Qu Xiaoli, after finishing her meal, gave Wang Menglin fifty yuan and a piece of small floral fabric that she had prepared earlier, in front of everyone at home.

"Child, here’s a coupon for a radio we got for you. You said you don’t want a watch, bicycle, or sewing machine, but after discussing with your uncle, we still think it’s best to buy you a sewing machine."

Li Yungui and his wife had long planned that their four sons would have the same engagement arrangements. Once the eldest son’s wedding was done, they would prepare for Chaoyang’s. Then it would be Third’s turn, and by the time they reached Old Fourth, they would be at ease.

"Thank you, Aunt."

"No need to thank me, we understand Manjiang’s situation. He’s hardly home throughout the year, and it’s hard on you, but don’t worry, we’ll cherish you as our daughter.

Also, your wedding might be a bit rushed. We originally planned to start building the new house next month, just across from our current one, but it might inconvenience you."

"Aunt, after we get married, if the new house is built and everyone moves there, I’ll move too. If you stay in the old house, I’ll stay here."

Wang Menglin’s words were very pleasing to the Li Family. The Tao Family brothers and sisters knew their cousin’s intentions. It was to be closer to the elders, so they weren’t surprised by her statement.

"Okay, you’ll live with us, and when we move into the new house, you’ll join us as a family." With such a considerate daughter-in-law, what more could Qu Xiaoli wish for? She felt truly fortunate. Most newlywed couples desire their own space, but this daughter-in-law was truly exceptional.

This engagement banquet was thus completed, Wang Menglin’s only regret was the absence of her grandfather, uncle, and aunt.

But she understood that even if she were getting married, they couldn’t come; firstly due to the distance, and secondly because they were genuinely too busy.

From now on, Wang Menglin was officially the eldest daughter-in-law of the Li Family.

In the village, some knew about this, mainly because the timing was tight, but those close to Qu Xiaoli were informed.

The whole family was gathered inside the house, and it was quite crowded.

Li Manjiang and Wang Menglin stood together, and they seemed more and more like a perfect match. A tough man paired with a beauty.

Liu Cuilan felt particularly uncomfortable inside, so she was the first to suggest leaving.

Qu Xiaoli didn’t mind her sister-in-law leaving; if she wanted to go, she could go. Li Manjiang escorted her out.

Tao Yanzhen didn’t want to stay either, so she called her brother to go home. The Tao Family brothers and sisters also took their leave.

Qu Xiaoli held onto Wang Menglin; she had many things she wanted to discuss with her eldest daughter-in-law.

She finally had a daughter-in-law now, and the dream of having a grandchild wasn’t far away either.

By three o’clock in the afternoon, Li Yunqiao’s family was also leaving.

Guodong drove them, and Qu Xiaoli gave them a bag of white flour. Zheng Lihong felt quite embarrassed.

Since attending the autumn harvest, she felt guilty eating her second aunt’s food.

But the decision didn’t fall to her, her father-in-law had the final say.

Li Yunqiao accepted it cheerfully; he wouldn’t allow his brother’s family to suffer any loss.

He had already planned to buy a sewing machine as a gift for his elder nephew once back.

Qu Xiaoli, grabbing Wang Menglin and Li Xue, decided to make dumplings and asked Cheng Lin to inform the Tao Family brothers and sisters to come over for dinner.

In such matters, Wang Menglin wouldn’t refuse. Plus, she wished her in-laws and cousins would get along well, as they were all important to her. She hoped they would become close.

Wang Menglin loved cooking, although her skills weren’t great, so she learned from her future mother-in-law.

There was pork at home, all minced, which was Li Manjiang’s job.

With so many people at home, dumplings were too expensive, so Qu Xiaoli didn’t put up a front and made two potfuls of cornmeal pancakes instead.

Tao Yanzhen also came over with Cheng Lin, unwilling to wait idly for dinner. Although she couldn’t wrap dumplings, she could roll the skins.

Chive and meat dumplings with a bit of dried shrimp, totaling five hundred in number.

Actually, Qu Xiaoli hadn’t intended for her younger brother-in-law’s family to come over for dinner, but still sent Cheng Lin and Hongling to invite them.

These two kids were quite clever; they didn’t go to Uncle Fourth’s house but went directly to find Uncle Fourth.

Li Yunqiang smiled and said, "Tell your mom, we won’t be coming over for dinner."

How could he not know his nephews’ little schemes? This was also because he and his wife hadn’t managed their relationships well. He wasn’t blaming the nephews for it.

The two kids ran back laughing, truly disliking the Fourth Aunt and Second Brother, whose sarcastic tone made conversations uncomfortable.

Upon returning, they told their mom that Uncle Fourth said they weren’t coming for dinner.

Qu Xiaoli nodded, understanding that the kids definitely sought out their uncle, because if they’d approached their sister-in-law, they would have come for dinner.

It wasn’t that she was being stingy with the food; she genuinely didn’t want to see her sister-in-law’s scowling face.

Today was her eldest son’s joyous occasion, and she didn’t want any anger. Had it been any other event, her stern-faced sister-in-law would have been driven out long ago.

Wang Menglin gave a thumbs-up to the two younger brothers. The boys hadn’t expected any praise from their sister-in-law and felt quite excited.

Li Manjiang noticed their small gesture and was amused; his wife certainly had strong principles. This was to be expected—those raised with integrity surely had a bit of tenacity.

Li Xue laughed on the side, suddenly feeling that she would definitely get along well with this sister-in-law in the future.

"Go find your dad and tell him to come back for dinner; meals need to be called for."

The two kids happily ran off. At this hour, there was no need to guess where Dad was; he was definitely at the chicken farm.

Both had seen Dad’s enthusiastic gaze over eggs, where he would count them each day.

"Cheng Lin, my Second Brother might not have tasted the good stuff."

"I saw Mama take out a big bowl of braised pork. Tomorrow she’ll surely have Dad bring it to your Second Brother."

"There are so many people, my Second Brother might not get much.

Cheng Lin, when can we go up to the mountain?"

"We don’t have time now. Dad said we’re starting the cotton harvest soon, though they won’t need us, but we’ll definitely be called to shake the corn."

The two children found Li Yungui, and the trio headed home.

After dinner, the Tao Family siblings helped clean up before heading home.

"Cousin, how do you feel?"

"Great, are you worried about me?"

Tao Yanzhen nodded, "I am indeed worried about you."

"Don’t worry, I won’t be as foolish as my mom, I won’t lose my mind over a man."

"But I wish you happiness."

"Xiao Zhen, rest assured, I will find happiness. I know what I want and how to make myself happy."

"Cousin, by saying this, do you mean you can live without a man?"

"Of course I want a man, why not? But the condition is that he must be loyal to me."