Because this was the first time the two families had met, they didn’t discuss anything too important. According to Amber’s mother, this was just a part of the process for the two families to get to know each other, and there wasn’t a need to rush into marriage.
But Ian’s grandmother jumped into the topic, saying, “With the way they are now, their marriage can be in whatever style they’d like. However, I still feel like we shouldn’t have one of those new-fangled marriages where they drop the banquet in favor of travelling around.
Neither of our two families have a lot of children, so we really do need to have a ceremony. After all, in a woman’s entire life, how can she not go through a few ceremonies?”
These words spoke to Amber mother’s heart, and the two of them sat side-by-side for the rest of the dinner. One called the other auntie, and the other sister. Yes, they were really getting along quite well.
On the other hand, Amber’s father and Ian’s grandfather quickly began discussing financial affairs-even though Amber’s father was only in charge of a small diner, he tended to pay close attention to national matters, and always watched the daily news.
He wasn’t able to come up with grandiose statements, but something general like, “The price of raw goods has really skyrocketed these last few years. It’s getting so much harder to do business,” was something he could easily chat about.
Ian and Daren didn’t talk very much, but Amber would occasionally exchange a few words of conversation with the both of them. Overall, this dinner was quite lively and harmonious.
After the dinner concluded, it had been prearranged for Ian to take Amber and her family home, whereas the rest of the Axton family would be driven home by Ian’s father.
As Ian’s grandmother left, she even pulled on Amber mother’s sleeve and said, “Let’s meet and talk more in the future.”
As for Amber’s mother, she invited Ian’s family over to their place. “If you’re ever free, please feel free to stop by our place. We don’t have much, but we can still get you some things that are hard to find in the city.”
The two seemed unable to separate.
That night, Amber’s parents stayed in the apartment opposite Amber’s. When they first saw the signpost by the door, their lips twitched, rendered speechless by Amber and Ian’s antics.
Once they entered the apartment, Amber’s mother quickly chased Ian away with an excuse about trying to find something, and then Amber’s parents dragged her Amber into a discussion about the dinner-they had to rush it, because Amber was still working the next day, even though it was a weekend. Afterall, she had to finish all her tasks by the time graduation came around.
Amber’s mother went straight to the point, saying, “The Axton family seems to be pretty easygoing.”
Her father was also pleased with what he had seen. “They really don’t seem like a rich family at all, and don’t have the normal pretentiousness that you often see.”
Amber nodded. Not only were the Axton family not pretentious, but she also honestly felt that Ian’s grandparents were a very well-grounded couple.
Her mother then said, “When talking about marriage, you really have to take a close look at the other party’s family. If everyone else in the family is kind and understanding, then the person himself also won’t be too bad.
And as far as I can tell, everyone from Ian’s family is pretty decent. Ian himself also isn’t too bad, and besides the fact that he talks too little and always looks a bit dazed, he seems trustworthy.”
Amber started smiling upon hearing her mother’s evaluation. It seemed like Ian wouldn’t be able to rectify his image as a dolt in her mother’s mind that easily, but at least it didn’t affect the overall picture.
After all, her mother continued with her assessment, saying, “Being a bit dazed also implies that his personality’s pretty direct, and that he won’t be sly, devious, or anything like that.”
In summary, Amber’s family was very pleased with the Axton family, who was rich but not ostentatious. With Ian growing up in such a family, it wasn’t strange for him to become enamored with Amber despite their differences in background, and Amber wouldn’t be at a disadvantage if she did marry into their family.
In the other side, The Axton family also were quite satisfied with Amber’s parents. Additionally, they had no problems with Amber herself, and honestly, even if they did, as long as Ian was willing to marry a female, then they would be fine with whomever he chose. And since they really had a good opinion of Amber, they were very open minded about Amber’s parents.
And since both sides were satisfied, Ian’s grandparents very much wanted them to get engaged quickly. “Getting engaged is a good idea because then you can wait a little before getting married.”
Ian’s father seldomly commented on Ian’s affairs, and he didn’t do so now either, only saying, “Do whatever you like.”
This comment angered his grandparents quite a bit. “Is he even your son? We even had to prod at you endlessly to get you to dinner tonight. You’re not even going to give an opinion for something as important as this?!”
Ian’s father raised his eyebrows, and then coolly said, “Does he treat me like his father? The two of you can handle his affairs however you’d like, and if you need me to be around, then just let me know.” And with those words, he swished his sleeves and left.
Ian’s grandparents could only stare at his back. But when they remembered that their little grandson, who was already twenty-something years old and about to graduate, was still there, they reluctantly dropped their anger and asked for his opinion as a gesture of goodwill. “Daren, what do you think about your brother’s girlfriend?”
Daren lowered his head, his eyes red, and only after quite a while did he say, “Not good.”
“Why not?”
Daren gritted his teeth. “She’s a vile person!”
???
Ian’s grandparents were dazed.