Chapter 29: Discussing Marriage
Before arriving, Pan Yue had been deeply anxious that the Sheng family might not be satisfied with her. After all, Sheng Wanze was an incredibly outstanding man.
“Thank you, Auntie,” Pan Yue said softly as Mother Sheng scooped soup for her.
As the gracious host, Mother Sheng made sure everyone was well-fed. She ladled a large bowl of rich bone broth, making sure to include two large, meaty bones.
“For your sister,” Mother Sheng said, handing the bowl to Wanze. “She’s been up since dawn and busy in the kitchen all day.”
Sheng Wanze took the bowl and carefully set it down in front of Wanyan. Wanyan lowered her head, quietly sipping the “soup of maternal love” her mother had prepared.
“My dear in-law, you have truly raised your children well,” Mother Pan praised. “Your son is handsome and strapping, and your daughter is absolutely beautiful.”
Mother Pan looked at Sheng Wanyan’s delicate, refined face with genuine admiration. Even back in the capital, it would be difficult to find a girl with such striking, natural beauty.
“It’s all the children’s own good fortune,” Mother Sheng smiled warmly. What mother could remain completely humble when her children were being praised? If it wouldn’t have been socially unacceptable, she would have hired a marching band to celebrate.
Across the table, Pan Yue was secretly observing Sheng Wanyan. As her future sister-in-law, establishing a good relationship with her was crucial. If there was conflict between the sister-in-law and the new bride, her life within the Sheng family would be incredibly difficult.
Upon closer inspection, Pan Yue was silently stunned. Sheng Wanyan was far prettier than any of the girls in the military art troupe. Unlike the painfully thin, pale aesthetic that many girls starved themselves to achieve, Wanyan was radiant and full of life, her complexion glowing with a healthy, rosy tint like a fresh peach.
Suddenly, Sheng Wanyan looked up and caught Pan Yue staring.
Pan Yue flushed deeply, feeling incredibly embarrassed at being caught peeking. However, Sheng Wanyan just offered her a warm, easy smile. Pan Yue returned a shy, relieved smile, and the slight awkwardness between the two girls instantly evaporated.
Sheng Wanyan calmly continued eating her meat, listening quietly as the elders negotiated the engagement.
“My dear in-law,” Mother Pan began, “Old Pan and I are usually swamped with work, and it’s incredibly difficult for us to secure leave. We had to rush this engagement trip.”
“You understand our situation. Because of the strict nature of our jobs, vacation time is a rare luxury. We were hoping we could formalize the children’s marriage arrangements as soon as possible.”
Mother Pan wasn’t exaggerating. As the head nurse of a major military hospital, she worked grueling overtime shifts daily. Taking a long vacation was practically impossible.
“Your Xiaoze is my husband’s direct subordinate,” Mother Pan continued. “He is an exceptionally capable and courageous young man. Our entire family is deeply satisfied with him.”
“The nature of Old Pan’s career is the same as Xiaoze’s,” Mother Pan added. “Xiaoyue has grown up in that environment. She will undoubtedly become a highly qualified military wife; she already possesses the necessary ideological awareness.”
Hearing this, Mother Sheng felt a profound sense of relief. Being a military wife was incredibly difficult while the husband was away on dangerous missions. The woman had to shoulder the burden of managing everything at home, big and small, completely alone. Without a wife who deeply understood and accepted those sacrifices, the marriage was bound to be miserable.
“Mother Pan, as you know, my son is a soldier, and being a soldier’s wife is no easy task,” Mother Sheng replied earnestly. “Ever since Xiaoze joined the army, I have lived a life filled with constant worry and fear. Your Xiaoyue is a wonderful girl, and the two children clearly love each other. Naturally, we hope they can settle down soon as well.”
Hearing Mother Sheng’s heartfelt words, Mother Pan smiled warmly. Both sides had hit it off perfectly, sharing the mutual desire to see the young couple married quickly.
“I won’t hide anything from you,” Mother Sheng said, her tone turning more serious. “I have been incredibly worried about Xiaoze’s marriage prospects. You know our family’s situation—we only have this one son. He carries a heavy burden and significant responsibilities on his shoulders. Truly, Xiaoyue is taking on a lot by marrying him.”
Hearing this, Pan Yue shook her head slightly. She had chosen Sheng Wanze, and she had thought through all the implications long ago.
“My dear relative, I completely understand your concerns,” Mother Pan said softly. “When my Old Pan was deployed on long missions, our family went through the exact same struggles. Please rest assured. As the daughter of a soldier, our Xiaoyue is ideologically committed and psychologically prepared.”
