Chapter 97: The Ceremony

Early the next morning, just after five o’clock, Lan Mo got up and rode her little tricycle to queue up for groceries.

After queuing for about half an hour, she finally managed to buy all the pork ribs and pig trotters. On the way back, Lan Mo secretly took out all the prepared ingredients from her space.

Seafood didn’t need to be prepared in advance; she could just take it out early the morning after next. Let them stay in the space for one more day!

When Lan Jingtian returned with breakfast, he saw Lan Mo pulling a fully loaded tricycle and exclaimed, “Momo, did you move the entire supply and marketing cooperative back home?”

“Dad, all of these are for tomorrow—fruits, vegetables, meat, and some dried goods.”

“How much did it cost? I’ll give you the money later. These things should have been prepared by us. You went out so early.”

“Dad, I appreciate your kindness, but you know your daughter isn’t short of money. Don’t overthink it. Let’s hurry and carry these things home!”

“Momo, we’re hosting three tables for the engagement banquet. We’ve also invited your sister-in-law’s family.”

“Dad, it’s fine. Since they’re invited, let it be! I’ve prepared ten auspicious dishes. I won’t let you down.”

Father and daughter carried the fruits and vegetables, and when the people inside heard the commotion outside, they rushed out to help.

During the day, Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law, Mom, and Dad all went to work. Lan Mo stayed at home to help with cleaning. Since the groom’s family was visiting for the first time, she had to tidy up the house properly.

Gu Yan’an was also extremely busy that day. He had to find a way to get half a pig and also go to the department store to prepare gifts for Lan Mo’s family for their first meeting.

He prepared clothes, shoes, and socks for Momo’s grandparents, cigarettes, alcohol, tea, and fabric for his future parents-in-law, candies, snacks, and a red envelope for that Xiao Li’er, and of course, for his fiancée—clothes, shoes, and socks had to be fully prepared, along with a nice watch for her.

Gu Yannan, carrying baskets and following behind Gu Yan’an, watched his elder brother staring intently at the beautiful imported watches in the watch counter and couldn’t help but say:

“Elder Brother, you only wear a domestic watch worth one hundred and twenty yuan, but you’re buying an imported watch worth several hundred yuan for your future wife. You’re really something!”

“Why do I work so hard to earn money? It’s precisely to spend on my wife. Besides, engagement and marriage only happen once. You have to spend when you should!” Gu Yan’an said with conviction.

“That ladies’ coat just now cost sixty or seventy yuan, and a pair of leather shoes cost twenty or thirty. Why are things in Haishi more expensive than in Jingshi?”

“Haishi used to have many foreigners. Although this department store is now a public-private joint enterprise, its original owners still have private trade connections with those people. The goods are naturally better than those in Jingshi’s department store, so the prices are a bit higher.”

He knew full well that things in Haishi were expensive but beautiful. However, seeing his elder brother spend money like water, how would he manage after getting married?

Watching his elder brother spend money made his heart race. He had saved nearly two thousand yuan over the years, but it seemed it still wouldn’t be enough to marry a wife!

How worrying!

“Elder Brother, can I join in on whatever business you’re doing?”

“What do you want to do? Don’t forget, you’re a railway public security officer.”

“Elder Brother, I could give you my savings so you can make the chicken lay eggs and the eggs hatch more chickens. If you get to eat the meat, can I at least have some broth? You’ve already found yourself a beautiful wife, but your younger brother is still single!”

Gu Yan’an smiled. Indeed, this brother was only a year and a half younger than him—it was about time he found someone.

“Yannan, is that Xiao Zhu from your workplace interested in you?”

Gu Yannan shuddered in fright and quickly explained, “I don’t have any feelings for her, Elder Brother! Please don’t joke about that! If Mom finds out, she’ll definitely go propose marriage to that girl!”

“I noticed the way she looks at you seems a bit off. If you’re not interested in her, you should keep your distance to avoid attracting unwanted attention.”

“You’re scaring me now. I wish I could have luck like yours, Elder Brother. Where is my fiancée?”

“Don’t rush it. When fate comes, you can’t stop it! Not everyone can have Elder Brother’s luck.”

“Elder Brother, I think you’re a bit unworthy of your future wife. She looks like a little fairy, while you’re more like a rough brute.”

“What did you say? Looking for a beating, are you? It’s been a while since I’ve practiced with you—are your bones itching for a fight?” Gu Yannan’s words had ignited Gu Yan’an’s temper.

In a fight, he was no match for his elder brother, who was as strong as an ox. He’d have to be out of his mind to seek that kind of punishment. How could his brother, born from the same mother, be so much stronger than him?

