Chapter 286: Chapter 287 Engagement Chapter 286: Chapter 287 Engagement The whole of Xujia Village knew that Huo Chen and Xu Ying were together.

But no one really took it seriously.

After all, Xu Ying was not only beautiful and capable, but she also was highly regarded by the food factory and textile mill managers and had brought many benefits to the residents of Yushan Commune.

In everyone’s eyes, such an outstanding girl was definitely destined to marry into the big city.

When the time came, she’d find a match who was equally well-matched in terms of conditions and abilities, especially since the Xu Family adored their daughter so much.

They would never agree to let their daughter marry that Huo Chen kid!

After all, the Huo Family was far inferior to the Xu Family.

Early in the morning, Huo Chen carried a load of goods with Granny Huo, and the villagers who saw them couldn’t help but look on with curiosity, “Huo Chen, you and your grandma are carrying so much nice stuff, what’s all this for?”

Granny Huo was in a good mood, having worn the new clothes her grandson bought for her, her face creased with smiles, “I’m taking my grandson to propose at the Xu Family.”

At this, the villagers of Xujia Village were all taken aback.

It wasn’t that they looked down on the Huo Family, but the Huo Family really was far below the Xu Family.

None of them were optimistic about this marriage.

Only Xu Qingqing, deep down, couldn’t wait for Huo Chen and Xu Ying to get married.

Once Xu Ying married someone from the village and she herself got married in the city, she would be considered a cut above Xu Ying.

Thinking about this, Xu Qingqing was filled with excitement, wishing the whole Xujia Village knew about Xu Ying and Huo Chen’s marriage.

She was a blabbermouth, telling anyone she met about her cousin’s good news.

In less than an hour, the whole Xujia Village knew Huo Chen was going to be engaged to Xu Ying.

Instantly the entire village grew curious about whether this marriage could actually happen.

The Xu Family had been cleaning since yesterday, the inside and outside of the house scrubbed spotlessly clean.

Mr. Xu even specially asked his second son to buy some candy after work, planning to distribute it to the villagers after the engagement to share the joy.

Xu Ying wore the new red jacket she bought yesterday, and now that the weather wasn’t very cold, the jacket was just right.

Dressed in bright red, with a light touch of makeup, she looked festive and beautiful.

The Xu Family’s courtyard was even busier, with several rooms of the Xu Family present, including two aunts.

And there were her grandma’s family relatives.

They filled the entire courtyard, packed in like sardines.

Two tables were set up in the courtyard, and two more upstairs.

Huo Chen came with Granny Huo, whose relatives had all been cut off at the time of an incident.

The Xu Family’s doorstep was filled with people, and seeing a courtyard full of strangers and daughters of the Xu Family who had married out, it was evident to any observant person that today’s engagement might just be real.

“Team leader’s wife, are you really going to be engaged with that Huo Chen kid?

Yingying is such a good girl, and with her great prospects, she could find someone much better. Why would she settle for someone from our backwoods?” Zhang Lancao was full of puzzlement.

Mrs. Xu was unperturbed, her face radiating happiness, “What’s wrong with being from the country? We are all from the country, my daughter included, and that didn’t stop her from being capable.

I’ve watched Huo Chen grow up; he’s filial, skilled, and treats my daughter well.”

Listening to Mrs. Xu’s praise of her future son-in-law, many young men in Xujia Village were heartbroken.

If only they had known Xu Ying would marry a country fella, they would have made an effort back then.

Now those young men deeply regretted it.

Xu Ying was pampered at home, beautiful, a good cook, and a leader at two factories, qualities everyone dared not even dream of.

But who could have thought she’d end up choosing a country man as her partner?

What a pity.

Not only were the young men filled with regret, but several older women also inwardly lamented.

If they had known, they would have encouraged their sons to pursue Xu Ying as well.

Accompanied by the sorrowful voices of many.

Huo Chen and Granny Huo came to Xu Family’s doorstep with gifts in hand.

Huo Chen carried wine and meat, along with several bags of clothing.

He also brought a bunch of flowers, something Wu Qingsong had taught him to do.

Looking at the flowers, Huo Chen’s face, unbefitting a grown man, blushed.

Granny Huo held a wooden box which contained two hundred yuan. In truth, there was a hidden compartment beneath, holding a Jade Pendant. But it wasn’t appropriate to offer the pendant directly,
so she concealed it within the secret compartment.

Xu Family’s eldest brother had no particular thoughts about his little sister’s marriage; as long as their parents approved, that was good enough for him.

It was Xu Family’s second brother who, until now, was still utterly bewildered; his little sister was getting engaged before him.

It was as if a fine cabbage had been hogged by a pig–the more he looked at Huo Chen, the less he liked him.

He wondered what their third brother would think of their little sister’s engagement.

Not that he wasn’t aware of the private dealings between the third brother and Huo Chen.

Now, with this matter settled quietly and dustily, their third brother would undoubtedly be even more irritated upon finding out.

As Huo Chen approached the door, Xu Ying slowly emerged from the yard.

Her appearance shattered the hearts of the village’s young men even further.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes bright and clear, her features delicate.

Black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and a red dress perfectly showcased her fair complexion, beautifully outlining her figure–slender and exquisitely curved with an inborn grace that seemed unattainable.

Huo Chen’s heart raced feverishly, his finger curling around the stem of the flowers, his palm sweaty as he saw Xu Ying walk out.

His dark eyes brimmed with nervousness and joy, and with a raise of his long fingers, he stepped towards Xu Ying, “Xu Ying, this is for you.”

The people of Xujia Village had all gathered around, crowding several layers thick, inside and out.

With so many eyes on her, Xu Ying felt a rush of panic and shyness for the first time as the main character, and she accepted the flowers, shyly using them to shield her blushing cheeks.

With the two entering the yard, the onlookers, no longer able to witness the excitement, dispersed with a commotion.

Inside the yard, the two main characters’ cheeks were red as their relatives teased them.

Granny Huo handed the box to Mrs. Xu and mentioned the item in the hidden compartment, “That was on Huo Chen when I first saw him.

It must have been given by his family. To part with such a valuable item, they must have abandoned the child reluctantly.

The Jade Pendant can be given to Xu Ying later, to be passed down through generations.”

Mrs. Xu was vaguely aware of Huo Chen’s origins, and upon receiving the item, she and Granny Huo stepped out of the yard.

For lunch, the Huo Family and Xu Family sat together.

Two tables upstairs and two tables downstairs, with Huo Chen and Xu Ying side by side.

Third Uncle Xu was also seated downstairs, his gaze upon Huo Chen was one of thorough displeasure, “Huo Chen, you know how spoiled my niece is at home and that she doesn’t do any household chores.

After marriage, you’ll have to take care of her.”

Huo Chen, a little nervous facing so many of the Xu Family, promptly replied to Third Uncle Xu’s comment, “I can do housework and laundry.

Yingying won’t have to do anything; she can just rest at home.”

If not for the fact that his earnings couldn’t be openly discussed, he wouldn’t even want Xu Ying to go to work.