Chapter 411: 264 Gathering in Pingjiang City, the most bizarre engagement ceremony (3 updates)
The engagement was held in Pingjiang, and the entire Jiang Family arrived a day early, traveling together with Shen Zhixian, Taotao, and Xie Duo.
Although Xieâs senior had no ties with the Tang Family, he was an old acquaintance of Grandma Jiang. It was only right for the Xie Family to send someone for Jiang Jinsangâs engagement. Plus, since Shen Zhixian was invited, and he was getting on in years, he had Xie Duo run the errand.
Tang Wan and Tang Yunxian personally went to the airport to pick up the guests.
The grandmother wasnât sure if it was due to excitement or if it was just too hot in Pingjiang Cityâonce she got off the plane, she broke into a sweat.
She held onto Tang Wanâs hand, remarking on how much Pingjiang had changed.
Since it was still early, everyone was arranged to check into the hotel directly. The rooms had been booked days before, so Tang Wan took care of the check-in with everyoneâs identity cards and then distributed the room cards.
Grandma and the couple Jiang Zhenhuan, Jiang Chengsi, and Jiang Jinsang were settled in a four-person apartment suite.
"Big Brother, these are for you and Teacher Shen," said Tang Wan as she handed the room card to Jiang Yanting before giving a single room card to Xie Duo, "Master Xie, this is yours."
Shen Zhixian arched an eyebrow subtly. She and Jiang Yanting...
Sharing a room?
But before she could say anything, someone else beat her to it.
"Miss Tang, about this arrangement... isnât it somewhat inappropriate?" Xie Duo frowned.
Although he knew about the situation between Jiang Yanting and his aunt, it just seemed wrong for a bachelor and a single woman to share accommodations.
"Iâve booked them a suite; they arenât in the same room. Plus, they both have children. Itâs bound to be noisy, and it wouldnât be suitable to place them with grandma and my fifth brotherâone is elderly and canât take the noise, the other is sick and needs rest. When the two children are together, theyâre easier to manage and will have each other for company."
Tang Wan explained to Xie Duo with reasonable and well-thought-out points.
She was indeed trying to play matchmaker for Jiang Yanting and Shen Zhixian, even rationalizing with a bunch of sound arguments.
"Xie Duo, why donât you stay with my brother? You can take care of the children?" Jiang Chengsi said with a laugh.
Xie Duo and Jiang Yanting exchanged glances. They had been rivals since childhood, and now there was a chance that one could become the otherâs uncle. If looks could kill with sharpness, Jiang Yanting would have been sliced to ribbons by Xie Duoâs gaze by now.
If the two of them stayed in the same room, it was likely they might come to blows.
Gritting his teeth, Xie Duo relented, "Let it be so, then."
Once that was decided, he helped Shen Zhixian carry her luggage upstairs. They were only here for an engagement party, and the stay wasnât long, but Shen Zhixian didnât travel light, especially with a child in tow.
"Dad, why arenât you helping?" Jiangjiang tugged at his deadbeat dadâs clothes. "You need to be proactive."
Not only was this father a slacker, but he was also obtuse. At this rate, when would he ever get together with his mother?
"Be proactive with what?" Jiang Yanting raised an eyebrow.
"Be proactive and help out. You need to make a good impression."
"Huh?"
"Itâs like this on TV: to woo a girl, a guy has to be extra nice to her, to get her to notice him. You need to take the initiative."
"Later on, weâll be under the same roof. There will be plenty of chances to impress. Right now, we have free labor for moving the luggage. Why reject it?"
Jiangjiangâs little face scrunched up; his fatherâs words seemed... somewhat reasonable.
Once Tang Wan and Tang Yunxian had the Jiang Family settled, they hurried off to take care of other matters, with Tang Yunxian heading to the hotel to finalize details for the engagement party.
The marriage wedding would definitely be managed by the Jiang Family, so for the engagement party, Tang Yunxian nearly did everything himself, taking it very seriously. Meanwhile, Tang Wan drove to the train station to pick up more guests.
On the way, she received a call from Ruan Mengxi.
"Hello, Xixiâ"
"My plane lands tonight around six, and I should arrive in Pingjiang by around nine."
"Should I come pick you up?"
"No need. Youâve been tired lately. My dad will come to get me."
"Then just be safe."
"Itâs not just me; Iâll be with him..." Ruan Mengxi was, of course, talking about Qi Zeyan. Whenever she mentioned him, her voice seemed to carry a sweet breeze.
With Jiang Jinsangâs engagement, Qi Zeyan was certain to attend, but unlike the Jiang Family, he was not in such a rush. As long as he could make it to the engagement ceremony the next day, that was fine, and he booked an evening flight.
Ruan Mengxi had originally planned to ask for time off to return with him. But before she could even speak, Qi Zeyan said to her, "This time Iâm going to Pingjiang, youâll come with me. Book two tickets."
"With you?" Ruan Mengxi was pleasantly surprised. Strictly speaking, she was Xiaozhuâs assistant, and when Qi Zeyan traveled, it was usually Xiaozhu who came along on a whim.
"Would you rather not?" Qi Zeyan already intended to bring an assistant on the trip, and since she was Tang Wanâs close friend, he thought it convenient to include her.
"Not at all, I want to."
Publicly-funded travel, plus she could see Qi Zeyan all the timeâwhatâs there not to like?