Chapter 133: Chapter 133
Tian Xiang got up, washed, and had a quick breakfast with the family before hastily tidying up the small living room and their respective rooms.
Today is the engagement ceremony, Tian Family’s relatives come first; Hu Honglian’s family also arrived, and two great aunts and a granduncle from the Tian Family’s side came as well.
With so many people, they have to have lunch here.
The place is small, it would be more appropriate to go to a restaurant.
But a restaurant doesn’t have the comfort of one’s own home.
Hosting at home, they can eat as long as they want, chat about anything without being criticized.
Considering everything, they decided to host at home. By then, they would fit two small tables in the small hall, and set up two more tables in the rooms for the women and children.
Early in the morning, Hu Honglian went to the market with her daughter-in-law, buying chicken, fish, and ribs.
Upon returning, she borrowed two coal stoves in the courtyard, and began simmering the chicken and ribs.
Today, Tian Xiang is the central figure, no need to work, just entertain the guests.
The second branch of the Tian Family was buzzing with activity, while the next-door main branch seemed quiet although it was the weekend and everyone was there.
Tian Weijun finished breakfast and sat by the table smoking, lost in thought.
Tian Shuyang paced back and forth, appearing somewhat anxious.
He Cuifen sat silently looking out the window, while the rest of the family stayed quiet, only Tian Chuying tidied the table, taking bowls outside to wash.
After finishing her chores, she returned home, still seeing the same scenario, and asked He Cuifen, "Mom, is Second Brother really not coming back for New Year?"
He Cuifen: "I don’t know; he didn’t send any telegram."
Tian Shuyang said, "If he doesn’t come, he doesn’t come. Why talk about this?"
Tian Chuying glanced at her big brother, too lazy to argue with him.
That interruption seemed to calm Tian Shuyang a bit, who then suggested to Tian Weijun: "Dad, maybe you should go next door and see; Third Aunt and Granduncle are here."
Tian Weijun blankly looked at his son, should he go visit?
Considering their relationship, he should, since Tian Xiang is his niece, but they were not welcomed there. Wouldn’t it just cause trouble by showing up uninvited?
Although their relations have always been mediocre, at least there was some semblance before, but now...
Thinking about how things have deteriorated between the two families in half a year made Tian Weijun quite restless.
Tian Weijun tilted his head, "If you want to go, you go." He certainly wasn’t going to face that embarrassment.
Tian Shuyang frowned, trying to convince him, as his father’s identity would make more sense.
However, Tian Weijun wouldn’t listen, refusing to take responsibility, adamantly staying put.
Tian Shuyang was speechless and had no choice but to change clothes to take a look himself.
At this moment, Tian Chuying walked out of the room.
"Big brother, forget it. Aunt and Sister Xiangxiang’s anger is not that easily diffused. Going over there is just asking for humiliation, straining relations further. Some things can’t be undone; once they happen, they happen. If you truly want to mend the relationship, stay silent, focus on yourself, and be patient.
Tian Chuying had been studying recently, planning to take the college entrance exam next year.
She had been learning well to preach such patience like waiting for a flower to bloom.
Tian Shuyang, already lacking confidence, decided against going after his sister’s advice, sinking into a chair with a sigh.
Just past ten in the morning, two cars and a small truck stopped at the entrance of Sanli Lane Courtyard.
The Meng Family came to deliver the betrothal gifts.
Whoa, they used vehicles to bring them over, what exactly did they bring, was it a lot?
The news of the Meng Family’s leader coming had spread days ago, and now that they had arrived, everyone was craning from their courtyard gates or windows to catch a glimpse.
Leading the way was likely the leader and his precious grandson!
Oh, they were both so tall.
Mr. Meng had completely white hair, wearing a military uniform adorned with numerous medals, looking imposing.
Tian Xiang’s fiancé wore a dark gray suit with a black cashmere coat, his stature was upright, exuding an unmistakable sense of nobility even from a distance. As he approached, people took another look at his face.
Tsk tsk tsk, so handsome!
The young wives and women inside suddenly understood Tian Xiang, no wonder even family background issues couldn’t keep the couple apart.
With such a handsome man, they wouldn’t be able to resist either.
On the Tian Family’s side, Hu Honglian caught wind of the news and promptly got her husband to set up chairs and such.
Upon hearing the news, the room full of relatives stood up silently.
The leader, even hearing the name Mr. Meng, everyone inexplicably felt a sense of respect.
Xu Jiafeng told the two relatives from the Tian Family, "Don’t worry, the old man is very kind, always smiling and joking."
The two relatives nodded, though they couldn’t quite relax inside.
Tian Xiang came out of the room and heard people had arrived, intending to go out and greet them, but Xu Jiafeng held her back.
"You stay inside, your father and two brothers are enough outside."
No unmarried girl should go outside to greet, it wasn’t proper.
This was about them coming to propose, not about Tian Family rushing for it, maintaining composure was important.
Tian Xiang didn’t understand, but listened to her grandmother.
Tian Weibing and his two sons didn’t go out to greet, just waited at the courtyard entrance.
Soon, voices could be heard from afar, with Mr. Meng’s hearty laughter, "In-laws..."
The Meng family, with grandfather and grandson followed by a group of guards carrying the engagement gifts, arrived.
During the prior family meeting, the agreed betrothal gifts were four essential items, others left to the Meng Family’s discretion, knowing that whatever was brought over for the wedding would also be reciprocated when the daughter was married.
For today’s engagement, Mr. Meng brought over the four essential items, along with a television and a washing machine.
Wow, the television and washing machine were rare treasures, especially since no one in Sanli Lane had them yet.
It’s said that even with tickets, you still need to line up and have connections to buy them.
The Tian Family had prospered, gaining without any effort.
Hu Honglian only wanted a bicycle, radio, watch, and sewing machine, but now with two additional big items, she was startled.
Yet after the shock came happiness, directing the young ones to place the items under the eaves; there’s just too much and they’d have to find a spot for everything.
Ten or so young lads greeted and then left, they just came to deliver the gifts, not to eat.
Inside, Mr. Meng shook hands with everyone, chatting a bit with those he hadn’t met before to foster closeness.
Meng Cheng’an entered, greeted everyone, and began searching for his fiancé among the crowd, quickly spotting Tian Xiang standing by the bedroom door.
He quietly approached, admiring her light blue coat, "New?"
Tian Xiang nodded, "Is it nice?"
Meng Cheng’an’s eyes twinkled like they held the stars, "Yes, very nice."
The light blue coat paired with a white sweater, rather than her usual two braids, today her hair was pinned up, revealing her slender neck, giving her a very elegant aura.