Chapter 342 - 339: In-laws, I’m Here to Propose a Marriage for My Son

Chapter 342: Chapter 339: In-laws, I’m Here to Propose a Marriage for My Son

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

At eleven o’clock, there was a knock at the door.

Ji Wanqiu wiped her hands and went to open the door, only to see Xia Shanshan and Jiang Wende standing outside, holding bags of all sizes.

"Oh my, you should have just come for dinner! Why bring all these bags? You really bought so much." Ji Wanqiu hurriedly handed over two new pairs of slippers. "Quick, come in."

The air conditioner was blowing warm air, making the house feel much cozier compared to the cold wind outside.

Xia Shanshan glanced around the living room but didn’t see Jiang Xia. "Where’s that boy of yours?"

"They’re playing in their room. Xiaxia is teaching Xiao Man how to draw Cat and Mouse," Ji Wanqiu said with a smile.

"Oh, I see."

Ji Wanqiu took the gifts from them and said casually, "Teacher Xia, our families are so close. You just came over for a meal, yet you brought so many things. I feel bad accepting all this."

"It’s basic courtesy. It’s only proper," Xia Shanshan replied with a small smile.

Hearing this, Ji Wanqiu subconsciously glanced at the assortment of gifts: two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, two bottles of Shixian Taibai liquor, two tins of Da Hong Pao tea, two jars of high-grade honey, two boxes of donkey-hide gelatin, and two cases of milk.

Everything came in pairs, a symbol of good things coming in twos. A chill went down her spine. This was clearly a visit with a specific purpose, not just a simple house call for a reunion dinner.

Ji Wanqiu pursed her lips and asked tentatively, "Teacher Xia, what is all this...?"

Xia Shanshan chuckled, unhurried. "Wanqiu, where is President Lin?"

"He’s... he’s in the kitchen watching the steamer. I’ll- I’ll go get him." Ji Wanqiu wrung her hands nervously, realizing today’s situation was far from ordinary. She probably couldn’t handle this alone.

"Old Jiang and his family are here? What are you doing in the kitchen? Go keep them company. I can handle lunch," said Lin Gaoyuan.

"It’s not that..."

Ji Wanqiu shook her head. Thinking of the gifts they had brought, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

"It’s Old Jiang... They might want to talk to us about the two kids."

Lin Gaoyuan was puzzled. "What is there to talk about? Haven’t both our families already agreed to Jiang Xia and Yanwan being together?"

"That’s not what I mean."

Then, Ji Wanqiu quietly listed all the gifts they had brought. Lin Gaoyuan frowned. "Are you saying they want to use today’s visit to propose a marriage for Jiang Xia?"

Ji Wanqiu nodded.

"Isn’t that ridiculous? How old are they even this year?" He suddenly froze, his expression turning serious. "Don’t tell me Yanwan is pregnant."

The two of them weren’t even of legal age to marry yet, but the groom’s parents were already rushing to propose. It was easy to jump to the conclusion that his precious daughter had not only been snatched away but was also pregnant.

Ji Wanqiu was speechless for a moment. "...Where did your mind go? I’ve asked Yanwan. Your daughter is still perfectly innocent."

Lin Gaoyuan let out a sigh of relief. "Then why are they...?"

"Don’t jump to conclusions. Let’s just hear what they have to say first." Ji Wanqiu turned the gas stove down to the lowest flame. "Never mind the kitchen for now. Come on, come out with me. This is about your daughter’s lifelong happiness. As her father, you can’t drop the ball now."

Lin Gaoyuan nodded, took a few deep breaths to calm himself, and followed his wife out of the kitchen.

His eyes fell on the six types of gifts on the table. It was just as his wife had said. Auspicious and all in pairs, symbolizing good fortune and happy unions.

"Old Jiang, you’re here." Lin Gaoyuan greeted the couple with a smile, while Ji Wanqiu busied herself with pouring them hot water.

He took out his cigarette case and offered one to him. "Did you have to work today?"

"I’m on vacation. I’ll go back whenever I feel like it," Jiang Wende said with a smile, accepting the cigarette but not lighting it.

"That job of yours is too tiring. If you ask me, you should just quit," Lin Gaoyuan said.

In any case, with the success Jiang Xia had already achieved, the old couple could easily stop working altogether. They could spend their days playing cards, raising small pets, and taking trips every now and then to relax. They could live an extremely comfortable life.

"That’s what the boy tells me, too. But I should keep working. It’s still too early to retire, so I’ll take it slow," Jiang Wende said with a chuckle.

After the two fathers exchanged pleasantries for a while, Jiang Wende got straight to the point.

"Old Lin, today is New Year’s Eve, and the two kids are doing so well together. I think it’s time for our families to talk about their future."

Lin Gaoyuan and Ji Wanqiu exchanged a look. ’Just as we thought.’

"Xiaxia and Yanwan do have a wonderful relationship. They help each other in life and support each other at work. I also very much hope they can overcome any challenges and end up together," Ji Wanqiu chimed in.

In this kind of situation, it was more appropriate for the mothers to speak than the fathers.

"Exactly," Xia Shanshan said with a smile. "From the very first moment I saw Yanwan, I felt a special connection with her. I just knew she would be my daughter-in-law someday. So, Jiang Xia’s father and I came today to propose a match for our boy. In-laws, what do you think...?"

"Well..."

Lin Gaoyuan looked at his wife, then said hesitantly, "Teacher Xia, I have no objection at all to Yanwan and Jiang Xia dating. In fact, I’m very happy they’re together. It’s just that they’re both still in college and not of legal age to marry. Isn’t it a bit too early to be talking about marriage?"

"No, no, no, I’m not saying they should get married right now. What I mean is, the two kids have a strong relationship and they intend to marry in the future. I think we can have them get engaged first. Then, after they graduate, whenever they want to get married, they can."

Xia Shanshan continued, speaking from the heart, "I’m just so fond of Yanwan. I dream day and night about our two families becoming one. In the end, as parents, all we want is for our children to be happy, isn’t that right?"

Hearing her say this, Ji Wanqiu was the first to feel a sense of relief. She knew that Jiang Xia and Yanwan were already living together. In a way, the only thing missing from their relationship was a legally binding marriage certificate; in all other aspects, they were practically a married couple.

Besides, an engagement would solidify their relationship. Although Jiang Xia seemed very honest and unlikely to do anything to betray Yanwan, you could never be sure when it came to matters of the heart.

"Well..."

Lin Gaoyuan pursed his lips. He thought it over carefully. Given how outstanding Jiang Xia was now, an engagement would, logically speaking, be very beneficial for Yanwan. Becoming in-laws would also tie their two families closely together.

Whether it was Qitian Animation or Gaoyuan Toys, their future collaborations would only become tighter.

More importantly, an engagement was a formal promise of marriage. Even if their relationship escalated while they were in college and they couldn’t resist becoming intimate, it would still be a form of protection for his daughter.

At this thought, Lin Gaoyuan slowly nodded.

"An engagement... I think that’s a fine idea."