novelraw Chapter 400 - 8: How to Earn Enough for a Dowry
Chapter 400 - 8: How to Earn Enough for a Dowry
Chapter 400: Chapter 8: How to Earn Enough for a Dowry
Shi Suifeng was at home pointing things out.
"Mom, there are a lot of people at home, let’s stew five pounds of meat today and stew it with the bamboo shoots. Chop the lettuce leaves and stir-fry them with pickled chili, and cook some dry rice."
After saying this, he turned to look at his two sister-in-laws with unpleasant expressions, sighing sadly: "Sisters-in-law, don’t worry, I don’t want to take advantage of the family. Mainly, I’m concerned for my elder brothers who work hard and need to replenish with some solid food."
"Drinking porridge every day, even an iron body can’t take it."
The two sister-in-laws silently continued with their tasks, not daring to respond.
In their hearts, they had a silent agreement—Little Three, if you hadn’t come back, your two brothers would actually be eating solid food!
If it weren’t for wanting Shi Suifeng to peacefully send money back every month, being one family, why bother to put on such an act!
...
And the instigator seemed completely unaware, still looking sincerely at Zhao Xiuhua, generously yet wastefully saying: "Mom, don’t be stingy with money, just deduct it from the over a thousand yuan I sent back. I don’t have meat tickets, you can deduct a bit more money, just consider it as me paying for a family meal."
Zhao Xiuhua’s face turned green.
Still eating?
Last night, the largest old hen was finished in one meal, eating meat every day might just eat the family into bankruptcy!
What over a thousand yuan of his? That was the family’s savings!
Little San in the army collecting allowances is so easy, why still argue about this little bit of money with his two brothers!
So Zhao Xiuhua cleared her throat, pretending not to hear this, reached out to push her son’s arm:
"Talking to you, Little San, don’t just dodge the topic, always thinking about eating and drinking... I’ve arranged a match for you, how about that?"
...
"Talking about a match..."
Shi Suifeng dragged out his voice slowly.
He nodded briskly at Zhao Xiuhua: "Okay, Mom, go ahead and arrange it. After all, with so much money saved, once the match is set, I’ll be generous enough to buy the three major items as a dowry to show our family’s sincerity."
After saying this, he gratefully looked at his mother: "Mom, thanks to you for saving money for me, otherwise, with my spending habits, how’d I ever afford to buy the three major items? I’d probably just have a plain wedding!"
Marriages are generally this quick these days.
Shi Suifeng said this without appearing at all eager.
But even though he wasn’t in a hurry, Zhao Xiuhua was!
What does this mean?
This match isn’t even determined yet, and already rushing to buy the three major pieces?!
Where’s the money to buy the three major pieces?
A dozen years ago, when she arranged marriages for her two sons, 20 pounds of sweet potato dried goods got a young girl then.
Of course, as for a decade ago when there was a national famine, and a bowl of rice could take away a maiden, Zhao Xiuhua selectively forgot about that.
...
But these couple of days, she also gained some endurance.
At the moment, her concerns were all tucked away, she just nodded smilingly indicating agreement:
"Alright. Since you’re not home often, Mom will find you a virtuous one. As for the dowry, let’s keep it in line with our village standards, being too ostentatious isn’t good either."
Shi Suifeng’s eyes wandered around their rare blue-bricked big tile house in the village, with an indifferent expression:
"Alright then, since we’re not buying the three major items, there’s no need to save the money on food! Mom! Who do you think should go buy meat today?"
The topic once again turned back to meat!
Zhao Xiuhua silently swallowed a breath, forced out a smile: "Let your big sister-in-law go, she has relatives over at the supply and marketing cooperative..."
...
The village had no secrets.
The fact that Old Mrs. Zhou came to look for Zhao Xiuhua that morning soon spread around. Old Mrs. Zhou often acted as a mediator in the village, so now she going to see Zhao Xiuhua, combined with the thought of her son being home on holiday, everyone had an inkling.
And at the educated youth point, Zhao Weihong took a deep breath, also having made plans.
They had been working in the village for several years, but even so, still felt exhausted every day.
At this time, taking advantage of the noon break, she hurried to wash her hair and clean herself to maintain a good appearance, and took the chance to look in the mirror.
Not terribly pretty, but—young.
Zhao Weihong touched her full and elastic cheeks, remembering the weary and haggard old woman she saw in the glass at the entrance of a commercial building in a past life, she was very satisfied.
At this vibrant age, facing energetic young men, there’s no fear of not being attractive.
But...
In the mirror, her gaze slowly turned fierce.
The opportunity that should have been hers was ruined by Wen Juan, and until now, she hadn’t been able to connect with Shi Suifeng, she hadn’t even met him once.