475: Engagement banquet.

"Then, this afternoon, we'll finalize this matter."

"This afternoon will be Xiao Jing and Niannian's engagement banquet."

Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu were extremely satisfied with Lu Jing. Although Father Gu was still a little dissatisfied with Lu Jing, his daughter liked him, and Lu Jing had done exceptionally well, so he would no longer oppose the engagement.

"Good, good, good."

"Thank you, Old Gu."

"Congratulations, Old Gu, and Sister-in-law."

The elders congratulated each other.

Lu Jing's gaze fell on Niannian, and seeing her lower her head, the smile at the corner of his mouth widened.

It was almost New Year's, and the family had stocked up on a lot of vegetables.

"Niannian, take Xiao Jing and the others out to play for a while, then come back for dinner."

"Grandma, let the few of us cook," Xiao Niannian said.

On a day like this, they should either eat out or cook at home; how could they let Grandpa and Grandma be busy?

"Yes, Grandpa Gu, Grandma Gu, let the few of us cook."

Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu laughed when they heard this.

"Why would we need you two? You two should just sit and relax today."

"All these dishes are ready; we just need to stir-fry one or two small dishes."

Because it was almost New Year's, the family had stocked up on many vegetables. After the new refrigerator arrived, a large freezer also came, making it very convenient to store vegetables in winter.

Father Lu and Father Gu stood up.

Aunt Gu also stood up.

"We'll go to the kitchen; you all sit and rest."

"Many dishes only need to be steamed, and the stewed dishes are already on the stove..."

"It's still early, so you all sit and chat first."

"Niannian, take Xiao Jing and the others for a walk in the courtyard."

Xiao Niannian and Lu Jing still couldn't cook; the elders took over the task.

Mother Lu also said she would make a specialty dish for everyone to taste.

Xiao Niannian looked at Lu Jing, and Shen Mo and Shen Yan tactfully didn't follow.

"Where to?"

Xiao Niannian asked Lu Jing.

"Let's just walk around the courtyard."

Xiao Niannian hadn't expected to get engaged to Lu Jing so quickly.

Although Lu Jing was walking, his gaze remained fixed on Niannian.

After walking for more than a hundred meters, Xiao Niannian headed back towards the house.

"Let's go home, sit upstairs."

On such a cold day, and on their engagement day, why would she and Lu Jing go out to brave the cold wind? She absolutely didn't want to be in the cold wind.

"Okay."

After only a few steps, Xiao Niannian and Lu Jing ran into Qiao Yan, Qiao Zhu, Ma Xue, and Gu Ying.

"Niannian, Xiao Lu."

"Brother Lu Jing."

Xiao Niannian heard their addresses and looked at Gu Ying and Ma Xue.

Gu Ying was waiting for Xiao Niannian to greet her, but seeing that Xiao Niannian didn't speak, she spoke first.

"Niannian, it's so cold, why are you and Xiao Lu outside?"

Xiao Niannian saw Gu Ying frowning and laughed.

"I told him to build a snowman."

What?

On such a cold day, Xiao Niannian asked Lu Jing to build a snowman?

"Yes, we're looking for a spot to build a snowman," Lu Jing immediately echoed Niannian's words.

Are they crazy? On such a cold, early morning, instead of staying indoors, these two actually ran out to build a snowman?

What snowman?

Wasn't there enough snow at the Gu Family's entrance and in their courtyard for Xiao Niannian to build?

And they just had to run out to build a snowman?

Ma Xue had the same look in her eyes, and Qiao Zhu also looked at Xiao Niannian in surprise.

Qiao Yan heard this and narrowed his eyes as he looked at Lu Jing and Xiao Niannian.

When he left in the morning, he heard people discussing that the Lu Family and Shen Family had gone to the Gu Family, and they were carrying several large boxes and bags.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, extremely happy.

So, were they discussing Lu Jing and Xiao Niannian's marriage?

Or were they just visiting the Lu Family?

But if it was just a visit, why would it be so grand?

His gaze fell on Xiao Niannian. If he hadn't already sent people to investigate Xiao Niannian thoroughly, he would really suspect Xiao Niannian was a spy.

Xiao Niannian's physical abilities were very strong, and she had even designed products like refrigerators and washing machines. Now, some departments were planning to sell them to foreigners, saying they wanted to earn foreign exchange.

He had used these three appliances several times, and they were indeed very effective.

He had only found out this much so far and didn't know that Xiao Niannian had also designed suppressors, sniper rifles, and mine detectors, among other products.

Qiao Yan found it surprising that someone like Xiao Niannian was specially recruited as a Researcher.

However, these products could prove Xiao Niannian's capabilities. If they were in other appliance factories, the profits these items could bring would be more than tens of millions of yuan.

It was not easy for the country to earn foreign exchange now, and taking these things out could indeed earn a lot of money.

He used to think that Lu Jing and Xiao Niannian were impossible, or that Xiao Niannian was a fake brought back by the Gu Family to continue the friendship between the Gu and Lu families.

Or perhaps it was because Xiao Niannian was so outstanding that the Gu Family recognized her.

Or, perhaps, Xiao Niannian was truly an impostor, as rumored.

He was still sending people to investigate Xiao Niannian. No matter what, he had to get to the bottom of this matter.

Xiao Niannian turned and walked towards the house. Lu Jing also ignored these people and followed her towards the house.

Gu Ying watched them, her brows furrowing even more.

"They're really spoiled..."

The words "no manners" were not spoken in front of Qiao Yan and Qiao Zhu.

Gu Ying was jealous. These days, Gu An had been living at the Gu Family's house, while she only came once every ten days or half a month.

Now, with the New Year approaching, Gu An still hadn't left.

She heard that Yang Gu had returned.

Yang Gu had been in the Southwest region, returning only once every year or two. Now, Yang Gu hadn't returned to the Yang Family but was also staying at the Gu Family's house. She was jealous; her adoptive parents truly treated her and Gu An too differently.

"Xue'er, let's go back to your maternal grandfather's house."

Gu Ying didn't speak to Qiao Yan and the others anymore, pulling her daughter away.

Qiao Yan watched their retreating figures and smiled.

"Brother, what are you smiling about?"

Qiao Zhu looked at him, puzzled.

Qiao Yan glanced at his sister and said,

"Let's go home."

Qiao Zhu nodded and walked towards the house.

Xiao Niannian and Lu Jing returned home. Everyone in the living room was chatting and laughing, and few people noticed them.

Grandpa Gu and Grandpa Lu were playing chess, with Grandpa Shen offering advice.

"Place your chariot here."

"Cannon."

"No taking back moves."

"I wasn't trying to take back a move."

Everyone laughed heartily. Aunt Gu was busy in the kitchen, while Yang Gu, Shen Mo, and Shen Yan were helping to pick vegetables at the nearby dining table.

"It's so cold outside, when will Sister Xiao and Brother Lu be back?"

Shen Yan was picking vegetables, throwing the leaves into the trash and putting the unwanted parts into a basket.

"Pick the vegetables properly."

Military Doctor Shen reminded him.

Shen Yan snapped back to attention and immediately picked up the vegetables.

"Threw it in the wrong place."

Luckily, the elders didn't notice.