Chapter 216: Engagement Dinner (8)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
And they were all imported watches.
Gu Qingyao was speechless. These were such expensive items!
Gu Jinfeng gave her a dashing smile. He patted Gu Qingyao’s head. “You’re getting engaged. Of course, I have to give the best. Every girl is vain! Now, you’re not permitted to wear jewelry, so you can only wear watches.”
Eldest Brother Gu Jinye smiled. “Don’t stand on ceremony. Your fourth brother is rich! You should just let him spend his money. Here, this is from me. Keep it and make two sets of clothes. You’ll look good in these colors.”
Gu Jinye gave her two pieces of woolen cloth. One was red with black checks and although it was expensive, it was more common. The other was a bright, pure red!
This was extremely rare. Gu Qingyao’s eyes brightened when she saw it!
“Wow! Eldest Brother, where did you get such beautiful woolen cloth? It’s so rare.”
In these times, items of this color were extremely rare.
Gu Jinye smiled. “I asked my friend to get it from Shanghai. The goods there are much nicer. I reserved it as a present for you when I came back. Since you were getting engaged, I didn’t take it out immediately. I went to town today to get this checked piece to give to you together!”
Gu Qingyao hugged them to herself with a smile. “Thank you, Eldest Brother!”
Gu Jinlin gave her two pairs of leather shoes and a small sling bag.
These were all thoughtful gifts. In these times, there were not many gifts for young girls. Except for watches, it would be clothes, or shoes or other things of that nature.
Xu Jingzhi walked in with a smile. He gave Gu Qingyao a fountain pen. It was pure black and its tip was slightly pink. It was beautiful!
“Thank you, Elder Brother Xu!”
Xu Jingzhi knew the Gu brothers and Mo Beihan, but this was the first time he was seeing Gu Qingyao after she had grown up. He had heard the Gu brothers mention her numerous times, but he seldom saw her.
He recalled that he had met Gu Qingyao once a few years ago, but at that time, Gu Qingyao was still a child. He remembered that she had been a very pretty little girl, but now in a blink of an eye, she was all grown up!
Xu Jingzhi looked at the graceful young girl standing before him, and could not help feeling a twinge of regret. She was so pretty!
That Mo Beihan had moved really fast!
…
An aroma was drifting from the kitchen. The members of the brigade who wanted to take part in the festivities also arrived.
When the children came, Gu Qingyao gave them each a couple of sweets, delighting them.
In the kitchen, Zhou Ping was looking at the two large fish. She was loath to part with them. She already knew that these were to be prepared for others, and they would have to add so much tofu to it. What a waste.
Fang Ling looked at her. “We’ll cook all this and later on, we’ll just add more mushrooms and tofu to the soup. Then we’ll make some pepper soup and that will be sufficient!”
Zhou Ping looked at the two fish. She could not bear to part with them. “It’s such a waste to cook two such big fish. Shall we just cook one of them? It’s just an engagement and not a wedding. There’s no banquet and they won’t be contributing to the expense. How can we just give such nice things to them for free?”
Fang Ling frowned. “Beihan brought these things. It’s not our family who is paying. If we prepare it all, it will reflect well on us. But if we reserve part of it, what will it look like?”
Fang Ling did not feel the pinch. She approved of what Mo Beihan had done.
Mo Beihan had paid for these things, but when they were served it, it would reflect well on the Gu family. Of course, they should do something like that, which would be a credit to their family!
They would take the opportunity to show all those who looked down on the Gu family!
Zhou Ping pursed her lips and kept her counsel.
But her heart ached when she looked at the house filled with meat and vegetables.
It was sufficient to feed them for a year.
Chapter 217: Engagement Dinner (9)
Although her heart ached, Zhou Ping did not dare to secretly reserve any of these things. After all, Mo Beihan had brought them over, and Fang Ling was watching nearby. She did not dare.
They made the fish soup in the courtyard. It filled two large pots. They cut the fish into small pieces and put them into the pots, then added plenty of tofu and mushroom and boiled it into a soup.
Then they made a pot of pepper soup.
They added cubes of meat and tofu, and beat in some eggs. Then they threw in some bean sprouts and some minced cabbage.
In these times, people were not too particular. It would taste good as long as there was meat inside, and it was seasoned.
Gu Qingyao had taken the bean sprouts from her interspace. Gu Yunshen placed them by the side and said they had prepared them earlier.