Mother Pan continued to offer firm reassurances, fully understanding the underlying anxieties in Mother Sheng’s heart.
“We know he is your only son. Since Xiaoyue has chosen to marry Wanze and become your daughter-in-law, she fully understands the filial burdens she must help bear,” Mother Pan said clearly. “If your Xiaoze continues to earn merits, he might be able to apply for a three-bedroom apartment in the family quarters. When you both retire, you could move there and enjoy your old age in peace.”
Mother Pan knew exactly what Mother Sheng was hinting at regarding her son’s duties. Mother Sheng had to admit, Mother Pan was incredibly sharp and deeply empathetic to her concerns.
“I will gladly borrow your good words, Mother Pan,” Mother Sheng smiled, a massive weight lifting from her chest.
With the core anxieties addressed, the two families moved on to discuss the practical matters of the betrothal gifts and the dowry.
“In our household, we have one son and one daughter, and we absolutely do not favor boys over girls,” Mother Sheng stated firmly. “The salary that Xiaoze has sent back over the years will be split: half will be given to the couple as a settling-in allowance, and the other half will remain with us as an emergency fund.
“As for our own savings, Old Sheng and I will divide them equally between our two children when they marry. For the bride price, we will offer 666 yuan—an auspicious number for good luck.
“Furthermore, our family just purchased two bicycles, originally intending to give one to each child when they wed. However, since Xiaoze and Xiaoyue will be moving into the military family quarters, transporting a bicycle might be inconvenient. If you prefer, we can simply provide the cash equivalent instead.
“As for the sewing machine and the wristwatch, we will arrange for them. Since a sewing machine is a massive, bulky item, we will provide the cash and the industrial coupons. Once the young couple settles into the military base, they can purchase one locally. It will be much more convenient, and we certainly won’t let Xiaoyue suffer any grievances.”
As Mother Sheng laid out the family’s terms, the Pan family listened with growing satisfaction. The Sheng family was showing immense, undeniable sincerity. The “Three Big Items”—a bicycle, a watch, and a sewing machine—were the ultimate luxury standard for a wedding. Most families struggled to provide even one, yet the Sheng family was casually offering all three.
It was clear proof of how deeply the Sheng family valued their new daughter-in-law. Hearing this, Father Pan felt a surge of relief for his youngest daughter. He knew he had chosen the perfect son-in-law. Although the Sheng family wasn’t wealthy or powerful, they were an honest household of state workers with harmonious elders and sensible children. His daughter would undoubtedly live a good life marrying into such a family.
“Mother Sheng, your arrangements are incredibly thoughtful,” Mother Pan replied with a warm smile. “We will provide a dowry of 500 yuan. And of course, the watch, bicycle, and sewing machine funds you provide will all be returned with the bride as part of her dowry to start their new life.”
Originally, Mother Pan had considered matching the 666 yuan, but she quickly swallowed the thought. When her eldest daughter, Pan Xing, got married, they had given her a 500-yuan dowry. While their family could easily squeeze out an extra 166 yuan, it was better not to plant seeds of resentment. If the two sisters became jealous and started comparing their dowries, it would ruin their relationship forever.
“That is perfectly fine,” Mother Sheng agreed happily. “It’s all going to the two children anyway. How they choose to manage their finances after they marry is their own business.”
Mother Sheng was deeply satisfied. In this era, it was tragically common for families to marry off their daughters without giving them a single penny, treating the bride price as pure profit to subsidize their sons. The Pan family’s generosity spoke volumes about their character.
With the terms finalized, the families agreed that the couple would officially register their marriage and hold the ceremony the next time they could secure leave!
Sheng Wanze noted that, barring any emergencies, he should be granted leave around late October. By then, he would officially be a married man.
Hearing that their marriage was set in stone, Pan Yue looked across the table at Sheng Wanze, her eyes shining with excitement. Sheng Wanze picked up a tender piece of meat, placed it in her bowl, and offered her a deeply reassuring look.
Sitting on the sidelines, Sheng Wanyan watched the entire exchange, feeling like she was choking on a massive mouthful of metaphorical “dog food” from their sweet, sneaky glances.
But as Sheng Wanyan chewed her meat, a sudden, horrifying realization dawned on her.
Sheng Wanze’s marriage was officially settled. Once this momentous event was concluded… wouldn’t her parents’ intense, matchmaking focus immediately pivot back to her?
