The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 291: Chapter 291: The Importance of a Woman’s Capability

Han Xiaorui met Tang Ying’s gaze, the corners of her lips curling upward, fearless and undaunted.

Tang Ying immediately looked away, not daring to meet Han Xiaorui’s eyes.

Han Xiaorui smiled. ’I’m not Yu Nana. I won’t be led by the nose just because of a few words from someone.’

After they left, Han Xiaorui immediately called Ye Feng.

Ye Feng was quite surprised to hear that Wang Liwen had gone to Jinshan Bay. ”I really didn’t expect her to go to you directly. She never seems to tire of these pointless efforts.”

Han Xiaorui chuckled. ”She tried to use the Ye Family’s name to pressure me, said she wanted to attend my engagement, and hoped we could hold the wedding in Beijing. I rejected all of it.”

”But even after I refused, she wouldn’t let it go, so I just came out and told her that you and Ye Ling aren’t full brothers.”

Ye Feng was stunned for a moment, then he smiled. ”Even if you hadn’t said it, I would have. My grandparents on my mother’s side really don’t want to see her, even if what happened back then had nothing to do with her. But my mother passed away. How could my grandparents accept me paying respects to the woman who took my mother’s place?”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”I understand. Of course, I feel for your grandparents. It’s a good thing we’re in Shencheng. If we were in Beijing, life would be difficult with a stepmother-in-law like that.”

Ye Feng smiled. ”That’s right. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”

After hanging up, Han Xiaorui had to go to the docks. Having handed the matter over to Ye Feng, she put it out of her mind.

Chen Yishui was talking to Zhang Guangnan, discussing the seafood from the latest catch.

Han Xiaorui walked over. ”How was the trip?”

”Boss, the haul was great,” Chen Yishui said with a grin. ”We ran into a school of silver pomfret and pulled in two nets. They were both bursting at the seams.”

”That’s fantastic,” Han Xiaorui praised, pulling an invitation from her bag. ”Boss Zhang, my engagement banquet. Come have a celebratory drink.”

Zhang Guangnan took the invitation, stunned for a moment, then smiled. ”Alright, I’ll definitely be there.”

Chen Yishui was also thrilled. ”Congratulations, Boss.”

Han Xiaorui beamed. ”Thank you! Bring your families, too. I’ve arranged a table specifically for you all, so don’t feel awkward about it.”

Chen Yishui chuckled. ”Wow, a five-star hotel! This will be my first time going to one. Thanks, Boss, for the new experience.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”There will be plenty more opportunities in the future.”

This trip, after deducting all costs, had netted a profit of sixty-seven thousand.

Han Xiaorui distributed the commissions and handed out invitations to everyone.

”Tomorrow, bring your families to Jinshan Bay. I’ve rented two large buses. We’ll go together with some of the closer folks from the village. That way, no one will get lost and waste time.”

”You’re the best, Boss! Thank you, Boss,” Sister Tang said with a laugh. ”I can tell my directions at sea, but in the city, I can’t tell east from west. It’s so frustrating.”

”Me too. I get completely lost as soon as I’m in the city. I’ll think I’m heading east, but it turns out to be south. It’s such a miserable feeling,” Sister Yun said, laughing. ”Every time we go into the city now, it feels different from the last. It’s changing so quickly.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”The Reform and Opening-Up has begun, and the economy is developing rapidly, so of course, the cities are changing a lot. Things will only get better and better for all of us from now on.”

After everyone else had left, Liang Xiaoyu asked in a low voice, ”Is Uncle Yang really going to attend your engagement?”

”Yup!” Han Xiaorui nodded. ”Uncle Yang agreed.”

Liang Xiaoyu gave a thumbs-up. ”Uncle Yang is a man of great character.”

Han Xiaorui nodded in agreement. ”Uncle Yang is no ordinary person; he’s broad-minded. Pingping and An’an are also very happy that their grandpa can visit often now.”

