Xia Xiaolan slowly sat down beside Tang Hongen.

“Uncle Tang, now that the Zhou family elders have all come to Pengcheng, should we proceed with the wedding or not?”

Tang Hongen glared at her.

Her face clearly showed she wanted to get married, yet here she was asking him.

“Then let’s not have the wedding. You’re still young anyway. I think you could pursue further studies for a few more years. Getting married when you’re more mature would be fine too!”

Tang Hongen deliberately said the opposite of what he meant.

Xiaolan responded with an “Oh,” her expression downcast, but she nodded in agreement:

“Uncle Tang, you wouldn’t harm me. If you say we shouldn’t proceed, then we won’t.”

Tang Hongen found himself outmaneuvered.

Zhou Cheng was two years older than Xiaolan, and while the Zhou family was eager, Tang Hongen certainly wasn’t!

However, Tang Hongen had expected Xiaolan to resist. He hadn’t anticipated that she would so readily accept his “suggestion.”

“You girl, don’t try to sweet-talk me.”

But Xiaolan replied very seriously:

“Uncle Tang, I want to marry Zhou Cheng because I like him, and he likes me too. However, I hope my marriage can receive my family’s blessing. If you seriously object, there must be something inappropriate about this matter, after all, you have more life experience than I do. If you say we can’t marry, I’ll put the wedding plans on hold for now!”

Tang Hongen immediately realized that Xiaolan wasn’t joking.

She was serious.

If he firmly opposed it, Xiaolan would postpone her marriage to Zhou Cheng.

Was there anything inappropriate about this marriage?

There wasn’t.

Whether in terms of family background or personal qualities, Zhou Cheng was a good match for Xiaolan.

Tang Hongen’s opposition stemmed from the same reason as most fathers-in-law around the world – he simply couldn’t stand Zhou Cheng.

Not just Zhou Cheng – even if it were Li Cheng or Zhang Cheng, even if they performed better than Zhou Cheng, he still wouldn’t approve… They were all rascals trying to steal Tang Hongen’s precious daughter, and he wouldn’t like any of them.

But this reason was too absurd, and Tang Hongen’s rationality wouldn’t allow him to voice such thoughts.

Fortunately, Liu Fen returned from grocery shopping, saving Old Tang from his awkward situation.

The family of three busied themselves in the kitchen, chatting and laughing through dinner. Liu Fen knew Tang Hongen was being difficult, but she didn’t mention Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s wedding. That night, Tang Hongen couldn’t sleep well.

Liu Fen secretly smiled but didn’t expose him.

Early the next morning, he stopped Xiaolan with a stern face:

“Are you sure about marrying Zhou Cheng? Marriage isn’t child’s play, don’t make decisions based on momentary impulse.”

Although marriage law permitted divorce, and Tang Hongen found happiness in his second marriage, his previous failed marriage had affected him for many years. He hoped Xiaolan had truly chosen the right person, so she wouldn’t need to go through such troubles and could live happily ever after.

Xiaolan was certainly sure.

“Right now, Zhou Cheng is the person I want to marry, and I trust my judgment. If we can’t make it work in the future, then both of us will be at fault. Uncle Tang, I’m capable of bearing any consequences.”

What an inauspicious thing to say first thing in the morning!

Talking about potential failure before even getting married.

Tch tch tch!

Tang Hongen silently criticized, but his concerns had largely dissipated.

At least Xiaolan hadn’t lost her head in love, believing Zhou Cheng would be perfect forever. If they found themselves incompatible after marriage, Xiaolan would have the courage to divorce.

Divorce wasn’t good, of course.

But being bound to an unsuitable person for life seemed even more terrifying.

Tang Hongen finally reluctantly accepted:

“Go ahead and marry. If I don’t agree to your marriage, I’d be the villain breaking up a loving couple!”

Xiaolan happily linked arms with him:

“I knew you would agree because you care about me!”

Tang Hongen’s expression immediately softened.

