Father Chen finished a bottle of wine together. Father Chen drank to his heart's content, having never had such an enjoyable time.
However, Ouyang made a mental note of this, understanding the importance of catering to their preferences.
The meal was a joyous occasion for all. As Ouyang escorted the Chen family to the entrance of the dormitory area, he stopped Chen Tangtang and handed her some money and coupons.
"I have some business to attend to tomorrow and won't be able to visit you. Take this money and coupons to buy some candies and such, and distribute them among the residents of the dormitory area and your parents' workplace. That way, people will know you're having your engagement banquet."
Chen Tangtang had never thought of such details. Seeing the money and coupons in her hand, she accepted them without hesitation. Her fiancé had thought of everything for her, so she just needed to follow his lead.
Upon returning home and seeing the items, Mother Chen sighed again at her daughter's good fortune. She stroked her daughter's chubby cheek.
"Daughter, tell me honestly, what is Ouyang's real identity? Why did the people at the state-run hotel call him Secretary Ouyang? Whose secretary is he?"
Chen Tangtang looked at her mother's curious expression with a hint of helplessness.
"Then you must promise not to tell anyone, not even your father, in case he lets it slip."
Chen Tangtang whispered a few words into her mother's ear, and then watched as Mother Chen's eyes widened slowly.
In fact, Chen Tangtang only learned everything after arriving at Bai Rong Brigade, but it didn't matter to her. She just wanted to live a peaceful life, united with Ouyang and Shengge.
"He's that impressive? How could we have ever met such an influential person before? It's all thanks to Shengge; she's your matchmaker. Without Shengge, you wouldn't even have gotten close."
Mother Chen began rummaging through cabinets and drawers.
"I want to make a dress for Shengge. She probably has everything, so I can only make her a dress to show my appreciation."
Chen Tangtang absolutely did not object to giving Shengge a gift.
"Then hurry up and make it. Make it look as beautiful as possible. Shengge's clothes are all very elegant; anything too plain wouldn't suit her."
"Is that so? Then this fabric won't do. I'll go to the department store tomorrow and see if I can find something better to make the most beautiful dress for Shengge."
Ouyang had come to Qishi on a mission. Zi Yisheng never missed an opportunity to exploit his subordinates, and he intended to make the most of this trip.
However, despite the busyness, it couldn't dampen Ouyang's spirits. Meanwhile, in Huizhou Province, Qi Xuan and Wei Jiu were not faring as well.
As soon as they stepped off the car, A Liang picked them up. A Liang had already contacted Second Master Shang earlier, but he hadn't mentioned Young Master Zi's name, primarily to avoid unnecessary trouble.
However, the other party refused to budge. Even after offering one hundred thousand, they were still unwilling to agree, which was why A Liang couldn't negotiate further. The price was too high for him to make a decision.
Qi Xuan wasn't afraid of paying. If forty thousand wasn't enough, she would find Shengge to exchange for more. Money wasn't the issue; the problem was that the other party was unwilling to meet them again.
"Can you still contact them? I brought forty thousand."
Not a single integer was touched; the mere six thousand plus was enough for a long time.
"Let me contact them first. Then you can ask Second Master Shang if there's anything else he wants. Perhaps he doesn't want money."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble."
A Liang waved his hand nonchalantly. Their task was to handle this matter, not for anyone's sake.
Second Master Shang frowned upon hearing this news. Actually, he didn't need the obscure medicinal herb. He had come across the Baili family's belongings by chance in Mingcheng, and it was only to placate them.
However, now that someone had traced him, he was even more reluctant to act rashly, for fear of attracting trouble from higher authorities.
"The other party wishes to see you."
"I won't see them. I'm not short of money."
"The other party is offering twenty thousand, solely to save a life."
Second Master Shang still refused. What he feared now was the other party's ability to investigate him, worried that this might be a trap.
Qi Xuan was very disappointed to hear this news; she didn't even have a chance to meet the person.
"Can you find the address of Young Master Shang Shao Yan? I want to beg him."
