Shi Zhen had anticipated Shi Xingchao's marriage and remained remarkably calm, talking to Shi Xingchao while eating his dinner.

After the weather gets cold, the rice can be stored for longer. He cooked rice in the morning and had half left over, so he ate fried rice for dinner.

Stir-fry the sliced ​​meat and cabbage until cooked, then add rice and stir-fry again before eating.

As for the taste, I don't really care about that when I'm hungry.

What frustrates him now is that many seasonings are simply unavailable.

For example, soy sauce. The various kinds of light soy sauce with particularly delicious flavor that we see in later generations are not available on the market now.

Otherwise... he could just pour soy sauce into his fried rice.

"Ah Zhen, I'm going back now. Fang Miyan went home, she should be coming over in a bit." Shi Xingchao said, giving Shi Zhen a thumbs up: "Ah Zhen, as expected of you, you weren't surprised at all when you heard I was getting married... How should I put it? Something about a landslide..."

"How can one remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses before them?" Shi Zhen asked.

“Yes, that’s it. I’ve seen it on TV,” Shi Xingchao said. “My parents aren’t as generous as you, sigh!”

Just as Shi Xingchao finished speaking, Shi Dashan and Chen Xiaofen came in from outside. The two looked somewhat flustered and still in shock. When they saw Shi Zhen, they seemed to have seen a savior: "Zhen! Something terrible has happened! Your brother Xingchao is getting married!"

"I already know," Shi Zhen smiled at them.

Shi Zhen looked calm. Chen Xiaofen thought he hadn't understood, so she added, "Your brother Xingchao, he's married."

“Aunt, I already know,” Shi Zhen got up and brought them a stool. “Please sit down and tell me slowly.”

Chen Xiaofen and Shi Dashan glared at Shi Xingchao, who was still standing nearby, before sitting down. They then started talking at once: "Azhen, what's wrong with your brother? He handled such an important matter without saying a word!"

"We haven't met that girl yet!"

"He'd never even met me, and he went straight to getting a marriage certificate? How could he do that?"

...

According to the customs of their hometown, after the man and woman meet and are satisfied, they will spend more time together, meet each other's parents, and so on. Once everything is agreed upon, they will get engaged. At the time of engagement, the man's family will give the woman's family a bride price.

Then the groom's family tidies up the new house, buys some new furniture, and then they can get married.

If both the man and woman are of advanced age, they usually get married immediately after getting engaged.

If both the man and woman are still young, it's possible for them to get engaged and then marry a few years later.

But no matter what, an engagement is definitely necessary, followed by a wedding ceremony.

As for getting a marriage certificate, it's usually done before or after the wedding.

Thinking this, Mr. and Mrs. Shi glared at Shi Xingchao again.

Shi Xingchao said, "Mom and Dad, in many places these days, dowries are no longer customary. As for the wedding... we can hold it when we go back for the New Year. Don't worry, I'll definitely make sure it's a good one for you!"

When the wedding was mentioned, Shi Xingchao's face lit up with joy.

In their area, although they can receive monetary gifts at weddings, the groom's family has to contribute a significant amount of money.

According to custom, the groom's family must send half a pig and some money to the bride's family to help with the wedding banquet. They also need to take the bride to buy new clothes, give the bride's brothers large red envelopes, and various red envelopes are indispensable during the wedding procession.

But if they skip the wedding procession and just have the wedding at their own home... then they can make money!

Shi Zhen probably knew what Shi Xingchao was thinking, after all, they had been through it once before.

He said to Shi Dashan and Chen Xiaofen, "Uncle, Aunt, Xingchao can handle everything himself, which is better than you having to worry about everything. Just let him handle this himself. The person he married is named Fang Miyan. She used to cook for me, and she's a very nice person."

Shi Dashan and Chen Xiaofen had no problem with Fang Miyan; on the contrary, they felt sorry for her: "Was this young girl deceived by that brat Xingchao?"

"She has nothing, so why is she getting married?"

"This kid is so stingy!"

...

Several years ago, Chen Xiaofen had already started looking for a suitable girl and asked Shi Xingchao to go on a blind date with her, but nothing came of it.

Basically, it's because people don't think much of her son.

In this situation, if someone takes a fancy to her son... as long as the girl is presentable, she's happy to accept.

Fang Miyan is a girl from this area. Although we haven't met her, Shi Daniu and the others all say she's good, so she must be good.

Shi Zhen comforted Shi Dashan and his wife for a while.

He looked at him as if he didn't take Shi Xingchao's silent departure to get the marriage certificate seriously at all, making Shi Dashan and his wife wonder if they were... making a big fuss over nothing.

Are people like this nowadays?

Is it because they are old and come from the mountains that they can't keep up with the times?

Shi Zhen took out two bowls, put in some tea leaves, and brewed tea for Shi Dashan and his wife. He then said to Shi Xingchao, "Brother Xingchao, you go and watch the shop first."

After Shi Xingchao left, Shi Zhen began to ask Shi Dashan and his wife how their business was doing recently.

Mr. and Mrs. Shi said, "It's cold, so we don't set up a stall in town at night, but we can still earn fifty yuan a day. Xingxing's place is also good; we can earn twenty or thirty yuan a day."

