After Awakening, the Control Group’s Husband Decided to Lie Flat - Chapter 10 The Proposal

Chapter 10 The Proposal

A few days later, the matchmaker, Wang Yuemei, officially came to their house.

She brought with her Lu Sui’s birth date and eight characters of destiny. Since Lu Sui had been adopted, the recorded birth date wasn’t entirely accurate, so the horoscope matching was done more as a formality. She also collected Xia Qingtao’s birth details, mainly for the Lu family to choose an auspicious wedding date.

Then she presented the betrothal gift list, saying that if everything was agreeable, they would return on another day to finalize the engagement.

The Lu family took the matter very seriously and even invited a learned man from the village to write the list properly. Although Xia Qingtao himself could read, his mother insisted that it wouldn’t be proper for them to read it themselves and called in an elderly scholar, respected by all, to read it aloud.

“Twenty taels of silver for the dowry, a pair of silver ornaments, one pair of wild geese, two catties of tea, two catties of dried fruits such as red dates and walnuts, and six taels of colorful embroidery thread…”

Even though it was the busy farming season, the moment the matchmaker’s arrival became known, the courtyard quickly filled with curious aunts and grannies from the neighborhood. Hearing the long list of betrothal gifts, they all clicked their tongues in amazement.

“Our Qingtao truly is a blessed one! Such a generous dowry, my goodness!”

“Indeed! Twenty taels—other than Xia Mian, what other ge’er or girl in this village has ever received such a sum?”

“I’ve only ever heard of town families using wild geese for wedding gifts—it’s the first time I’ve seen rural folk doing the same! Usually, it’s a pair of ducks!”

“Exactly! Which family is he marrying into that’s so well-off?”

The Xia family was, of course, delighted by the betrothal gifts. They also presented their own list of dowry items, written neatly by Xia Qingtao himself after the family had spent the previous night discussing it together:

Six acres of farmland, two bedding sets, two camphorwood chests, a pair of iron buckets, a pair of heirloom “prosperity” barrels, eight catties of cotton, and ten catties of cane sugar.

Since it was a joyous occasion, everything, like the betrothal gifts, was prepared in even numbers for good fortune. Each item carried its own symbolism—iron buckets for steady wealth, prosperity barrels for fertility and abundance, cotton and sugar for comfort and sweetness.

The six acres of farmland, in particular, had been purchased by Qingtao’s father for seven taels of silver in Lu Family Bay. It was both to supplement the Lu family’s limited fields and to give Qingtao a foundation of his own after marriage—since dowry property traditionally remained in the wife’s possession and could not be taken by the husband’s family.

Qingtao was deeply moved. Dowry land was something only landlords and rich families provided for their daughters. For ordinary farming households, a bed and some furniture were already considered a respectable dowry. That his parents had prepared so much for him spoke volumes of their love.

After exchanging the gift lists, the matchmaker departed, saying she would return soon to finalize the engagement and set the wedding date.

As the winter wheat had already been sown, the family was no longer as busy, and Qingtao began embroidering the wedding quilt covers himself.

He had embroidered quilt covers for his cousins before, and everyone had praised his work. So, for his own marriage, he decided not to buy them but to sew them himself. His mother told him that the Lu family would likely set the wedding for December, so he needed to finish quickly lest time run short.

He planned to embroider “Mandarin Ducks Playing in Water” and “Twin Blossoms on One Stem”—designs he was well practiced in. It was only a matter of time and patience.

Over the next few days, whenever he ran into the village women, they all praised his good fortune and sharp eye for marrying into such a good family. Of course, behind the compliments were also murmurs of envy—some whispered that the Lu family was too poor and must have borrowed money everywhere to afford such a lavish dowry, predicting that Qingtao would suffer after marriage.

But he was too happy to care. He only heard the good and ignored the bitter. He liked Lu Sui—liked him as a person. And besides, no matter how hard life became, it would still be better than marrying that scholar who’d have treated him poorly and cast him aside.

On the twentieth day of the tenth month, the Lu family finally came to formalize the engagement.

According to custom, both the matchmaker and the groom’s father should come, but since Lu Sui’s father had passed away, his eldest uncle came in his place. The man spoke politely and carried himself with quiet honesty.

After unloading all the items from the handcart, Lu Sui stepped forward to address Qingtao’s mother.

“Auntie, the jewelry box is empty. I wanted him to choose a pair he likes himself. I was wondering if he’d be willing to go to town with me tomorrow—my elder brother and sister-in-law will come along too.”

It was rare for a man to be so thoughtful. Since the engagement and date were already set, there was no need for the couple to avoid each other. Moreover, with Qingxi and Xinghua accompanying them, propriety would be preserved.

Chen Hexiang smiled. “That’s fine. I’ll tell Qingtao. I’ll ask Qingxi to take half a day off from work tomorrow so the four of you can go together.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“What’s there to thank?” she replied warmly. “You’ve come a long way—you must be tired. Come inside and have some refreshments.”

Lu Sui, his uncle, and the matchmaker sat down to rest and eat. Qingtao entered the room under the pretext of serving snacks—

Today, Lu Sui wore black again, but in the daylight, his features were even clearer than they had been under the lamplight that night—his face seemed even more handsome, his presence striking.

Though his expression remained calm, his gaze lingered on Qingtao’s face. There was nothing intrusive in his look—only quiet focus—and instead of discomfort, it made Qingtao’s heart brim with joy.

