RYEY – Chapter 237 Getting Married

“Here, this is me and my wife, in the middle is my son, this is my mother, and this is my sister.” Li Huan finally found a family photo and proudly presented it like a treasure.

Qin Daqiang took the photo and studied the petite and delicate Li Le, her hair in two braids tied with red ribbons. Her face was indeed charming and refined.

“Son, take a look at your wife. Do you like her?”

At first, Qin Guoqing felt annoyed and resistant, but seeing Li Huan holding out the family photo, he didn’t want to disrespect Brother Huan by refusing. So he leaned closer.

But at that glance, he couldn’t help but freeze for a moment. Why did this little girl look so much like the girl from his dreams? He blinked, feeling a bit dazed.

“So, what do you think? Do you like her?”

Qin Daqiang was always so straightforward—nod if you like her, shake your head if you don’t.

Qin Guoqing thought for a moment, then suddenly understood his father’s meaning. Brother Huan and his wife were so capable; if they became relatives, perhaps their lives would be more secure.

“Dad, I…I’m willing, but Brother Huan’s sister is still young.”

“She’s young now, but won’t she grow up in the blink of an eye? I still remember when your mother died, I held you—like a little mouse. And now? Look at you, all grown up.”

Cheng Qiao was drinking water at that moment and sprayed it out at hearing Qin Daqiang’s words. Luckily, she reacted quickly and ended up spraying it all onto Li Huan’s face.

“Dad, that description is way too harsh. Where is there a child like a mouse? Seriously.”

Qin Daqiang knew he had misspoken, but where’s the father who apologizes to his son? He simply picked up his chopsticks, put some food into Qin Guoqing’s bowl, and considered the matter settled.

Cheng Liguo nodded. He could already foresee the happy life Qin Guoqing would have. Having stayed at the Li family for a while, he had a very good impression of little Li Le.

Hardworking and simple, clever and lively, kind and diligent, yet unafraid of authority—this character was perfect for a military wife.

“Cheng, what do you think? If the Qin, Li, and Cheng families became relatives?”

“Sure. As long as the two kids agree, I’m all for it. But it depends on the children.”

“Depends on the children? Here with Guoqing, I call the shots.”

“Guoqing is a good child, I like him too. But Li Le isn’t just decided by you, Commander Qin. Marriages are free now; we can’t arrange it all ourselves.”

Cheng Liguo felt like a parent, patiently advising his son. It was a strangely delightful feeling, even if it had to be done discreetly.

“That’s true. Li Huan, then please go back and talk some sense into your sister. When the two families become one, just thinking about it makes me happy.”

“Dad, how much betrothal gift are you planning for Brother Huan’s sister?”

Qin Guoqing, disliking his father’s authoritarianism, asked coldly. Qin Daqiang was momentarily stunned—he had completely forgotten about the betrothal gift.

“Li Huan, what’s the custom in Xiangyang Village for betrothal gifts?”

“On the high end, 200 yuan plus a bicycle and new clothes. On the low end, 50 yuan is fine. It depends on the groom’s conditions.”

Hearing this, Qin Daqiang felt his heart settle. 200 yuan? His two months’ salary could cover it. As for the bicycle and other things, that was easy.

“I’ll give 300 yuan as the betrothal gift, and will prepare the bicycle, sewing machine, and new clothes.”

“Dad, where are you going to get all this money, and the tickets?”

“You’re really naive. Your future wife is only fourteen. Four years to save up. If you can’t even manage this, you might as well shoot yourself and spare us the embarrassment.”

Qin Guoqing: “…”

He only received 18 yuan a month as allowance. Even saving without eating, it would take four years to accumulate enough for a bicycle and sewing machine—but he’d starve in the process.

Seeing Qin Guoqing’s sour expression, Li Huan shook his head. Not smart, not smart—he already held the steering wheel. Bringing a little money for others? Problem solved.

That afternoon, Qin Guoqing accompanied Li Huan to the hospital. Respecting his older brother who had nearly died, Li Huan felt obliged to visit.

“Big brother, how are you?”

“Brother, why are you here? Is mom okay? Is Lele okay?”

Seeing Li Huan, Li Bing was startled. Had something happened to their mother or sister? Otherwise, why would Li Huan have come such a long way?

“Mom’s fine, Lele’s fine. I came to bring my wife home, but I only found out you were injured after arriving. So I came to see you. Here, malt extract, milk powder, fruits…”

Li Bing relaxed and nodded, then introduced a woman peeling an apple for him: “Brother, this is my fiancée, Jiang Meili. Meili, this is my brother Li Huan.”

They both stood and greeted each other. Jiang Meili even peeled an apple for Li Huan, but he waved it off. A grown man, he wasn’t used to being treated like a baby. He had completely forgotten how he used to wait for Cheng Qiao to feed him like a little bird.

“Brother, go back and tell mom that I’m marrying Meili. But don’t tell her I was injured, okay?”

“Mm, when’s the wedding? I’ll ask mom to prepare the new house.”

“No need. Just a place to sleep, and I’ll bring Meili home to register. We’ll still live here; the base will assign us a house.”

“You got promoted…you got promoted.”

“Yes, I achieved merits this time. Possibly promoted to deputy company commander.”

“Wow, not bad. As they say, wealth comes with risk. Be careful. Even if it means not getting promoted, keep your life safe, got it?”

Li Bing nodded repeatedly. Without Cheng Qiao, he might not have survived, let alone thought of marriage and promotion.

“When are you planning to go home for the wedding?”

“I’ve already submitted the marriage application. Once approved, we can marry immediately. Also, I’m already recovered, but my sister-in-law wants me to rest a couple more days—it’s too shocking otherwise.”

Li Huan nodded and let Li Bing lie flat in the hospital, resting as long as possible to avoid troubling Cheng Qiao. Jiang Meili, seeing the two brothers negotiating, wisely stayed out of the way.

Finally, Li Huan, Cheng Qiao, and little Cheng Li boarded the train home. This time, Qin Daqiang helped buy soft sleeper tickets, so Li Huan experienced the comfort of sleeping on the way back.

“Qiao, money and power really make life easier. Otherwise, I’d still be sitting on hard benches all the way home, my butt would be sore by the time we arrived.”

Cheng Qiao smiled and nodded, cautiously asking if Li Huan remembered introducing Li Le to Qin Guoqing. Li Huan laughed and nodded. With his drinking tolerance, there was no way Qin Daqiang could have gotten him drunk.