Liu Fen remained silent in the kitchen but secretly wiped away tears.

Her greatest happiness in marrying Tang Hongen wasn’t how well he treated her, but how willing he was to be good to her daughter.

This was enough.

She would be good to Old Tang and his son too.

This was the happiest life possible!

…

After Xiaolan’s parents agreed to the marriage.

The Zhou family naturally began preparing for Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s wedding.

Their wedding was set for New Year’s Day, January 1, 1988, the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year – a very auspicious date.

The wedding would be held in Beijing, and since Xiaolan didn’t want a grand ceremony, the Zhou family naturally respected her wishes and only invited close relatives and friends. The venue was the courtyard house Zhou Cheng had prepared, not far from Shichahai. Zhou Cheng chose this location to make it convenient for Xiaolan to visit her family in the future – although Liu Fen didn’t often stay in Beijing now, Zhou Cheng’s thoughtfulness in this matter was still very touching.

The courtyard was neither too big nor too small, and with tables set up inside the rooms as well, it could accommodate seven or eight tables of guests.

This was sufficient.

Xiaolan’s family didn’t have many relatives to invite, and they didn’t invite Liu Fang’s family, only Liu Yong’s family of three.

As for the Xia family, there was no question – none of them would be invited.

However, Grandmother Yu and Tina returned from America, and along with Father and Son Xu Zhongyi, they could be considered Xiaolan’s family relatives – Xu Zhongyi had shed his identity as ‘Master Qiu’ and could finally interact openly with everyone, even Tang Hongen was willing to deal with Xu Zhongyi now.

Of course, there was also Ji Jiangyuan, Zhou Cheng’s brother-in-law, who couldn’t be neglected.

While relatives were few, Xiaolan had many friends.

Classmates, teachers, and close business partners needed to be invited, making up four tables of guests, matching the groom’s side.

The Zhou family had more relatives.

Even Zhou Yi returned from America with Grandmother Yu and Tina.

She brought Xiaolan a wedding gift, emphasizing:

“It’s not expensive, I bought it with the money I earned from my part-time job. Congratulations on your marriage to Zhou Cheng!”

Indeed, it wasn’t anything expensive.

Among all the wedding gifts, the most valuable was definitely from Du Zhaohui… Although he didn’t attend the wedding, he still had to make a grand gesture, sending Xiaolan a red convertible sports car worth a million!

He was too childish, still trying to outshine the groom.

The not-childish Comrade Zhou Cheng let Xiaolan graciously accept the sports car, saying, “When he gets married, we’ll give him a gift in return.”

Zhou Cheng wasn’t worried about affording a return gift.

His wife had mentioned that Beijing properties would become very valuable, and he had several courtyard houses. Worst case, they could sell one in the future.

No, those weren’t his courtyard houses anymore, they were all his wife’s.

Zhou Cheng had secretly transferred all the properties to Xiaolan, including Luna’s dividend passbook and his salary passbook, all packed in a large document envelope, which he publicly handed to Xiaolan at the wedding:

“In the Zhou family, women manage the money. Zhou family men don’t even know how much they earn each month.”

Old Master Zhou & Zhou Wengang & Zhou Guobin: “…”

Had this kid gone silly with joy on his wedding day?

Although it was the truth, he shouldn’t say it in front of so many people!

Tang Hongen and Liu Yong exchanged glances before quickly looking away, thinking Zhou Cheng was quite crafty.

Li Fengmei secretly pinched Liu Yong’s arm:

“Today is Xiaolan’s happy day, put away that unwilling expression on your face, at least pretend until the day is over!”

Was it that obvious?

Liu Yong secretly rubbed his face.

Well, he’d better show a smile then, though he swore this smile was not for Zhou Cheng, but for Xiaolan – when he took Xiaolan and Ah Fen away from the Xia family, he had planned to support the mother and daughter for life, who knew that in just three or four years, both mother and daughter would be taken away one after another!