77: Chapter 77 Informing about the Marriage

Seeing Cao Xiao agree, Father He showed a gratified smile, thinking to himself that his son-in-law was quite reasonable! He added, "Find some time to head over there soon. Although there's a manager in charge, you need to have a good grasp of things yourself. As for specific development and planning, Hongdu won't interfere much; it's entirely up to you. I hope you won't disappoint us!"

"Xiao Xiao, once you're there, you must ensure your safety. If there's any danger, seek help from the local embassy," Mother He urged.

"Please rest assured, I will work hard and stay safe," Cao Xiao promised solemnly, though he thought to himself that Father He's arrangement was clearly a way to test him! However, this was normal. He felt things with He Yueyou had gone too smoothly; being able to demonstrate his strength would give him peace of mind.

Along the way, Father He told him about the situation with the company in Africa. He kept it in mind. There were still over twenty days until the sixth of next month, so he planned to visit Africa in a few days and pick up some diamonds for the engagement jewelry while he was at it.

Back at the villa, the total proceeds from the auction had been calculated by the accounting staff. The total amount reached 636 million. Among them, medicinal materials like ginseng sold for over 250 million, while the remaining 360 million came from blue amber and chicken blood stone jewelry. Metal jewelry only sold for over 20 million. After paying personal income tax, he would pocket 520 million. Adding his original 230 million, his cash on hand reached a staggering 750 million!

Old Chen, several appraisal experts, and court representatives also estimated the value of that eight-hundred-year-old wild ginseng when it was intact. They believed its actual value should have been around 500 million. The court would use this as the standard for compensation and sentencing. This would surely make the Jiang Family feel the sting! Cao Xiao's mood brightened even more.

Cao Xiao had also spared no expense for today's banquet, bringing out many delicacies and wild game he'd gathered from his space. During the meal, he took the initiative to toast the guests at each table, which served as a preliminary introduction to everyone.

By the time the guests had dispersed, it was already past eight in the evening. Having drunk quite a bit, he let Yueyou drive, taking An Ni and Guoer along as they headed toward Biyuntian Villa.

No matter how calm He Yueyou usually was, she seemed a bit flustered today. Cao Xiao held her delicate hand to encourage her and led her into the living room.

His parents happened to be chatting with a few girls, and even Liu Chang had rarely stayed in. When his mother saw Cao Xiao walk in holding a beautiful girl's hand, followed by a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl carrying a baby, she couldn't quite figure out the situation. She asked in confusion, "Xiao Xiao, who is this?"

"Dad, Mom, this is my girlfriend, He Yueyou. I brought her here today to meet you both," Cao Xiao said, pulling He Yueyou close as he introduced her to his parents.

"Hello, Uncle and Auntie!" He Yueyou forced herself to stay calm and greeted them politely.

His parents were stunned. Cao Xiao had brought a girlfriend home without any warning, and they were completely unprepared. However, this was a huge surprise, and they immediately said in unison, "Ah? Good! Good!"

Hearing she was Cao Xiao's girlfriend, Liu Chang immediately said with familiar ease, "Hello, Cousin-in-law! I'm Liu Chang. We've met before."

"Hello, Changchang," He Yueyou replied.

Seeing this scene, Mi Fan's expression became somewhat complex, her thoughts unknown.

He Yueyou said with a smile, "Hello, Changchang. I've heard Cao Xiao mention you."

"Xiao Xiao, really! You didn't even say a word about bringing your girlfriend back, leaving us completely unprepared! Come, Yueyou, sit here." His mother shot Cao Xiao an annoyed look before warmly inviting He Yueyou to sit. Only then did she notice the others behind them and asked curiously, "Xiao Xiao, who are these two?"

Cao Xiao took Guoer from An Ni's arms, then pulled the timid An Ni over to sit down before saying to everyone, "This is An Ni, and this is An Guoer. They are aunt and niece from North Korea. I brought them back from the border. They have no relatives left there and no one to rely on here. So, Yueyou and I plan to adopt Guoer as our daughter. Mom, Dad, Guoer will be your granddaughter from now on. I also want you two to adopt An Ni as my sister. What do you think..."

