Chapter 163 Should I call her Auntie or Third Sister-in-law?

Chapter 163 Should I call her Auntie or Third Sister-in-law?

Jiang Yutang was taken aback, and then belatedly remembered that she had promised to give Cheng Lanzhou a gift last time.

She pursed her lips and whispered in her defense, "It's not my fault. You didn't send soldiers to collect the items."

Cheng Lanzhou raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when she pressed her index finger to her lips.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Take it with you when you go back later. I promise you'll get a share."

Cheng Lanzhou shook his head helplessly, letting her do as she pleased.

When the banquet ended, Cheng Lanzhou was about to leave with his trusted confidants.

Jiang Shengan stepped forward and asked, "Are you going back to the military camp so late? Why don't you go back to your tent to rest for the night and go back early tomorrow morning?"

Cheng Lanzhou nodded slightly, his tone steady: "There are still important matters to attend to at the military camp, so it's inconvenient to delay."

Madam Lin did not try to persuade him to stay, but simply reminded him, "Even though you're busy, take care of yourself and come back to visit when you have time."

Cheng Lanzhou agreed to everything, and his personal guards, carrying the wine and gifts prepared by Jiang Yutang, returned to the military camp together.

After everyone cleaned up the mess, Yun gave Jiang Huaiyu a subtle look.

Jiang Huaiyu understood and nodded silently. His gaze unconsciously drifted to Cheng Daier beside him, but Cheng Daier kept her face red for the rest of the time and never looked at him again.

After the other guests left, the two families went to the Jiang family's tent.

Mu poured tea for everyone, and Jiang Shengan, Yun, and Lin sat in the middle of the tent.

Cheng Dai'er stood awkwardly beside Lin, her eyes fixed on the ground.

Jiang Shengan cleared his throat, about to speak, when Jiang Huaiyu, without uttering a word, knelt down in front of the three elders with a loud thud, her voice firm and powerful.

"Everything I just said was from the bottom of my heart, and it was not a joke made on impulse! I really want to marry Miss Cheng, and I humbly request the three elders to grant my request!"

“You child…” Madam Yun quickly winked at him, signaling him to get up and not speak.

Jiang Shengan took a slightly awkward sip of tea, then turned to look at Madam Lin and politely inquired, "In-law, what are your thoughts on the children?"

Lin covered her lips with her sleeve, coughed lightly, turned her head to look at Cheng Dai'er beside her out of the corner of her eye, and asked softly, "Dai'er, is there anything you want to say?"

"I......"

Cheng Dai'er stammered for a long time, her face turning bright red, and finally just shook her head.

Madam Lin deliberately put on a stern face and lowered her voice: "If you don't speak, I'll take it as your unwillingness, and I'll refuse this marriage on your behalf."

"Mother! That's not how it is!"

Cheng Daier immediately panicked. When she looked up and saw the smile in her mother's eyes, she realized that she had been tricked.

Seeing this, Lin couldn't help but smile and asked, "So you're willing?"

Both families turned their gazes to her, and Jiang Huaiyu's intense eyes were fixed on her.

Cheng Dai'er bit her lip, didn't speak, but just nodded slightly.

"Hahaha!" Madam Lin burst into laughter, turning to look at Jiang Shengan and Madam Yun. "It seems our two families are truly destined for each other. This marriage between relatives is a wonderful thing!"

Jiang Shengan and Yun Shi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded in agreement.

"Great news! Great news!"

Jiang Huaiyu, who was kneeling on the ground, was overjoyed and suddenly stood up, so excited that she didn't know what to do.

"Since they are both interested, why not take advantage of this joyous occasion and settle their marriage?"

Jiang Songzhi wore a gentle smile, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Huaiyu and Cheng Daier, his tone full of enthusiasm for making things happen.

Jiang Shengan stroked his beard and nodded slowly in agreement: "It's still early, so we can figure out the date now and save ourselves from further trouble later."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu's palms sweated with nervousness, and she hurriedly walked to Cheng Daier's side.

He raised his hand several times to take hers, but withdrew it each time because he was too reserved.

