"Based on your upbringing of Tang Xiaomin, you are not qualified to interfere in her affairs."
The words "upbringing" were laced with extreme mockery towards everyone in the Tang family.
Zhang Meiyu and Tang Yu lowered their heads in shame, unable to utter a word.
Tang Ye, however, was more brazen and continued to argue.
"That was in the past. We all treat Xiaomin very well now, so you don't need to bring up old matters."
Yan Jue's arrogant eyes narrowed slightly, suppressing the anger churning within him.
"The betrothal gifts and dowry are for Tang Xiaomin, not for you. Even if she owes respect to elders, it is to her adoptive parents, not to you."
"You..."
Tang Ye was so angry his teeth itched, but he dared not do anything to Yan Jue.
He could only turn to Tang Xiaomin, who remained silent beside him, and say, "Xiaomin, look at this man. He's arrogant and doesn't care about us at all."
"This is a matter of lifelong importance. You must open your eyes and consider it carefully."
The current situation was, in the final analysis, triggered by the phrase "Tang Ye's wife."
Yan Jue had been provoked by that remark and insisted on going through the proper proposal process. He immediately prepared the betrothal gifts upon returning, and Tang Xiaomin couldn't persuade him otherwise.
"Uh... well, a relationship without the intention of marriage is hooliganism... This... I've been with him for so long, and before... I also agreed to his proposal..."
"If he's giving betrothal gifts... you should accept them first."
She stammered, lacking decisiveness, and eventually compromised.
If she hadn't, she didn't know what kind of scene Yan Jue would create.
Tang Ye's face turned ashen; his world seemed to collapse in an instant, losing all its light.
"Xiaomin, won't this be too hasty? You're only twenty-one. Shouldn't you test him for a few years? Good things take time. You absolutely shouldn't rush into marriage."
"Uh... we agreed that we'll consider marriage after I graduate."
"So... let's leave it at that for now."
...
Tang Xiaomin was surprisingly agreeable, not showing any intention of refusal.
Her carefully prepared sumptuous dinner already spoke volumes.
"You... you guys..."
Tang Ye's heart was filled with resentment. He left abruptly without eating.
"Tang Ye, you haven't eaten. Where are you going?" Zhang Meiyu asked.
Tang Ye retorted rudely, "I'm not eating."
After Tang Ye left, Zhang Meiyu eagerly said to Yan Jue, "Please sit down and talk. Don't stand. It feels too formal."
Yan Jue sat down in the seat next to Tang Xiaomin. Then, he took out several red envelopes printed with the character for joy from his inner pocket and distributed them to everyone at the dining table, even Wang Na received one.
One red envelope was left, originally for Tang Ye. Now it was saved, and he put it back in his pocket.
"A small token of my appreciation. Please don't be polite."
The matter of the betrothal gifts was settled.
Wang Na quietly opened her red envelope under the table and was so shocked her mouth formed a perfect 'o'.
She quickly nudged Tang Yu beside her.
"Tang Yu, quickly look at the red envelope."
Tang Yu, while the others were talking, also secretly glanced at it.
"Mother of mercy, it's a check for six million, six hundred sixty-six thousand, six hundred sixty-six."
Tang Yu quickly looked at Wang Na's again, and it was the same.
This meant that by simply accepting a red envelope, they had achieved financial freedom.
As expected, Zhang Meiyu's red envelope should have been of the same amount, but unfortunately, Tang Ye's impulsive act caused him to miss the opportunity to get rich.
If he knew, he would probably regret it to his core.
Zhang Meiyu smiled so wide her eyes couldn't close. She was extremely satisfied with Yan Jue's handsome and wealthy condition.
As for his character... since she wouldn't be living with him in the future, it didn't concern her.
"Yan Jue, since you've already given the betrothal gifts, you're no longer an outsider. I have something to say."
"The betrothal gifts have been given. Isn't it time to choose a date for an engagement banquet? Marriage is a big event, and our family isn't one that can't afford it. What do you think?"
Yan Jue nodded, agreeing with Zhang Meiyu.
"The date for the engagement banquet has been set for winter. I will arrange everything, and you will only need to attend."
Initially, Zhang Meiyu had worried that Yan Jue hadn't considered that. To her surprise, he had already chosen the date.
She immediately smiled broadly, feeling even more satisfied with her future son-in-law.
Tang Yu, in light of the millions, suppressed his lingering dissatisfaction and said nothing more.
With such a condition, he was truly a rare find.
The dinner concluded harmoniously. When Yan Jue left, Zhang Meiyu and Tang Yu personally escorted him to the door, watching him get into his car.
Even when Tang Xiaomin wanted to leave with him, they said nothing.
After Yan Jue's car drove away, Wang Na finally voiced her envy.
"Mr. Yan is truly generous. Even if I were an only child, my father wouldn't bear to give me so much at once."
"And those betrothal gifts he gave should be his entire fortune."
"Hmph."
Tang Yu snorted unpleasantly.
"So what if it's his entire fortune? It's all for Xiaomin. Once he tricks her into marriage and they become a family, it will become joint marital property, and it will return to his hands." Sudancathome.com
Wang Na rolled her eyes at Tang Yu.
"Even if he's just going through the motions, he's done it thoroughly. Unlike some people, who don't even bother with superficial courtesies."
"Tang Yu, I've been living at your house for so long, and we even have a child. Aren't you going to explain to my father? Do you think I'm not worthy?"
Before, Wang Na felt she could endure hardships for her future with Tang Yu.
But after witnessing the extravagance of Yan Jue's betrothal gifts today, while envious, she felt incredibly unbalanced.
Even if Tang Yu's financial standing wasn't comparable to Yan Jue's, he shouldn't do nothing. This was an issue of attitude.
Although Wang Na's sudden outburst was directed at Tang Yu, Zhang Meiyu, standing nearby, felt uneasy.
"Nana, don't worry. Auntie will prepare gifts tomorrow and visit your parents. I won't let you be wronged."
"Hmph, that's more like it."
"Tang Yu, what's your opinion?"
Tang Yu, standing by, had witnessed Wang Na's attitude towards Zhang Meiyu.
Ever since Wang Na moved in, his mother had been accommodating her, even enduring grievances.
At this moment, Tang Yu could no longer indulge Wang Na.
"Nana, what is your attitude towards my mother?"
Wang Na, being a young lady from a prominent family, was proud at heart.
"Tang Yu, what did I say that was wrong? It's been so long, and you've been silent. Auntie is an elder, and she's also pretending not to hear anything, never bringing it up.
"Do you both think that because I'm pregnant, you can take advantage of me, knowing I have no other options? So you think I'm a cheap bargainer, and all the necessary steps can be skipped?"
"Nana, it's not like that..."
"Mom, you don't need to say anything."
Tang Yu interrupted Zhang Meiyu's explanation.
"Nana, since you think so little of me and my mother, then I have nothing more to say."
"You..."
Wang Na was so enraged by Tang Yu's attitude that tears welled up in her eyes.
"Fine, I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? Tang Yu, I'm telling you, I am definitely not some cheap bargainer."
Without looking back, Wang Na resolutely left the villa.