A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Before long, the engagement date of Sha Yanyao and Miss Tian was set, and the engagement ceremony was scheduled to be held at the Central Hotel, one of the best hotels in Nanjing. Guier could sense that it would be a grand banquet.

Jinbao has been taking Guier to the department store for a few days. She wants to choose an engagement gift for Miss Tian.

But Miss Tian was a typical rich girl, her family had everything they needed. The two of them kept trying to find a partner, but due to limited funds, they couldn't afford to buy her anything. Jin Bao sighed and said, "After all, you still need money. The new cheongsam that Miss Tian made for me is already finished, and I plan to wear it on her engagement day. It's so beautiful! I've never worn such high-end clothes in my life. Now I want to repay her favor, but I can't."

Gui'er actually didn't have much money left. She felt that she hadn't been able to save any money since she came to Nanjing, and she had been living off the money she had earned in Jiangcheng before, and now it was almost gone. Although she also wanted to give Miss Tian a decent gift to repay the favor of helping her get the watch, she really didn't have much money and was worried.

At night, she was doing homework in her room and sighing. Dingxiang saw her and said, "Miss, what's wrong with you?"

Gui'er said, "I'm worried. Aren't Big Brother and Miss Tian getting engaged? I'm planning to give her an engagement gift, but the little money I have is too small to buy anything that Miss Tian would appreciate."

Ding Xiang paused, then smiled and said, "Miss, have you forgotten? Didn't the Second Young Master send a lot of things over last time? As for me, I took advantage of the time when the First Young Master asked me to choose and brought out two boxes of bird's nests."

Gui'er said happily when she heard this: "Second brother actually sent me bird's nest? That's great. Although it's just for practical use, it's quite impressive."

Ding Xiang smiled and said, "Then I'll take it out for you. Actually, the Second Young Master had sent bird's nests before, but they were all confiscated by the Madam's maid. Luckily, I took it in front of everyone this time, so she was embarrassed to stop me."

The next day, when Jinbao asked Gui'er to go shopping in the department store to choose a gift, Gui'er told her about this matter and said, "Let's consider this bird's nest as a gift from both of us. We can write a card together and sign both our names."

Jinbao said happily, "That's great. Thank you so much, Gui'er. It really makes a difference to have a good brother."

On the day of the engagement banquet, the lady specifically asked Gui'er to take a leave, saying that many guests would be coming and it would not look good if the whole family was not in attendance.

As the night lights came on, luxury cars and carriages pulled up in front of the hotel. Political and business leaders, dressed in long gowns and suits, filed in with their wives.

Director Tian, Sha Yanyao, and Miss Tian stood at the door to welcome the guests. It must be said that most of the attendees knew Director Tian, while few knew the Sha family. His wife received them all. The Marshal and Sha Yanxiao did not come. Director Tian said magnanimously, "It's understandable. The situation is urgent now. Old Sha and the Young Master must remain at their residence to guard the country's affairs first."

Director Wang also came. Taking advantage of this engagement party, he became a relative of Director Tian. As the host, he helped to greet the guests, exchanged greetings with various political figures, and discussed current affairs and business. Although Yulan was pregnant, she still whispered to the ladies in luxurious high-end dresses or cheongsams about anecdotes in the upper class.

At the banquet, the table was filled with Nanjing specialties. Jinling Roast Duck was glossy and crispy, with crispy skin and tender meat, paired with a special marinade that exuded a fragrant aroma. Stewed oysters and eels were golden, crackling, and tender when tapped. There was also the refreshing and delicious scalloped water chestnuts, where the tender water chestnuts and savory scallops met, showcasing the flavors of the water town. The exquisitely presented squirrel mandarin fish, deep-fried to golden perfection and drizzled with a sweet and sour marinade, drew the guests to their plates.

Gui'er didn't know anyone except Yulan, so she greeted her and then found a corner and sat down, drinking Coca-Cola.

Looking at the lavish banquet with elegant ladies, clinking cups and glasses, and the extravagant life, Jin Bao sighed and said to Gui Er, "I wish I could have such a scene when I get married."

Gui'er didn't know how to respond for a moment. After a moment's thought, she said, "These are turbulent times. It's good to have a peaceful life. Look, I'm called the Marshal's daughter, but I'm just that. Besides, my friends told me to be careful not to be treated as a bargain by my parents and marry someone they don't like."

Upon hearing this, Jin Bao's eyes lit up, and he sighed, "My dear Miss, you've never suffered hardship before. If it were me, even if it was just a deal, as long as I had money and someone could give me a lifetime of wealth and glory, I wouldn't care whether he loved me or not. Have you forgotten my background? By the way, if you really encounter such a thing in two years, you can let me take your place. I don't mind."

Gui'er was stunned. She said, "Don't think it's that simple. It doesn't matter if they are from a good family, but the behavior of many playboys is often beyond your expectations. They are prostitutes, gamblers, and have hidden illnesses." She was talking about Song Tingting's ex-fiancé.

Jin Bao leaned close to Gui Er's ear and said, "Look at all the men and women at this banquet. Aren't they all hypocritical? However, I recognized several of them as patrons of the proprietress and her sisters from the place I used to stay at. In fact, all men in the world are the same. Even if he is good now, it doesn't mean he will always be good. So it's better to find someone who can protect you for life."

The day after the engagement party, Gui'er returned to school. Zhou Guifang asked her, "Why did you take a leave yesterday? Did something happen at home?"

Gui'er said, "My eldest brother got engaged to Miss Tian yesterday."

Zhou Huifang said sourly, "Oh, so that's how it is. My father also works in the Military Commission, and he wasn't invited. It seems my uncle has become a forgotten figure."

Gui Er comforted her, "It's really no big deal. They're just strangers, so boring. Aren't you going to get engaged to that Mr. Han? When the news gets out, maybe Director Tian will come here to curry favor with your family."

Zhou Huifang then became happy and said, "Maybe we can get engaged during the holidays. Can you come to the party then?"

Gui'er said, "Really? I'm so happy for you. That depends on whether my family wants to go back to Jiangcheng. If they do, I might not be able to go. You know, I'm just an adopted daughter, and I often have no say in things."

Zhou Huifang sighed and said, "It's hard for you. Actually, you're old enough to start discussing marriage. But no one would consider you in your family's situation. What should you do? Do you want my mother to introduce you to a family? But it may not be possible to find a very wealthy family."