At this moment, Li Junsheng was taking Li Xiaoyu and Tang Liang to a nearby state-owned restaurant.
The distance wasn't far, so the three of them walked directly there.
Li Xiaoyu held Li Junsheng's arm, looking somewhat anxious.
"Father, is it okay that Mom isn't coming to this meal?"
"Of course it's okay. Why wouldn't it be? Isn't having me as your father enough to make decisions about your marriage?"
Actually, Li Junsheng understood his youngest daughter's meaning.
Her mother Ma Yulian not caring about her marriage made her somewhat sad.
Ma Yulian always had the final say at home, so it was normal for her to worry that her marriage wouldn't work out if Ma Yulian wasn't there!
Ma Yulian was arrogant and harsh in her words and actions. If not for needing her approval, Li Xiaoyu wouldn't have asked this question.
Now that Li Junsheng could make decisions for himself, Li Xiaoyu was instantly delighted.
Father was much easier to talk to than Mother. With Father in charge, she and Tang Liang would likely get married!
"Father, you're so good. But why do I feel like you've changed a lot lately?"
Li Xiaoyu held Li Junsheng's arm and smiled brightly at him. Her youngest daughter's bright smile made Li Junsheng feel somewhat dazed.
For him, the last time he saw his youngest daughter smile so happily was many, many years ago!
Now that his daughter was still safe by his side, Li Junsheng was already very satisfied.
Thinking back to his previous life, when he saw his youngest daughter's cold, bloodless body, he had been in great pain.
Li Junsheng turned to Li Xiaoyu and said seriously:
"Father was foolish before. I knew your mother was often very unreasonable, but for the sake of a harmonious family, to avoid divorcing your mother, I chose to compromise, even at the expense of you and your sister, and your second brother."
"Now Father has just realized there's no need to compromise so much. You and your siblings are all grown up, you shouldn't live so miserably. It's just that Father's realization came a bit late..."
If he could be reborn when he was young, he definitely wouldn't make three children suffer, and he might not even marry Ma Yulian.
Such a disaster, whoever wanted her could have her, wishing her to be locked with Chen Dazhu!
Seeing Li Junsheng's realization and no longer being so weak and compromising himself, Li Xiaoyu was truly happy for him.
The three arrived at the state-owned restaurant. Tang Liang gave Li Junsheng the menu and let him order.
Soon, simple but delicious dishes were served in old-fashioned pink peony flower plates.
In this era, a dish was actually substantial, unlike forty years later when dishes were small, with two mint leaves for decoration, yet priced exorbitantly!
Tang Liang opened a bottle of wine, poured it for Li Junsheng, and solemnly toasted him.
"Uncle, I'll toast you. Thank you very much for today's hospitality and your generosity!"
Li Junsheng shook his head, took a sip of wine, and began to question Tang Liang's family background.
"How old are your parents? If they're younger than me, you should call me Uncle!"
"My father is forty-eight this year, my mother is forty-five, so I should call you Uncle."
Li Junsheng nodded. Tang Liang's parents were relatively young. At least within ten years, they could help take care of children, and Tang Liang wouldn't need to stay by their side too much.
Whatever Li Junsheng asked, Tang Liang answered honestly without hiding anything.
Unlike Sun Gui, who talked nonsense and tried to deceive!
After thinking for a moment, Li Junsheng deliberately tested him:
"Xiaoyu is my youngest daughter. I've always been better to her than to my other children. If you really want to marry her, what others have, our Xiaoyu should have too."
Li Junsheng wanted to see if Tang Liang would think they were being pretentious.
If he tried to bargain with him later, Li Junsheng would need to reconsider his relationship with Xiaoyu.
Unexpectedly, Tang Liang didn't bargain with Li Junsheng like he was buying goods. Instead, he said proactively:
"Uncle, I understand all of this. I like Xiaoyu and don't want to make her suffer."
"Marrying Xiaoyu, I'll prepare the popular 'three turns and one sound', and the dowry will be at least eighty-eight dollars. I just hope you believe me and give me some time!"
At this point, Tang Liang clearly looked embarrassed and nervous.
"To be honest, I can only afford half of the 'three turns and one sound' and eighty-eight dollars dowry right now, but my salary is stable, and I'll save money. It won't take long to save up the rest!"
Although Tang Liang didn't bargain, he did have difficulties.
Tang Liang didn't try to lower the requirements, which Li Junsheng found satisfactory, but he didn't want him to keep Xiaoyu waiting too long!
If they got pregnant before marriage, in this era, Xiaoyu would be gossiped about.
After thinking for a moment, Li Junsheng asked deliberately:
"Your parents aren't too old, can't they help with the marriage?"
To avoid misunderstanding, Tang Liang quickly explained:
"My parents have saved money for my marriage, but I didn't take it. I want to marry Xiaoyu with my own abilities."
"Otherwise, even if my parents could help me get married, if I can't support Xiaoyu after marriage, I wouldn't take their money!"
Li Junsheng nodded and took a sip of wine. How to put it, the young man his youngest daughter liked had ambition.
He was also responsible and could think long-term!
After Li Junsheng nodded, Li Xiaoyu and Tang Liang were both anxious, not knowing what Li Junsheng was thinking.
Would he refuse to let them see each other because he couldn't provide the 'three turns and one sound' and eighty-eight dollars dowry right now!
"Father, don't just drink. What do you think about me and Tang Liang?"
Li Xiaoyu served Li Junsheng some food and asked about her relationship with Tang Liang.
Li Junsheng smiled helplessly: "What else could I think? Just wait for a while, you two can keep dating. I hope he won't disappoint me!"
Hearing this, Li Xiaoyu was so happy she almost jumped up, and Tang Liang also smiled broadly, full of joy.
"Uncle, rest assured, I won't disappoint you!"
"Thank you, Father!"
Li Xiaoyu and Tang Liang both thanked Li Junsheng. Li Junsheng didn't expect his daughter to be so happy.
Seems she really likes Tang Liang!
He was also satisfied with Tang Liang, so he let them date.
After talking about the marriage, Li Junsheng chatted with Tang Liang. Learning that Tang Liang was from a rural village, Li Junsheng asked him:
"Xiao Tang, do you have anything to do this afternoon? If not, come with me to the town!"
Tang Liang sat up straight: "Uncle, I've taken leave from the factory today. It's no problem to go with you to the town. Are we going to meet my parents?"
Li Junsheng waved his hands repeatedly. Tang Liang had misunderstood.
Li Xiaoyu also blushed.
"Father, isn't it too early to meet Tang Liang's parents?"
"We're not going to meet Xiao Tang's parents. I have other business to attend to. When the two families really meet, it should be in a formal setting, more solemn!"
This made Li Xiaoyu even more curious. What could Father have to do in the countryside?
But Li Junsheng didn't explain, just gave a mysterious smile!