Chapter 308: Family Banquet

Chapter 308 Family Dinner

Miao Cuifang had long hoped for the two to get married. If it had been when they first started dating, she might have been worried, but after all these years, Hanchuan had shown he's dependable, so getting married as soon as possible was naturally the best outcome.

Miao Cuifang, holding traditional views, believed that only marriage could make life stable.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked Miao Cuifang to bring the family over when they had time, as they've got room for everyone to stay.

Miao Cuifang said, "Even if you hold a wedding, we won't get many folks coming from back home. Just bring our close relatives—those farther away probably wouldn’t come anyway."

Ye Xiaoxiao indeed didn’t know many members of the Ye family.

Besides, Beijing was too far from White Stone Village, and ordinary relatives and friends wouldn’t be willing to make the trip.

They could always return to the village later to throw a party when they had time.

"Xiao Xiao, have fun and don't work too hard," she said.

"I know, Mom," Ye Xiaoxiao replied.

After she hung up, Ye Xiaoxiao began preparing her outfit for the afternoon gathering.

She had many new clothes. During her student years, she kept her style simple, but after graduation, she could finally wear them all.

Ye Xiaoxiao changed into a red-checkered dress, looking cheerful and stylish.

Lu Hanchuan also wore something formal, though not his military uniform this time.

The two arrived a little early to reserve a dining room.

Ye Changning was the first to arrive. While Lu Hanchuan went downstairs to meet the others, he quietly asked Xiao Xiao, "Why so sudden? You didn’t give us any warning."

Ye Xiaoxiao acted innocent, "I did say it would happen within a month or two."

Ye Changning retorted, "A month or two is different from a day or two! Though, honestly, you two should’ve gotten married long ago. Any longer, and I’d have thought you’d break up."

Ye Xiaoxiao protested, "Brother, I just got my certificate—don’t jinx it!"

Ye Changning handed her a big red envelope, "This is just something quick. I’ll get you a real present in a couple of days."

Ye Xiaoxiao accepted the envelope, "Thanks, Brother. I don’t need anything fancy—just the red envelope is enough."

Ye Changning insisted, "Don’t be silly. You’re my only sister—who else should I spoil?"

Ye Xiaoxiao asked Ye Changning and Ye Changsheng to go inside first while she waited at the entrance for her master.

Then she spotted Grandma Lu walking quickly toward her.

"Grandma, why are you walking so fast?" Ye Xiaoxiao hurried over to support the old woman.

Grandma Lu was holding tight to a little box, "Because I wanted to see Xiao Xiao as soon as possible!"

She handed the box she had been carrying to Xiao Xiao and glanced back at Lu Hanchuan and the others coming upstairs, "We’ll open this later at home, Xiao Xiao."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, "Alright."

Lu Xingzhou and Yun Chengxiu had also taken time off to come—after all, it was such an important event for the kids, and busy as they were, they had to attend.

Soon after, Song Guangjing arrived as well.

The family members were basically all here, just a simple family gathering.

Yun Chengxiu and Lu Xingzhou spoke a few words on behalf of the Lu family, expressing their satisfaction with Xiao Xiao. After waiting so many years, their daughter-in-law was finally in the picture.

Yun Chengxiu held Xiao Xiao's hand and said, "Xiao Xiao, I've prepared a gift for you. I’ve had it set aside since Hanchuan was little. I'll give it to you when you come home another day. Today was a little last-minute, so I only prepared a red envelope."

Ever since Lu Hanchuan turned eighteen, Yun Chengxiu had saved up for his future bride.

She had waited all these years, and now she could finally relax.

Red envelopes, aside from the first visit, are usually given during the tea ceremony as a token for calling the in-laws 'Mom' and 'Dad.'

The amount varies—some families put in a hundred, others a thousand.

Yun Chengxiu didn’t say how much was in it, but it felt thin, with just a single deposit slip inside.

"Thank you, Auntie," Ye Xiaoxiao said sweetly.

Yun Chengxiu replied, "Xiao Xiao, it's time to call me 'Mom.'"

Ye Xiaoxiao played along right away, "Mom."

Yun Chengxiu beamed, "That’s right!"

Then Lu Xingzhou waited eagerly.

Under his gaze, Ye Xiaoxiao had to go along with it and say, "Dad."

Lu Xingzhou grinned from ear to ear.

The head of the Lu family was hardly ever this friendly.

Lu Hanchuan, sitting beside Ye Xiaoxiao, was also surprised by his father's demeanor.

Was this really the same strict father who’d whipped him with a belt growing up?

Lu Hanchuan was actually a year older than Ye Changning, but now, by family rank, he had to call him 'brother.'

Ye Changning finally got to flex his authority.

Taking advantage of his status as the elder brother-in-law, he kept pouring Lu Hanchuan drinks.

But in the end, while Lu Hanchuan was still sober, Ye Changning was the one who got drunk.

"I... I warn you... don’t you dare bully my sister," Ye Changning slurred.

By the time they left, Ye Changsheng had to hold him up.

Fortunately, Jiangnan was the one driving and could help keep him upright.

Otherwise, someone as slight as Ye Changsheng wouldn’t have been able to hold Ye Changning up.

Ye Xiaoxiao told Jiangnan to take it slow on the road.

"Goodbye, Fourth Brother. I’ll come hang out with you tomorrow—you’re not heading off yet, right?"

Ye Changsheng shook his head. Just as he was about to get in the car, he turned back and said one last thing to Xiao Xiao.

"Xiao Xiao, I hope you’ll be happy."

Ye Changsheng spoke earnestly.

Ye Xiaoxiao paused briefly, then beamed.

"I will."

Ye Changsheng turned and got into the car, leaving.

He and Xiao Xiao weren’t raised together, but her arrival had brought many changes to the family.

She was now family.

He hoped Xiao Xiao would always be happy.

…

Ye Xiaoxiao turned back to see her master off.

Song Guangjing, too, had awaited this day. "Don’t rush it this time. When’s the wedding?"

Ye Xiaoxiao hooked her arm through his and wheedled, "I know, Master. It was my fault for not discussing it in advance. Don’t be angry."

Song Guangjing snorted.

"I just don’t want you fooled."

Lu Hanchuan stood nearby. Upon hearing Old Mr. Song’s words, he only quirked a brow and remained composed.

"No one would dare trick me with you around!"

"Dinner at home tomorrow."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Sure."

Elsewhere, Grandma Lu asked Lu Hanchuan, "Not staying home tonight?"

The old lady knew Lu Hanchuan owned places all over.

But now that he and Xiao Xiao were legally married, surely he could stay at home.

Lu Hanchuan pacified her. "We’ll be back in a couple of days. Don’t you need to call everyone? Won’t your old friends want to attend our wedding?"

With a purpose in mind, Grandma Lu dropped the subject.

She rushed to tell the driver to take her home.

Old Mr. Song overheard and thought he should also invite his old comrades.

It had been years since they last gathered—this was a perfect opportunity.

Lu Xingzhou had repeatedly reminded Grandma Lu to walk slowly, but his mother simply wouldn’t listen.

As for his father, he was equally antsy.

They were a handful.

Yun Chengxiu pressed Lu Hanchuan: "Bring Xiao Xiao home for a few more days—the dowry needs to be given to her."

Lu Hanchuan nodded along.