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Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Sister E’er Has Been Waiting for You for Over a Decade
Camellia private room, the atmosphere was harmonious.
Ding Mao and Zhang Jingsong, these two old classmates and great friends, seemed to have endless topics to discuss.
They first reminisced about their school days, scenes from their youth feeling like they happened just yesterday.
Then, they talked about their respective families and daily life, sharing the little details of their lives.
Of course, as two veterans with considerable say in their positions, they didn’t forget to dive into current social hot topics and real-time trends.
From international affairs to domestic policies, from the cutting edge of technological development to the importance of cultural heritage, they discussed everything under the sun.
Meanwhile, Ding Chao became busy on this side too.
He was patiently answering Cui Min’s questions.
About Ding Chao’s future plans, his perspective on life, his intentions to buy a house, and his career development directions.
Ding Chao’s watertight answers filled this prospective mother-in-law with more and more joy as she listened.
She then said to Zhang Jingsong decisively: "Lao Zhang, Li Dinger, I have a tentative thought."
The two men paused their discussion to look over at her.
"Since both kids have started working and it hasn’t been very long, and now they are preparing for marriage, we can’t drag out the housing issue any longer."
Cui Min enunciated each word, "Here’s what I think: we elders should cover most of the down payment, and let the youngsters handle the monthly mortgage. That way, it won’t put too much pressure on them."
Zhang Jingsong felt there was no issue with this, he looked at Ding Mao with a chuckle, "Li Dinger, what do you think?"
Ding Mao, as the groom’s father, naturally wouldn’t lose face in such a matter.
He waved his hands repeatedly, "Zhang, there’s no need to worry about the down payment with all the years of camaraderie between us."
Ding Mao glanced at the youngsters, "As for the money, I’ve already got it prepared. There won’t be any problem with paying the down payment for a small two-bedroom."
"That won’t do, our family should still contribute a bit," Cui Min shook her head.
"Right, Li Dinger, after all, Yuan Yuan is my family’s only girl, just one at that. We must contribute to this money!"
Knock knock knock.
There was a knock on the door.
Chen Cheng walked in, and sensing the somewhat tense atmosphere among the five silent people, he felt something was amiss.
"Dacheng! Come, have a seat!" Ding Chao, as if seizing a lifeline, pulled out the chair next to him.
Chen Cheng smiled awkwardly, walking over while asking, "Uncle Ding, is it time to serve the dishes?"
Ding Mao silently lit up a cigarette and nodded without a word.
Ding Chao whispered the recent developments into Chen Cheng’s ear, and Chen Cheng’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
"You lucky problem you have!" he whispered back with a smile.
Chen Cheng observed Zhang Yuan’s reaction; she just sat there quietly, not joining in the conversation or playing with her phone.
"What do you say?" Ding Chao pressed on, "You should have some experience."
Chen Cheng was taken aback for half a second, "What experience do I have?"
"Didn’t you and what’s-her-name also reach this stage? How did you discuss it then?"
Chen Cheng then realized, "But she’s not a Beijing girl."
Ding Chao also remembered, "Right, it’s a different situation."
"How about this then..."
Chen Cheng’s eyes flickered, patting Ding Chao’s leg under the table, then addressing everyone in the room, "Uncle Ding, Uncle, Auntie, Li Dinger and I will go check on the dishes. Do any of you have dietary restrictions?"
"None."
Zhang Jingsong and Cui Min shook their heads.
Understanding the hint, Ding Chao followed Chen Cheng’s steps out of the private room.
Once the door was shut, Chen Cheng spoke in a soft voice, "You just go back in and say that your family will cover the house. Uncle Zhang can provide a car, and won’t everyone be perfectly happy then?"
Ding Chao smacked his forehead in realization, "Right! This way both sides maintain their face, and Uncle Zhang won’t be the subject of gossip either."
"There, isn’t that settled?" Chen Cheng said nonchalantly, "Seeing how tense you all were earlier, I thought we were going to war!"
In the time it took for their conversation, Zhang Yuan also walked out of the private room.
She saw Ding Chaohui not far away and quickly approached.
"Are you really going to marry me?"
This girl got straight to the point as soon as she opened her mouth.
Ding Chaohui rolled his throat and nodded.
"Is it you who wants to marry, or is it your dad who told you to?" Zhang Yuan asked again.
Ding Chaohui took a deep breath and said firmly, "Me."
"We’ve only been together for a week; are you sure it’s not a rash decision?"
Chen Cheng also noticed that straightforward gaze; such a direct way of asking was indeed quite bold and resolute.
"Yuan Yuan, love can’t be measured by the length of time," Ding Chaohui said slowly. "Some people, even after being together for a long time, still might not end up together in the end!"
He glanced at Chen Cheng beside him as an example.
"Like my buddy here, he dated his ex-girlfriend for several years and ended up splitting."
He continued, "Now, his other half, they’ve just been together for about ten days!"
Chen Cheng, for the sake of his friend’s happiness, nodded and agreed with a laugh.
"You won’t regret it?" Zhang Yuan continued to ask.
"Us men, what’s there to regret?" Ding Chaohui straightened his back.
Zhang Yuan pursed her lips, adjusted her glasses, and said, "Alright, I’m going in first. Waiting for you."
After she left, Chen Cheng immediately planted a knee into Ding Chaohui’s butt,
"Hey, buddy. What’s the meaning of this? Making fun of me?"
"Cough, isn’t this an emergency?" Ding Chaohui said with a sheepish smile: "Your magnanimity is vast, sacrifice a little for my lifelong happiness!"
"That’s gonna cost extra!" Chen Cheng joked.
Ding Chaohui agreed readily, "No problem!"
Chen Cheng corrected Ding Chaohui’s statement, "Me and Sister Xiao Meier, we haven’t just been together for ten days."
"I know, I know! She’s been waiting for you for over a decade!" Ding Chaohui hurried him, "Quick, get the dishes served!"
After saying that, he re-entered the private room.
Meanwhile, Chen Cheng gave Zhao Lingfang, who was not far away, two snaps of his fingers and pointed at the door; Zhao Lingfang responded with an OK gesture.
When he re-entered the room, Ding Chaohui was expressing his feelings with the same approach.
Both sets of parents thought it wasn’t bad, but what no one expected was that the usually demure Zhang Yuan suddenly stood up.
"Dad, Mom, Uncle Ding."
Everyone looked her way, only to hear her say one sentence, "Ding Er and I are going to get our marriage certificate tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the private room widened their eyes, Chen Cheng included.
"You’re in such a hurry?" Cui Min asked with concern, holding Zhang Yuan’s hand.
"I think Li Dinger is a nice person, no problems," Zhang Yuan said calmly: "And besides, our two families know each other well. We’re going to get married anyway; it’s just a matter of sooner or later."
Chen Cheng nudged Ding Chaohui’s elbow; this was his cue to make a stand.
"Uncles and aunts, don’t worry. I will take good care of Yuan Yuan."
And Zhang Yuan directly picked up a teacup, walked up to Ding Mao, and respectfully called out, "Dad."
Ding Mao couldn’t close his mouth for smiling; he just lifted his cup and then felt his pockets, "I was in a rush coming here today; I didn’t bring any red packet!"
Seeing this, Chen Cheng said, "Uncle Ding, I’ll go out and buy one right now!"
He had just left the private room when he bumped into Xiao Meier, who was heading inside.
Seeing Chen Cheng in such a hurry, she asked, "What are you running for?"
Chen Cheng was very happy, "Sister Xiao Meier, they really did it."
