Regarding Zhao Shijiao’s decision, Lu Zhiyao had no idea at all.
Even if she had known, she wouldn’t have said anything, since she didn’t like Pei Feng in the first place.
She expressed doubt about Zhao Shijiao being written as the “female lead” in that book. With that kind of brain? The female lead? She wasn’t even qualified to be a supporting character.
That entire day, Lu Zhiheng helped Lu Zhiyao finish the farm work, earning ten work points.
The next day, Lu Zhiheng brought Lu Zhiyao to the He family to prepare for the engagement.
“Lu squad leader, these are my grandparents—you’ve met them before. This is my father and mother. Over there are my elder brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews. I also have an elder sister and a younger sister, both already married.”
He Lingyun nervously introduced his family to Lu Zhiheng.
Although Lu Zhiheng usually had a stoic expression, he still maintained proper etiquette in front of elders.
“Grandfather He, Grandmother He, Uncle He, Aunt He, elder brother and sister-in-law of the He family. I am Yao Yao’s elder brother. Nice to meet you for the first time, and sorry for the disturbance!”
As the head of the household, He Tiansheng greeted Lu Zhiheng: “No trouble at all. Please come in, elder brother Lu.”
Lu Zhiyao did not come along. Engagements were not something the bride should personally attend. At the time, there were no elders present, so Lu Zhiyao had made the decision herself.
She hadn’t expected her elder brother to rush over from the military region. After their discussion was completed, Lu Zhiyao would go over to have a meal together, and the engagement would be considered settled. From then on, they would be an engaged couple.
“Elder Brother He, regarding this engagement, it was our side that did not handle things properly and failed to meet expectations. We’ve caused Lu’s educated youth to suffer grievances.”
He Tiansheng also knew they were at fault, so he kept a humble attitude.
“It’s fine. It was also our girl’s own strong-minded decision. I came here for this matter as well. Regarding our family situation, I don’t know if Captain He has explained it to you. I serve in the Southwest Military Region, while my family has gone to Xinjiang. Yao Yao is the only girl in our family. Her parents felt heartache for her, and before leaving, they gave a letter severing familial ties. However, Yao Yao is a good child. Those are her parents—she won’t sever ties with them.
“As for the rest, I hope you will consider carefully, as this also concerns Captain He’s position.”
“Elder Brother Lu, these matters have already been explained to us by the third son. He has his own plans for his affairs. As parents, there’s little we can do to help—we just won’t hold him back. Since he likes the educated youth Lu, we will accept and respect that.”
“Good. In that case, let’s talk about the betrothal gifts.”
“We are in the countryside. As for the elder daughter-in-law’s side, the betrothal gift wasn’t much—only sixty-six yuan. We can only match that amount as the main gift. The rest will be made up by the third son himself, and we won’t interfere at all. Over the years, his military allowances have been kept with me. After the marriage, they will all be returned to him.”
Upon hearing this, He Lingfeng’s wife Zhang Xiaoyu’s expression changed drastically. She didn’t know how much the third son’s allowance was, only that it was a sum of money. Since the family hadn’t split, this money would all have to be returned to the second son—how much would they lose?
Zhang Xiaoyu tugged at He Lingfeng’s clothes, signaling him to say something.
He Lingfeng ignored her, leaving her embarrassed and unsure what to do, yet unwilling to give up the money.
So Zhang Xiaoyu spoke up: “Mother, we haven’t divided the family yet. Isn’t it inappropriate to give all this money to the third son?”
As soon as she said this, the He family’s expressions changed. Lu Zhiheng smiled faintly, finding it interesting.
“Sister-in-law, that is my allowance. Am I not allowed to control my own money?” He Lingyun felt that his future brother-in-law would definitely disagree with this.
“Third brother, we haven’t split the family. The money you earn is given to Mother, so it belongs to the family. How can it all go to you?”
In order to get the money, Zhang Xiaoyu no longer held back.
Even the usually coarse Wu Guihua felt thoroughly embarrassed. In front of the in-laws, the eldest daughter-in-law was so openly fixated on money—this was truly improper.
“Shut up. Who gave you the right to speak here? If you keep talking nonsense, go back to your parents’ home.”
He Lingfeng did not expect his wife to say such things. Back when their mud house collapsed, it was repaired using the third son’s allowance. Even the current house was built with that money.
How could she have the face to say such things?
He Lingfeng apologized to Lu Zhiheng with a smile, then directly dragged Zhang Xiaoyu out of the main hall. The woman was obsessed with money—even the funds for the third son’s marriage were on her mind. She had completely lost all sense of propriety.
He Tiansheng awkwardly explained: “Elder Brother Lu, I’m truly sorry. That eldest daughter-in-law of ours is a bit foolish. Please don’t take her words to heart—they don’t count. I’ve already said that Lingyun’s allowance belongs to him, and no one will touch it.”
“Uncle He is reasonable. As for money, we are not short of it. And since our family only has this one girl, she may be a bit spoiled. If she has any shortcomings, you may call me—I will discipline her.”
“Big brother, Zhi Zhi is very good. No need for discipline.” He Lingyun couldn’t bear to have his fiancée be disciplined.
Lu Zhiheng neither agreed nor disagreed with this.
An hour later, all details were finalized.
The betrothal gift was set at 666 yuan—66 yuan provided by the He elders, and 600 yuan paid by He Lingyun himself. Three major household items and a radio would also be handled by He Lingyun. If they couldn’t be purchased, they could be replaced with cash.
Lu Zhiyao was nineteen that year. The wedding would be held when she turned twenty. After the wedding, she would directly follow him to the military region. Whether the He family divided or not was none of Lu Zhiheng’s concern, but he would not allow the eldest daughter-in-law to bully Lu Zhiyao.
“Lingyun, since you’ve mentioned the betrothal gift, I’ll also talk about the dowry. The items you’ve provided, we don’t want any of them. They will all be brought back with Yao Yao. In addition, we will provide a dowry of 1,000 yuan in cash and one bicycle. The cash will be given outright. We will prepare both the money and the bicycle voucher. Everything that should be there will be prepared.”
Hearing the 1,000 yuan in cash, the He family all drew in a sharp breath.
Returning all the dowry items along with 1,000 yuan in cash—this was truly generous.
But it wasn’t surprising. The people in Lu Zhiyao’s family had all held jobs before, and their positions were not low. Having money was normal. Even though they had gone to Xinjiang, their foundation still remained.
With all the details settled, the wedding date was also set for August 18 of the following year. By then, it was almost time for lunch. He’s mother had already prepared the dishes and was just waiting to cook.
Lu Zhiheng stayed at the He family chatting with Grandfather He and Father He, while He Lingyun went to Grandfather He’s house to bring Lu Zhiyao over for the meal.
This meal served as the engagement banquet between the two families.
In the countryside, engagement banquets were not common, so a simple family meal was enough. The wedding itself would have a proper banquet later.
When Lu Zhiyao saw He Lingyun’s heated gaze, she knew the discussion had been completed.
“Zhi Zhi, from today on, you are my fiancée. Once I return to the unit, I’ll submit the marriage application. Next year, I’ll marry you and bring you home!”
Lu Zhiyao nodded shyly. She was now someone with a fiancé too!
Looking at the blush on Lu Zhiyao’s face, He Lingyun couldn’t resist anymore. He gently took her cherry-like lips into his own. Worried that his future brother-in-law might notice, he only lightly kissed her before letting her go.
Lu Zhiyao glared at He Lingyun coyly and walked out the door. He Lingyun followed behind her, grinning foolishly.
From this moment on, he also had someone in his life. He could now openly be in a relationship with Lu Zhiyao.