”Actually, after I remarry, as long as Ye Feng is around, Uncle Yang will come over whenever he’s free. We won’t have to worry about the village gossip.”

Liang Xiaoyu asked again in a low voice, ”Are you going to change Pingping and An’an’s last name?”

”No!” Han Xiaorui answered without hesitation. ”For Uncle Yang’s sake alone, I can’t change their last name. I have to leave him something to hold on to. Yang Jianming ran off across the ocean, and he still has that unreasonable, paralyzed wife at home. If his two sweet granddaughters changed their last name too, he’d be devastated, even if he never said a word.”

”Besides, what good would changing their surname to Ye do? Pingping and An’an are still Yangs. Ye Feng is their stepfather; they aren’t his biological daughters. Some things can’t be solved just by changing a name. A real bond is built through mutual love and care.”

Liang Xiaoyu felt Han Xiaorui had a point. ”This is for the best. Xiao Rui, I wish you happiness.”

”Thanks,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile, grateful for everyone’s support.

The next day, Granny Cai came over early, bringing an old friend with her.

”Xiao Rui, this is a dear friend of mine. She’s an expert with hair,” Granny Cai said, smiling. ”Since it’s a Chinese-style engagement, your hair should be done in the traditional Old Shencheng style.”

”Godmother, thank you!” Han Xiaorui said gratefully. ”Thank you for going to the trouble.”

”You silly child, still being so polite with me.” Mrs. Cai laughed, patting Han Xiaorui on the back. ”You’re my goddaughter. It’s what I, as your godmother, should do.”

”Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Han Xiaorui laughed. Having her godmother’s help saved her a lot of trouble.

Granny Cai thought of many things that she herself hadn’t considered.

Today’s outfit was a red qipao, paired with a Chinese-style hair bun and adorned with pearl hair accessories. It was very beautiful.

Han Xiaorui entrusted the children to Wu Jiao and Wu Yao. Liang Xiaoyu also brought her daughter and son along, got on the bus, and headed to the hotel.

Wu Cuicui put her child in a stroller and went to Han Xiaorui’s engagement party with her husband and daughter, Yang Minmin.

Han Xiaorui had already formally recognized Granny Cai as her godmother, making her a proper elder. She sat at the head table with Yang Zhigang.

They arrived at the hotel, having booked a large banquet hall.

The Xu family’s friends and relatives in the country, including many from branch families, had all come.

Members of the Ye Family from Ye Zheng’s side were also present.

Although the other members of the Ye Family felt that a fine young man like Ye Feng marrying a divorcée wasn’t a good match, they were getting engaged now, so it wasn’t their place to say anything.

Witnessed by their friends and family, Han Xiaorui and Ye Feng were officially engaged.

Yang Zhigang watched Han Xiaorui and Ye Feng standing together. They were a perfect match, and her radiant, flower-like smile was beautiful to see.

He recalled the time Han Xiaorui and his son, Yang Jianming, got married. Although she’d had a similarly happy smile for a while back then, his son hadn’t cherished it, and it all disappeared.

His two granddaughters gathered around Ye Feng, calling him ”Dad.” Yang Zhigang was actually very happy. At least his granddaughters would have a father figure in their lives as they grew up.

Especially when Ye Feng went to the kindergarten to pick up Pingping and An’an; the two children were so happy, and Yang Zhigang could tell.

The hotel where the engagement banquet was held was very luxurious and impressive.

The people from Jinshan Bay and Han Xiaorui’s crew finally understood completely.

’If a woman is capable, she can marry well, even if it’s her second time around!’

’And even if she doesn’t remarry, she can still live a wonderful life on her own.’

After the engagement banquet ended, Han Xiaorui and Ye Feng stood at the entrance to see their guests off, their faces wreathed in smiles.

Not far away, Wang Liwen and Tang Ying watched Ye Zheng, the father, bustling about with a huge smile on his face. In front of the Xus, he was humble and deferential, acting with the utmost respect.

At that moment, she felt a sour pang of bitterness and displeasure.