The growth system comes at the age of 30

Chapter 287? They're getting married already? (4K)

The most pressing issue right now is to inform my second uncle and aunt that we'll be having dinner together at the Damingfu Restaurant this weekend.

You can't just wait until Saturday to tell them; there's no reason to invite someone to dinner like that.

So Chen Jingle called his second uncle.

"Hello, is this Second Uncle? It's like this, my girlfriend Li Beixing and I are getting married next month, and we're planning to have a meal together this weekend so that both families can get to know each other. Are you and Second Aunt free this weekend?"

"Huh? You're getting married next month?!"

Chen Zhenlin, who was busy with some trivial matters in the kitchen, was shocked to hear this.

This news came as quite a surprise.

How long have you two been dating? And you've already decided to get married?
Chen Jingle replied with a smile, "Yes, her father has consulted someone about auspicious dates, and Beixing doesn't want to wait until the second half of the year, so she decided to get married at the end of next month."

Chen Zhenlin snapped out of his reverie: "I'm definitely free, but where exactly?"

"Daming Prefecture has arranged lunch. Remember to bring your second aunt, grandpa, grandma, and the others. If there are too many people and your car can't fit everyone, Chen Jinghao and Chen Qiyun can ride in my car," Chen Jingle said with a smile.

Chen Zhenlin hesitated: "With so many people, can we manage to entertain them? Won't it affect you?"

It wouldn't be good if the woman didn't like seeing so many people there.

However, at that time, Sister Xiu and Lin Yaoheng did not have a wedding. The two families just had a meal together. The uncles and brothers from both sides also came. They chatted happily throughout the meal and there was no awkward silence.

Chen Jingle laughed and said, "It's okay, I've already discussed everything. It's just a meeting and a meal. There will be less than 20 people in total. I can arrange a luxury banquet room."

"Okay. Is anyone else here?"

"That's all we have here. I'll call Sister Xiu later and talk to her. It's just a couple more chairs, no problem, don't worry, there's enough room."

"Okay, since you say it's fine, then I'll do as you say."

"..."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Zhenlin walked out of the kitchen, lost in thought.

Right now, Chen Qiyun and his parents are watching TV in the living room on the first floor, his wife Lu Xian has just finished taking a shower and is drying her hair upstairs, while Chen Jinghao is mostly playing games in his room.

He walked into the house, casually pulled up a low stool and sat down, and said, "Jing Le just called me and said that we should go to his future in-laws' house for dinner this weekend."

"what?"

“Meh?!”

The two elderly people showed varying degrees of surprise.

Even Chen Qiyun looked over in surprise, as she had no idea about this.

The old lady frowned: "Why didn't Zhenwei and Yuehua mention this?"

Chen Zhenlin laughed and said, "I doubt they know much about this. You know Jing Le's personality; he makes his own decisions. Who can stop him?"

"They're getting married already? Does he even know anything about the other person's family situation?"

The old man was both surprised and amused.

He had urged Chen Jingle to go on blind dates before, but she refused. In less than a year, they not only started dating, but they were also about to get married.

Moreover, they, as elders, only find out after everything is settled.

How ridiculous.

Of course, everyone had already guessed that Chen Jingle had a girlfriend before.

The villagers noticed that a girl often visited his house, and the news spread to their ears, but Chen Jingle never mentioned it to anyone.

Who knew that the first thing he said was that he was going to get married.

"We've come this far, how could we not understand? It's just that we don't understand." Chen Zhenlin rolled his eyes. "Don't believe me? Ask Chen Qiyun. Isn't that right, Chen Qiyun?"

"Huh?!" Chen Qiyun was still stunned.

The old lady frowned: "How would Chen Qiyun know?"

Chen Qiyun finally came to her senses and pouted, "How could I not know? Brother Le's girlfriend is my Chinese teacher, and I'm the one who introduced us!"

As she said this, she proudly raised her chin.

"what?!"

"Is there still this?"

Not to mention the two elderly people, even Chen Zhenlin was stunned this time.

Goodness, you're so young and already acting as a matchmaker? You're really something else!
"Did you really help with the introduction?"

"Of course!"

Previously, she had to keep her mouth shut, but now that she no longer had to keep the secret, Chen Qiyun was extremely smug: "I asked Brother Le to go to the school to attend my parent-teacher conference, and that's how they met."

"When did you ask him to attend your parent-teacher conference?" Chen Zhenlin immediately became alert.

Chen Qiyun inwardly cried out in dismay and mumbled, "My grades weren't very good before, so the teacher said she would talk to my parents about improving my grades and academic planning. But you were all busy at the time, so I had to send Brother Le instead."

