Jiang Cheng chuckled softly as Shen Que was squeezed into a corner, his gentle gaze falling on Jiang Cheng, whose shoulders were shaking with laughter.

Grandma Shen was in control of the situation, and they were at the stage of polite refusals.

"In-laws, please go first."

"No, no, you go ahead."

...

Clearly, both sides were familiar with each other and knew each other’s intentions, yet they created an atmosphere as if it was their first meeting.

Truth be told, Jiang Cheng did feel a bit like she was getting engaged.

As for Shen Que, there was no need to say more; he was completely in the state of a befuddled son-in-law visiting for the first time.

Clumsy and awkward, standing in the way wherever he went.

Jiang Cheng covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

She couldn’t help it; she had promised Grandma Shen to be restrained today.

After over ten minutes of polite exchanges, the group finally entered the house.

Inside, Li Chunxiang was busy pouring tea for everyone.

Shen Que, Gao Zhonghua, and Sun Aiguo quickly fetched chairs for everyone to sit.

The familiar group behaved with an odd politeness, sitting down and sipping tea.

After drinking about half a cup of tea, the matchmaker took the lead and started speaking.

Jiang Cheng: Finally, it’s proceeding.

According to her usual pace, this efficiency was quite nerve-wracking.

"I am here today because Shen Que asked me to act as a matchmaker."

"Comrade Jiang Cheng is intelligent and generous, a beauty both inside and out, talented and gifted, refined and elegant, and naturally beautiful...."

The matchmaker occasionally lowered her head to glance at her palm.

She had to; Shen Que had given her a ten-yuan red envelope to propose, with the only request being to praise the future bride more.

Though she didn’t quite understand, when it comes to making money, she just had to go all out.

Everyone in the room listened, nodding as they did so.

Jiang Cheng was so dumbfounded.

Was this matchmaker carrying an idiom dictionary?

Although what the matchmaker said was accurate... it was just too awkwardly phrased, not up to her standard at all.

Jiang Cheng thought actively: This foolish thing must be Shen Que’s doing.

The matchmaker praised for a full five minutes without repeating herself, and after finally finishing, she was drenched in sweat.

"The dowry from the Shen family is all here."

After the matchmaker finished, she took a step back, giving the floor to Grandma Shen.

"In-law Teacher, In-law Principal, In-law Uncle, our Shen family sincerely wishes to marry Jiang Cheng. We offer a dowry of 1888 yuan, along with a sewing machine, radio, bicycle, and watch. Whatever kind of house and furniture Jiang Cheng likes, we will provide."

"Shen Que has said that after marriage, all his salary will be handed over."

Grandma Shen rattled off her speech, and naturally, Teacher Lü agreed, and both sides joyfully concluded the discussion.

They were almost ready to eat.

The group exited the house via the main gate, returning to the shared courtyard, where Granny Sun and Aunt Li were cooking, and the dishes were ready.

The other families in the courtyard also knew about Jiang Cheng and Shen Que’s engagement today, and they came over one by one to offer congratulations.

Jiang Cheng and Shen Que handed out prepared candies to everyone.

At the small gate leading to the back room, Lin Chengyuan hid at the entrance, secretly watching.

The remorse in his heart felt like a huge beast ready to devour him.

But what use was regret?

What could he do? Dare to do?

If he dared to appear, Shen Que would skin him alive.

As for Jiang Cheng, Lin Chengyuan no longer believed she would have any affection for him.

Being scolded so many times, he’s not a fool.

In fact, Jiang Cheng probably hates him now.

"Are you putting on a show of regret?"

Lin Jiaojiao suddenly appeared behind Lin Chengyuan, taunting, "You’re out of chances, don’t do anything to humiliate yourself further." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Lin Chengyuan returned a cold stare at Lin Jiaojiao, full of disdain.

"What does it matter to you what I do!"

Lin Jiaojiao shrugged indifferently and said, "It doesn’t matter to me, just reminding you not to provoke those you shouldn’t provoke."

After speaking, Lin Jiaojiao exited through the small gate, circled past the bustling crowd, and walked to the main gate, glancing back.

In her heart, she silently said: I wish you happiness, Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng was unaware of and unconcerned with anything related to the Lin family.

She simply had no time to think about anyone from the Lin family.

Once the food at the Shen’s was almost ready, everyone sat at two tables for the meal.

This time, Shen Que raised his glass for a toast.

Jiang Cheng didn’t take the lead; it made Shen Que happy. If he was willing to do it, she’d let him.

The meal was lively and bustling.

After eating, Jiang Cheng first saw Uncle Zhang off.

Uncle Zhang, feeling emotional, grabbed Shen Que and said, "Child, you must treat our Jiang Cheng well!"

"Uncle Zhang, don’t worry, I promise with my life!"

Uncle Zhang, with tears in his eyes, looked at Jiang Cheng and said, "Child, your parents would be happy too, take care."

Jiang Cheng also felt a bit touched; Uncle Zhang was genuinely good to the original owner, so she too was willing to give some sincerity.

"I will, Uncle Zhang, if you ever need anything, come to us, Shen Que and I will help you."

Uncle Zhang eagerly agreed but, in truth, didn’t want to bother them at all.

Jiang Cheng saw Uncle Zhang to the car, reminded Gao Zhonghua to drive slowly, and watched as the car slowly drove away into the distance.

After seeing off Uncle Zhang, Jiang Cheng went to see Principal Wang off.

Principal Wang, without any sense of formality, said, "Why see me off, we’ll talk more at school tomorrow, go send off Teacher Lü instead."

Having said that, Principal Wang went off on his own.

Jiang Cheng had to turn around and send off Teacher Lü.

Finally, Shen Que drove, with Jiang Cheng accompanying him, and took Teacher Lü to the station.

"Teacher, take care."

Teacher Lü waved his hand and said, "No worries, someone’s with me, don’t worry."

"Jiang Cheng, I’m waiting for you in Beijing, remember that?"

Jiang Cheng nodded, promising, "I will definitely visit you in Beijing."

"Good, good!"

Teacher Lü also left.

Having seen Teacher Lü off, Jiang Cheng leaned her head on Shen Que’s shoulder.

"It’s suddenly a bit quiet."

"It’s okay, I’m here with you."

Shen Que gently patted Jiang Cheng’s shoulder.

Jiang Cheng nodded, straightened her posture, and said to Shen Que, "Let’s go home."

"Yes, home we go!"

Shen Que had a big smile; he liked the word — home.

The engagement was complete; the next step was marriage.

Shen Que couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

When they returned home, Grandma Shen and others were making glutinous rice buns.

Seeing this, Jiang Cheng simply pulled Shen Que to join in.

However, after making four, Jiang Cheng was reassigned by Grandma Shen to the corn husk decorating group, along with Shen Yue and Shen Xing.

She was really bad at it!

While others made egg-shaped ovals, the dough she handled just wouldn’t roll into a round shape, which was quite strange.

The group worked quickly, steaming pot after pot of glutinous rice buns, and laid them outside to freeze.

By the next morning, each glutinous rice bun had turned into a rock-hard lump of ice.

At this point, they were placed in waterless water tanks, covered with lids, and could be eaten all winter long.

After a busy day, Jiang Cheng and the Shen family settled into preparations for the New Year.

Jiang Cheng studied during the day, attended night school in the evening, motivated her teachers and classmates, and soon it was the 28th of the lunar month.

On that day, while at night school, Jiang Cheng received a phone call from Beijing.