Little Buding held her slightly oversized head high and spoke with all seriousness.

It’s impossible to reason with kids, but luckily, Fang Minhui came over at this moment.

“What’s the matter, Little Buding?”

Shen Yuan said with a smile, “Your sister doesn’t know her full name. I asked her, and she only knew she’s called Little Buding.”

“Who says I don’t know?”

Little Buding put her hands on her hips and lifted her little chin: “My name is Fang Mingshi, ‘Fang’ as in ‘house’, ‘Min’ as in ‘clever’, ‘Shi’ as in ‘poem.’ I just didn’t want to tell you, meh meh meh~”

While speaking, Little Buding even stuck her tongue out at Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow: “Huh, such a cheeky little girl.”

“You’re the little girl, I’m not a little girl!”

Little Buding was feisty yet adorable.

Fang Minhui was amused by the scene. She had never seen Shen Yuan at a disadvantage and hadn’t expected her own sister to give him a good scolding.

“Go for it, sister, give him a hard time, this big baddy bullied your sister so badly last night.” Fang Minhui silently cheered on her sister.

Just as Shen Yuan was about to say something, Fang’s mother came over, took Little Buding by the hand with an apologetic face: “I’m sorry, the child doesn’t understand.”

“It’s okay, Auntie.”

Shen Yuan smiled gently; how could he possibly be upset with a child.

The stuff in the trunk was really not little, it piled up and even blocked the hallway at home.

Looking at the dazzling array of tobacco and alcohol gifts, both Fang’s father and mother were somewhat surprised.

“There’s so much?”

At this moment, a few neighbors strolled over with their hands behind their backs.

In the countryside, neighborhood relations are different from the city. People gather where there’s excitement. Of course, news spreads fast too, like whose son got into a key university, or who is getting a new daughter-in-law. Often within a day, the whole village would know.

With nothing much to do in the countryside, gossiping ranks as a top entertainment activity next to playing cards.

“Old Fang, that must be your future son-in-law, quite the handsome and distinguished young man.”

“Wow, you even brought so many things.”

Everyone’s eyes lingered on the pile of gifts, thinking that it’s true what they say about those who drive Mercedes-Benzes, they really spend generously. Buying Maotai by the case, tobacco by the 20 packs, and even the high-end ‘Hetianxia’ at 100 yuan a pack.

Not to mention sea cucumbers, bird’s nests, luxury goods… and even gold jewelry.

“Old Fang, you’ve really found a great son-in-law.”

A man around 50 patted Fang’s father forcefully on the shoulder, his eyes filled with envy. Those gifts were probably worth at least 100,000. Having such a son-in-law really brought prestige to the family.

Fang’s father scratched his head embarrassedly: “Ah, not at all, he’s not yet my son-in-law.”

“It’s only a matter of time.”

“Your Minhui is at the right age too. Hurry up and arrange the banquet, and you can expect grandchildren after the New Year.”

“With Minhui being so pretty and your son-in-law so handsome, the kids they’ll have will surely be adorable.”

“…..”

After a barrage of flattery, Fang’s father and mother didn’t know what to say. Both were honest and decent people, it was their first time receiving such attention besides their wedding.

This attention was also accompanied by discomfort. Fang’s father had even forgotten to distribute cigarettes but was reminded by Fang’s mother to do so, and he then beamed with pride as he took out a pack of Zhonghua from the cigarette cabinet.

“Wow, it’s different when the new son-in-law comes to the house. I’ve known you for so many years, Old Fang, but it’s the first time I see you giving out Zhonghua.”

“Next time you hand out cigarettes it’ll be your daughter’s wedding, right? Then it should be Hetianxia?”

Fang’s father scratched his head awkwardly: “It’s too early to say.”

The neighbors knew they were entertaining their “son-in-law” and didn’t stay long, just pulled a few idle talks before preparing to wander elsewhere.

However, when they saw Shen Yuan take out a thick red envelope from the car, everyone’s eyelids twitched.

My goodness, this red envelope has to be worth 100,000, right?

Damn that Old Fang, to have stumbled upon such a son-in-law.

It’s human nature to fear comparison. Thinking about how one’s own daughter’s marriage fared against another’s can lead to a feeling of imbalance.

Of course, while they may be envious, they were also jealous, Fang’s parents were kind people with a harmonious relationship with their neighbors, and nobody spoke ill behind their backs.

But given their ability to spread news, the “headlines” for the next three days would definitely be about the Fang family.

“Have you heard? Old Fang’s daughter brought her boyfriend home today, the guy is tall and handsome, and he even drove a big Benz, bringing gifts worth tens of thousands of yuan.”

“What? He actually bought gifts worth hundreds of thousands?”

“So wealthy, my goodness, gifts worth nearly a million could buy two houses in the county.”

“You guys don’t know yet, do you? The Fang family’s ancestral grave must be emitting green smoke. The daughter brought her boyfriend home, with gifts worth over a million yuan, and even gave away two apartments as presents.”

“….”

Shen Yuan: ??

When I say I don’t drink, do you go around saying I won’t live long?

……

When Fang’s parents received the thick red envelope, they hurriedly declined: “Shen, there’s no need, you’ve already brought so many gifts, we can’t take your money too.”

Shen Yuan waved his hand with a smile: “Uncle, auntie, it’s just a small gift for meeting you, please accept it.”

“This is too much…”

Fang’s mother weighed the envelope in her hand, estimating at least ten bundles of cash.

Who gives 100,000 as a meeting gift?

“Please, take it.”

“……”

After much persuasion and seeking their daughter’s confirmation, they hesitantly accepted.

Just then, Little Buding suddenly spoke up, tugging at Shen Yuan’s arm, “Driver Uncle, I want a big red envelope too.”

“You have one too.”

Shen Yuan pulled out a little red envelope from his pocket as if by magic: “Here, this is for you.”

“Thank you, Driver Uncle!”