Then, she arrogantly told her grandfather, "My sister-in-law is beautiful, has a good personality, and is rich. She's much better than those random girls you introduced to before!"

The old man's bizarre behavior was a major factor in Chen Jingle's previous resistance to blind dates.

Seeing that Chen Jingle was getting older, he became anxious and naively believed the words of the professional matchmakers in the surrounding villages. He let them talk a good game, saying that so-and-so's daughter was nice and didn't have a boyfriend, so why not meet her? He really thought that they would introduce a good match to Chen Jingle.

They didn't even ask Chen Jingle's opinion before having the matchmaker bring people over to meet.

The problem was that the blind date I brought was absolutely hideous.

Chen Jingle immediately lost his temper and showed no mercy, which made things very ugly.

Chen Qiyun witnessed the whole thing and was equally speechless at her grandfather's actions. When she complained to Sister Xiu, Sister Xiu couldn't help but get angry.

"Ah!"

The old man was skeptical, but he didn't say anything sarcastic.

Since Chen Qiyun praised it so highly, it must be pretty good. I just don't know what it looks like.

If it's a teacher, it should be fine.

That's how the older generation is; they have a natural, idealized view of the teaching profession.

In their view, teachers are intellectuals, and their jobs are respectable and secure.

He had previously believed the matchmaker's words because she said the other party worked at a hospital, which is why he hurriedly had someone bring her over to see her.

The result... is best left unsaid.

The old lady then asked, "You describe it so well, do you have any photos?"

Chen Qiyun pouted: "I don't have any on me, but Brother Le definitely has some."

"You'll see him when we go out for dinner, won't you?"

Chen Zhenlin said, "Trust Jing Le's judgment; he definitely won't choose someone unsuitable. But remember, even if there are any things you're not satisfied with, don't say them in front of him."

"Do you need to tell me this?" the old lady retorted irritably.

"Yes, yes, you don't need me to teach you. Just remember it."

Chen Zhenlin scoffed, too lazy to argue with these two stubborn old men, and turned to go upstairs.

Back in the room, he saw his wife combing her hair and said, "Jingle just called and said he's having dinner with his future in-laws this weekend and wants everyone to come."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xian turned around and asked, "Is this a done deal?"

"Yes, they said the woman's side doesn't want to wait until the second half of the year, so the date is set for next month."

“That’s good. He’s not young anymore. He’s 31 this year, 32 by the traditional Chinese age reckoning. He should get married and have children soon so that his elders won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

Lu Xian sighed deeply.

After all, Chen Xiuyun, the younger sister, has been married for two years, while Chen Jingle, the older brother, has remained single.

The elders in the family have worried about this a lot. Chen Zhenlin said impatiently, "I told you you're a nag. Do you have to say these things? So what if he's 31? Haven't you seen how he's changed? Is he afraid he won't find someone? He went to university, received higher education, and has the ability to make money and drive luxury cars. He's smarter than anyone else, so he naturally knows what kind of life he wants to live. Saying these things will only annoy people."

Lu Xian said irritably, "It's just something we talk about privately at home, can't I even say a few words?"

Chen Zhenlin snorted coldly: "I'm afraid you're not thinking clearly and might say something that offends people without thinking."

"Fine, I'll sew my mouth shut, okay?" Lu Xian said angrily.

Even after decades of marriage, the couple still can't shake their constant bickering.

This family wouldn't be considered perfectly harmonious, but it wouldn't be entirely without conflict either.

They were just an ordinary rural family.

It can only be said that people have different ways of getting along.

……

At the same time, Chen Jingle was on the phone with Sister Xiu.

"Hello, is this Sister Xiu?"

"Hey handsome, what's up calling me so late?"

Chen Xiuyun was surprised.

At this moment, she was wearing headphones and watching a drama, with her left foot on her right foot and both feet on Lin Yaoheng's legs.

I was quite surprised to receive a call from Chen Jingle.

You should know that Chen Jingle is the kind of person who would never send a voice message even if he could only send text, let alone make a voice call.

She actually took the initiative to call her today, so it seems like it's something important.

Lin Yaoheng, who was standing next to him, also looked over curiously.

All I heard was Chen Jingle say, "Are you free this weekend? Bring Yaoheng over for dinner."

"Eating? With whom? Where are you eating? At your home?" Chen Xiuyun asked in surprise.

Chen Jingle: "We'll be there with your sister-in-law's parents and the rest of the family. The two families will get to know each other. The location is Daming Prefecture. Your parents, grandparents, Jing Hao, and Qi Yun will all be there."

"Huh? Can we go too?" Chen Xiuyun asked in surprise, covering her mouth and chuckling.

After all, she's already married.

Chen Jing chuckled: "You're my sister. Chen Qiyun and Chen Jinghao are both going, why can't you?"

