Back To The 80s-Chapter 544 - 536: The Wedding Part 1

When Gu Xiaobei arrived at the courtyard with the two kids, Bai Mingzhu was already seated under the grapevine, hugging Doudou and drinking tea.

"Oh, Zhanguo and Xiaopang have grown so much." Bai Mingzhu said with a merry smile, truly embodying the spirit of ’joy heightens one’s vitality.’

Gu Xiaobei walked up with Xiaopang and Mo Wang, greeting with a smile: "Aunt, you must have had a tiring journey coming here by car?"

Bai Mingzhu shook her head: "Oh, it’s nothing, as long as the Qi family can finally get married this year, I would gladly endure even ten days on a vehicle." Without waiting for Gu Xiaobei to sit down, she inquired, "Xiaobei, have you met the person the Qi family is considering for marriage? What is their family background like?"

Gu Xiaobei shook her head: "I haven’t met them, I’m not really sure." She dared not speak wildly in front of Bai Mingzhu.

Bai Mingzhu sighed: "On the phone, when I asked the Qi family about it, they refused to say anything. It’s only natural for me to have questions about this. I mean, if their family does not match ours, it definitely won’t work."

Gu Xiaobei didn’t quite understand what Bai Mingzhu’s standard for "matching" was. She had heard that He Qin’s father was a military commander in G Province. Surely that should be good enough?

Bai Xiaolan chimed in with lukewarm agreement: "Aunt, if we’re going by your standards of ’matching’, it’s unrealistic. There’s just not that many Manchu in the provincial capital."

"You child, what are you talking about? I never said they have to be Manchu. I just want them to come from an educated family, that way the children they raise will be both literate and courteous." Bai Mingzhu said reproachfully.

Bai Xiaolan snorted: "That’s a tall order, there aren’t that many ’educated families.’ Plus, Xiaobei isn’t from one, does that mean she’s not a good person?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaobei felt a sense of awkwardness when being used as an example by Bai Xiaolan.

Bai Mingzhu gave a huff and fell silent, clearly indicating that she was not satisfied with having a daughter-in-law like Gu Xiaobei.

Zhou Siping subtly nudged Bai Xiaolan, chastising her for constantly getting into arguments with her aunt.

Bai Xiaolan just rolled her eyes. She thought the only cure for Bai Mingzhu’s mental state was for her cousin to find a strong-willed wife; she only hoped he wouldn’t disappoint her.

Gu Xiaobei commanded Xiaopang and Mo Wang to play in the courtyard, then went into the kitchen to help Wen Xiuqing with meal prep.

While deftly scaling fish, Wen Xiuqing saw Gu Xiaobei enter and quietly confessed, "Even I’m curious about who the Qi family is considering for marriage. They’re boasting about their wealth all morning but nowadays, whose family can be much stronger than the others? To land someone with a stable job who is provided with state-supplied grain would be a blessing."

Gu Xiaobei squatted down to help sort the cilantro, deciding not to interject on that particular subject.

Cheng Qijia arrived with He Qin at lunchtime. Gu Xiaobei spotted He Qin and felt that the situation was somewhat messy. Her previously pale skin, turn notably dark after a trip to the Tibetan Area and was now a bit rough. This made her appear several years older than Cheng Qijia who was similarly tan.

Bai Mingzhu was slightly taken aback when she saw her son’s darkened complexion next to an equally tan girl. Did they come from a coal mining trip?

"Qijia, what on earth have you been doing? You’ve changed significantly." Bai Mingzhu asked, her heart aching.

"The sun tanned us when we were training outdoors." Cheng Qijia replied with a smile, and introduced He Qin to his mother."Mom, this is He Qin. He Qin, this is my mom."

He Qin gently smiled and greeted, "Hello, Auntie." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Bai Mingzhu scrutinized He Qin with an investigating gaze, thinking to herself, ’Such a petite frame, can she bear a child? And her complexion is so dark, won’t her child look like a piece of charcoal?’

The more Bai Mingzhu observed her, the colder she felt. She forced a nod as a token of acknowledgment.

On the other hand, Gu Xiaobei noticed that He Qin’s originally cold demeanor was now being gradually replaced by a gentle air.

Seeing his mother’s attitude turned cold, Cheng Qijia coughed and added, "Mom, He Qin and I have already submitted our marriage application."

Bai Mingzhu was completely stunned. Wasn’t she supposed to be here to help with the matchmaking? She felt a complex mix of emotions as she oscillated between looking at He Qin and Cheng Qijia.

Zhou Siping also felt surprised as Cheng Qijia had brought home a girl of darker complexion, but as she was now in their home, he quickly invited, "Qijia, quickly have Miss He Qin take a seat."

Bai Xiaolan gloated at Bai Mingzhu’s disappointment.

The atmosphere during the meal was awkward. He Qin detected Bai Mingzhu’s discontent towards her but didn’t seem to mind. She had never cared for others’ opinions, and how this was handled was up to Cheng Qijia.

Bai Mingzhu was seething with anger. Had she known it would turn out this way, she wouldn’t have come. Was this an engagement party? Even if she didn’t approve, what good would it do if her son had already submitted the marriage application?

Cheng Qijia, on the other hand, seemed nonplussed, as he continued serving He Qin dishes without any sign of disturbance.

As Gu Xiaobei observed the sparse verbal exchanges but numerous implicit interactions between He Qin and Cheng Qijia, she sense a kind of silent happiness between them. She suddenly felt that Cheng Qijia and He Qin made a good pair.

The person you marry may not necessarily be the one you love most, but they’ll definitely be the most suitable for you. This thought crossed Gu Xiaobei’s mind.

Upon finishing her meal, Bai Mingzhu, still distressed, summoned her son into her room without any regard for He Qin’s presence.

"Is it possible to get the marriage application back? I do not approve of this." Bai Mingzhu immediately inquired once they stepped inside the room.

In response, Cheng Qijia asked, "What part of He Qin do you consider unsuitable, causing you to disapprove?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Mingzhu grew even more infuriated: "That girl is older than you, right?"

Cheng Qijia nodded, "She is two years older."

"Can’t you find anyone younger? You’re aware that women age faster. She already looks older than you now. Can you imagine what she’ll look like after having a kid? Putting looks aside, you didn’t even mention anything to your father and I before submitting your marriage application. Do we even matter to you anymore? This girl has such a humble demeanor. If you bring her back to the capital, won’t the neighbors laugh us to death?" Bai Mingzhu posed indignantly.

Cheng Qijia, wearing a rarely serious expression, addressed Bai Mingzhu, "When I get married and live my life, it’s not to make other people satisfied. My aim is to marry someone I’m going to spend my life with, not a trophy to be displayed. Our marriage application has already been submitted, it can’t be retracted now..."

Bai Mingzhu suddenly interrupted him, "She isn’t pregnant, is she? Is that why you’re rushing to get married?"

Completely taken aback, Cheng Qijia replied, trying to keep his voice low to avoid being overheard from the courtyard, "Mom, what nonsense are you spouting? You’re smearing He Qin’s reputation. Let me tell you, nothing has happened between us. The reason we want to get married is that we feel we’re suitable for each other. I hope you won’t think ill of others."

Bai Mingzhu glared at her son, her trembling finger pointing at Cheng Qijia as she yelled, "I’m being low-minded? You’re not getting married, not unless I’m dead!"

The few people under the grapevine were shocked upon hearing these words.