Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 279 A Perfect Engagement
Xiao Jinchen explained with a sullen face, "It's not that we wanted to hide it from you, but Yuanyuan wasn't feeling well at the time, and you were also in a bad mood. What would be the point of telling you? Besides, we didn't even ask Mom and Dad about such a big thing as our second son's engagement. Why would we tell you this?"

Guo Lingyue's crying subsided a little, and she asked pitifully, "Then should we still take the child to another city for treatment?"

Xiao Jinchen gritted his teeth and nodded, "Go! He doesn't like us anyway, so I don't need to worry about anything!"

Guo Lingyue's crying stopped abruptly, and her expression softened considerably. "What about Mom and Dad? I'm worried that things might go wrong if we go on a long trip without any elders around."

As long as she takes her in-laws away, the groom's parents won't be present at the engagement ceremony. She'll see how arrogant Chen Xinyue can be!

Xiao Jinchen patted Guo Lingyue's shoulder reassuringly, "I'll go talk to my parents and see what they say."

In Xiao Bai's study, Mu Qinglian was also talking about this matter.

"How should we arrange this?"

Xiao Bai sighed and rubbed his forehead. "If it really doesn't work, you can stay and attend the second brother's engagement party. I'll go with the eldest brother and his wife to seek medical treatment. No matter what, one of us has to stay."

Although he favored his eldest son, he still knew what was important and what was urgent.

Mu Qinglian nodded.

After the two finished speaking, Xiao Jinchen came over and knocked on the door, asking about their arrangements.

Mu Qinglian blurted out, "Your dad will go out with you, but I'll stay here for the engagement banquet."

Xiao Jinchen remained noncommittal, nodded expressionlessly, and left.

Mu Qinglian's heart tightened. "Xiao Bai, is Jin Chen unhappy?"

Xiao Bai snorted in dissatisfaction, "What could he possibly be unhappy about! If it weren't for his daughter, we wouldn't be in such a difficult position. We both have our hearts set on him, so what could he possibly have to complain about?"

Mu Qinglian immediately shut her mouth, not daring to add fuel to the fire.

Before we knew it, it was the second day of the twelfth lunar month.

Chen Xinyue was woken up early in the morning by Lin Qin, "The car is waiting outside. Hurry up and get your hair and makeup done. We'll pack up and go to the hotel to wait for you."

Chen Xinyue woke up in a daze, threw on a coat, and was put into the car.

She only truly came to her senses when she arrived at the studio and saw the gorgeous engagement dress.

After a whole session of skincare, makeup, and styling, it was already 3 PM by the time I finished.

Xiao Jinlin came to pick her up in person, and when he saw Chen Xinyue, who was so beautiful she seemed to be glowing, he was momentarily stunned. Before his mind could process what was happening, his body had already moved closer and grabbed Chen Xinyue's hand tightly. "Let's go!"

"Wait a minute, this outfit of mine is worth tens of millions, so you'd better be careful." Chen Xinyue winked playfully, making Xiao Jinlin laugh out loud.

The two arrived at the Supreme Hotel.

Mr. Xiao, Mrs. Xiao, and Mr. and Mrs. Xiao Sheng were already greeting guests at the door.

Lin Qin and Chen Wenjun stood on the other side.

Chen Xinyue looked closely and found that Gao Lei, Bai Junjun, Chen Ruiyu, and Chen Ruiming had all arrived.

There are quite a few people on their side too.

Over the years, Gao Lei's business has grown exceptionally large. With the support of the Gao family and connections in both business and political circles, he spread the word that his goddaughter was getting engaged. The guests attending the engagement banquet almost trampled the threshold flat.

In addition, there are Lin Qin and Chen Wenjun, who have been good business partners over the years.

The engagement banquet was more lively than ever before. The city lights were just coming on.