Feeling less nervous at home, he set the plate down and smiled.

“Uncle, Aunt Yuemei, please have some.”

“Ah, thank you,” the uncle replied, smiling awkwardly.

The matchmaker, however, looked at Qingtao with a teasing grin. “Qingtao, aren’t you going to offer Ah Sui something? He’s been up since dawn, busy with everything!”

The room burst into gentle laughter.

Qingtao’s lips curved despite himself, his face growing warm. Without looking at Lu Sui, he said softly,

“He knows how to eat without me telling him.”

Then, flustered, he turned and left the room.

According to custom, an engagement visit only included light refreshments, not a full meal. While they ate, the two families discussed and settled the wedding date: the eighteenth day of the twelfth month.

Lu Sui’s uncle explained that this date had been chosen by a fortune-teller consulted by his mother—it was the most auspicious one. If they wanted to change it, they’d have to wait until the following spring, in the third month.

The Xia family agreed readily. Mid-December was perfect—farmwork was over, and the New Year preparations hadn’t yet begun.

If they delayed any later, everyone would be busy with New Year’s chores; if they waited until spring, the plowing season would begin, and no one would have time to help with the wedding.

After eating, the Lu family prepared to leave.

Chen Hexiang handed a wrapped pouch of five taels to Lu Sui.

“We’ve accepted fifteen taels. Take back the remaining five. You’ll need money for the wedding feast and new furniture.”

Lu Sui froze, but his uncle immediately objected, flustered.

“That won’t do! What’s given is given—there’s no taking it back!”

“Ah, brother-in-law,” Chen Hexiang said gently, “we’re not selling our ge’er, nor do we seek money. We just want the young couple to live happily, and for Qingtao not to worry about livelihood. Take it. We’re all family now—no need for formality.”

Lu Sui looked into her kind face and, seeing her sincerity, didn’t refuse again. Instead, he turned to Qingtao and said quietly,

“I’ll come to fetch you early tomorrow.”

Though they would be going together with the others, the way he said “I’ll come to fetch you” made Qingtao’s heart flutter.

He lowered his gaze shyly and murmured, “Alright.”

After the Lu family left, the engagement was considered officially set.

Qingtao’s heart was full of joy. He couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like to go shopping for jewelry with Lu Sui the next day. He wished morning would come sooner.

That evening, his mother came to his room to remind him,

“Even though Ah Sui is generous, don’t spend too much. Choose something decent but not extravagant. If you spend carelessly now, you’ll only suffer later—and your mother-in-law might look down on you.”

“I know, Mother.” Qingtao laughed and took her arm playfully. “Why are you already taking his side? You’re trying to save his money as if he were your own son—am I still yours or not?”

Chen Hexiang tapped his forehead with a smile. “Who do you think I’m doing this for? Spend all the money now, and when you marry, you’ll be left drinking cold air!”

“Hehe.” Qingtao grinned mischievously. “Even if I had to drink cold air, I wouldn’t mind—as long as he’s that good-looking.”

Chen Hexiang couldn’t help laughing. “You little rascal!”

——

The next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Qingtao was already up. He picked out a handsome teal robe and tied his hair with a ribbon his elder brother had bought for him.

The courtyard was damp with dew and light morning mist. Xia Qingxi was sweeping fallen leaves, and when he saw his brother, he grinned teasingly.

“Well, well, our little peach has turned into a real green peach—still with the stem on it too!”

“Xia Qingxi! Do you ever speak properly?” Qingtao went over and pinched his arm. Seeing his sister-in-law come out to start breakfast, he quickly complained, “Sister-in-law, come scold him—he’s teasing me again!”

The brothers often quarreled playfully, and Xinghua was long used to it. She chuckled. “Don’t mind him.”

Qingxi, laughing impishly, said, “Alright, alright—not a green peach, then—a short little winter melon!”

“You—you’re still talking!” Qingtao couldn’t help laughing too and kicked him lightly on the leg. “Just wait until Sister-in-law pulls your ear again!”

“She won’t—she loves me too much for that!”

“Shameless!”

As they were bickering, Xinghua, who had just opened the gate, noticed someone standing there and gasped.

“Ah Sui! You’re here so early! Have you eaten?”

“I have,” Lu Sui replied, his gaze landing softly on Qingtao in the courtyard as he added, “I didn’t want to keep you waiting, so I came early.”

Qingtao was startled—he came this early? How early must he have woken up?

“Come in, come in,” Xinghua said warmly, turning to call out, “Qingtao, Ah Sui’s here!”

“Ah—” Qingtao lifted his head, meeting Lu Sui’s eyes. His heart skipped. “C-come in and sit. I’ll make you some tea.”

“No need to trouble yourself. I’ll just sit for a bit,” Lu Sui said, stopping him. “Where are Uncle and Auntie? I should greet them.”

“They’ve just gotten up. Come inside,” Qingtao said, leading him into the main room, his heart light with joy. “I’ve already fed the chickens. I’ll help Sister-in-law make breakfast—you should eat with us too.”

Lu Sui followed him obediently. “I’ve already eaten.”

“Have a little more,” Qingtao said, pulling over a bamboo chair for him. He was a little embarrassed, a little delighted. “I’ll make wheat cakes for you!”

With that, he turned quickly and hurried out of the room, cheeks still pink.