"Okay, okay, someone's treating me to dinner, so I'll definitely go!"

Chen Xiuyun readily agreed: "By the way, is this an engagement or something else?"

Lin Yaoheng lay down beside him, his ears perked up.

"I guess so. Neither of us likes trouble, so we'll keep it simple. The wedding date is set for the end of next month. Now we're just letting both sets of parents meet first," Chen Jingle replied with a smile.

"Oh? You're getting married?"

Chen Xiuyun's eyes widened.

Lin Yaoheng's ears were ringing from being too close, and he grimaced, earning him a glare from Sister Xiu, who then pushed him away.

Chen Jing chuckled and said, "Since we get along so well, there's no need to drag it out any longer."

"really!"

Although she had only met Li Beixing once, she was deeply impressed. Such an outstanding and beautiful girl was hard to forget, and she and Chen Jingle were a perfect match.

He smacked his lips unconsciously.

Tsk, Chen Jingle, this older single man, is finally going to settle down.

This will put everyone at ease.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Xiuyun and Lin Yaoheng looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Is Brother Le getting married?"

"That's what he said: at the end of next month, and then this weekend we'll go out for a meal so everyone can meet and get to know each other."

Chen Xiuyun blinked.

Lin Yaoheng scratched his head: "Then tell me, when he gets married, besides the monetary gift, should we give him any other gifts?"

After all, Chen Jingle had painted an amazing hyperrealistic painting for them as a wedding gift last time.

"I definitely will. As for what to give, let me think about it."

Chen Xiuyun fell into thought.

……

After Chen Jingle finished communicating with Li Qiguang, he reported the number of people to him.

Li Qiguang replied shortly after, "It's all arranged."

Before Chen Jingle could even breathe a sigh of relief, Li Qiguang sent another WeChat contact.

"The lobby manager of Daming Prefecture, please follow up on this later and see if there is anything that needs to be added or changed."

"Ok."

Chen Jingle casually selected to add.

While waiting for a reply, I continued with my own tasks.

He is currently preparing the betrothal gifts and is in the stage of writing the betrothal letter.

As a calligraphy creator, this is something I naturally have to do myself.

When the parents of both sides meet for the first time, they must be well prepared. They cannot act casually just because Li Qiguang and Jiang Zhiqin have a good impression of him and their own parents have a good impression of Li Beixing.

If it makes both sides of your face look bad, then that's troublesome.

In Jiangbei, betrothal gifts are also called "passing the betrothal gifts," and require a "betrothal letter" and a "gift list." The former is also called "sending the date letter," while the latter provides a list of gifts and the amount of money given as a gift.

The specific items will be delivered to the bride's family the day before or on the day of the wedding.

The betrothal gifts typically include chicken, seafood, three kinds of sacrificial animals, wedding cakes, and fresh fruit, all in even numbers, symbolizing good things coming in pairs.

After the woman accepts the gifts, she is required to "return the betrothal," also known as "return the betrothal gift."

Chen Jingle's gift list clearly stated that in addition to a load of wedding cakes, it also included five kinds of gold, betrothal money, sugar, cigarettes, wine, tea, and red envelopes for elders.

The hardware includes a phoenix hairpin, earrings, necklace, bracelet, and ring, totaling 188 grams.

The bride price is 28888. Yes, that's the right number. It's a custom in Jiangbei.

Two packs of Soft Red Five-Leaf God, two packs of Soft Zhong, two packs of Classic Red Double Happiness, two packs of Good Days Hard Gold Zun, two cases of Flying Moutai, two cases of Ira Suchadwick, and two jin of Premium Phoenix Dancong.

Two calligraphy works: one is a copy of Zhao Mengfu's "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," and the other is his own style of "Record of Yueyang Tower."

Two paintings were created: one was a copy of Qiu Ying's "Spring Morning in the Han Palace," and the other was his own creation, "Sparrow and Lychee."

The bride price can't be too high, and the other party doesn't need it, so they won't be interested in that. On the contrary, a high bride price is considered very conspicuous in the Lingnan region.

If the girl's parents saw this, they would most likely frown, thinking, "Do you think I'm selling my daughter?"
Therefore, Chen Jingle had no choice but to use something else as a betrothal gift.

At this time, his skills in calligraphy and painting naturally found a place to be put to use.

Given Li Qiguang's personality, he would likely accept the betrothal gifts list without hesitation.

"However, it seems there's still a bit of a gap on my future mother-in-law's side."

Chen Jingle thought for a moment and then added a few more items.

"That should solve everything!"

(Although I used up this quota last month, I'll still donate a little more. Thank you all for your support.)
(End of this chapter)