"Didn't have time to prepare?" Madam Tong said sharply. "By your meaning, you two discussed this? If you really marry into their family, how much betrothal gift do you expect them to give you?"
The two of them indeed hadn't discussed it, but Tong An'an had never thought about a betrothal gift from the bottom of her heart.
"How can you be so ungrateful? Have you forgotten how you got your shop? How much benefit did they give you?"
"What do you mean benefit? When I treated him to a meal to thank him, he said it himself... What? Now you want to mix the two things up and use this as a betrothal gift?"
"Tong An'an, could it be that you feel guilty about that matter, so you're rushing to give yourself away?"
Jiang Jingyu couldn't stand it any longer. "Giving herself away" was all she said. What was the point?
"Auntie. Please don't talk about An'an like that. It was indeed my fault."
"Hmph, it's good that you know! I warn you, although our family is poor, we are not poor in spirit! Even if An'an has something with you, as long as she hasn't entered your family's door, you must treat her according to etiquette! Even if she enters your family, you must treat her according to etiquette! Otherwise, I will not spare you even if I have to give up this old body!"
An'an's father, who had been silent, also chimed in.
"Yes, don't look at us having fewer people and not being as rich as you, but we have backbone. If you dare to wrong An'an, we will ruin your reputation even if we have to give up these two old bodies!"
Jiang Jingyu was speechless and didn't know how to talk to them, so he took out his phone and called Jiang Nan Fang in front of them.
"Mommy, when will you arrive? Shall I pick you up?"
Jiang Nan Fang's affectionate voice came through, "Soon, soon. We've already entered the village, but the roads inside are not very good. What's wrong? Are the in-laws picking a fight? Give her the phone, I'll talk. I knew you silly child wouldn't know how to talk."
Jiang Jingyu turned on the speakerphone and handed the phone to Madam Tong, who turned her head away and refused to take it.
He then handed it to Father Tong.
Father Tong awkwardly took it. "Who is it?"
"In-laws, I am Jingyu's mother, Jiang Nan Fang. Your father, Zhan Bei Jue, and I are on our way to your home. I'm sorry, it's our first time here, and we're not familiar with the roads, so we're a bit delayed. Please don't be angry."
"The child is experiencing this for the first time and doesn't understand the rules. If we have offended the two of you in any way, we will apologize in person later. Please be patient, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Upon hearing that Jiang Jingyu's parents were also coming, Father Tong and Madam Tong exchanged glances, and they finally felt a little better.
Returning the phone to Jiang Jingyu, they stood up and picked up the teapot to pour him tea.
"It's good that you know to have your parents come over to discuss this matter with me. You should have told me earlier. You must be thirsty after sitting in the car for so long. Drink some water."
Jiang Jingyu felt like crying and laughing at her scolding.
He and Tong An'an, like comrades-in-arms, held hands tightly under the table.
The four of them stared at each other, no longer speaking. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, the sound of a car stopping came from outside.
Madam Tong was the first to stand up and walk out, and everyone followed.
Zhan Bei Jue personally drove his Bentley, carrying Jiang Nan Fang, and they got out of the car, dressed impeccably.
Jiang Nan Fang waved to everyone and then called Jiang Jingyu to come down and help carry things.
Jiang Jingyu ran down a few steps. The trunk was packed full, all with precious tonics, good cigarettes, and fine wine that Jiang Nan Fang had bought, a total of 12 boxes.
This made Madam Tong happy.
Although the Zhan family was wealthy and powerful, they were quite respectful regarding their son's marriage, and politely welcomed them into the house.
Everyone sat around the large round table, and Jiang Nan Fang began to display her eloquent skills.
First, she spoke about how much their family liked Tong An'an and how much they liked these two children.
Then, she thanked Father Tong and Madam Tong for raising such a good daughter, hoping they could rest assured and hand her over to Jingyu, so that the lovers could be together soon. Therefore, they came to propose today.
"I know we came in a bit of a hurry, and the various etiquettes are not very thorough, but as parents, we believe that as long as the children can be happy, it is the most important thing. You in-laws are definitely reasonable people, so we came like this."
"Let's get this proposal done today, and all the necessary etiquette will be followed later. Let's exchange contact information and communicate separately in the future. We will handle everything, and they can go to work or do whatever they need to do, all according to your wishes and the customs of your area."
Madam Tong was very shrewd.
Although she was satisfied with her words, she still said,
"It's not that we want to follow your customs completely, but to take the essence and discard the dross. For example, the betrothal gift and the scale of the hotel. If you really follow our small town's customs, and the young master of the Zhan family marries with a betrothal gift of 188,000, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?"
"Yes, yes, you're right, in-laws. Take the essence and discard the dross. Then, the betrothal gift, the scale of the hotel, and the wedding details will be discussed together, and we will try to follow the customs of Nancheng..."
"Not try, but follow the customs of Nancheng. May I ask, your son's wedding..."
Tong An'an was extremely embarrassed. It was clearly a good thing, but her mother made it sound like selling something: "Mom!"
Jiang Nan Fang didn't mind: "It's okay, I'll explain."
"My other daughter-in-law is an orphan, so we gave her company shares, four properties, two cars, and a betrothal gift of 6.66 million. We will definitely not be biased, and An'an will receive the same."
Father Tong and Madam Tong exchanged glances, secretly gasping in their hearts.
A betrothal gift of 6.66 million? That was too terrifying.
"Then, according to Nancheng's rules, will the betrothal gift also be used as living expenses for the young couple after marriage?"
"It shouldn't be necessary. Although Jingyu works for the company for free and doesn't receive a single cent of salary, the entire company belongs to him. The project fees he handles annually are hundreds of billions, so he probably won't ask An'an for money."
Father Tong kicked Madam Tong's foot, hinting to her, "Can you stop saying such embarrassing things? Haven't they shown enough generosity?"
"Oh, we are a humble family, and her mother has never traveled far. She doesn't have much experience, and her words are unrestrained. Please forgive us."
"How could that be?" Jiang Nan Fang said.
"We are all mothers, and I understand your feelings, in-laws. I actually think she's quite genuine and good. I'm also a genuine person, and we can be good friends in the future."
"Are there any other questions?"
Father Tong said, "No, uh, I just want to ask, if the proposal is successful today, how do you usually decide on the wedding date?"
Jiang Nan Fang: "We can find someone to calculate an auspicious date, or we can see the couple's own choice. Of course, your opinion, in-laws, is also very important."
Tong An'an stood up and forcefully interjected.
"Mom, you can make decisions on other matters, but you can't make decisions on this one. I want to get the marriage certificate today."