Madam Tong said sharply, "No time to prepare? According to you, you two discussed this? If you really marry into their family, how much betrothal gift will they prepare for you?"
The two of them hadn't discussed it, but Tong An'an never considered asking for a betrothal gift.
"How can you be so ungrateful? Have you forgotten how you got your shop? How much benefit did they give you?"
"What do you mean benefit me? Back then, I treated him to a meal to thank him, and he said it himself... What? Now you want to conflate the two matters and use this as a betrothal gift?"
"Tong An'an, don't tell me you feel guilty about that incident, so you're rushing to throw yourself at him?"
Jiang Jingyu couldn't stand it any longer. Hearing his mother call it "throwing herself at him" repeatedly, what was going on?
"Auntie. Please don't say that about An'an. This was indeed my fault."
"Hmph, it's good that you know! I warn you, although our family is poor, poverty doesn't mean a lack of ambition! Even if An'an has something with you, as long as she hasn't entered your home, you must treat her according to etiquette! Even if she enters your home, you must still treat her according to etiquette! Otherwise, I'll risk this old body and never forgive you!"
An'an's father, who had been silent, also chimed in from the side.
"Yes, although our family is small and not as wealthy as yours, we have backbone. If you dare to wrong An'an, we'll risk these old bones and ruin your reputation!"
Jiang Jingyu was speechless and didn't know how to talk to them, so he took out his phone and called Jiang Nan Fang in front of them.
"Mommy, when will you arrive? Shall I pick you up?"
Jiang Nan Fang's affectionate voice came through, "Soon, soon. We've already entered the village, it's just that the roads inside are not very good. What's wrong? Are the in-laws being difficult? Give her the phone, I'll talk. I knew you silly child wouldn't know how to talk."
Jiang Jingyu turned on the speakerphone and handed the phone to Madam Tong, who turned her head away and didn't take it.
He then handed it to Father Tong.
Father Tong awkwardly took it, "Who is it?"
"In-laws, I am Jingyu's mother, Jiang Nan Fang. Your son and I, Zhan Bei Jue, are on our way to your home. I apologize for the late arrival; it's our first time here, and we're not familiar with the roads. Please don't be angry."
"Our child is experiencing this for the first time and doesn't understand the rules. If we have offended you in any way, we will apologize in person later. Please be patient. We apologize, we apologize."
Upon hearing that Jiang Jingyu's parents were also coming, Father Tong and Mother Tong exchanged glances, feeling somewhat appeased.
They returned the phone to Jiang Jingyu, got up, and poured him tea.
"It's good that you asked your parents to come and discuss this. You're not entirely foolish. If you had this attitude, you should have told me earlier. You must be thirsty after the long journey, have some water."
Jiang Jingyu felt like crying and laughing at her scolding.
He and Tong An'an held hands tightly under the table, like comrades.
The four of them stared at each other and sat in silence for a few minutes. The sound of a car stopping came from outside.
Madam Tong was the first to stand up and walk out, everyone else following.
Zhan Bei Jue, driving his Bentley himself, arrived with Jiang Nan Fang, both dressed impeccably.
Jiang Nan Fang waved and greeted everyone, then called for Jiang Jingyu to come down and help carry things.
Jiang Jingyu ran down a few steps. The trunk was packed to the brim with precious tonics, good cigarettes, and fine wines that Jiang Nan Fang had bought, a total of 12 boxes.
This made Madam Tong happy.
Although the Zhan family was wealthy and influential, they were quite respectful regarding their son's marriage, politely ushering them into the house.
Everyone sat around the large round table, and Jiang Nan Fang began to unleash her eloquent skills.
First, she spoke about how much they liked Tong An'an and how much they liked this couple.
Then, she thanked Father Tong and Mother Tong for raising such a good daughter, hoping they would entrust her to Jingyu, allowing the two lovers to be together soon. Therefore, they had come to propose today.
"I know we came in a bit of a hurry, and our etiquette might not be perfect, but as parents, we believe that the child's happiness is the most important thing. I'm sure you in-laws are understanding people, so we've come like this."
"Let's get this proposal done today, and all the necessary courtesies will follow. We'll exchange contact information and discuss things privately later. We'll handle everything. They can go to work, do whatever they need to do, entirely according to your wishes and local customs."
Madam Tong was very shrewd.
Although she was satisfied with her speech, she still said,
"It's not that we must completely follow your local customs, but we should take the essence and discard the dross. For instance, the betrothal gift and the hotel's scale. If you really follow our small town's customs, and the Zhan family's young master marries with a betrothal gift of 188,000, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?"
"Yes, yes, you're right, in-laws. Take the essence and discard the dross. Then for the betrothal gift, the hotel's scale, and wedding details, we can discuss them together and try to follow Nan City's customs..."
"Not try to, but just follow Nan City's customs. May I ask, your son's wedding..."
Tong An'an was extremely embarrassed. It was supposed to be a good thing, but her mother made it sound like selling goods: "Mom!"
Jiang Nan Fang didn't mind: "It's okay, I'll explain."
"My other daughter-in-law has no parents, so we gave her company shares, four properties, two cars, and a betrothal gift of 6.66 million. We will certainly not show favoritism. An'an will receive the exact same."
Father Tong and Mother Tong exchanged glances, secretly marveling.
A betrothal gift of 6.66 million? That was too astonishing.
"So, if we follow Nan City's rules, the betrothal gift won't be used as living expenses for the young couple after marriage?"
"That shouldn't be the case. Although Jingyu works for the company for free and doesn't take a single cent, the entire company belongs to him. The project fees he handles annually are hundreds of billions. He probably won't ask An'an for money."
Father Tong kicked Madam Tong's foot from the side, hinting that she should stop saying such embarrassing things. Wasn't the other party showing enough magnanimity?
"Oh, we are a small family. Her mother has never traveled far and doesn't have much insight, so she speaks without restraint and makes you laugh."
"How could that be?" Jiang Nan Fang said.
"We are both mothers, I understand your feelings, in-laws. On the contrary, I think her straightforwardness is good. I am also a straightforward person, and we can be good friends in the future."
"Do you have any other questions?"
Father Tong said, "No, well, I just want to ask, if the proposal is successful today, how do you usually decide on the wedding date?"
Jiang Nan Fang: "We can find someone to calculate an auspicious date, or it can be based on the couple's own choice. Of course, your opinion, in-laws, is also very important."
Tong An'an stood up and forcefully interjected.
"Mom, you can make decisions on other matters, but not this one. I want to get the certificate today."