244: Chapter 240 Negotiation 244: Chapter 240 Negotiation Yuedong, Yang City, Black Swan Hotel.
After arriving, Chen Hai and his parents were temporarily accommodated here by the Ye Family.
As for Ye Qingqing, she went back to her own home first.
“Hai, what exactly is the background of your father-in-law’s family?”
“Just a random hotel they arranged for us—this glittering magnificence is like a palace!”
“Staying here for one night must be quite expensive, at least a few dozen bucks, right?”
…
Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian, just like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, gawked and marveled.
In the hotel lobby, they looked left and right, lingering for well over half an hour.
Chen Hai had just returned to the grand suite arranged by his father-in-law with both of his parents, who couldn’t wait to start inquiring about Ye Qingqing’s family background.
Back in Liuyuan County, although Chen Hai had given them a heads-up, telling them that his girlfriend Ye Qingqing came from a prominent family,
In the eyes of Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian, the nouveau riche in the county already counted as a prominent family.
Having never left Liuyuan County their whole life, how could they know what a real top-tier wealthy household looked like?
It was bearable that they flew directly from Shachang City in Xiangnan province to Yang City; after all, it was their son who paid for it!
But upon arriving at the airport, the sight of the several sedans specially there to pick them up, along with those uniformly-dressed bodyguards and drivers in black suits…
Never having traveled far and sequestering any worldly experience, the sudden sight of such a spectacle truly astounded Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian.
As the premier five-star hotel and the most famous one in Yang City, the Black Swan Hotel’s lobby was already luxuriously majestic, its floor so polished it could serve as a mirror.
Barely catching their breath, still in the midst of their amazement, they were shocked yet again by the opulent splendor of the hotel lobby…
“Dad, Mom, when in Liuyuan County, I already told you about Qingqing’s extraordinary family background.”
“What her parents do, I’m not too sure.”
“I only know that Qingqing’s grandfather is that…”
Chen Hai wasn’t surprised by his parents’ reaction!
Hearing their questions, he hesitated for a moment, then leaned in close and whispered an earth-shattering name into their ears.
“What?
Qingqing’s grandfather is that notable figure?”
“To marry into their family, Hai, what stroke of incredible luck have you stumbled upon?”
“When we get back to Liuyuan County, I must return to our Chen Family ancestral home in Chenjiaping and check to see if our family’s graves are belching blue smoke!”
Struck dumb, Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian were at a loss for words for quite some time, their faces filled with utter disbelief.
Remembering their son’s intention to spend several million just for the engagement, they agonized for days back at home.
Yet now, upon hearing about Ye Qingqing’s background, their heartache remained, but they felt much consoled internally.
Around six o’clock in the evening, in the Plum Blossom Private Room of the hotel’s third-floor dining department,
Chen Hai’s family and Ye Qingqing, along with her parents Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling, gathered again.
After the laborious journey to Yang City, Chen Hai’s family had already rested in the hotel room for half a day.
The two families were meeting up at this time, a get-together that had been arranged in advance!
“Brother Zhonghua, Sister Meixian, it’s been hard for you to travel from Liuyuan County to Yang City!” Before the food was served, everyone chatted over tea.
Ye Rongzhong was the first to start the conversation, greeting Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian with a smile.
“Not at all, not at all.
It didn’t take long to fly here from Liuyuan County, it wasn’t hard, not hard at all…”
Chen Zhonghua, overwhelmed with restraint, his few words tinged with a hint of trepidation.
It was no wonder, really.
After all, Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling, being accustomed to high positions, had an imposing presence.
Moreover, Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian had already learned that they were descendants of that eminent individual.
In their family, going back many generations, they had been poor farmers, scrimping every penny and not even knowing the taste of meat for fortnights.
Faced with personages like Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling, who hail from the highest echelons of society, they couldn’t muster any confidence to speak up even if they wanted to!
“Both of you already know about the matter between the two youngsters!”
“A man of age should marry and a woman of age should wed.
Although we are reluctant to have Qingqing leave our side, since she and your son Chen Hai are mutually fond of each other, we won’t oppose them coming together.”
“Our daughter from the Ye Family couldn’t possibly follow someone without clarity.
Considering that both are still studying, getting married is a bit premature for them!”
“Our idea is for the two youngsters to get engaged first, and to establish the relationship formally!”
