My Happy Daily Life After Being Reborn-Chapter 354 - 4 Marriage News_2

"Diamonds are assessed on four criteria," color, clarity, carat, and cut. However, in our country, the most revered jewelry is jade, and jade also emphasizes color, size, and craftsmanship."

"But in contrast to the straightforward nature of diamonds, jade is undoubtedly more complex. The key traits in jade - specifically in jadeite - include color, translucency, evenness, shape, and sound. Put simply, we look at the type of jade, the size, and carving quality; nephrite jade needs to be evaluated based on color, texture, transparency, luster, clarity, and the weight of the stone. Plus, nephrite jade has two major advantages: first, it’s inert to temperature changes, making it comfortable to wear, cool in summer and not cold in winter; second, it’s impervious to acid and alkali corrosion, which is why it can be buried underground for thousands of years without changing."

"For a person to understand diamonds, all they need is a comprehensive theory book and some appraisal tools, but to understand jade, one might need decades of experience. This shows the deep cultural significance of jade."

"Moreover, jade represents the five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity."

"The beauty of diamonds lies in their hardness, clarity, and brilliance, while the beauty of jade lies in its delicacy, warmth, subtlety, and elegance."

"The beauty of diamonds is domineering and eye-catching, but the beauty of jade is distant and reserved, just like the history of our country, profound and flowing, enduring and unending - the jewelry that best suits us."

"Every kind of jewelry has its beauty, but without a doubt, what suits one best is truly the best."

Turning over the phrase "what suits one best is truly the best" in her mind, Mrs. Yang’s eyes lit up, "Then Mrs. Shen, which kind of jewelry suits me?"

Lin Xiaoguai chuckled lightly. As someone from an older generation, she had always been critical of the modern domestic trend influenced by foreign cultures - the custom of needing to buy a diamond ring for a wedding.

Diamonds are not without their merits, but Chinese jade is in no way inferior to diamonds. It’s true that China doesn’t have as many romantic or marital customs as foreign countries, but didn’t ancient times have the concept of tokens of love? Why must we follow foreign practices?

Though diamonds are lovely, she privately thought jade suited Chinese people best.

In future times, when someone gets married, people often ask about the size of the wedding ring in carats; frankly, she found this a bit tiresome.

The wedding feasts of future generations in China have become more and more extravagant year by year, driven by this comparison mindset - fearing that anything less than others will be talked about. And many people ask questions like, "How much does the banquet cost per table?" "What’s the budget for the wedding photos?" "How much did you spend on the bride’s jewelry?" It’s irritating to hear and transforms what should be a joyous occasion into something that many approach with dread.

Realizing her thoughts were drifting, Lin Xiaoguai sighed. In future times, diamonds would reign supreme in China, and with the predictable depletion of Myanmar’s mines, jadeite would become even more valuable. Only nephrite jade, which had accompanied the flow of history, maintained a lukewarm market presence.

Little did Lin Xiaoguai know, her words, once spoken by Mrs. Yang, soon became known among the upper echelons of society. Some looked down upon them, some disdained, yet many more agreed, and some of the older generation came to think even more highly of her.

Her mood had been somewhat low, but then she received a phone call from Zhu Huixi saying she was confirmed pregnant, and Lin Xiaoguai’s spirits immediately brightened.

"Did you call Xiao Li?" Lin Xiaoguai asked happily.

"I did..." Zhu Huixi’s tone suddenly dropped, "Xiao Guai, did Xiao Li say she’s getting married?"

"Getting married!?" Lin Xiaoguai was first shocked, then delighted, "When did she find a romantic partner? Why hasn’t she mentioned it in any letters?" The fact that Yang Xiaoli could move past the shadow of a previous relationship was a joy beyond measure.

"It’s not what you think." Zhu Huixi said dryly, "She met the man through matchmaking, and they’ve known each other for less than three months."

Lin Xiaoguai was stunned, and it took her a moment to respond, "Actually, love marriages aren’t necessarily mandatory; as long as the couple can live a down-to-earth life, that’s not bad." As long as Yang Xiaoli was willing to let go, even if she couldn’t forget Su Cheng, once she had her own children, life would surely find its flavors.

"It’s not that!" exclaimed Zhu Huixi indignantly, "I think she’s succumbed to pressure from her elders to marry! You don’t know, if it weren’t for her mother interjecting over the phone, she wouldn’t have planned to tell us about her marriage at all."

She didn’t plan to tell them about getting married?

Lin Xiaoguai was a bit dazed. She didn’t doubt Yang Xiaoli’s attitude towards their friendship; such an important event as marriage would certainly not be omitted from their plans. If she hadn’t mentioned it, it could only mean that she didn’t care much for the wedding itself.

"That bastard Su Cheng, he found himself a new girl, but he’s left Xiao Li in such a state!" Zhu Huixi’s angry and sorrowful voice echoed on the phone.

"Su Cheng has a new partner?" Lin Xiaoguai asked in surprise.

She hadn’t expected Zhu Huixi to still be keeping tabs on Su Cheng.

"Yeah," Zhu Huixi said bitterly, "I ran into him on the street last time, strolling with a woman, holding hands, very intimate. The woman was even prettier than Xiao Li, and from the look of her clothes, her family seems well-off."

"So much for Su Cheng’s fervent declarations of love, and here he is, quick to move on to someone new!" she said resentfully.

However, unlike Zhu Huixi, Lin Xiaoguai wasn’t as bothered by this; she certainly felt it was unfair to Yang Xiaoli, but her thoughts were confirmed.

When it comes to matters of the heart, men really seem to move on faster than women, and it’s Yang Xiaoli who suffers.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiaoguai hesitated before dialing Yang Xiaoli’s number.

"I knew you’d call," Yang Xiaoli said with a smile when they connected.

Relief washed over Lin Xiaoguai; it seemed things were not as bad as she had feared.

"Don’t worry, nothing’s wrong. The reason I didn’t want you and Huihui to come to the wedding is that I never intended to have a big ceremony. We’re just going to register and have a simple meal with close family relatives," Yang Xiaoli explained, pre-empting any questions.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian to cast your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to continue reading.)