Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Betrothal Gifts and Dowry

Next came the discussion of the wedding arrangements between both families.

Liang Zhiqiu, the mother-in-law, was remarkably open-minded. She fully respected the wishes of the young couple, setting only the general direction and letting them fill in the details. She was truly considerate.

She also said, “I originally wanted to prepare a marital home for you, but considering your current situation, I think you should decide for yourselves where you want to live. Don’t feel bound by tradition. Our home will always have a room for you, and you’re welcome to come back and stay anytime.”

Now that the children were grown and had their own lives, they wouldn’t tie them down or meddle in their affairs—nor did they have the right to. They already owed Yun Jiuzhou so much, and all they wanted now was to treat them as well as possible and make up for the years of regret.

Gu Qinghuan let out a quiet sigh of relief. She’d been worried that Yun Jiuzhou’s new status would bring a host of restrictions.

Take the living arrangements, for example. Yun Jiuzhou was still in school and rarely at home, so she continued living with the children in the villa. Gu Lanting, Zhong Zijun, and Ming Ruxue were there too. The family was rarely together, but they’d grown used to it.

Sometimes Yun Jiuzhou would come over at night, and when he was busy, he just stayed in the school dormitory.

Liang Zhiqiu’s approach made Gu Qinghuan feel truly cared for.

After the Yun family left, Zhong Zijun solemnly handed Gu Qinghuan the betrothal gifts they’d brought.

“Here, take a look!”

When Gu Qinghuan opened the box, she finally understood why Zhong Zijun had been so shocked earlier.

This mother-in-law was really generous! The deed to an entire department store had already been transferred to her name.

She hadn’t managed to achieve financial freedom on her own yet, but thanks to her husband’s family—well, to be precise, thanks to her man—she’d gotten there first.

And even though Liang Zhiqiu hadn’t prepared a marital home for them, the two properties she gave were clearly chosen with care.

One was a small villa, just a ten-minute walk from where they currently lived.

The other was a three-courtyard siheyuan right next to Huaqing. Yun Jiuzhou was living in the school dorms now, which was sometimes inconvenient. They could easily move into this house.

“Huanhuan, you really lucked out and married the right person. The Yun family is truly wealthy—they don’t do things by halves! You’re all focused on the value of the properties, but honestly, this box of trinkets is worth just as much as those deeds.

“Take this little bracelet, for example. It’s made from rare imperial jade, and the design is youthful and stylish—not at all old-fashioned. It’s clear a lot of thought went into it.

“And this pair of bangles—you won’t find anything like them on the market. If you sold them, in a good year, they’d be worth several large houses.”

Bai Jie’s family had been in the antiques business, so she had a sharp eye and knew her stuff.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t really understand these things. She just knew they were valuable, but she hadn’t expected them to be worth so much. Suddenly, she felt as if she were holding a hot potato—she didn’t know whether to accept them or not.

It felt wrong to accept such expensive gifts for nothing.

Cheng Shuying patted her hand, offering reassurance.

“Huanhuan, don’t underestimate yourself. The Yun family may be wealthy, but you’re no less than them. You saved Jiuzhou’s life. For them to give you these things is only right. Just accept them.”

In the old lady’s eyes, her granddaughter was the best—no one was out of her league. Marrying into the Yun family was their good fortune.

Zhong Ziyan also knew the story of how Gu Qinghuan and Yun Jiuzhou met in the countryside.

“Huanhuan, relationships are about mutual support. Everything you have now is the result of what you gave back then. You deserve it!”

Seeing Gu Qinghuan’s anxious expression, Bai Jie instantly regretted saying so much and making the girl so uneasy.

Zhong Weiqian had known Gu Qinghuan for years and understood her well. He knew her concerns.

Gu Qinghuan was proud—independent, resilient, hardworking, and self-reliant.

She liked to be on equal footing: you’re good, but so am I. She didn’t want to be dependent on anyone.

She was gentle on the outside but strong inside.

Perhaps because of her mother’s absence, she’d been hurt a lot, and he felt she lacked a sense of security. She was always afraid of being at a disadvantage, of losing control over her own life.

Most people would be delighted by such good fortune, but she felt more anxious than happy—afraid she’d end up passive, at someone else’s mercy.

After thinking it over, he made up his mind.

“Don’t worry, child. Grandpa has also prepared a dowry for you—one that’s worth ten or even a hundred times more than what they’ve given. Our family is in no way inferior to the Yun family.” Zhong Weiqian gently patted his granddaughter’s shoulder.

For a moment, everyone turned to look at Zhong Weiqian in confusion.

Hadn’t all their family’s valuables been lost to war and looting? Was there anything left?

Even Cheng Shuying looked baffled.

Had the old man been hiding something from her? What could possibly be so valuable? He’d better not be exaggerating.

Zhong Weiqian cleared his throat and announced, “I never mentioned it before because I was afraid it would be discovered and stolen, and we’d be left with nothing but empty hopes.

“Let me make this clear: I’ve already decided this item will be Huanhuan’s dowry, and no one is allowed to object. If you do, keep it to yourself.

“These years in Xujiatun, Zijun and Qinghuan have supported us old folks. Without the two of them, we wouldn’t have survived.

“Especially Huanhuan—her resilience and strength have amazed me.

“I, Zhong Weiqian, have taught countless students in my life, produced many geniuses, but in the end, it wasn’t those geniuses who shouldered the family’s burdens—it was this child’s young shoulders.

“I’m proud to have a granddaughter like her.

“Maybe you don’t know: when Zijun broke her arm and almost became disabled, she was the only able-bodied one among us three. If she’d been incapacitated, all three of us would have been finished. You can imagine what would have happened.

“The three of us couldn’t even scrape together ten yuan.

“To save Zijun, this child exchanged her own marriage for a hundred yuan—she gambled her entire future and married Yun Jiuzhou, who at the time was still bedridden and considered a madman by everyone.

“I still remember that day—she came back from the hospital and brought me chicken soup. The two of us worked half an acre of land together.

“I had no idea where the money came from. I even scolded her for being wasteful. How much pain must she have felt then?

“If I’d known… but even if I had, there was nothing I could have done.

“I was helpless. After a lifetime of pride, it was only in old age that I realized how desperate and suffocating a poor family’s life can be.

“If not for fate’s kindness, if Yun Jiuzhou hadn’t turned out to be a good man, her life would have been ruined.

“Even Heaven took pity on her, and as her grandfather, how could I not?

“That’s why I want to give her the only thing our family has left. Does anyone object?”

As the old man spoke, his eyes filled with tears. The memories felt as vivid as yesterday.

Fortunately, the worst was over, and the boat had finally sailed through the mountains."