klisemfg Chapter 174: A "Chinese-Style" In-Laws Negotiation
Chapter 174: A "Chinese-Style" In-Laws Negotiation
On a sunny Saturday, Liu Yixin and Fu Yu's families arranged to meet at a charming, traditional private restaurant to discuss their marriage. Liu Yixin and Fu Yu stood at the entrance, filled with anticipation and a touch of nervousness as they awaited the arrival of their parents.
"Yixin, do you think our parents will have a falling out later?" Fu Yu scratched his head and asked with a worried look.
Liu Yixin rolled her eyes at him, "You jinx, can't you hope for something good? Both our families are so reasonable, we can definitely settle things peacefully."
Just then, the taxi carrying Liu Yixin's parents, Liu Xuan and Li Yuan, slowly came to a stop. Liu Yixin hurriedly went to greet them, "Dad, Mom, you've finally arrived!"
As soon as Liu Xuan got out of the car, he looked around and said, "This place is quite stylish. It seems that Fu Yu has good taste."
Li Yuan chuckled and patted Liu Xuan's arm, "You talk too much, hurry up and go inside."
As soon as they entered the private room, Fu Yu's parents, Fu Jianguo and Lin Ya, arrived. The two families exchanged warm greetings upon meeting.
"Oh my, Brother Liu, Sister Li, it's great to see you! I've often heard Fu Yu talk about Yi Xin, and seeing her today, this girl is truly beautiful!" Lin Ya said with a smile, holding Liu Yi Xin's hand.
Li Yuan retorted, "Brother Fu, Sister Lin, Fu Yu is also a handsome young man. He and Yi Xin look so well-matched!"
After everyone sat down, the waiter began serving the dishes. After a few cups of tea, the atmosphere gradually warmed up, and the conversation naturally turned to the bride price and the wedding.
Fu Jianguo cleared his throat and spoke first: "Brother Liu, Sister Li, let's not beat around the bush about the children's affairs. Let's settle the bride price and wedding arrangements today. What are your thoughts on the bride price?"
Liu Xuan put down his teacup and said with a smile, "Brother Fu, we don't necessarily need a large dowry. We just want something auspicious and a token of our good wishes. You can give whatever you think is appropriate. The main thing is that we hope the children will be happy in the future."
Fu Jianguo nodded. "Brother Liu is right. We don't intend to mistreat Yixin either. We've prepared a bride price, symbolizing that the children will have a prosperous future. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's face lit up with joy. "Oh, Brother Fu, Sister Lin, you're too kind. We're very satisfied with the dowry. Actually, we don't care about the money; we just feel it's a ceremony that lets the children know that marriage is a big deal."
Lin Ya continued, "So, what are your thoughts on the wedding? There are all sorts of wedding styles these days, including Western, Chinese, and even outdoor ones. Lao Fu and I are overwhelmed by all the options."
Liu Yixin's eyes lit up, and she eagerly said, "Fu Yu and I both really like Chinese weddings. They feel very charming and can also pass on our traditional culture."
Fu Yu chimed in, "Yes, Mom and Dad, Chinese weddings are so lively and festive! Wearing phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, and scholar's attire, bowing to heaven and earth and to our parents—it's so ceremonial!"
Liu Xuan stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Chinese-style weddings are indeed nice, but many so-called Chinese-style weddings nowadays are not authentic. They are just for the sake of liveliness and do not have that traditional charm."
Fu Jianguo nodded in agreement: "Brother Liu is right. If we're going to have a Chinese wedding, we have to do it properly. I've heard there are teams that specialize in studying Chinese wedding etiquette. We can ask them to handle it."
Lin Ya said with some concern, "Hiring a professional team must be quite expensive, right?"
Liu Yixin smiled and said, "Mom, don't worry about the money. Fu Yu and I have saved some over the years. Besides, we think that a wedding only happens once in a lifetime, so it's worth spending a little money to make it meaningful."
Li Yuan chimed in, "Yes, Lin, as long as the kids are happy. Besides, this is a major life event for them, and we parents should help out as much as we can."
