Chapter 211: Engagement Dinner (3)
This time, they had added vermicelli to the chicken soup and she had finished her meal.
She had not had such good food or lived so well for many years.
Li Fangting crouched by Gu Yunshuang’s bed and lifted her head. “Mother, Elder Cousin’s cooking is delicious!”
She rubbed her little tummy, which was rounded with food. She was extremely satisfied!
Gu Yunshuang smiled and patted her head.
“Bring Mother’s bowl and chopsticks to the kitchen.”
“Mhm!”
…
There were so many people at home that night, but Gu Qingyao still remained in her own room.
Gu Yunshen’s room had a very long heated brick bed. If they slept side by side, it could fit eight or nine people without problem. So the three brothers, Gu Yunjing, Gu Yundong and Gu Yunshen, as well as the three older cousins all slept there.
The four children slept in the room that was usually reserved for the older cousins. There were four bunk beds there and the four children slept there with Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt.
Li Fangting slept as usual with Gu Yunshuang in Gu Ruoqing’s old room.
Gu Qingyao remained in her room. She was so excited that she could not sleep.
She would be engaged to Mo Beihan tomorrow. The feeling was just too wonderful.
How many times in her previous life had she dreamt of this scene? At that time, she had been too timid and had been frightened at the thought of people looking down on her or despising her. Actually, she had mostly been frightening herself. She had been too scarred by the trauma of her youth.
If she could have been stronger and more courageous, she would have married Mo Beihan long ago.
Ultimately, she had been doted on since young, and was rather sheltered. At that time, she was too young and her character was yet unformed. She had become like that because she had not been able to escape the shadows of her youth.
Fortunately, Heaven was good to her by allowing her to be reborn. She would live this life more courageously, progressing step by step towards the pinnacle of her life. She would help everyone in her family towards a better life.
She would be getting engaged tomorrow!
Gu Qingyao was so excited she could not sleep. She was exhilarated!
She ran to her interspace to try on the new clothes that she had prepared. For someone who had seen the prosperity of the later years, these clothes were not too nice. But… they held a different meaning. The more she looked at them, the more she liked them!
Gu Qingyao tossed and turned for a long time, but really could not get to sleep. So she went to draw and practice her calligraphy.
In her previous life, she had been fairly famous for her talent in the arts. Her calligraphy and paintings were all valuable.
She might as well draw more. She could practice and also save them for the future when she could sell them and use the money for capital.
She was rather emotional, so she wielded her brush passionately!
She preferred the classical style of painting, especially landscape paintings. She completed over ten paintings at one go. When she looked at her products, she felt that she had improved quite a bit.
The saying that a joyous occasion gladdens the spirit was true. Haha!
She could not sleep, so she went to pick the ripe fruits. She collected a dozen baskets full, then she proceeded to make a dozen small cloth bags to store items. Only then did she stop!
She did not know that while she was too excited to sleep, over at the Mo family, Mo Beihan was also too excited to sleep.
The things that he would bring over to the Gu family for tomorrow’s engagement were all prepared. He had ensured that everything was done properly. His only regret was that he could not be too flamboyant in these times, or he would have prepared even better things!
Yao Yao had already made the clothes and shoes that she would wear during the engagement tomorrow. He had already bought the watch. A pity that it was an expensive imported watch, and it would be too conspicuous if she showed it to anyone. Considering the Gu family’s circumstances, even if he bought a watch, it would be best to buy a cheap one. But he did not want to buy such things for Yao Yao.
Chapter 212: Engagement Dinner (4)
Right now, all he had left was some cloth and food. He would bring them to the Gu house tomorrow.
When he looked at these things, Mo Beihan felt that they were just too pathetic. But he had no choice. Sigh…
Jiang Yingqiu came over and looked at the things he had prepared. She said, “These things look very respectable. When you bring them out tomorrow, everyone in the brigade will be envious.
“But the Gus are different. They used to be a well-to-do family and Yao Yao is their only granddaughter. They’ve doted on her since she was young. You have to get some better things for the engagement. Even if you can’t present them publicly, you can give them to Yao Yao privately.”
Mo Beihan thought about it. Yao Yao kept all his valuable items. Actually, any set of jewelry that they had would do. But he did not wish to use those.
He had obtained them in exchange for food on the black market. They had plenty of those. He was getting engaged to Yao Yao and he wanted to give her something special.