Bean sprouts were rare in the middle of winter.
Noon drew near and the aroma drifting through the Gu house grew stronger. More and more people came to join in the fun.
When they saw Gu Qingyao’s clothes, they were green with envy.
“These clothes are so pretty! They must have been very expensive!”
“Smell that aroma from the kitchen and look at that set of clothes. I heard that Mo Beihan prepared all these. Tsk, it’s grander than other people’s weddings!”
“Over the past few years, that fellow Mo Beihan made a lot of money outside! There are still two young children in the family, but they managed to spend so much money on the engagement? Wouldn’t it be better to just get married straight away? Isn’t this such a waste?”
…
Times were bad. Although many people were honest, many of them were also easily jealous.
Anyone would be envious and jealous of how Mo Beihan honored Gu Qingyao.
“She’s a girl from a landlord family, she’s not worthy of Mo Beihan. Her younger aunt was just chased out of her in-laws’ home two days ago!”
“I heard they didn’t even want the child!”
“Mo Beihan has a good job outside and comes from a good background. What a pity!”
“Tsk tsk tsk! All of you are jealous! I wonder who used to object to Mo Beihan because he had the heavy burden of raising two nephews.”
Everyone fell silent!
Lunch began at midday. The two tables of dishes were ready. Gu Jinye and the other cousins went to bring out the dishes. There were many people standing in the courtyard. Everyone stared as dish after dish of meat was brought out. Their eyes almost fell out of their heads and they started to salivate.
Especially the children. They were really drooling!
Mo Beihan had provided the chicken, fish, pork and eggs. To Fang Ling and Zhou Ping, cooking had been easy. All they had to do was turn them into dishes.
The braised chicken, the braised rabbit and a large platter of pork braised with vermicelli…
They were all main dishes!
“I want to eat meat!”
“I want to eat meat!”
…
Many of the children could not help but shout.
When had they ever seen so many meat dishes?
When they were playing in the courtyard just now, they had already been attracted by the aroma drifting from the Gu kitchen. They had waited so long to eat, and now when they saw the meat going past, they could not stand it any longer.
But this was not a wedding banquet. This was a family meal and they had only invited their relatives and close friends. There were only two tables.
They looked and saw that the guests at the two tables were not just anybody.
This was the first time they witnessed the Gu family’s capabilities. In the past, they had assumed that these landlords had been completely crushed!
Now they saw the Gu family’s sons and grandsons…
Gu Qingyao appeared at that moment and said to the children with a smile, “You must be hungry! Come and have some fish soup.”
In these times, bowls and chopsticks were not provided at banquets. The guests would bring these themselves. They had already explained what would happen, so everyone who came knew there would be food, and had brought their own bowls and chopsticks.
Gu Qingyao smilingly brought the children over and lifted the lids of the pots to serve the fish soup.
Chapter 218: Zhang Xiaohui Is Panicking. When Are You Getting A Divorce (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The two fish were so big that when they cut the fish into small pieces, there was really a lot. Gu Qingyao filled their bowls one by one. She put a piece of fish in each bowl, then added tofu and mushrooms.
“Be careful of the fish bones! Go look for your adults.”
She scooped fish soup for the older children and pepper soup for the younger children. The children’s eyes were fixed on their bowls.
What good food!
So much? And there was meat?
To children of this era, free food, especially such good food which contained meat, was a luxury.
The adults nearby could hardly believe it.
The Gu family had said… actually, it was Mo Beihan who had told the brigade there would be food at the Gu house on the day of the engagement, but no banquet.
No banquet meant they did not need to share the expense. If they received food for free, then they were here simply to share their joy!
Everyone was lavish with their praise whenever there was an advantage to be had. They knew that Mo Beihan had given all these things, so they all complimented Gu Qingyao for marrying the right man.
And how outstanding Mo Beihan was and so on.
The Gu house was bustling that day, and many important guests had arrived. Many brigade members had come, including Gu Ruoqing and Chen Honghua.
Chen Honghua was green with envy when she saw Gu Qingyao’s set of new clothes.
Chen Honghua was very vain. She looked down on all the other young girls in the brigade, and felt that she was the prettiest. One of the reasons why she hated Gu Qingyao was because the latter was prettier than her.
But Gu Qingyao came from a poor background, so Chen Honghua felt superior to her. Chen Honghua felt resentful when she saw Gu Qingyao’s grand engagement. Also, she was getting engaged to Mo Beihan, whom Chen Honghua had always liked.
