Chapter 120
Chapter 120: Let’s Get Engaged First?
Outside, the cold wind howled.
Banben wandered around on the balcony, then slipped back in through the partially closed balcony sliding door, bringing in a gust of cold wind.
Wen Yu got up to close the door, then curled back up on the sofa, wrapping himself tightly in a blanket.
It was cold outside, but the Wen family had a quiet New Year’s afternoon, gathering together to watch TV and snack.
Wen Yu’s mother glanced at her son and complained, “Young people nowadays don’t look energetic or strong at all!”
Uh-oh, trouble’s coming!
Wen Yu immediately called out, “Banben! Come here!”
The reluctant Banben reluctantly treaded over, crouching at Wen Yu’s feet, awaiting punishment.
“Go and suck up to your dear Empress.”
The chubby cat sighed, leaped onto Wen Yu’s mother’s lap, and curled up.
Wen Yu’s mother immediately exclaimed with a smile, “Oh my, oh my,” her eyes full of fondness as she looked at Banben.
But then she turned to reprimand Wen Yu, “Even Mimi is more sensible than you, knowing how to please the ones who take care of her!”
Bowing her head, she spoke softly to Mimi, “Mimi, oh Mimi, why don’t you listen to me…?”
Wen Yu’s father leaned back, watching TV and changing channels with the remote control. He chimed in, “Leave him alone during the New Year, we’ll save up all the scolding for after the holiday.”
Wen Yu: “…”
The TV show stopped on a CCTV channel, playing “Spring Festival Gala,” with scenes from the kangs culture in the northeastern region, which was quite novel.
Wen Yu’s mother, who had never used a heated kang, asked while petting the cat, “Son, where do you think the northerners burn fires in their kang beds? Underneath the bed?”
Wen Yu’s father laughed, “Then they’d scorch their bottoms!”
Then he said to Wen Yu, “The neighbor Qiao’er’s dad is from the north, he probably used it when he was young, ask him later.”
Wen Yu nodded in agreement, half-heartedly.
In his previous life, he hadn’t paid attention; his own parents were actually so childish!
Time passed slowly.
In his previous life, Wen Yu might be playing with his phone in his bedroom right now.
The TV show was a bit awkward, but it kept his parents laughing constantly. Those old jokes and skits were the best life tonic in this room.
Wen Yu’s mother suddenly remembered something and asked her husband, “Did you buy incense and candles?”
“What are they for?”
“To burn incense tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’ve already bought them.”
“Alright.” Wen Yu’s mother nodded, then turned her head to Wen Yu inquiringly, “Will you go burn incense with us tomorrow?”
Burning incense, also known as “head incense” or “head candle,” is a widely practiced custom during the Spring Festival. It usually involves going to temples to burn incense on the first day of the new year. Even more devout believers may choose to go at midnight – 0 o’clock on the first day of the lunar new year to be the first to burn incense. There is a similar custom in Jiangcheng, but it is more modern and does not require burning incense at midnight. People simply go to burn incense on the morning of the first day of the lunar new year to pray for peace and safety.
Because it’s so early in the cold winter, Wen Yu used to refuse to go, and couldn’t be dragged out.
So, Wen Yu’s mother asked.
This time, Wen Yu was very straightforward, “Sure, what time?”
“Oh, you’re actually going this time.”
“Ask for family peace, and make everyone happy.”
“You should ask for better grades, we don’t need family peace from you.”
“So, what time?”
“Let’s wake up at 8 o’clock.”
Wen Yu nodded, and the matter was settled.
He took out his phone, preparing to chat with Xiao Qingmei about this topic, but his heart moved slightly—
Oh no, it’s the first day without Xiao Qingmei, and there’s actually a slight feeling of missing her.
The noisy chatter around him diminished, leaving a sense of emptiness, which felt a bit uncomfortable instead.
【Wen Yu】: Is Qiao’er there?
【Fu Chengque】: You’re asking for trouble.
【Fu Chengque】: Can you even call her that? [Cat emoji, angry]
【Wen Yu】: Qiao’er Qiao’er Qiao’er Qiao’er Qiao’er
【Fu Chengque】: Oh! I’ll shark you when I get back!
【Wen Yu】: Have you seen Grandma? How is she? Did you put in a good word for me?
【Fu Chengque】: Yes, I saw her, we had lunch together, she’s doing well, and I put in a good word for you!
【Fu Chengque】: Why do you have so many questions?
【Wen Yu】: What did Grandma say about me?
【Fu Chengque】: Hmph, she praised you for being sensible, satisfied?
【Wen Yu】: Haha, very satisfied.
【Fu Chengque】: Oh, there are so many relatives, wait a moment, I’ll go over there first.
【Fu Chengque】: This is what it means to have a large family!
【Wen Yu】: Hmm.
The conversation ended, and Wen Yu suddenly realized.
Oh no, he forgot to mention that he’s going to burn incense tomorrow morning!
Never mind, it’s a good topic for the next conversation.
***
In another city.
Fu Chengque responded to the long-lost relatives.
She was almost lost in the endless praises of “Is this Chengque? My goodness, she’s so beautiful,” “It’s been years, Chengque has grown into such a beautiful young lady, comparable to celebrities on TV,” “Do you have a boyfriend? With your looks, it’s hard to find a suitable one.”
Smiling mischievously, she swayed back to her grandmother’s side.
Her grandmother had been smiling all day, a bit kinder compared to the last time she visited home.
The long-lost family chat had finished in the morning when she arrived, and now she was lying on a lounge chair, chatting with Fu Chengque about this and that.
“Qiao’er, how’s Xiao Yu doing?”
“Wen Yu is doing very well.”
“Oh, really? What’s so good about him?”
“Uh… good grades, good character, overall, everything’s good!”
Grandma laughed even more happily, “You child, you’re not sincere at all.”
At this moment, Mother Fu also walked over and, hearing the topic, took the initiative to talk about the kids next door. After a bunch of praises, she said things like, “His grades are top-notch now, with the appearance of a top school,” “Mature and sensible, obedient,” “Looks handsome, very good-looking.”
After listening, Grandma’s face became serious, holding Fu Chengque’s hand, she said, “Then you must seize the opportunity, otherwise, let’s just arrange a marriage?”
Mother Fu was shocked, never expecting the matter to progress so quickly in her mother’s mouth, and hastily said, “Mom, what are you saying in front of the kids, they’re still in their third year of high school!”
“So what if they’re in high school!” Grandma was displeased, “If it’s a good kid, we should arrange it first to avoid other families getting involved. When the matchmaker comes knocking, what will we have to say?”
Mother Fu looked helpless, “Mom…”
After thinking for a moment, she persuaded, “Mom, they’re still young, how could they understand these things?”
Grandma became even more unhappy, “How could they not understand? Ah, how could they not understand? At Qiao’er’s age, you were already running off with someone, how could they not understand!”
Outside the door, Father Fu walked toward the house with a happy face. However, just as his raised foot crossed the threshold, his ears suddenly twitched. He immediately stopped his foot and swiftly turned around, quickly leaving, muttering, “Got something, got something,” “I’ll go first…”
While Grandma was scolding her daughter, Fu Chengque squatted silently on the side. If even her own mother was being scolded, she didn’t dare to make a sound.
But recalling Grandma’s words, her face started to blush.
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