Chapter 396: Chapter 396: Matchmaker
Tian Shuowang and Mu Guihong’s situation was not known by Yi Roujing and her group, but Xu Zongyin knew a bit. He didn’t say much, only mentioning that explanations could wait until they drank the couple’s wedding wine.
This time, however, the development of Tian Shuowang and Mu Guihong’s situation happened rather quickly. They were already acquaintances, and Tian Shuowang visited the Mu Family multiple times with a firm and sincere attitude. Old Mrs. Mu was pleased and could see her eldest daughter’s intentions. By the third visit, she agreed, letting him proceed with preparations since both were no longer young, and the wedding would be simple.
Although Tian Shuowang had been married once, it was long ago, and he had no elders to help with arrangements nor relatives. He brought generous gifts to the Tong Family and Ding Family, asking Elder Tong and Li Hongying for assistance.
Elder Tong and Tian Shuowang hit it off at first sight. Elder Tong served as Tian Shuowang’s elder, while Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying were peers. The three of them visited the Mu Family to finalize the marriage.
The wedding was set for the fourth day of June and the eighth day of July.
Looking at Tian Shuowang, who was once alone, now engaged and closely connected with Elder Tong, often visiting, he also had connections with the Ding Family and Xu Family, adding much interest.
On July 8th, the weather was favorable, with cloudy skies providing some coolness during the hot summer. The wedding was held at Jing City Hotel, with just three tables: the Mu family, the Xu Family, Ding Family, Elder Tong. Tian Shuowang also invited a few favored professors from Qing University.
Mu Guihong dressed especially festively today, in a long red dress, light makeup, lipstick, and styled hair; Tian Shuowang wore a military green outfit, looking spirited, with a small red flower pinned to his chest.
The couple was shy and timid, taking turns offering wine and tea to the guests. Children ran around joyfully, receiving plenty of wedding candies and red envelopes. Though the number of people was small, the atmosphere was highly festive.
Yi Roujing also received a special gift, a matchmaker’s gift, consisting of a pair of new leather sandals and a red envelope.
The reason Tian Shuowang became acquainted with Yi Roujing and Baozi was through their invitation to the Ding family in Beiluo Lane. Mu Guihong also had a connection with Yi Roujing, allowing the two to reunite, which was largely due to Yi Roujing’s efforts, hence she accepted the matchmaker’s gift.
Before realizing it, the university semester was coming to an end. Although the semester started late, the course schedule was tightly packed. Final exams were scheduled for July 10th to 12th, and summer vacation began on July 15th.
Exam results for all subjects were released on July 13th, with Yi Roujing ranking first in every class.
"I didn’t seem to see you study seriously. How come you’re so outstanding? You must be a genius." Gong Jue’e, who ranked third in the class this time, was truly diligent in her studies.
The one who ranked second was Ren Xuejuan. Ren Xuejuan had a strong foundation and studied diligently, so the top three in the entire class were from Room 305.
Yet Yi Roujing, the first place, had a full score difference of twenty points compared to Ren Xuejuan, and a difference of twenty-two points from Gong Jue’e, which led to Gong Jue’e’s heartfelt remark today.
"Perhaps I am," Yi Roujing admitted confidently. She was always a top student, stronger than others because she had past life experiences, more solid knowledge, and forward-thinking. Despite facing various matters this semester and not spending much thought on studying, she still excelled, possibly truly being a genius.
This summer vacation, Gong Jue’e, Le Xinxin, and Zhang Yaen planned to return home, while the rest chose to stay.
Yu Cuiyu’s child remained in Jing City. She decided to leave the child in Jing City, along with her husband and mother-in-law. Now she rented a room outside, and her husband was studying by himself while looking for odd jobs. The four stayed in Jing City, able to make ends meet.
Yu Cuiyu remained in Jing City during the summer vacation, obtaining some work-study labor through the school, working in the library, thus not returning to her hometown over the break.
Ren Xuejuan had recently met her relatives, and this summer, they planned to visit Sichuan Province to bring Fang Zuxin’s parents and family to Jing City, to familiarize them with the Cheng Family.
Room 305’s other professional roommate, Rong Junxi, wouldn’t be returning to Yun Province either. She had an aunt married in Jing City, and this time she stayed with her aunt instead of going back.
On July 14th, they listened to Li Hongwei, the advisor, summarize the end of term and formally entered summer vacation.
Yi Roujing had no specific plans for the vacation, but Li Hongying wanted to go to East Province to visit Li Honghua, thinking that her son and daughter-in-law were home resting and didn’t need her childcare. Xia Xingchen had also finished postpartum month, and Wang Qiushuang returned to Jiang Province with her daughter. Nonetheless, the family was concerned about Li Hongying traveling alone.
Ding Weihuo had work obligations and couldn’t take so many days off to accompany her, so Yi Roujing also became interested. She wanted to go and perhaps visit Guo Xiangxiang at East Province University, having also invited her grandmother to East Province. During this semester, Guo Xiangxiang and she had written each other only twice.
Yi Roujing was motivated to accompany her, and of course, she couldn’t leave Baozi behind; hence Baozi also joined them. Two women traveling alone certainly caused concern.
Xu Ancheng recently kept busy handling school affairs to ensure he could tag along with them. Although Ding Anguo wanted to join too, he was occupied with a school project and had two children, so he couldn’t manage.
Ding Anguo’s mother-in-law, Ruan Qingru, had stayed in Jing City long enough, taking vacation days from last year and this year combined, wanting to return to Huaixi County. Feng Lishu was also on summer break, prompting Ruan Qingru’s departure.
The Ding Anmin family planned to return to Huaixi County with Mrs. Huang and the others, conveniently having companions.
Xu Ancheng finally wrapped up his business on July 18th, called Li Honghua, and booked a train for the twentieth to East Province.
These few days, Yi Roujing and the others stayed in Beiluo Lane, and early on the twentieth, after breakfast prepared by Li Hongying, the four set off in Uncle Cao’s car to the train station.
Li Hongying packed plenty of luggage, mostly homemade pickled vegetables and spicy sauces, along with preserved meats and sausages; there were two large bags of food. Clothing was also packed, given the frequent change needed in the sweaty summer, amounting to four large bags for four people on the road.
Xu Ancheng booked soft sleeper tickets for the train, with each compartment accommodating six people; they accounted for three. The train stopped by Jing City, and when the four boarded, three others were already present in the compartment.
A middle-aged man with glasses, a somewhat overweight young man, and a young woman with neatly cropped short hair.
Upon Xu Ancheng’s group’s arrival, the three glanced their way without speaking. The young woman briefly frowned when she saw Baozi.
Xu Ancheng instructed Yi Roujing and the others to rest while he bustled about filling thermoses, washing enamel cups, and serving water, drawing further attention from the three others. They were accustomed to seeing women perform such tasks, not often encountering men engaged in them, especially someone as striking and with excellent demeanor as him.