“She looks like a vixen. No wonder she can seduce men!” Chen Honghua said angrily.
Gu Ruoqing pursed her lips. Although she knew in her heart that she would soon be a city girl, and Gu Qingyao could not compare with her, she could not help but feel jealous when she saw how grand Gu Qingyao was.
“The Mo family is so poor, there’s no need to create a fuss over them.”
Chen Honghua disliked these words, but because Gu Ruoqing had targeted them at Gu Qingyao, she just frowned and let it go.
She recalled that in recent times, Gu Ruoqing continually told her that she would marry someone in the city, get a job, and earn a monthly salary without needing to do chores…
When she thought of it, it was indeed something to aspire to!
But Mo Beihan… could not provide these things!
Everyone kept quiet when they heard the two young girls’ words. They had eaten the Gu family’s food so of course they could not criticize the Gu family.
Gu Qingyao had also seen the two girls. She glanced at them. She did not mind Chen Honghua. Although that girl had often made fun of her in her past life, she bore her no grudge. She continued to focus on Gu Ruoqing.
She glanced at Gu Ruoqing with amusement.
It was an amused look, but it gave Gu Ruoqing chills. A chill climbed up her spine and she shuddered.
How strange!
Gu Qingyao had only glanced at her before looking away. She wanted to be a city girl?
It wouldn’t be that easy!
The two tables at noon had salvaged the Gu family’s reputation. There were so many guests. This was the first time that the Gu family displayed their “power” in the Qing River Brigade. When they remembered that the Gu family were doctors and treated everyone in the surrounding villages, everyone naturally appraised them differently.
As long as the Gu family existed and had a good life, the rest of them would benefit.
Chapter 219: Zhang Xiaohui Is Panicking. When Are You Getting A Divorce (2)
Although today was Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao’s engagement, Mo Beihan was busy entertaining the guests and did not manage to say more than a few words to Gu Qingyao. They were kept busy until the afternoon, when the guests left. Only then did Mo Beihan find time to approach Gu Qingyao.
They were in Gu Qingyao’s room. Mo Beihan looked at the young girl before him, his heart filled with bliss. An indescribable joy spread from his heart and filled his limbs. Every cell in his body was excited.
He gently hugged Gu Qingyao. “We still have two years. In two years, I will immediately marry you. I don’t want to wait a moment longer.”
Gu Qingyao smiled. “I’ll wait for you. Our wedding must be even grander than today, or I won’t marry you.”
Mo Beihan said, “Sure!”
The two of them fell silent. There were still voices outside, which belonged to Gu Qingyao’s older cousins. Mo Beihan sighed. For the past few days, these cousins had looked at him askance. This was not the time to offend them.
They were only engaged and Mo Beihan knew his place. He did not stay in Gu Qingyao’s room for too long. He said a few words to her and left.
When Gu Jinfeng saw Mo Beihan emerging, he snorted coldly.
“Hmph!”
Mo Beihan: “…”
He rubbed his nose. Sigh…
He mustn’t offend them! He mustn’t offend them!
That afternoon, while Fang Ling and Zhou Ping were busy in the kitchen, Gu Yunshen went to Gu Qingyao’s room and handed Mo Beihan’s box to Gu Qingyao.
“You keep this. It’s a present from Mo Beihan. These are a pair of antique icy blue bangles which are from your Aunt Jiang. These were handed down from the Mo family ancestors.”
Gu Qingyao opened the box to look. The antique icy blue bangles were right on the top and very conspicuous.
She was surprised. She had not expected the Jiang family ancestors to have such a thing.
Gu Yunshen smiled. “This gift is an expression of her regard for you. Although they have not been handed down for long, they were given to your Aunt Jiang by Old Master Jiang. Put them away carefully.”
“Mhm!”
Gu Qingyao nodded and put the things away.
Gu Yunshen pursed his lips when he saw Gu Qingyao carefully putting them away. He said somewhat jealously, “Don’t place too much importance on them. The Gu family has many, many more things like that. What are these? In a while, I’ll get all the things our family has hidden and hide them in your interspace. Then you will know that these… really don’t amount to much.”
Gu Yunshen arched his head and said proudly, “If not for the times, I would certainly drive away anyone who tried to marry my daughter with a few worthless objects like these.”