Just as everyone was having a heated discussion, Liu Yixin's younger brother, Liu Qicheng, suddenly blurted out: "I think traditional Chinese weddings are nice, but the bride and groom have to kneel the whole time during the wedding ceremony. That must be so tiring!"
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. Fu Yu chuckled and patted Liu Qicheng on the shoulder, "You silly boy, always worrying about nothing. In the end, it'll be your sister and me who get tired, why are you worrying about this!"
Liu Qicheng stuck out his tongue. "I'm just thinking of you guys."
After the laughter subsided, everyone continued discussing the details of the wedding.
“There are quite a few steps involved in a traditional Chinese wedding, so we need a reliable emcee to officiate,” Liu Xuan said.
Fu Jianguo nodded. "I have a friend who knows some experienced Chinese wedding emcees. I'll ask him to help me contact them and see if we can hire them."
Lin Ya then asked another question: "Where should we choose for the wedding venue? I think a traditional garden or courtyard house would be quite suitable."
Liu Yixin's eyes lit up. "Mom, I know a perfect place, it's the historical and cultural park in our city. It has a lot of ancient buildings and a really nice atmosphere."
Fu Yu also agreed: "Yes, I've been to that place too, and it's really nice. Plus, the venue is big enough to accommodate a lot of guests."
Liu Xuan and Fu Jianguo exchanged a glance, both agreeing that it was a good idea. "Okay, let's hold it in the History and Culture Park then," Liu Xuan decided.
Next, everyone discussed details such as wedding attire and menu. Regarding wedding attire, Liu Yixin and Fu Yu both hoped to have a custom-made phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, as well as a scholar's robe, made entirely by hand. Although the price was considerable, they both felt it was worthwhile for the sake of a perfect wedding.
Regarding the dishes, both families reached a consensus to focus on traditional Chinese cuisine while also catering to the guests' tastes by preparing some local snacks.
“The wedding arrangements are almost finalized, so I think we should start discussing the wedding home,” Li Yuan suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Fu Jianguo quickly replied, "We've already prepared the wedding house. It's in that new neighborhood in the city center. It's a three-bedroom apartment, and it's quite spacious. It'll definitely be enough for the kids."
Liu Xuan smiled and said, "Brother Fu, you've really thought of everything. What about the renovation?"
Fu Yu said with a smile, "Yi Xin and I have already discussed the decoration. We plan to decorate it in a Chinese style to match the style of the wedding."
Lin Ya nodded, "That's great, it has its own style. And it'll be comfortable to live in from now on."
Just when everyone thought everything was almost settled, Liu Yixin suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, the best man and maid of honor for the wedding haven't been decided yet."
Fu Yu scratched his head. "Yeah, I completely forgot about that. I was planning to have my best buddies be my groomsmen. Yi Xin, what about you?"
Liu Yixin thought for a moment, "I'd like to have a few of my best friends be my bridesmaids, but they're all quite lively and energetic, so I hope they don't cause too much trouble at the wedding."
Liu Qicheng chimed in, "Sis, can I be a groomsman? I promise I won't embarrass you."
Liu Yixin smiled and pinched his cheek, "No way, you're my own brother."
Liu Qicheng pouted, looking dejected. Seeing this, Fu Yu quickly said, "Qicheng, although you can't be the best man, you're the bride's younger brother, so there will be opportunities in the future."
Upon hearing this, Liu Qicheng's eyes immediately lit up. "Really?"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh at Liu Qicheng's excited expression.
After an afternoon of discussion, Liu Yixin and Fu Yu successfully finalized the details of their betrothal gifts, wedding ceremony, and marital home. Both families were very satisfied with the outcome, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.
"Come on, let's drink to the children's happiness!" Fu Jianguo raised his glass, his face beaming.
Everyone raised their glasses, "Cheers!"
Amidst laughter and joy, the meeting between the two families came to a successful conclusion. Liu Yixin and Fu Yu held hands, looking at each other with eyes full of anticipation for their future life together. They knew that with the blessings and support of both families, their marriage would surely be as happy and romantic as the upcoming traditional Chinese wedding.