The heavens set sail from the courtyard

This wasn't the first time Wang Gang and Yang Maixiang's parents had met. Wang Cuilan had previously asked Yang Maixiang to bring her parents to the Liu family for a blind date.

As a result, Liu Hongchang's attempt to marry He Wenhui severely embarrassed Yang's parents, causing the two elders to leave in a huff.

Actually, Yang Maixiang wanted to marry Wang Gang. Her parents initially disagreed, but they couldn't resist their daughter's affection and even her willingness to give money to him, so they had no choice but to accept him as their son-in-law.

Wang Gang also knew that his predecessor, Liu Hongchang, was a scoundrel who had offended the two elders quite badly before.

"Uncle and Aunt, don't worry, I will definitely treat Maixiang well from now on and I will never wrong her," Wang Gang promised, pointing to the sky.
"If I do anything wrong in the future, you two can scold or beat me, and I will not say a word."

Wang Gang has no choice but to repay the debts owed by his predecessor!

"If we get married, we'll follow the rules. I'll replace all thirty-six legs with new ones, buy Maixiang a set of gold jewelry, and give her a dowry of two hundred yuan."

Upon hearing this, Yang's parents were very satisfied with Wang Gang's attitude.

"Where did you get so much money?" Yang Maixiang asked worriedly.

“I can take on freelance work now, and I earn at least a couple hundred yuan a month. After we get married, I’ll give you all the money,” Wang Gang said to Yang Maixiang with a smile.

Mr. Yang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Xiao Liu, it's good that you have this intention. I'm marrying off my daughter, not selling her. The wedding will be done according to the rules. As for dowry and jewelry, that's unnecessary."

Yang's mother also said, "If you really care, just buy Maixiang a gold ring and treat my daughter well from now on."

"Mom and Dad," Yang Maixiang said, her eyes reddening, "Even after I get married, I will still come to visit you often."

"Silly girl, your mother and I are in good health, why did you come back?" Mr. Yang laughed, "Just take care of your own little family from now on, come back once a year for holidays, and I'll have your mother cook something delicious!"

Wang Gang suggested, "Uncle and Aunt, here's what I'm thinking: after Maixiang and I get married, we'll all be one family. On major holidays like Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year's Eve, our two families can celebrate together. I'll cook, and it'll be more lively with more people."

"Xiao Liu, your suggestion is excellent," Yang's father said happily.

"As for the wedding, I'll have someone calculate the auspicious date. But the most important thing right now is for our two families to meet. My mom and older brother have been wanting to sit down and have a chat with my uncle and aunt for a long time."

Mr. and Mrs. Yang were very satisfied with Wang Gang's attitude and said, "How about this, we meet at the cafeteria where you work this weekend. I also want to try the cooking champion's skills."

"Great! I'll cook some of my signature dishes this weekend to treat Uncle and Auntie properly."

After the matter was settled, Wang Gang left the Yang family after finishing his meal, and Yang Maixiang personally saw him off at the alley entrance.

The two parted reluctantly, and before leaving, Yang Maixiang secretly kissed Wang Gang.

After returning home, Wang Cuilan asked Wang Gang about it.

"How was your trip to the Yang family? What did Yang Maixiang's parents say?"

"Mom, don't worry! Yang Maixiang's parents like me a lot, and they even invited our whole family to have dinner at the second canteen this weekend," Wang Gang said with a smile.

Wang Cuilan finally breathed a sigh of relief and said happily, "It's good that things went smoothly."

Wang Gang said, "Mom, I promised Yang Maixiang's parents that I would replace all thirty-six legs and then buy Yang Maixiang a gold ring."

Wang Cuilan nodded and said, "That's all I should do. Do you have enough money? I'll give you some more."

Wang Gang said, "Recently, my senior brother has introduced me to a lot of side jobs, and I've earned quite a bit of money, plus some cash."

Wang Cuilan said, "I'll give you another five hundred; I can't let that girl suffer."

Liu Yunchang said jealously, "Mom, you weren't this generous when I got married."

