Hearing the word "daughter" all the time, Tonghua felt like she was getting goosebumps all over her body, because Zhang Guiying had never called her daughter before.

She was so good at putting on a show in front of outsiders that for so many years, no neighbor knew that her relationship with Zhang Guiying was not that good.

Tong's father, who was drinking and eating, suddenly said, "Just say less."

Qin Zun put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "This is indeed my fault. Tonghua and I fell in love at first sight, and we got married right away. We were indeed too hasty in getting married."

Tonghua was almost stunned when she heard this.

Look at Qin Zun's serious expression now. Who would know that he is talking nonsense seriously?

They never fell in love at first sight, and their marriage was just a matter of mutual needs.

However, in this situation, Tonghua naturally would not expose him and continued to eat in silence.

Zhang Guiying said: "When we get married, we not only have to get a marriage certificate, but also hold a wedding and invite relatives and friends to our home for a meal. Although you young people are impatient to deal with those troublesome things now, there are still some proper etiquettes that should be followed..."

Tonghua sighed secretly in her heart. She knew that the issue of the bride price could not be avoided. Her stepmother's purpose today was to get this.

But this has nothing to do with Qin Zun.

They are a contracted couple and will go their separate ways in a few months. What's the big deal about the stepmother asking Qin Zun for a betrothal gift now?

Tonghua glanced at Qin Zun secretly, not knowing how Qin Zun would look at her, whether he would think she was a greedy person.

She mustered up the courage to interrupt her stepmother and signaled Zhang Guiying with her eyes: "Aunt Zhang, this vegetable and tofu soup is almost finished. Please accompany me to scoop a bowl."

Zhang Guiying was still unhappy about being interrupted, but as soon as she met Tonghua's eyes, she knew that this girl had something to say to her.

Zhang Guiying picked up the soup bowl and walked towards the kitchen.

Tonghua also followed her with a bowl of soup.

Zhang Guiying came to the kitchen, put the bowl aside, put her hands on her hips, and said impatiently: "What's the matter? You have to tell me now."

Fairy Tale opens with the question: "How much money do you want?"

Zhang Guiying was stunned for a moment, then pretended to say, "How can you say that about your Aunt Zhang? I said those words at the dinner table for your own good. I've been through this before. Think about it, you didn't ask for anything when you got married, and the man's family got you without spending a penny. If they look down on you later, don't go back to your parents' house crying."

Tonghua didn't believe her words at all. She kept saying that it was for her own good, but in fact, she really wanted money.

It was said that the man's family should give a betrothal gift, but given Zhang Guiying's personality, she would definitely not prepare a dowry for her.

She asked for a high bride price but didn't prepare any dowry. If she really believed her stepmother's nonsense, she would be looked down upon by her in-laws in the future.

"Just tell me, how much money do you want?"

Zhang Guiying rolled her eyes and said pitifully, "Actually, I don't really need money, but you know, your brother's girlfriend's family has been making a fuss lately, demanding a house and a betrothal gift before they'll get married. We've been trying to get them to agree, but they've said they'll break up with your brother if we don't have these. You know your brother is a stubborn person, and once he makes up his mind, he won't change it. I'm really at my wit's end."

No wonder she had moved out for a few months when her father suddenly called and said he wanted her to come home.

She really thought that her father called because he missed her and wanted to meet his son-in-law.

It turned out that he came to ask her for money.

Tonghua gritted her teeth and forced herself not to think too much: "I have some money saved here. If Tong Zhengyuan wants to get married, I can give him some of it."

Zhang Guiying was a little unhappy. Tonghua had only been working for a few years. Even if she lived frugally and saved money from her teeth, she could not come up with tens of thousands of yuan.

Tens of thousands of dollars are far from enough for her son's wedding.

"The woman said that we don't need to pay for the house outright, and a mortgage is fine, but the minimum betrothal gift is 200,000 yuan, which adds up to 400,000 to 500,000 yuan."

"I can give you the money, but I have one condition."

Zhang Guiying looked at her in disbelief: "Where did you get so much money?"

"I've taken on a project at the company, and I'll be getting this much in bonus in a month. But you have to promise me that you won't ask Qin Zun for money again, and you're not allowed to mention this matter in front of him, otherwise you won't get a penny."

Zhang Guiying was still skeptical: "You said the money would only be available in a month. What if you don't get it?"

"Even if I don't get the money in the end, I'll still give it to you in a month, even if I have to borrow money from you."

"How can I believe that you are not lying to me on purpose?"

Tonghua said sarcastically, "Well, then you can ask Qin Zun for money right now. I guarantee you won't get a penny. After all, I'm his wife. Do you think he'll listen to you or me?"

Hearing Tonghua speak so confidently, Zhang Guiying was a little hesitant to act rashly.

Men are most afraid of women's pillow talk, and she had no doubt that Qin Zun would listen to fairy tales.

Because isn't that what Tonghua's father is like? Originally, Tong Shaogang had argued with her many times because she wanted to ask Tonghua for a betrothal gift, and he thought that he should just let his daughter and son-in-law live their lives well and not disturb them.

But just now at the dinner table, she brought up so many things and asked so many questions, but he didn't even dare to say a word and let her talk.

"Then you have to promise to give me the money in a month, otherwise don't blame me for coming to your house in person when the time comes."

"I know."

No wonder Zhang Guiying had just found out exactly where Qin Zun worked and lived, just so that she could come to their house and ask for money one day.

After the two reached an agreement, they returned to the dinner table.

As expected, Zhang Guiying did not mention anything about the betrothal gift, but instead picked up food for Qin Zun and Tonghua with an eager look on her face.

This made Tong's father a little at a loss. When did his wife start to care so much about their eldest daughter?

After dinner, Tonghua made an excuse that they had to go to work the next day, refused Tong's father's invitation to stay overnight, and went straight home.

While driving, Tonghua kept tilting her head and leaning it against the window, looking at the scenery outside the car window. She looked lonely and no one knew what she was thinking.

Qin Zun looked at her several times, and finally asked her calmly: "Did anything happen between you and Aunt Zhang during the meal?"

Tonghua said without turning around: "Nothing."

Seeing that Tonghua didn't want to talk, Qin Zun stopped asking and continued to concentrate on driving.