His parents were silent for a long while. Today's events were coming at them fast. First, Cao Xiao suddenly brought home a girlfriend without a word, and then he brought back a granddaughter and a daughter. They couldn't process all this information at once.

"Come, child, sit by me. Let Mama have a good look at you," his mother said to An Ni.

"An Ni, these are my parents. They will be your parents too from now on. Go on, greet them," Cao Xiao said gently to An Ni.

An Ni's eyes grew moist. Since losing her parents, she hadn't felt parental warmth again. Now, suddenly having a father and mother felt like arriving at a harbor of happiness. Her tears could no longer be held back and streamed down her cheeks. She walked up to the parents and sobbed, "Father! Mother! Waaa!"

"Good child, don't cry! From now on, Mama and Papa will cherish you!" His mother pulled An Ni into her arms and comforted her.

"Xiao Xiao, let me see my granddaughter!" His father took Guoer, looking at her lovingly. Guoer cooperated perfectly with a smile. His father teased her, his face full of smiles. After a moment, he looked up and said, "Since An Ni and Guoer are now daughters and granddaughters of our Cao family, their names must be changed. Your generation is the 'Wei' generation, so An Ni will be called Cao Weini. Guoer's name doesn't need to follow the generation pattern; she'll be called Cao Guoer. Do you hear that, little Guoer? Look, she's laughing! Little Guoer? Hahaha!"

Cao Xiao was happy to see his parents so joyful. With An Ni and Guoer to accompany them, they would never be lonely again.

Once his parents settled their emotions, Cao Xiao said, "Dad, Mom, I actually have something else to tell you. Yueyou and I are getting engaged. My teacher and Yueyou's parents have already chosen a date—the sixth of next month..."

"What did you say? Engaged? And on the sixth of next month? Why are you only telling us today? Are your wings so strong now that you want to run the whole house? Hmm?" Before Cao Xiao could finish, his mother interrupted. The news Cao Xiao brought today was overwhelming; everything was so sudden. To only find out about something as big as an engagement now—Cao Xiao was truly out of line. She immediately questioned him with a stern face.

"Mom, listen to me. My teacher has been handling this, and I only found out yesterday. Isn't this a good thing? Why aren't you happy?" Seeing his mother's anger, Cao Xiao immediately put on a flattering smile.

"Fine, you're something else! I'll deal with you properly another day. But this matter can't be handled sloppily! Tell me exactly what's going on so your father and I can prepare." Li Fengmei gave Cao Xiao a glare.

"It's like this. Yueyou and I met in Fangzhu Town. She was my neighbor for over a year, and we only made our relationship official recently. My teacher knows Yueyou's parents, so he helped arrange things. Two days ago, her parents agreed to the marriage, and the teacher picked a date with them. Tomorrow, both sets of parents will meet to discuss the details."

"Tomorrow? Where? Do we need to prepare anything?" his father asked with a frown.

"I bought an orchard in the suburbs that has a villa. We'll meet there tomorrow. There's no need to prepare anything, and you don't need to worry about the betrothal gifts; I'll have them ready for the engagement."

"Well, there's not much we can help you with anymore. Now that you're capable yourself, you can handle the arrangements. Just make sure Yueyou's parents are satisfied," his father said somewhat wistfully.

"Dad, Mom, please rest assured. I'll arrange everything properly. Just wait for Yueyou and me to take good care of you!" Cao Xiao understood this was the end of his father's era; he was taking over the responsibility of the family legacy. He felt a bit of sorrow in his heart but spoke solemnly.

"It's getting late. We'll head to that orchard you mentioned first thing tomorrow morning to prepare for the in-laws. Take Yueyou to rest. We need to get rooms ready for An Ni and Guoer. Little Guoer, will you sleep with Grandma today?" His mother took Guoer and said to Cao Xiao.