It wasn't until she caught a glimpse of Jiang Yutang raising his chin and giving her an encouraging look that she reached out and gently took Cheng Daier's hand.

His palms were rough with calluses, yet they were burning hot, and Cheng Dai'er instinctively gripped them tightly in return.

The elders from both sides sat together, carefully calculating the auspicious day.

After a final decision, the wedding date was set for next May.

At that time, the weather in Danzhou was gradually warming up, and the rice seedlings had already sprouted. It was a good time for everything to go smoothly.

As it was getting late, Lin and Cheng Dai'er got up to say goodbye, and Jiang Huaiyu excitedly rushed forward to see them off.

Seeing this, Madam Lin laughed and said, "It's only a few steps away, why make such a fuss?"

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled and scratched his head, saying apologetically, "I was just too happy and couldn't control myself."

Lifting the tent flap, Cheng Dai'er turned back and smiled at him, silently saying goodbye before leaving with Madam Lin.

As soon as the two left, Jiang Yutang strode forward and patted Jiang Huaiyu's arm hard: "Now you can rest assured, right?"

Jiang Huaiyu's eyes were brimming with undisguised joy. She nodded vigorously, her smile almost reaching her ears.

“The wedding date is set, so the betrothal gifts for the marriage proposal cannot be lacking,” Jiang Songzhi said at the right moment, reminding us, “This is not only a matter of etiquette, but also a token of our family’s goodwill.”

Jiang Jiuzhe chimed in, "It's just that Danzhou is a remote place. I don't know if we can find skilled craftsmen and embroiderers to make betrothal jewelry and wedding dresses."

"No problem, leave it to me!" Jiang Yutang patted his chest and agreed, "I guarantee I'll handle it flawlessly!"

Jiang Sumin put his hands behind his back and shook his head: "In that case, I will be responsible for carefully calculating the expenditures and ensuring that every penny is spent wisely."

Seeing how much her family had gone to great lengths for her, Jiang Huaiyu's eyes reddened slightly, her lips trembled, and she finally managed to utter only the words "thank you."

A thousand words are hidden in these two simple words.

"What are you saying, 'we're family'? But from now on, I don't know whether I should call her 'elder sister' or 'third sister-in-law'?"

Changing the subject, Jiang Yutang got down to business: "By the way, my 'Little Fish Treasure Box' officially opens tomorrow. I have a plan: I'll have my parents help out at the shop first, and use that as an excuse to move out of the camp. As the shop expands, I'll bring everyone else over."

Upon hearing this, Zhu asked in surprise, "But we don't have a fixed place to stay outside the camp. We still have to come back to the camp at night, right? It's just troublesome to keep going back and forth like this."

"That's my plan."

Jiang Yutang clapped his hands and laughed, "Then we'll report to the camp and say that the back-and-forth trips have delayed us from looking after the shop. We'll take this opportunity to apply for approval for the open space behind the shop so we can build a few houses! That way we can finally move out of the tents and have our own home."

"Will this work?" Yun was still somewhat worried, after all, the land control of the camp had always been strict.

"It will definitely work out, it's just a matter of time."

Jiang Yutang said confidently, "Our two families have made contributions to the camp, and with Lan Zhou's help in mediating, this matter is almost certain to succeed."

Jiang Shengan laughed heartily, looking at Jiang Yutang with satisfaction: "Our Tang'er is becoming more and more capable, she can even plan such long-term things for the family."

Lying on the wooden bed, the wind outside was howling.

Jiang Yutang stared intently at the open tent top, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her face, her heart and eyes filled with anticipation for a better future.

The next day, Jiang Huaiyu returned to the military camp early, and even took Jiang Yutang to the clinic before leaving.

To everyone's surprise, the clinic's doors were still closed. Jiang Yutang asked in astonishment, "That's strange. Doctor Xu is usually the first one to arrive. What's going on today?"

Not long after Jiang Huaiyu left, Doctor Xu arrived at the clinic with heavy steps. His eyes were slightly swollen as if he had been crying, and he had a forced smile on his face.