Mrs. Dai is a benevolent elder. Her three children all turned out to be exceptionally outstanding. The eldest and youngest are boys, whom she raised with less fuss. The second, Dai Chunmei, is a daughter, whom she pampered quite a bit. But the children didn’t disappoint her; Dai Chunmei got herself into university and after graduation, she joined the Women’s Federation and has consistently excelled at work.

When Dai Chunmei married Chen Xianhai, he was just a section chief in the office. Over the past twenty years, with perseverance, his position steadily rose, and Dai Chunmei somewhat became more self-important.

Mrs. Dai glared at her daughter, "You’re at this age now; don’t speak like a kid anymore."

"The Huang Family is not the same as you; Director Huang, his wife Director Wan, and Yuzhu, all genuinely like Anmin and want to marry her in. When the Huang Family and Ding Family became engaged, the Xu Family probably hadn’t even acknowledged kinship yet." Mrs. Dai said.

"Your Aunt Yuzhu returned to Jing City in July. Son-in-law, when did you hear the news?"

Chen Xianhai thought for a moment, "I guess it was also July." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Listen, listen." Mrs. Dai pointed at her daughter, "The Huang Family and Ding Family had already set the wedding date in July. So when do you think the Huang Family wanted Anmin to come in? It would only be earlier. Next time, don’t project your thoughts onto others."

"Mom." Dai Chunmei said with some embarrassment, "I just said the Huang Family was marrying above themselves, why did that earn me such a lecture? Yes, the Huang Family is open-minded, and I’m petty, overly focused on gains, okay."

"Good you know that." Mrs. Dai humph and said, "Fortunately, your husband is mindful of you, or you would have caused trouble a long time ago."

"Mom, my sister-in-law wouldn’t cause trouble, she’s extremely reliable, just more straightforward at home." Ning Xinyuan smiled and mediated the situation, "This is because we’re all family."

Mrs. Dai’s expression softened a bit, and Dai Chunmei looked at Ning Xinyuan with a touch of gratitude. This younger sister-in-law spoke very pleasingly, which is why she was willing to let her husband connect with the younger brother and his family’s connections.

Dai Chunhui managed to reach his current position with the efforts of Chen Xianhai.

Comparatively, Dai Chunmei was not familiar with Li Honghua, partly due to fewer chances of meeting, and when they did, they spoke little. However, her elder brother cherished his later-married wife dearly, so out of respect, she showed consideration.

"Oh right, my dad also said Xu is very capable." Dai Zhenhua, as part of the Dai family, had responsibilities towards this, so he shared what he knew, "Several jobs in the Ding Family were arranged through Xu’s connections. For someone Xu’s age, and without relying on Xu Family connections, having such a network is indeed remarkable."

"Moreover, my dad said Xu is an outstanding graduate from Jing University, and Jing City’s Zhou Family, I wonder if Uncle knows them?"

"I know." Chen Xianhai nodded, "They’re also a deeply established family, comparable to the Xu Family, but the Zhou Family is flourishing and excels in multiple fields, which I learned through a distant relative from their family."

"Xu was very closely connected with Zhou Family people while at Jing University. Professor Zhou, who teaches there, was even Xu’s mentor with a formal apprentice relationship. Not just the Zhou Family, Xu’s network is extremely wide."

"My dad said during the National Day, the Xu Family hosted a grand family banquet in Jing City, inviting many households, personally introducing Xu and publicly acknowledging Anguo and Anmin as his godchildren. The entire Ding family was present, and Minister Xu managed this because Xu was outstanding enough." Dai Zhenhua recited what he learned from his father.

"That’s impressive." Dai Chunmei exclaimed, "No wonder I felt Xu Ancheng had such a strong presence."

The Dai Family and the Chen Family talked extensively about the Ding Family.

"Speaking of which, Sister-in-law’s family is also blessed." Dai Chunmei remarked, "But I truly didn’t expect Sister-in-law’s parental family to be from Huaixi County."

Mrs. Dai glared at Dai Chunmei again, and both Chen Xianhai and Dai Zhenhua realized she shouldn’t have discussed someone’s mother so publicly in front of the younger generation.

"Grandma, I’ll go check on my mom." Dai Zhenhua said with a smile, "The Ding Family invited an old Chinese medicine doctor from Jing City to prescribe a foot soak. Yesterday, my mom tried it, it worked well, and knowing your legs easily get cold, she brought a portion too. Grandma, soak your feet in the evening."

"Oh, alright, alright, your mom is thoughtful." Mrs. Dai was delighted to hear this.

Whatever the Dai family’s thoughts were, the Ding Family didn’t concern themselves. They only cared about Li Honghua and her daughter.

The Ding Family got busy upon returning home. Ding Anmin’s wedding date was approaching, and the dowry preparations were underway.

Due to Li Honghua’s affairs earlier on, Li Hongying couldn’t put her full effort into preparing her daughter’s dowry. Now with her mind at ease, she prepared with both joy and efficiency.

Two thick quilts needed to be sewn. Thermoses, a sewing machine, and a radio were bought by Yi Roujing, Ding Anmin, and Xia Xingchen a while ago. Everything was placed in Li Hongying’s room, and Xia Xingchen cut the happiness symbols and stuck them on the dowry items.

Ding Anguo saved his salary for several months and exchanged it for a bike ticket, adding a bicycle to his younger sister’s dowry.

Yi Roujing’s mountain-sourced herbs, after getting cash from Xu Ancheng, were split among Ding Anmin and Ding Anguo, since they contributed initially. Therefore, despite Ding Anguo emptying his salary, he still had plenty left.

Xia Xingchen knitted a sweater for Ding Anmin and bought a wool coat, as her gesture of goodwill.

Yi Roujing’s family also pitched in some money to buy a complete set of bowls and chopsticks for Ding Anmin.

Typically, even offering one major item as a dowry is considered quite respectable, but Ding Anmin’s dowry was extraordinarily lavish.

Li Hongying counted her daughter’s dowry in the room, with a weight off her mind.

Huang Xiaobao and Ding Anmin’s wedding apartment on Red Star Lane was visited by the Ding Family. It was nicely renovated and very cozy. Once arranged with the dowry, everything would be perfect.

"Roujing, the red fabrics unused by Weiliang and Chenyan for their wedding next year, take them back for your family to use." Li Hongying handed the folded red fabric to Yi Roujing.

"Alright." Yi Roujing nodded in agreement.

"After Weiliang and Chenyan’s banquet, it’s time to plan Anguo’s." Li Hongying said, smiling but somewhat nostalgia for how quickly time passed and how her children were now growing up.

"Oh, Anguo." Li Hongying remembered the specialty goods brought by Li Honghua from East Province, hurriedly instructed Ding Anguo to take them to the power station for Feng Lishu and her family to enjoy.

"Your aunt and Zhenhua will come to stay in two days; you should invite Lishu over to introduce her to everyone." Li Hongying advised.

"Got it, Mom." Ding Anguo took the items and pedaled his bike out the home.

Recently, the Feng Family felt a sense of post-disaster relief. Thanks to the confirmed relationship between Feng Lishu and Ding Anguo, the Feng Family distanced themselves from the Liao Family, thereby avoiding gossip.