The days leading up to the engagement.
Ni Xue and Hua Linglong arrived at the Qiu family's home two days in advance.
"You two are here at the perfect time. Come look at the clothes and jewelry my mother prepared."
As the date drew nearer, Qiu Xihua had put more thought into these details.
"Come on, let's take a look." The two were completely at ease. As soon as Qiu Xi finished speaking, they walked over to examine the items.
"With these two sets, your aunt really knows you!" Ni Xue said with a light smile, nodding as she looked at the jewelry on the table.
She hadn't understood such things before, but as she had recently been reading related materials, she had gained some knowledge.
One set of jewelry was very traditional, the kind for a formal engagement, which in the past would have been enough to show the importance of the engagement ceremony.
As for the other set, it was a popular, exquisite style of the current era, elegant and dazzling to wear, very beautiful.
This latter set would be perfect for the day.
Qiu Xi smiled and nodded after hearing Ni Xue's words. "Indeed, my mother and Aunt Chu discussed it for a few days before choosing these. They're quite lovely."
Compared to big gold bracelets or chains, she preferred more delicate items to wear.
However, in a way, she was also a bit materialistic; she liked those shiny gold pieces too.
"With this, what we're giving might seem a little lacking," Hua Linglong said jokingly from the side.
The three of them had planned that each would contribute a portion, covering everything from head to toe, with other gifts to be prepared separately.
"It's not lacking!" Qiu Xi shook her head without even seeing their gifts.
She didn't lack these material things, but she cherished their affection.
"Heh heh~"
"I knew it!" Hua Linglong smiled faintly.
"Come on, these are what we prepared for you."
"These two gifts are from Tangtang. We're responsible for bringing them to you."
These were specially mailed back by Tang Siran from abroad.
The reason they weren't sent directly to Qiu Xi was also to add a touch of surprise.
Qiu Xi looked at the gift boxes before her and hugged both of them emotionally.
"Thank you~"
"What are you thanking us for!"
"We've been like family for so many years, no need to thank us~"
The two looked at Qiu Xi with a hint of melancholy.
The news had come a bit early, and there was still a touch of reluctance.
"Mm~"
"Come on, let's see how the prepared dress looks..."
"Okay~"
"This was designed and made by Ms. Qiu herself. She put a lot of effort into it," Qiu Xi said with a smile, a hint of heartache in her voice.
It wasn't strictly necessary, but her mother insisted, which led to this engagement dress.
The color was the traditional red, but the style was not.
Qiu Xi had asked her mother why it was like that.
She remembered her mother's tone at the time, a mix of emotion and reluctance.
"It's not your wedding, we'll talk about that when you get married."
So, this dress was formal yet not entirely so, perfect for the engagement day.
Qiu Xi touched the dress and explained a bit to the two.
"Aunt Qiu's considerations are very thoughtful. Most importantly, she cherishes you..." The two gently touched the dress beside Qiu Xi's hand, sighing.
"Knowing Aunt Qiu's personality, I bet she won't prepare any less for your wedding day..."
"Mm..." Qiu Xi nodded helplessly.
She knew it without even thinking.
Her mother was naturally happy that her past unfulfilled dreams could finally be realized.
Even though she felt for her, she couldn't stop her.
"Alright, if we keep getting sentimental, we won't get anything done today." Hua Linglong was an optimistic and cheerful girl. She couldn't stand this kind of thing, so she interrupted directly.
"Let's get started with the makeup trial."
The three of them had another important task today: Qiu Xi's makeup trial.
Hua Linglong, being a professional photographer, would be documenting everything from now until the end of Qiu Xi's engagement.
She planned to take some photos during Qiu Xi's makeup trial today.
Although the fiancé wasn't present, a girl alone was enough, and would only be more beautiful.
"Right!"
"We still have to do the makeup trial. Xiao Xi, don't waste any more time," Ni Xue also remembered this significant event and pulled Qiu Xi along to begin.
"Alright~" Qiu Xi smiled faintly.
"Let's start."
Qiu Xi was a makeup artist herself and had also specifically studied with Xiao Hua in this area, so there was no need to worry.
The purpose of the makeup trial now was to choose a look that best suited her and matched the dress, which would save a lot of time on the engagement day.
This brought up how Qiu Xi had refused a series of services arranged by the Nan family.
Although Chu Sheng had initially prepared many things, in the end, it was decided that the engagement should not be ostentatious and was merely a family affair, so she compromised.
Furthermore, she had requested that this could not happen again on her wedding day, a request Qiu Xi had agreed to.
Actually, she just didn't want to tire herself out...