The two of them carried a full load of gifts for the first meeting back to their place. Another room held another load—one side a sewing machine, the other half a pig.

Pan Huijuan had even specially arranged for some red paper to be placed in the baskets.

“Yan’an, this afternoon, take Yannan and Yang Wei to deliver these bride price gifts.”

Gifts for the first meeting were usually delivered the night before so the bride’s family could use the meat to prepare dishes.

“Alright, we’ll deliver them at five o’clock and come back after dinner. Tomorrow, we can go over to give the bride price money.”

The three Gu brothers energetically carried two loads of engagement gifts for the first meeting. As they neared Lan Mo’s house, Gu Yan’an set off firecrackers, attracting the attention of all the neighbors.

Someone poked their head out and said, “I heard Old Lan’s granddaughter is getting engaged tomorrow. Is the groom’s family sending over the gifts for the first meeting?”

“Must be. I wonder which of these three young men is Old Lan’s granddaughter’s match?”

An old man chuckled, “Look for the one dressed the most smartly.”

An old woman sighed, “They look quite handsome, all dressed up. I wish I could match my grandson with Old Lan’s granddaughter.”

“Shh—keep it down! It wouldn’t be good if someone heard!”

Gu Yan’an was in high spirits at the moment and didn’t pay close attention to what the elders were saying.

Yang Wei, however, heard every word clearly. These people were gossiping about his cousin, saying he looked all dressed up but… Hah! That dog! He really does look the part, making Yannan carry the lighter basket while I have to carry half a pig and a sewing machine.

Do I look like a pig? Always picking on me!

As soon as the firecrackers went off, Lan Mo rushed out. “Why are you here today?”

“My mother said these gifts should be delivered a day early!”

“Come on in and sit!” Lan Mo quickly led them into the small courtyard, turning to call into the house, “Dad, Mom, Yan’an and the others are here!”

When Gu Yan’an heard Lan Mo call him Yan’an, he grinned foolishly with delight. “Yannan, Xiao Wei, carry the things inside quickly.”

Gu Yannan and Yang Wei exchanged a glance. Elder Brother, are we just your tools?!

Their sudden arrival had caught Lan Mo off guard, but fortunately, the house was well-stocked with everything.

That evening, the three Gu brothers stayed for dinner at the Lan family. Looking at the lavish spread on the table, Yang Wei felt utterly satisfied. Carrying pork was nothing—as long as there was delicious food, he’d even help his cousin carry people in the future.

On the way home, Yang Wei tugged at Gu Yan’an and said, “Cousin, you’re really lucky when it comes to food. Little sister-in-law’s cooking rivals that of a master chef! When I find a partner in the future, I’ll look for someone who can cook too.”

“Shut up. I didn’t choose her because she can cook. She won’t have to cook every day when she’s with me in the future. She can cook if she feels like it, but I can cook too—I’ll cook for her.”

Gu Yannan’s eyelids twitched. “Elder Brother, that’s not fair. Even though your cooking is decent, why can’t you cook for us when you come home?”

“If I cooked, wouldn’t I be taking over Mom’s job? How is that unfair? Don’t I cook for Grandfather every day? If you want to eat my cooking, buy your own groceries and come visit Grandfather at the siheyuan.”

“Got it, Elder Brother. I’ll come over another day.”

After Gu Yan’an left, Lan Jingtian carefully checked the gifts for the first meeting, comparing them against the gift list.

“Momo, Xiao Gu also bought you an imported watch and prepared so many gifts for everyone. When they leave, we should give them some return gifts as well.”

“Should I prepare clothes for his grandfather, father, and mother then?”

“Not for now. Save those things to bring to them after you’re married. You should also prepare some fabric for his younger siblings.”

She wasn’t very familiar with the customs regarding what the bride’s family should provide when she marries.

“Dad, what exactly should we prepare for them?”

“I was thinking, since Yan’an prepared an imported watch for you, I should buy one for him too! As for the rest, after they leave, we can just give them some seafood and Haishi pastries.”

So that’s how it was. Alright, then she’d go buy him a watch too, to avoid people saying her family was taking advantage of the groom’s side.

“Dad, but we don’t have foreign exchange certificates or watch coupons?”

“I have watch coupons here. Your brother probably has some foreign exchange coupons. I’ll ask him to give them to you later. I’ll also give you six hundred yuan. Go to the department store tomorrow morning and buy him a pair of shoes and a jacket.”

That settled it. The leftover dishes had been taken care of, and she’d figure out how to bring out the seafood tomorrow morning.

Her family knew how to handle these things—she didn’t need to worry! Besides, her aunts would come over tomorrow to help. All she had to do was dress up beautifully.