Li Muchen arrived at the banquet with his family. Upon seeing Chen Xinyue from afar, he ran up to her and, as if vying for her affection, pulled her to his side. He then glared at Xiao Jinlin menacingly, saying, "Don't think that just because you're engaged to our Xinyue, she's yours. Let me tell you, you'll never be able to take her from me!"

Li's mother caught up and slapped her hard across the face. "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting! Get back to someone right now!"

Li Muchen winced in pain and rubbed against Chen Xinyue, seeking comfort.

Chen Xinyue held her and comforted her for a while before Li Muchen was satisfied and went inside.

Xiao Jinlin was jealous.

Thanks to the arrangements made by Xiao Sheng, Chen Wenjun, and Gao Lei, the entire engagement banquet went very smoothly. Even though some people wondered why Xiao Bai and his wife were not present, no one said anything.

As the banquet drew to a close, Yu Anhe approached Chen Xinyue with a wine glass in hand.

Chen Xinyue quickly stepped forward to explain, "Teacher, it's not what you think."

Yu Anhe glanced at her amusedly. "I know what you're going to say. Don't worry, President Xiao gave me a heads-up beforehand. He even said that you didn't dare accept his confession because of me. Tsk tsk, I can't take the blame for this. Congratulations!"

Chen Xinyue blushed deeply at what was said and quickly raised her glass.

After seeing off the last group of guests, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Sheng and He Xue instructed the driver to take Mr. and Mrs. Xiao back home.

Before leaving, Madam Xiao held Lin Qin's hand apologetically and explained, "I'm not trying to excuse my good-for-nothing eldest son and daughter-in-law. No matter what the reason, it's wrong of them not to come today. Since they didn't come today, they don't need to come to their children's wedding day. If they ever dare to put on airs in front of Xinyue in the future, I'll be the first to not let them off the hook!"

Lin Qin nodded with a smile, "Auntie, don't be angry, go back and get some rest."

After the Xiao family elders left, Xiao Sheng, He Xue, and Lin Qin returned to the courtyard in the alley together.

Another table was set up, and everyone got completely drunk.

No one brought up Xiao Bai and Mu Qinglian, as if they were tacitly acknowledging that they were unimportant.

Three days later, Xiao Bai and Mu Qinglian returned to the capital and immediately went to the Xiao family's old residence.

The two were uneasy and immediately began apologizing as soon as they entered the door.

“Dad, Mom, we had all agreed that I would accompany my eldest son and his wife to seek medical treatment in another city, while Qinglian would stay to attend the engagement banquet. But the day before we were to leave, my eldest son’s wife fell down the stairs and broke her leg, so she couldn’t go out. We had to ask Qinglian to go out in her place.”

Xiao Bai felt that since the incident was sudden, everyone should be able to understand.

Mr. Xiao remained calm, took a sip of saliva, and said nothing.

Madam Xiao smiled and looked at them. "I understand. There's no need to make your family affairs public. I've already spoken with the Chen family. You don't need to show up when the two children get married, so as not to make everyone feel awkward."

Xiao Bai's expression changed drastically, and Mu Qinglian was almost in tears. "Mom and Dad, we really have no other choice."

"Alright! I think those two brothers are just born to be at odds, it's either him or him! Jin Chen is already so old! He still has to drag his parents along when it comes to his own daughter's affairs, he doesn't even know what's important, it's all because you spoiled him!"
Back then, Jinlin went to school by himself when he was six, handling everything on his own. He was perfectly fine without you all by his side. Since you're going to spoil him, then spoil him to the end! Don't act like parents in front of Jinlin anymore, and stop causing him trouble. Get out!

Madam Xiao's words not only slapped Xiao Bai and his wife in the face, but also exposed their hypocrisy and frankly expressed her dissatisfaction with her eldest grandson, Xiao Jinchen.

Xiao Bai and his wife felt their heads buzzing.

Because Madam Xiao was trying to get rid of them, the guards stepped forward and forcefully asked them to leave.