The atmosphere, initially cheerful, turned solemn upon hearing this. They all knew Qiu Tingting’s boyfriend was Feng Xianxu. Feng Xianxu was excellent and handsome, but marriage involved two families, not just the man. The recent scandals surrounding the Feng family were deeply embarrassing.
Qiu Tingting said, "I know about his parents and his uncle's affairs. There's no explanation for it; it's just as you've heard. But Feng Xianxu was raised by his grandparents and isn't influenced by his parents." Since she had already chosen to accept Feng Xianxu, she wouldn't dwell on such matters. Zhu Yan was in prison, and Feng Yaojun was bedridden; these people wouldn't have much impact on her from now on. Her frankness rendered those who had just been mocking her speechless. Cheng You didn't say much more, patted Qiu Tingting’s hand, and turned to leave.
That evening, she told Qi Chengyan about her plan to accompany Feng Xianxu to the countryside for the proposal. He asked, "Do you want me to send you?" Cheng You shook her head. "That's not necessary. My maternal grandfather will arrange it, and you're busy, aren't you?" The army had been hectic lately, and Qi Chengyan sometimes didn't return home until late. "If you need me to go, I can request leave." Cheng You shook her head. "Then there's no need. You focus on your work. We should be back the same day. I was thinking my maternal grandmother would prepare the betrothal gifts, so I'll buy some things for Qiu Tingting as a dowry supplement." Unlike the old lady, she didn't have many valuable heirlooms, so she could only buy some jewelry. While buying jewelry, she also picked out a pair of gold bangles for Sun Xiaowan's child. Even before seeing the child wear them, she imagined they would look very cute.
After some preparations, it wasn't until May that the old lady arranged for them to go for the proposal. The betrothal gifts filled the car's trunk. Cheng You's gifts were kept separate; they were for Qiu Tingting personally. Feng Xue looked at the betrothal gifts, her heart twisted with jealousy. Feng Xianxu drove himself. Feng Xue had intended to take the front passenger seat, but Cheng You preempted her, saying, "You sit in the back with Grandfather and keep him company. Also, tell him about our eldest uncle's health condition." With that said, Feng Xue couldn't refuse. She could only watch as Cheng You took the seat she had so coveted.
Qiu Tingting lived in Yanjiao, quite close to Cheng You's large medicinal herb garden, just a few hundred meters away. In fact, nearly half of the medicinal herb garden Cheng You leased was in Qiu Tingting's village. The car stopped at the village entrance, and they had to walk in. Although it was the countryside, it was still under Yancheng's jurisdiction and thus more prosperous than ordinary villages. The road was narrow but clean. There were even trash cans along the way, reflecting Yancheng's excellent sanitation efforts. However, there was quite a bit of unused land. It was May, and if nothing unexpected happened, the busy farming season would be in two months. Yet, looking around, many areas were lying fallow.
There were too many things, so Cheng You helped carry some. The group walked in laden with packages. Feng Xue surveyed the surroundings, thinking, "A village is still a village; it can't compare to the city." She couldn't believe a girl born here could be so lucky as to ensnare Feng Xianxu. The more she thought about it, the more twisted her feelings became, almost to the point where she couldn't control her expression. As they were unfamiliar faces, many people looked at them and whispered among themselves as they passed. However, their dignified attire and the items they carried clearly marked them as city dwellers.
Cheng You casually asked someone, "Auntie, where is Qiu Tingting's home?" "Tingting? The Tingting who joined the cultural troupe?" "Yes, that's her. My brother is here to propose." The auntie clapped her hands. "I knew it! With people as respectable as you, only the old Qiu family's daughter is worthy! Come, come, I'll take you there." She tucked her sunflower seeds into her pocket and led the way. Before they even reached the house, she called out, "Old sister, your daughter is blessed! City folk are here to propose!" Qiu's mother, not understanding, came out. "Old Zhang's family, what are you talking about?" "Didn't your daughter tell you? They've come to propose." Qiu's mother looked at Feng Xianxu and realized. "You're Ah Xu, aren't you? Oh, that girl, she told me, but I thought she was joking! Come in, come in quickly."
The old man nodded with a smile. "We've come uninvited; please don't mind us, in-laws." Qiu's mother, with her cheerful disposition, waved her hand with a smile. "You're too kind. I'm just a bit surprised, but I knew the two children were dating, and marriage was inevitable." Qiu Tingting had told her about Feng Xianxu's general situation and that they would propose, but she hadn't taken it seriously, thinking Qiu Tingting was joking. She certainly hadn't expected them to come so soon. In ordinary families, owning the "three turns and one sound" was rare, yet here they were, bringing a television set. The watch was a new model from a well-known brand. Coupled with the gold jewelry, the betrothal gifts alone would cost at least a thousand yuan. Qiu's mother was taken aback. "Please have some tea. I'll have someone call your daughter's father; he'll be back soon."
While they were talking inside, a crowd had gathered in the courtyard, all discussing Qiu Tingting's impending marriage. Soon, Qiu's father and Qiu Tingting's elder brothers and their wives arrived. The room suddenly became crowded. Cheng You felt a sense of pressure for the first time; Qiu Tingting's family was truly full of masculine energy. Qiu's mother noticed her daughter's absence and asked, "Where is your sister?" "We've sent for her; she'll be back soon." Shortly after, Qiu Tingting returned, her cheeks flushed, making her look even more charming. She first glanced at Feng Xianxu, then quickly averted her gaze, as if afraid of being seen. Qiu's mother smiled and asked, "Ah Xu, why has only your grandfather come? Where are your parents? Speaking of which, I haven't met them, and they should be here to discuss the marriage."
Feng Xianxu, who had no intention of hiding his family's situation, was about to speak when Qiu Tingting interjected, "His father is unwell and cannot come. The grandparents make all the decisions at home." Qiu's mother nodded. "I see." For the two families to come together, it was essential to understand each other's basic family situation. However, the Feng family's circumstances were difficult to articulate. The old man didn't want to conceal anything, but with so many outsiders present, eager to uncover the Feng family's secrets, he decided to refrain from mentioning it for now. He planned to discuss it privately with Qiu's parents later.
After talking for a while, Qiu Tingting grew bored and pulled Cheng You outside. "I'll take you for a walk around the village." Cheng You also found it somewhat dull; she was merely a cousin and had no say in Feng Xianxu's marriage. "Take this back first." She handed over a bag containing the gifts she had brought for Qiu Tingting. Qiu Tingting opened it and saw several gift boxes. "What is this?" "These are for you as a dowry supplement. Look tonight and see if you like them; I picked them out myself. If you don't like them, I've arranged with the shop to exchange them." Qiu Tingting took out one of the boxes; it contained a gold bangle. The design was new and not at all old-fashioned. "I like it. I like everything you give me."