“What do you think of this suggestion?” said Song Ling, taking over the conversation.
With a naturally much more amicable and gentle manner than the intimidating Ye Rongzhong, her words felt more approachable.
“Of course, of course…”
“You pick any date you think is good; we have no opinions on this!”
Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian were nodding continuously.
Facing the Ye Family, they had no confidence at all.
Furthermore, in their eyes, their son being able to marry Ye Qingqing was a tremendous fortune – it was their family reaching above their station!
Under such circumstances, whatever Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling said, that was that!
Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian simply didn’t have the courage to refute anything, nor could they raise any objections.
Seeing this scene, Chen Hai could only respond with a wry smile, having no idea what to say.
Even he, when facing Song Ling, felt comparatively at ease, but in front of his future father-in-law Ye Rongzhong, he still felt incredibly oppressed.
There was no helping it, in Yuedong, the might of the Ye Family was indeed too imposing.
Chen Hai himself felt this way.
His parents, who were ordinary farmers and rarely left their hometown, had no other reaction but to nod and agree continuously when in front of Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling.
“As long as you have no objections, that’s great.” Looking at each other, Ye Rongzhong and Song Ling said with a smile.
They were willing to let their daughter marry Chen Hai, and naturally, they were not ignorant about his family background.
The behavior of Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian was neither unexpected nor something they minded.
After all, what they appreciated was the person Chen Hai, not his social status or background.
“Hai, you should be quite good at picking dates.”
“Before the New Year, which date do you think is auspicious and suitable for a wedding?” Song Ling asked Chen Hai with a pleasant expression.
Mothers-in-law generally grow fonder of their sons-in-law the more they see them.
In Song Ling’s eyes, her impression of Chen Hai had always been good.
“Sure, Aunt Song!” Chen Hai nodded, took out a few Copper Coins, and did a quick divination.
“December 22 is quite an auspicious day; Qingqing and I will choose that day for our engagement ceremony.
Aunt Song, Uncle Ye, what do you think?”
Although he wasn’t adept at choosing dates or two-hour periods, with the help of divination, he could still discern some things.
“December 22?
That’s less than a week from today!”
“Good things come in pairs, and 22 is two twos.
If you think that day is good, Hai, then let’s set it for that day.”
“The engagement ceremony and banquet should be held in Yang City, low-key and simple is best, no need for ostentation and waste.”
…
Calmly, Song Ling began to instruct.
The main purpose of hosting this engagement banquet was to inform others that their daughter was engaged and had a proper status with Chen Hai.
This way, it would be legitimate for Ye Qingqing and Chen Hai to be together.
Even if news of their living together spread, it would not subject them to gossip or ridicule.
With that purpose in mind, the setting for the engagement banquet couldn’t be a small county like Liuyuan County.
It had to be either Yang City or the Capital City.
“Alright, Aunt Song, the Black Swan Hotel has banquet halls.”
“Our engagement will just take place there.”
Chen Hai nodded in agreement; he naturally saw no reason to refuse Song Ling’s suggestion.
The term ‘simple and low-key’ was relative.
Given the Ye Family’s standing in Yuedong, just a bit of fanfare for their daughter’s engagement could attract enough guests to crowd the hotel’s entrance.
Dinner went on until past eight in the evening before both parties went their separate ways.
Chen Hai’s room was a separate suite and was not shared with Chen Zhonghua and Jiang Meixian.
He had passed through Yang City several times before but had never really stayed.
He originally planned to take his parents out for a stroll nearby.
However, when he looked out the hotel room window and saw police cars blocking the road outside, seemingly checking IDs, he quickly dismissed the thought.
With his cousin Sun Jinzhong’s example in mind, Chen Hai felt it was more comfortable and safer to stay in his hotel room.
Though with Uncle Ye and Aunt Song present, even if something did happen, it was impossible for him to end up like Sun Jinzhong with a free haircut.
But still, it would be a bother to others, wouldn’t it?
Sitting honestly on the living room sofa for a while, Chen Hai picked up the phone and began dialing.
His first call was to Hou Donggui.
When he returned from Hao River a while ago, he had told Hou Donggui about his engagement and invited him to come have a drink and show support.
While inviting him, Chen Hai also took the opportunity to ask about his current injury and how well he was recovering.
Hou Donggui had given him a residential landline number in Xiangjiang.
The phone rang three or four times before it finally connected.