Chapter 251 The banquet is open!
Chen Qingrong thought for a moment and said, "You don't need to give a gift money. After all, we haven't gotten married yet. Not getting married means that I haven't separated from my parents yet. We are all family. My parents can give it to me."
"Is that right?"
"Yes, that's the custom here."
"But aren't you an only child? Even if we get married, you don't have to separate from your parents, right?"
"Dividing the family is just a term. It doesn't mean that I don't want my parents anymore. This is the custom here. No matter how many sons there are in the family, once they get married, they become two families. If we have a banquet, we have to give two gifts."
"Is that so?" Tang Xiaoru suddenly realized, "I really don't understand this. I was just wondering if 9,999 yuan is enough for the gift money."
Chen Qingrong was stunned, and immediately said with a smile, "Xiao Ru, even if we really want to give a gift, we don't have to give so much. For a relationship like mine and my fourth uncle's family, five hundred yuan is the most we can give."
"If you give someone 10,000 yuan, a reasonable family will be scared to death by you."
"Ah? Isn't five hundred a little too little?"
"It's a lot. It's a normal exchange of favors. We've never had the price you just mentioned."
"Well, it seems that I am still ignorant." Tang Xiaoru took a bite of the sugar cake, then gently pushed Chen Qingrong's leg with her hand and blinked, "Can you get me another one? I want more."
Chen Qingrong was happy, "If you want to eat, just go get it yourself. This is not a stranger's house."
"I'm a little embarrassed." Tang Xiaoru said a little shyly.
She was afraid that she would give Chen's father and mother the impression that she was too big a eater, which would affect her image.
But what Tang Xiaoru didn't know was that no parent would dislike their daughter-in-law just because she can eat. On the contrary, there is an old saying in the countryside that if you can eat, you can give birth.
The more you eat, the more you are considered to be blessed and a symbol of being able to give birth to a big fat boy.
On the contrary, women who have very small appetites and cannot eat much are less popular in rural areas.
This is only the case in some rural areas, not all of them. At least this is the case in Chen Qingrong's village.
"Okay, okay, then you wait."
Chen Qingrong couldn't do anything about her, so he went in again to get her some sugar cakes.
Tang Xiaoru stood up, took a video and sent it to her mother.
Lin Yue replied immediately, "Is this at Xiao Chen's house?"
Tang Xiaoru smiled and said, "Yes, the scenery is pretty good."
"It's pretty good. It's not as bad as I imagined. I thought the environment in the countryside was very bad. Where's Xiao Chen?"
"Chen Qingrong went to help me get my things. I'm going to the wedding with him tonight."
"We're having a feast tonight?"
"The first meal is in the evening, there will be another one tomorrow morning, and the main meal is at noon."
"It's amazing. It's not like in the city, no matter how much money you give as a gift, you only get one meal. It's a huge loss."
Tang Xiaoru smiled and didn't reply to her mother.
……
The evening banquet usually starts at seven o'clock. However, since it is a banquet after all, most people in the village will go to the host's house early.
The people in Chenjiatun are basically all related to each other. If one family has a problem, other people will come to help without being asked, which saves money on hiring workers.
As for the banquet, it is usually prepared by a chef from the village or town. The chef will give the host a menu, and the host's family will go to the town to prepare the dishes according to the menu.
Chefs basically don’t have much money, so they will be given a not-too-large red envelope, which includes enough cigarettes, alcohol and food.
After Tang Xiaoru went to the toilet, Chen Qingrong took her to her fourth uncle's house first.
Mom and Dad had already gone to help in advance. As for grandma, she had to wait until half an hour before the banquet started, when the head of the host family, that is, the man of that family, would come to invite her personally.
This is the rule.
All the elderly people in the family should be invited in person in this way.
It was already past four in the evening when we set out. There were more people in the village and we could meet villagers everywhere on the cement road.
When Chen Qingrong met people, he would call them uncle or aunt, and Tang Xiaoru followed suit.
"Qingrong, this is your girlfriend, so pretty." "Qingrong is promising, he graduated from university and is working in a big city, and now he has found a city girl to be his wife, he is promising."
"No wonder Old Chen's mouth has been grinning to his belt for a while now. It turns out there's something going on at home."
"Qingrong, when are you and your partner going to get married? I'm waiting to attend your wedding."
"..."
Most people really can't resist the enthusiasm of the villagers.
Although Tang Xiaoru was very adept at the workplace and had defeated her opponents, she was overwhelmed when faced with so many elders at once, as well as the curious gazes of some children.
Fortunately, Chen Qingrong was there to help her block it. She only needed to smile and nod, showing a puzzled look from time to time.
Then Chen Qingrong added, "She can't quite understand our dialect."
Instant kill, no solution.
After arriving at my fourth uncle's house, the atmosphere of a happy event overwhelmed me.
The weather has been very nice these past few days. It hasn't rained and it's not too hot. In the evening, the breeze is so comfortable.
"Oh, Qingrong, hahaha, you kid, it's not easy to see you once." Fourth Aunt walked over with a smile.
"Hello, Fourth Auntie, long time no see." Chen Qingrong grinned, pulled Tang Xiaoru aside and introduced her, "Fourth Auntie, this is my girlfriend, you can just call her Xiaoru."
"Hello, Fourth Aunt."
"Hello, hello." Fourth Aunt quickly grabbed Tang Xiaoru's hand and exclaimed, "No wonder Xiu'e is so happy. Qingrong, you are so promising. You found such a beautiful partner. Look at her fair face, like a star. You are so lucky."
Chen Qingrong chuckled.
"Go in and find a seat. The meal will be served in a while. By the way, Qingrong, take your partner to meet your sister. Your sister is in the attic on the second floor."
"it is good."
Chen Qingrong brought Tang Xiaoru into the yard and exchanged greetings again. This time, they went to the second floor and met their cousin whom they were not very familiar with.
The cousin chatted with them for a few words, and then Chen Qingrong took Tang Xiaoru downstairs first.
At this time, they met their mother, who grabbed a handful of wedding candy and gave them both. "Eat something first to fill your stomach. It will take a while before the feast starts. Qingrong, take Xiaoru and find a place to sit first."
"Mom, do I have to serve the dishes tonight?" Chen Qingrong asked.
Normally, boys of his age, when they return to their hometown in the countryside and sit at a table, are basically responsible for serving the dishes.
This is custom.
Wang Xiu'e slapped her forehead and said, "Look at my brain. I forgot about this matter. Whatever you want, Xiaoru, Qingrong will serve the dishes tonight. Can you sit there and eat by yourself? It won't take too long. He will come to the table to accompany you after he is done."
Tang Xiaoru smiled and nodded, "I can, auntie."
Tang Xiaoru was careless. When Wang Xiu'e really led her to the greenhouse to find a place to sit down, she felt numb all over.
Why are all the people here bringing children?
Fortunately, grandma came soon and sat at the same table with her, which made her relax a little.
Crackling.
The firecrackers rang out and the food began to be served.
Tang Xiaoru looked towards the open-air kitchen and saw Chen Qingrong and several other men walking towards them with trays of food.
Chen Qingrong had greeted a few brothers in advance, and he was responsible for Tang Xiaoru's table.
After carrying the tray over, Tang Xiaoru still felt a little embarrassed.
"Answer it, wife." Chen Qingrong shouted deliberately.
Several aunties who were taking care of the children suddenly smiled.
"Wife, Qingrong has really grown up. He has even started looking for a wife, haha."
Tang Xiaoru blushed, glanced at Chen Qingrong, stood up and took the plate, "Give it to me."
(End of this chapter)