A Liang hesitated. He had clearly witnessed the trouble Qi Xuan had caused before.
"I promise I'm only here for the medicine. I will absolutely not pester Young Master Shang Shao Yan again, nor will I cause any trouble for my uncle-in-law."
Qi Xuan had finally understood over the past few days that without connections, influence, or money, nothing could be accomplished when undertaking a task.
She only had money now; she had nothing else. She could only rely on her uncle-in-law's influence. Therefore, she would not cause him any trouble.
A Liang stared at Qi Xuan for a while before finally agreeing.
"Let me check first. I haven't heard of Young Master Shang being in Huizhou Province."
"Thank you!"
Now, it seemed all she could say was thank you.
A Liang took two days to find out Young Master Shang Shao Yan's address, but he contacted Ming Hui first as a matter of respect, given that Young Master Zi and Young Master Shang had a good relationship.
Ming Hui frowned upon hearing Qi Xuan's name. Young Master Shang had left in such a hurry because of this woman. Fortunately, Young Master Shang had been very busy upon his return, or Ming Hui felt that Young Master Shang might have developed a psychological shadow.
"I need to ask Young Master Shang first. Perhaps it won't be that complicated, as you're looking for medicinal herbs, so a meeting might not be necessary."
A Liang had done and said all he could. All that remained was to wait.
Qi Xuan received the news with some disappointment, but not sadness. Nothing was more important than saving her grandfather's life.
Young Master Shang Shao Yan had no intention of responding at first, but considering A Liang had intervened, it meant Zi Yisheng was aware of the matter, so he couldn't stand by idly.
He picked up the phone and contacted his second uncle.
"Oh, they've found their way to you. I'd like to know who the real person is behind this?"
"It's Zi Yisheng. Qi Xuan is a guest of his father-in-law's family."
"Hahaha, she's not just any ordinary guest, is she? Zi Yisheng's father-in-law is Old Monster Ye. That guy doesn't just acknowledge any guest casually."
Young Master Shang Shao Yan knew more than his second uncle, but there was no need to explain it.
"Second Uncle, what do you think about this matter?"
"I have to give face to Zi Yisheng and Old Monster Ye. However, since she's a guest, I can't let her off too easily."
Young Master Shang Shao Yan knew his task was completed; there was nothing more for him to do.
Qi Xuan smiled upon receiving this news. Regardless of the outcome, it was a step forward.
A Liang contacted Second Master Shang again. The latter was not polite, demanding twenty thousand in cash and also a black market in Zi Yisheng's possession.
This price was too steep. The black market in Huizhou Province was already well-established and a large market. Huizhou Province had four cities and many counties beneath it. Second Master Shang's appetite was too greedy.
Qi Xuan's dark expression told A Liang that the situation was not going to be easy.
"A Liang, what's wrong?"
"Hmph, Second Master Shang is simply asking for the moon. Not only does he want twenty thousand in cash, but he also wants a province's black market from Young Master Zi."
"Is a province's black market very valuable?"
A Liang glared at Qi Xuan. This woman was a jinx. After ruining the Ye family, she was now going after Young Master Zi.
"A province's black market can generate all your cash in a year. Think about how valuable it is!"
Qi Xuan was not an ignorant child. This was a business that could generate long-term profits. Giving it up now was like handing over her business.
"What do we do now? I'll go beg them. I'm willing to pay ten times the price for that medicinal herb!"
"Two million!"
A Liang's heart stirred. Second Master Shang wanted the black market primarily for profit, but his network wasn't as extensive as Young Master Zi's, so his profits were lower.
Two million might not be earned in ten years. This offer was quite tempting.
"I'll go and negotiate again. You wait for news."
However, A Liang first made a phone call to Zi Yisheng, as it now concerned them.
Zi Yisheng laughed in anger upon hearing about Second Master Shang's exorbitant demand.
"He wants the entire Huizhou Province? He's truly audacious."
"Qi Xuan is willing to pay two million for the black market."
"Heh, two million. But that's half of Qilu Quan's entire fortune."