Wang Cuilan spat and said, "When you got married, when was I ever stingy? Yingzi had everything other brides had!"

Wang Gang laughed and said, "Brother, you were just joking. Why did you take it seriously?" With that, Wang Gang took out five hundred yuan and handed it to Liu Yunchang.

"Brother, take this money!"

"Why are you giving me money?" Liu Yunchang asked, puzzled.

"When He Wenhui and I got married, you gave us 500 yuan as a wedding gift."

Liu Yunchang was taken aback, and even more puzzled, asked, "You're going to return the money I gave you as a gift?"

Wang Gang nodded and said, "Five hundred yuan is too much money for a wedding gift, especially since I ended up getting divorced."

Wang Cuilan said, "Brothers, what's there to return? Take the money back!"

Wang Gang shook his head and said, "Even close brothers should keep clear accounts. Five hundred yuan is really too much, and I'm embarrassed to take it."

Previously, Liu Hongchang and his mother were like bloodsuckers, supporting a bunch of ungrateful bastards in the He family. Wang Gang would never do that!
Wang Gang stuffed the money into his elder brother's hand and said, "I know you and your sister-in-law have been taking medicine to recuperate lately, which has cost a lot of money."

Holding the money, Liu Yunchang said with emotion, "Hongchang, you've really become sensible now. But take the money back; consider it my wedding gift to you and Yang Maixiang."

Wang Cuilan nodded and said, "Yes! Why do the two brothers have to be so calculating? They've lost all their feelings for each other. If your older brother needs money, how can I, as his mother, refuse to give it to him?"

Since his divorce, Wang Gang's relationship with his family has improved considerably. However, he is used to being independent and doesn't like to rely on his family, especially when it comes to money. He keeps things very separate, which makes Wang Cuilan somewhat dissatisfied.

"Mom, I'm planning to move out in the next couple of days."

“Why? It’s not like we don’t have anywhere else to stay.” Wang Cuilan frowned.

“My house in Fengxiang Hutong is just sitting empty anyway, and I’m worried the He family will take it over,” Wang Gang explained.
"Besides, the place needs to be cleaned up and new furniture needs to be ordered before the wedding, so it will be more convenient for me to move there."

Wang Cuilan said sternly, "If you ask me, you should still live at home after you marry Yang Maixiang!"

Wang Gang laughed and said, "Our house isn't very big. It's enough for us now, but what about when my older brother and I have children?"

Liu Yunchang said, "Even if we have children in the future, there will be enough room if we squeeze in. Are you worried that your sister-in-law will mistreat Yang Maixiang?"

“Your sister-in-law isn’t petty at all,” Wang Cuilan said to Wang Gang.

“It’s easy to get along but hard to live together, so I’m just being prepared!” Wang Gang said. “Besides, it’s not like we won’t come back. We’ll definitely come back to visit you on weekends.”

"Is this your idea, or Yang Maixiang's?" Wang Cuilan asked unhappily.

“It definitely can’t be Yang Maixiang.” Liu Yunchang sneered, “I was just saying you were getting sensible, but it seems I spoke too soon!”

Wang Gang explained, "Mom, brother, don't be angry. This is what I'm thinking: when the housing market is liberalized, I'll sell the house in Fengxiang Hutong and buy one near our home so we can all live closer together."

"You've already thought everything through, why are you asking us?" Wang Cuilan said sternly.

Wang Gang knew what Wang Cuilan was angry about, so he could only explain, "Mom, that house in Fengxiang Hutong is too close to the He family's house. It's not appropriate to leave it empty all this time. I'm worried that the He family will take it over again."

"If you ask me, it would be better to sell that house."

"But it can't be bought or sold!" Wang Gang said helplessly. "If it could be sold, I would definitely sell it."

"Can't we just rent it out?" Liu Yunchang retorted angrily.

"I asked around, and the rent is too low, plus there's too much trouble. It's better to live here by myself," Wang Gang sighed. (End of Chapter)