In the living room, as Ma Xingxiang departed, the atmosphere lightened, yet a sense of heaviness lingered.
Women had the hardest lot.
Li Weibo held his girlfriend's hand and smiled at her when she looked his way.
Yu Ziyu's mood had recovered.
"Alright, let's continue," Old Mr. Shen broke the silence.
"The betrothal gifts Little Tian has given are truly unique.
They represent her fondness for Ziyu, and also her concern for the life Ziyu will face in the future.
Jinghai, Jianrong, do you have any objections?"
"Dad~" Shen Jianrong looked at her father. "You're not the matchmaker, so don't act like one."
Old Mr. Shen glared at his youngest daughter. "Little Zeng can't make it, so what's wrong with me being the matchmaker?"
"Who said I can't make it?" A voice came from outside the door, followed by the entrance of someone carrying a backpack.
"You all started discussing without me?"
"They say once the bride is in the house, the matchmaker is thrown over the wall. But you're throwing me away before the bride is even married?"
"Captain Zeng?"
"Captain Zeng?"
Shen Jianming and Li Jinghua stood up in surprise.
This captain of the special team rarely visited the homes of people like them.
Zeng Jingrong waved his hand at them. "No need for formalities. I heard someone's thrown me, the matchmaker, aside and started discussing the wedding date privately. So, I rushed over."
Li Weibo quickly explained, "Captain Zeng, I..."
Zeng Jingrong glanced at him, interrupting, "Why are you calling me Captain Zeng? Call me Uncle."
Saying that, he ignored Tian Jing's glare and said to Old Mr. Shen,
"Tian Jing is my biological sister. She was adopted by someone surnamed Tian years ago.
After I found her, she insisted on keeping her surname. wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Old Mr. Shen's mouth twitched. Did he not know Tian Jing's background?
This fellow was trying to confuse him.
"Heh heh," Zeng Jingrong chuckled. "But this is my family matter, I won't bore you all with it."
"Come, where were we?"
He then sat down unceremoniously next to Old Mr. Shen.
Tian Jing glanced at him. "Fifty for the betrothal gifts, thirty for the house purchase and renovation, twenty for the meeting gift, and a seven-seater car.
I'm not buying those superficial gold and jade trinkets.
Oh, and wedding attire, add another hundred thousand for that.
Furthermore, after Ziyu gives birth, we will cover the children's living expenses, according to the annual standard of living."
Zeng Jingrong nudged Tian Jing. "Are you trying to bankrupt them with money?"
"Yu Jinghai, you absolutely cannot agree to this. This is too much! Don't you dare agree."
Yu Jinghai was torn between laughter and tears. "There's no matchmaker like you in the world. Which matchmaker doesn't want the parties to finalize things quickly to get the matchmaker's red envelope?"
"That's right!" Zeng Jingrong clapped his hands. "Captain Tian, you're talking about tens of millions right from the start, and a hundred thousand for a piece of clothing. How much is my red envelope?"
Tian Jing waved to her second son. "It's your turn."
"Uncle," Li Weibo smiled at Zeng Jingrong. "Do you need a red envelope when you introduce your nephew's girlfriend?"
"Yes," Zeng Jingrong nodded. "Absolutely, it's the rule."
"Alright then," Li Weibo held up one finger. "Is this enough?"
Without saying more, who knew if his one finger meant one yuan, ten yuan, or a hundred yuan?
Zeng Jingrong nodded. "It's enough, as long as it's in a red envelope."
"Jinghai, the Li family is offering so much for the betrothal gifts. How much dowry have you prepared for Ziyu?"
Yu Jinghai looked at his wife.
Shen Jianrong said, "A house and a car in Kyoto. Added to the Li family's betrothal gifts, plus a hundred thousand yuan, she'll take it all with her.
This is all my and Jinghai's capacity. We are marrying into a distinguished family."
Tian Jing waved her hand. "Sister Shen, please don't say that. I'm a bit materialistic. With money, I want to give my children the best living conditions.
However, they are in the military and don't have the time or opportunity to enjoy it.
A wife who can share their hardships, bear their children, and manage their home should share with them."
Being showered with money by Tian Jing had indeed made Shen Jianrong feel a bit uncomfortable. The ten thousand yuan she added was her maximum ability.
Now, Tian Jing's words made her heart feel much lighter.
"Yes, yes. The hardships of being a military family's wife, I've understood since I was young. In the days to come, please take care of Ziyu's everything."
"Sister Shen, you're too kind." Tian Jing dared not take full responsibility for Ziyu's everything.
"Ziyu is close to your side, so what we can provide is material. Spiritually, we still need your and her father-in-law's care."
"Of course, of course."
The two mothers-in-law had clearly defined their roles.
With the conditions settled, it was time to discuss the wedding date.
Zeng Jingrong took out his laptop and looked through it. "Little Bo, you'll have to leave with me later.
If the mission is completed on time, your leave should be scheduled between the end of April and June."
Yu Ziyu immediately gripped her boyfriend's hand.
Li Weibo hadn't expected his captain to come for him.
Zeng Jingrong took out a red paper from his laptop bag. "I've selected a few auspicious dates here. You can discuss them."
The two sets of parents looked at them together and finally chose May 15th.
Since the period was from the end of April to June, a date in mid-May was more stable.
With the date set, Zeng Jingrong was eager to leave.
Tian Jing stopped him with a sentence: "You must have lunch with us today.
After eating, you can decide whether or not to tell Zeng Jingliang and A'feng."
Zeng Jingrong took out his phone and made a few calls, then stayed to wait for lunch.
Li Weibo, having a little free time, took his girlfriend upstairs for a private talk.
Watching Li Weibo and his girlfriend disappear up the stairs, Zeng Jingrong nudged Tian Jing.
"If it weren't for something important, you'd be making up for my lost time."
Tian Jing nodded. "If you have a mission you can't complete, you can ask me to help."
Zeng Jingrong sat up straight. "You said that."
"I did," Tian Jing nodded firmly. "As deputy captain, I must step up when there are difficulties. Of course, that's assuming you can't complete it. There's no need to use a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken."
Zeng Jingrong relaxed. "Don't worry, I'll only ask for your help when I can't complete it myself."
"Really?"
"Really, but for now, I don't need your butcher's cleaver."
Their conversation revealed Tian Jing's combat prowess.
Shen Jianming, Shen Jianhui, and Li Jinghua looked at the seemingly very delicate Tian Jing again.
She appeared to be in her thirties, her beautiful face bearing the patina of time. She didn't seem aggressive, yet she exuded an oppressive aura, perhaps related to her martial strength.
When Tian Jing glared, the three men instinctively leaned back.
This?
Her combat power was definitely higher than Captain Zeng's.
After slightly intimidating the three gentlemen, Tian Jing withdrew her pressure.
Old Mr. Shen stroked his chin. Little Tian certainly had a temper.
With beauty and martial strength, this Little Li fellow was indeed understandable for staying with his wife and not wanting to leave with him.
Shen Jianrong's eyes sparkled. She had driven away Li Zhengguo and now sat next to Tian Jing, pulling her mother-in-law to ask about the other world she didn't know.