Gu Qingyao: “…”
Gu Qingyao almost laughed out loud at her father’s proud expression.
She drew nearer and put her arm around Gu Yunshen’s shoulders with a smile. “Father, don’t worry. Even in these times, no one can marry your daughter with just these things. Besides these, Beihan has left many other things with me!”
Gu Yunshuang was astounded!
Gu Qingyao took out the jewels that Mo Beihan had obtained. She held out a wooden box for Gu Yunshen to see. “Look, this is just a portion. I have many more with me! And a thousand dollars or more in cash.
“Father, aren’t I something? Isn’t it better to have a daughter? Someone else raised such an outstanding son and I just kidnapped him so that in the future, we can provide for you together!”
Gu Yunshen looked at his daughter’s smiling little face and knew she was just coaxing him. But… it was quite effective!
Chapter 220: Zhang Xiaohui Is Panicking. When Are You Getting A Divorce (3)
His lips could not help but twitch upwards and he rapped Gu Qingyao’s little head. “Little devil!”
…
Meanwhile, at the Wang house in town.
Zhou Hong had infuriated Wang Guozhu so much that he was red in the face. For the past few days, he had been continually telling Zhou Hong that he wanted a divorce. But Zhou Hong had suddenly changed her mind and insisted that she would only divorce after Zhou Xiaoyu was married.
Zhang Xiaohui had already pressed him several times. Her pregnancy symptoms were becoming more and more obvious, and her pregnancy would soon show.
Even if they married, they could not marry just before her pregnancy showed. If her belly grew the moment she was pregnant, how would that look?
So they must get married as soon as possible, the sooner the better!
“Zhou Hong, what on earth is the matter with you? Didn’t we agree that we would divorce immediately? Why are you refusing now? What do you want?”
Zhou Hong sat on a chair, her eyes filled with rage. This bastard had a secret affair and now he even had a child, but he dared to boldly put the blame on her?
How dare he!
Zhou Hong raged, “What’s the matter? Wang Guozhu, can’t you stand to wait a little longer? Xiaoyu is your daughter. Can’t you wait two years for a divorce for the sake of her happiness? We’ve been together for so many years, why do you insist on getting a divorce now?”
Wang Guozhu was frantic and angry.
“We already agreed to divorce. So many of my acquaintances know that I’m about to divorce. I can’t break my word. How can you have second thoughts now? This… this will utterly embarrass me!”
Zhou Hong laughed. “Is someone waiting for us to be divorced? They say it is better to destroy ten temples than to wreck a marriage. If a couple is having differences, others should counsel them. Don’t worry, no one will blame you for breaking your word. After all, no one cares about these personal matters.”
“You…”
Wang Guozhu forced down the rage in his heart. “What do you want?”
Zhou Hong said, “Nothing, I just don’t want a divorce.”
“You… ” Wang Guozhu said furiously, “Zhou Hong, will you be happy only when you have caused us to be completely estranged? Is all this really good for Xiaoyu? In the future, do you think it will do Xiaoyu any good if others find out that her parents are loggerheads?
“And you want to wait until she finds someone before we divorce. If the bride’s parents get divorced the moment the marriage is settled, others will think it is bad luck. Do you understand?
“You…”
“What about me?” Wang Guozhu was really furious this time. Over the past few days, he had practically begged Zhou Hong for a divorce. He had threatened and bribed, but Zhou Hong could not be moved. This had bewildered Wang Guozhu. He did not even know what tack he should take.
In the end, he was left in a towering rage!
“Zhou Hong, you were the one who brought up a divorce, but now you refuse to divorce. Fine! Then we won’t be divorced. We will never be divorced. Since you aren’t willing to do this now, then you can forget about ever divorcing me in the future. We’ll just live like that for the rest of our lives! Hmph!”
When he finished shouting, Wang Guozhu slammed the door and went out.
This time, it was Zhou Hong who was taken aback!
“Hey… you…”
Zhou Hong suddenly felt worried as she looked at Wang Guozhu’s departing figure.
She had been with Wang Guozhu for so many years that she knew his temperament well. He was very selfish. Although he longed for a son, he would not destroy himself for the sake of a child.
If he was forced into a panic, he might just ask the woman to abort the child. In any case, she had no proof and no one could do anything about it!
This…
She could not do this!
She still wanted to marry and move to the city, and bring her daughter to live in the city!