Even if it was jewelry like a jade bangle, he wanted to customize one for Yao Yao, and not give her something he had bartered from someone else.
Mo Beihan said, “I bought an imported watch for Yao Yao. There’s nothing else that’s valuable. We’ll just have to make do. It can’t be helped.”
If anyone else heard that he had bought an imported watch for an engagement, they would certainly think he was making too much of a fuss. But Jiang Yingqiu was different. She knew that the Gu family was exceptional.
Jiang Yingqiu frowned. “An imported watch is not enough. Didn’t you prepare anything else? You… you brat, you’ve been spending all your time away from home, and you’re still such a stick in the mud?”
Jiang Yingqiu was a little skeptical. She knew how clever her son was. How many good things had this fellow obtained on the black market?
In recent years, the family had lived better and had enough food, mostly because of the food and money that Mo Beihan had obtained on the black market.
It was easy to obtain something valuable there. He just had to barter some food for it.
Mo Beihan understood his mother’s meaning and smiled. “Mother, it’s enough that you treasure Yao Yao so much. Those are all items that others have worn before. There will be an opportunity to obtain them later and give them to Yao Yao. She can just wear them for fun. But I want to give her something special as an engagement present.
“I don’t have anything yet. I’ll make up for it later.”
Jiang Yingqiu frowned. “I won’t interfere in your affairs, but what about the Gu family? At least you have to make a show. You can obtain a special gift for Yao Yao later, but now you have to give something better. I saw that you were always going out and thought you had prepared everything! You brat, you don’t know anything!”
Mo Beihan smiled and took a small box from under his bed. He opened it for Jiang Yingqiu.
Inside was an entire set of red gold hair ornaments, a set of emerald jewelry, as well as two jade bangles.
Be it in terms of purity or workmanship, these items were outstanding, and they were definitely of top quality.
Jiang Yingqiu was fairly knowledgeable, so she smiled the moment she saw them. “That’s more like it! Here! This is for you too!”
As she spoke, she took out a small cloth bag. Inside was a pair of icy blue jade bangles.
The bangles were sparkling, translucent, and completely flawless. One could tell at a glance that these were good items.
Although they were not of the best quality, in twenty years’ time, this pair would be worth ten thousand dollars or so.
Mo Beihan was shocked. “Mother, where did you get these from?”
Jiang Yingqiu smiled. “This is my gift, from a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law. Take it. I have more!”
Chapter 213: Engagement Dinner (5)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Jiang Yingqiu sat in front of Mo Beihan. “Your grandfather gave these to me. Although our forebears were not rich, your grandfather managed to hide some of his wealth. But the situation was not so peaceful then, so he kept it hidden.
“Fortunately, he always kept it hidden, or we would have been in trouble.”
The Mos were currently peasants. If Old Master Jiang had not deliberately hidden his wealth, their background might not be so good now.
Jiang Yingqiu said, “That year, your grandfather was very sick. He gave me these things and I kept them hidden. When your elder brother got married, I gave him some. But later on…”
Jiang Yingqiu struggled to suppress her grief when she thought of her elder son who had passed away. Then she continued, “Later on, your elder brother ran into trouble and these things came back to me. I kept them to give to Chengrui and Chengxu in the future. This pair of bangles are for you. Now you’re only getting engaged. I have a few more for your wedding.
“I don’t have much. I only hid a little.”
Mo Beihan nodded. He knew his forebears were not rich. It was already surprising that they had this.
Mo Beihan took it and decided to give them to Gu Qingyao the next day.
The two of them talked for a while, then Jiang Yingqiu went to bed.
Mo Beihan looked at these things. He did not fall asleep until late.
The next day, everyone in the Gu family got up early. Gu Qingyao put on her set of new clothes.
The snow had not yet melted, but today’s weather was extremely good. It felt warmer than the previous days.
Gu Qingyao got up very early. She wore her thermal underwear and flannel pants from her interspace. Over that, she wore a red sweater knitted from sheep’s wool. She had made this sweater especially thick, so it was very warm to wear.
Lastly, she put on her red and blue checked coat. She had added a fleece lining inside the coat to keep her warm when she wore it.
She carefully combed her braids, then put on her black trousers and leather shoes. Her eldest aunt, Fang Ling, saw her the moment she walked out of her room.
