sinovels Chapter 792: Giving Chen Zhe Advice
Chapter 792: Giving Chen Zhe Advice
Just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Zhe arrived at Huang Xiaochuan's house.
After the two children politely greeted Chen Zhe, they went about their own business, knowing that the adults had something to talk about.
"Hey? Where's your Xiang-jie?" Chen Zhe asked, having not seen the lady of the house for a while.
While brewing tea, Huang Xiaochuan replied, "Recently, Kerui Pharmaceuticals developed a drug that is currently undergoing clinical trials at Ruijin Hospital. Yu Xiang needs to go there to check the experimental data and such, so she spends most of her time at the hospital."
"I think I saw that in the news. I really didn't expect it to produce such a great result."
Huang Xiaochuan smiled and said, "This is all thanks to the hard work of the researchers."
As a scholar himself, Chen Zhe naturally empathized with Huang Xiaochuan's words: "Yes, researchers really do work hard!"
Huang Xiaochuan placed a cup of tea in front of Chen Zhe: "What brings you to my house today? You even bought gifts for my two little ones!"
"Hehe!" Chen Zhe scratched his head sheepishly. "I went to Cheng Ling's house yesterday. I felt incredibly flattered there. Her family was so welcoming. What I didn't expect was that Cheng Ling's fourth sister's husband is actually your second brother! What a small world! Did you already know this?"
Huang Xiaochuan laughed and avoided the last topic, teasing Chen Zhe: "Didn't expect that, did you! After you get married, you'll become brothers-in-law with my second brother, and we'll have another layer of kinship."
Upon careful consideration, Chen Zhe realized it was true. Although it was somewhat of a stretch, they were indeed related. This whole affair had caused quite a stir.
Chen Zhe came to his friend's house today, firstly to express his gratitude in person, and secondly to ask his friend for some advice.
"Xiaochuan, there's something else I'd like you to help me decide."
"What is it? Tell me!" Huang Xiaochuan picked up his Yongle underglaze red and blue-and-white porcelain teacup and took a sip of tea.
Chen Zhe and Huang Xiaochuan have been close friends for many years, so he laid out his problem to Huang Xiaochuan: "Yesterday, Cheng Ling's older sister chatted with me for a bit, and the implication was that she wanted me to marry Cheng Ling as soon as possible. I'm a little undecided, so I came to discuss it with you."
Yesterday, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Zhe visited the Cheng family and received a warm welcome. In particular, after meeting Chen Zhe in person, Cheng's mother was increasingly satisfied with her son-in-law, just like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, and Cheng's father was naturally the same.
During a casual chat, Cheng Ling's older sister suggested to Chen Zhe that they get married as soon as possible.
After learning the reason, Huang Xiaochuan asked Chen Zhe, "So what do you think? Don't you want to get married?"
Chen Zhe quickly waved his hand, "I didn't." Then he revealed his true thoughts, "I talked about this on my first visit to Cheng Ling's house yesterday. Wasn't that a bit too fast?"
Huang Xiaochuan smiled. He knew Chen Zhe's personality too well. He was a very bookish person, so it was normal for him to have such thoughts.
He laughed and scolded, "What's the rush! Don't you know how old you are? Sister Chengling is only thinking of you. She ran away from home and stayed in a dormitory for you, which means she's determined to marry you. And you're still being so hesitant. Get married as soon as possible, the sooner the better."
Seeing that his friends all agreed that he should get married soon, Chen Zhe nodded: "I understand!"
At this moment, Huang Xiaochuan's helpful nature kicked in again: "This matter! Here's what I think we should do: first pick an auspicious day, then we'll go to their home to propose marriage. The proposal must be a formal affair, so that the Cheng family can feel your sincerity."
Seeing that his friend was even more enthusiastic than him and had even mentioned the importance of ritual, Chen Zhe suddenly thought of something: "You're not going to make me pretend to be a cow, are you?"
Huang Xiaochuan was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, laughing uncontrollably.
After finally stopping, he asked Chen Zhe, "Why would you think that? It happened eight hundred years ago, and you still haven't forgotten?"
Chen Zhe was referring to the time when the three of them dressed up as cows to help Ding Yi pursue Qi Huan back in college.
Chen Zhe said to his friend with utmost seriousness, "You've always been a very reliable person, but you occasionally come up with some strange and unusual ideas, so I want to give you a heads-up."
Huang Xiaochuan waved his hands: "Do you still think we're like we were in our teens or twenties? People do things according to their age. Even if you asked me to do it now, I wouldn't! We're people of status and position now. If we keep doing this, people will laugh their heads off."
Chen Zhe laughed when he heard this. His friend was right. If he continued to do that now, he would be laughed at. Besides, it was not a very steady thing to do.
He asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Huang Xiaochuan thought for a moment and said, "Of course we should follow the rules. The main reason Cheng Ling's parents didn't approve of your relationship was because you were divorced. So, you have to treat this marriage proposal as if it were your first wedding and make it a grand affair."
Chen Zhe listened and nodded.
Huang Xiaochuan continued to offer advice: "Your father-in-law smokes and drinks, so cigarettes and alcohol are essential. I'll prepare those for you. The cigarettes don't need to be too good; Soft Zhonghua will do. Usually, it's two cartons of cigarettes and two bottles of alcohol, but you have to give him ten cartons of cigarettes and two cases of Moutai. You can also take some tea from me; you can't buy any good tea yourself."
Suddenly, Huang Xiaochuan remembered something: "Oh right, there are also candies and snacks. I heard that they usually come with four kinds of candies and snacks, but you can double that and give me eight kinds. You can ask your parents to buy them for you; they know how to choose. Also, bring some fruit baskets and some ginseng and bird's nest, and that should be about right."
Chen Zhe then reminded him, "Should we bring betrothal gifts? And jewelry too?"
Chen Zhe's words reminded Huang Xiaochuan: "Right, right, you still lack experience! You forgot about these two important things. The betrothal gifts must be brought, and jewelry is also necessary."
Chen Zhe then pleaded for help, "How much should the betrothal gift be? Could you help me take a look at this jewelry? I don't know how to buy it!"
Huang Xiaochuan looked Chen Zhe up and down carefully, leaving Chen Zhe somewhat at a loss. Then Huang Xiaochuan asked, "How much money do you have right now? Tell me first."
Huang Xiaochuan asked this because he knew that Chen Zhe left with nothing after divorcing Chen Qiao. Although he had been back for a while, the combined salary and various subsidies from both sides amounted to at most 200,000 yuan. If they were to get married simply, that would be enough.
But that's absolutely not acceptable. How can that show how much Chen Zhe values Cheng Ling? How can it put the Cheng family at ease?
Chen Zhe thought for a moment and replied, "My savings are about 220,000. I also have some money that Ding Yi has been managing for me. That money has a stable annual return, about 1 million a year. If that's not enough, I'll have to withdraw the principal."