Time flew by and it was evening.

The sky had just begun to darken.

Shen Zhiyu, beaming with joy, led a stylish and beautiful girl through the courtyard gate.

He grinned from ear to ear, his face beaming with pride and satisfaction.

"We're back."

The girl was Liu Yuelan, who was beautiful and slender.

Standing in front of the Shen family's courtyard gate, he seemed particularly out of place.

However, when Zhu Xiuqin heard the sound, she not only did not come out to greet them, but instead closed the door even tighter.

He hid inside the house, afraid of being recognized or caught red-handed.

Whenever she saw Liu Yuelan, she was reminded of the little savings her son had squandered, and a sharp pain shot through her heart.

After Liu Yuelan entered the courtyard, she glanced around briefly and her brows furrowed slightly.

The house was worse than she had imagined.

The walls were peeling and mottled, the ground was uneven and pitted, and there wasn't even a decent piece of furniture in the yard.

She felt a little uncomfortable, but quickly suppressed her emotions and comforted herself that it was okay.

Once she and Shen Zhiyu get married, they must immediately separate from the family; she absolutely cannot allow herself to be dragged down by this large family.

Just then, familiar footsteps sounded at the door again.

Turning around, Shen Cunpu pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in, his face showing the exhaustion of his work.

He was slightly taken aback when he saw Liu Yuelan standing in the courtyard.

She quickly regained her composure, simply nodded, and said casually, "You've come."

Then, without saying much, he went into the kitchen as usual and started washing vegetables and cooking.

Liu Yuelan stood there stunned for a moment, a feeling of indescribable surprise rising in her heart.

She had thought that Shen Cunpu would at least be somewhat surprised when he saw her.

But to my surprise, the other party was so calm and composed.

Was that Shen Zhiyu's older brother who always looked sickly?

Why did you look so sick just a moment ago?

Now, when he appears, he looks energetic and like a completely different person.

In just one glance, Shen Zhiyu seemed far inferior in comparison.

Shen Zhiyu carefully took out a ripe plum from his bag and gently presented it to Liu Yuelan.

"Yuelan, this is something I bought especially for you. I spent a long time choosing it, and I guarantee it will be extra sweet."

Liu Yuelan lowered her head to take it, took a few small bites, and as she ate, her mood improved somewhat.

In fact, she knew perfectly well what was going on in her heart.

Looks good but can't replace rice.

Shen Zhiyu is good-looking and has a respectable job.

She's much better than her older brother who only knows how to work in the fields all day.

A dozen minutes later.

Shen Cunpu and Su Qingzhi entered the house one after the other and brought the prepared food to the table.

Looking at the delicious-looking dishes on the table, Liu Yuelan unconsciously swallowed.

It smells so good!

Let alone her, the daughter of a village chief.

It's rare to have a meal like this on a regular day.

Shen Zhiyu, standing to the side, frowned and said to Su Qingzhi with some dissatisfaction, "Sister-in-law, didn't I tell you that Yuelan likes to eat light food and can't eat too spicy food?"

"Light? I know that."

Su Qingzhi pointed to the blanched bok choy on the table.

"This plate of bok choy was prepared especially for you."

Liu Yuelan smiled after hearing this and said politely, "Thank you for cooking for me. Since everyone has made spicy food, I'll try it. It's no problem."

This dinner marked the first time Su Qingzhi formally met Liu Yuelan.

Judging from her appearance alone, Liu Yuelan's looks can only be described as average, but her attire is quite appropriate and elegant.

But there was a hint of calculation in those eyes, clearly indicating that he was not someone to be trifled with.

Su Qingzhi knew the answer.

This person is probably not as simple as she appears on the surface.

She saw Liu Yuelan eating with great relish, her lips even slightly oily, but she didn't touch the plate of stir-fried bok choy at all, leaving her full of questions.

She couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Didn't I say that I prefer light flavors and that's why I like to eat these vegetarian dishes?

They were enjoying the oily and greasy meat dish, but they didn't touch any vegetables.

Could it be that he didn't like what she cooked?

Or is he/she thinking something else?

Su Qingzhi put down her chopsticks as she pondered, and slowly began to speak.

"Yuelan, you are our daughter-in-law. It is truly a joyous occasion for our family that you have married into the Shen family."

She paused, her tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

"But have you ever thought about how your in-laws managed to scrape together the dowry money when you got married? Do you know the reasons behind it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiuqin, who had just entered the restaurant, immediately changed her expression and glared at Su Qingzhi with reproach in her eyes.

"Just eat properly when you're eating, and don't say things you shouldn't."

Su Qingzhi's lips curled up slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She knew that this was precisely the thing that Zhu Xiuqin and the Shen family were most afraid of and least able to show off.

She knew very well that the considerable dowry sent to the Liu family was not paid for by the Shen family themselves!

Upon hearing Su Qingzhi's words, Liu Yuelan indeed showed a hint of surprise and inquiry.

She raised her head, her eyes revealing curiosity.

"Oh? Who gave me this money?"

She thought to herself that if it was money that Shen Zhiyu had painstakingly earned himself, she definitely wouldn't accept it.

She always thought that marriage should be arranged and funded by the groom's parents.

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