“Wow! Yao Yao looks great!”
Gu Qingyao was naturally fair. Most peasant girls were exposed to the elements and seldom had especially fair skin. But Gu Qingyao was very fair.
Large eyes, a handsome nose, a tall and slender figure, and skin that was naturally fair, radiant and smooth.
The Gu family was generally good-looking. After all, they used to be an important family, they raised children who were good-looking and carried themselves well. But Gu Qingyao had a slight edge over the rest.
She was not yet grown and still seemed a little childish. When she had matured in a few years time, she would be even prettier!
Fang Ling walked over and studied Gu Qingyao. The new clothes that Gu Qingyao was wearing were extremely rare!
“So beautiful. The clothes are pretty, and so are you. Aiyah, that brat Beihan really got a good deal!”
Gu Yunshen had also just got up. He was stunned when he saw Gu Qingyao!
The little girl in front of him was really beautiful!
She was not just beautiful, but also had the elegant bearing of someone raised in an aristocratic family. She smiled sweetly, her expression joyous.
As he looked at the young girl before her, Gu Yunshen could not help but recall another slender figure. Your daughter looks more and more like you as she grows up!
The family got up, one after another. When they saw Gu Qingyao looking so pretty, the older and younger cousins all surrounded her.
Today was an auspicious day. They all forbade Gu Qingyao from entering the kitchen. They would just have a simple breakfast. The Mo family would be here soon.
They would have to prepare two tables of dishes for lunch. Mo Beihan had prepared many of the items, and he had sent them over earlier
Chapter 214: Engagement Dinner (6)
Mo Beihan had brought two dried chickens, two dried rabbits, two dried fish, ten kilograms of pork, ten kilograms of pork ribs, sixty eggs, twenty kilograms of tofu and ten kilograms of rice.
There were also ten meters of cloth and ten kilograms of cotton wool.
Gu Qingyao’s family had been good to her in her last life. Mo Beihan was well aware that whenever Yao Yao had anything good in this life, she would certainly give generously to her family. But whenever she brought out something, she must be able to explain where she got it from.
Now there were so many children in the Gu family, her Younger Aunt and her younger cousin. It was the middle of winter and Mo Beihan felt that giving cloth and cotton wool would meet their most urgent needs.
In any case, people in these times were not particular. Any nicer item could be used as a gift.
He had already restrained himself. But when he brought out all these things, everyone was shocked.
It was still early, and the other guests had not yet arrived. But even the Gu family was amazed when they saw these things.
Especially Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, and her older cousins. Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle were similarly amazed.
“So… so much?”
When Third Aunt, Zhou Ping, saw all these nice things, she was at a loss.
In all her years, this was her first time seeing so many nice things. This was just an engagement. One must know that many people just gave two hundred kilograms of coarse grain in exchange for a bride.
Even a family in slightly better circumstances might just add a little fine grain.
This was the first time in her life that she witnessed the groom’s family give so many things. And it was just an engagement!
Although he had only given ten kilograms of rice, there was so much meat and vegetables…
Mo Beihan smiled. Yao Yao was his darling. Of course, he would ensure that he honored her amply.
“Third Aunt, these are for the banquet. There’s more outside for the brigade members. We’re just getting engaged, and not throwing a large banquet. We’ll just cook a little for the brigade to share our joy.”
There was more?
Zhou Ping was astounded, and she went to the yard to have a look. She saw Mo Beihan drag two huge fish out of his little hand cart. When she saw the two large fish, Zhou Ping was so shocked she could not speak.
These two fish were really gigantic, each weighing about ten kilograms. The fish were very long. When Mo Beihan held them up, the fish almost touched the ground.
Zhou Ping had never seen such large fish in her life.
Mo Beihan smiled and said, “These fish are to make fish soup. Just add tofu, mushrooms and things like that and make a big pot of soup. When the brigade members arrive, they can have some of it.”
Although it was just an engagement, and there was no formal banquet, the brigade members would certainly come over to enjoy themselves. Then they would invite the guests in to eat and these brigade members could not possibly just look on, especially not the children.
When they started to cook later, the fragrance would spread. Today’s weather was great and the children would definitely come.
Anyone else would just give them a couple of sweets and send them on their way.
But Mo Beihan was unwilling to do that. He wanted Gu Qingyao to have more prestige.
Although the Gu family’s background was not good, his family came from a good background. He himself had a respectable job, and was doing well in the Southern Lake Brigade. So it was excusable for him to be a little more ceremonious.
Zhou Ping’s eyes almost fell out of her head when she saw the two large fish. This… this was for the others?
There was almost thirty kilograms of flesh and it was for other people to eat?
Her Eldest Aunt, Fang Ling, was more composed. She hurriedly said, “Bring these inside first. As for the fish… leave them outside.”
The others would arrive later. Mo Beihan had brought so many things that others would certainly be envious. So they could not display all his gifts.
Fang Ling and Zhou Ping carried all the meat, vegetables and game that Mo Beihan had brought into the kitchen. They left the two large fish by the well outside.
Chapter 215: Engagement Dinner (7)
Mo Beihan and Jiang Yingqiu went to the main room to give the engagement presents to Gu Yunshen.
Gu Conghua did not see much when he saw the gifts, but he inwardly felt better.
The Gu family had plenty of wealth and jewels. He did not care about these. But given the current circumstances, it was good that the Mo family was still being so particular.
At least, they were not like the other citizens who envied his family’s wealth but belittled their status.
The Gu family was composed almost entirely of grown men. Although Jiang Yingqiu was the senior member of the groom’s family, she really did not know what to say to all these men. Fang Ling and Zhou Ping were busy in the kitchen, so she could only sit with Wen Ruyu and listen to Mo Beihan talk to these people.
Mo Chengxu and Mo Chengxu were also at the Gu house. They had run to see their Young Aunt.
The Gu children were delighted. They had just eaten so much meat last night, and there was even more today. They were wild with joy!
The children were in Gu Qingyao’s room, staring at her beautiful clothes.
Today, Li Fangting was wearing the new clothes that Gu Qingyao had made for her. She had a new quilted jacket and trousers in a floral pattern. The material was not particularly good, but it looked quite nice. They were stuffed with new cotton wool and were particularly warm when she put them on. Li Fangting had not yet stopped smiling today.
Gu Qingyao brought out some sweets for the children. They took their sweets, hurriedly unwrapped one and stuffed it into their mouths. As the sweetness spread, they all smiled broadly.
Gu Qingyao was amused when she looked at the children!
Time moved slowly on and the guests began to arrive at the Gu house. The first to arrive was the leader of the Qing River Brigade, Wang Mingtao. Next came the leader of the Southern Lake Brigade, and Mo Beihan’s uncle, Jiang Feng!
Then there was the butcher from town, Wang Ping!
In these times, butchery was a lucrative occupation. Because someone who slaughtered pigs would have meat to eat, this was very attractive to everyone.
Wang Ping’s job was a lucrative one and highly paid. Even though he was in town, he was highly sought after.
After that came the granary manager, Yang Jing, the supervisor of the textile factory, Zhang Xiong and his son, Zhang Ting Li, and the manager of the departmental store in town, Wang Zhou.
They were all important people.
Actually, some of Mo Beihan’s connections were the same as those of the Gu brothers. He had not invited all of them. The Gu brothers had invited some.
An example was Xu Jingzhi, whom the Gu brothers had brought back from the city.
His father was the head of Jiangchong City.
Gu Jinye, Gu Jinlin and Gu Jinfeng had gone to town to buy presents for Gu Qingyao.
Among the three of them, Gu Jinfeng was the richest, and Gu Jinlin was the poorest.
Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle’s families were doing well in their careers, and their salaries were very high. They were all in highly sought-after jobs.
But Third Uncle’s family was different. They had ordinary jobs and their salaries were low.
Third Uncle only earned fifty or almost sixty dollars a month. In these times, this was already considered to be very high among salaried workers.
His two sons, Third Brother and Fifth Brother, did not draw a high pay. Each of them earned forty dollars. The combined income of these two sons and their father was not even as high as that of Fourth Brother, Gu Jinfeng’s, individual salary.
In addition, they had two younger ones at home.
Second Uncle’s family was different. They had no burdens in their family as the children were all grown. Fourth Brother Gu Jinfeng was the youngest.
Gu Jinfeng gave Gu Qingyao an imported watch.
Gu Qingyao was shocked when she saw it.
“Fourth Brother, why did you buy something so expensive?”
Heavens!
Mo Beihan had bought her two watches, and now Fourth Brother had bought her another one. So she had three watches.