Shi Zhen changed the subject, bringing up business and Zhao Dongjuan's in-laws, the Wang couple.

The two men had been selling fried skewers, but their business was far less successful than that of Shi Dashan and his wife. In the past, when it was hot, they were even harassed by people who came to their door because they were selling spoiled chicken wings.

However, they can earn ten or twenty yuan a day, but... I heard that when they bring the money home, their son and daughter-in-law take it away. Even their savings account for receiving their retirement pension was taken away by their son and daughter-in-law.

Many people in the town sympathized with them, but behind their backs, they couldn't help but ridicule them.

“We saw Dongjuan in town. She was dressed so well, and her gold chain around her neck was so thick… Sigh, your brother Xingchao is getting married, should we prepare some gold too?” Chen Xiaofen asked.

Shi Zhen said, "If you prepare, Xingchao will definitely be happy; if you don't prepare, it's fine too."

"Wouldn't it be a bit much not to prepare anything? Actually, we should buy the girl a bicycle." Chen Xiaofen felt she couldn't let it go without doing something.

"If it's a bicycle, Fang Miyan should be able to use it," Shi Zhen said.

In their area, many elderly people feel that it is their responsibility to find a wife for their son.

Once their son gets married, they'll have completed their mission and can retire.

His aunt still holds these old-fashioned ideas.

"Then let's leave it at that." Chen Xiaofen thought to herself, if she couldn't give a bride price, she would just buy some things for the woman.

Of course, the main reason they are so generous is that they have recently become wealthy.

They told Shi Zhen they would earn at least fifty yuan a day, but in reality... even if they didn't do business at night, they could still earn two thousand yuan a month.

Ordinary people become generous after they get rich, but Shi Xingchao is not an ordinary person!

While Shi Zhen was chatting with Shi Dashan and the others, Fang Miyan went home, packed her things, and quietly left.

Her mother has been crying at home every day lately, her father has been drinking more than usual and then he curses people after drinking, and as for her younger brother... he stays in his room all day and doesn't come out, and her mother has to bring him food.

That wasn't all. After they found out she could earn money, they made her send 300 yuan home every month.

Shi Zhen only paid her two hundred yuan a month. If she did housework, she wouldn't have time to embroider sweaters... Where would she get so much money to give to her family?

Not to mention, her father also had his eye on her marriage, thinking of finding a man who could give a high dowry to marry her off.

Fang Miyan knows her own situation.

She was of average appearance, with nothing particularly outstanding about her; it was impossible for someone with good qualities to be interested in her.

If that's the case, what kind of person would be willing to offer such a high dowry to marry her?

Anyway, he's definitely not as good as Shi Xingchao.

Shi Xingchao wasn't as handsome as Shi Zhen, but he was still a tall, fair-skinned young man. He was better looking than her, earned more money, didn't spend money recklessly, and didn't drink or smoke... He was definitely a good marriage prospect.

Shi Zhen thought that Fang Miyan decided to get married so quickly this time because her parents had taken all her belongings, but that wasn't actually the case.

She was mainly afraid that if she missed this opportunity, she might not get another chance.

Fang Miyan's products are really few.

Her parents have always stayed at home to do farm work and have never gone out to work. Their thinking is still stuck in the past, more than ten years ago. They always feel that everything outside is expensive and prices are rising, so they are unwilling to buy anything.

Her eldest sister, being the eldest daughter in the family, couldn't go without clothes, so she always got to wear new clothes from childhood to adulthood. But her second sister could only wear her eldest sister's old clothes.

Her eldest sister only had a few pieces of clothing, which she would wear in rotation. By the time she could no longer wear them and gave them to her second sister, they were already very worn out. By the time her second sister finished wearing them, they were almost unwearable by her!

But her parents were unwilling to make clothes for her.

After her older sisters got married, she had no clothes to wear... It was only in the last two years, when her younger brother grew up and became taller than her, that she was able to wear his old clothes.

When Fang Miyan came to Guanjia Village, she carried only a small bundle.

"You're here! Come in quickly," Shi Xingchao waved to her and asked, "Have you eaten?"

Fang Miyan said, "Not yet."

Shi Xingchao said, "I saved some rice for you, eat it." As he spoke, he brought out a large bowl, which was full of rice, topped with braised fried tofu, stir-fried vegetables, and a large piece of boiled pork dipped in soy sauce.

This was a portion he had taken from their family's dinner.

The food was already cold, but Fang Miyan didn't mind at all and ate it heartily. However, she couldn't eat anymore after a while.

"I'll eat it." Shi Xingchao took the leftovers and ate them.

Fang Miyan asked, "Where am I staying tonight?"

Shi Xingchao said, "You can sleep with my sister. Her bed is brand new, bought by my parents. It's 1.5 meters wide, so it won't be crowded if the two of you sleep together... I've already talked to her, and she's willing." He played the victim with his sister, saying how pitiful Fang Miyan was, and his sister was indeed feeling sorry for Fang Miyan!

"Okay," Fang Miyan agreed.

“Now that we’re married, we’re a family. We need to work together to save money for this family, understand?” Shi Xingchao said again.

“Yes.” Fang Miyan thought so too.

Shi Xingchao said, "We agreed that we shouldn't spend money recklessly. Once we save up a thousand, we'll put it in a savings account for five years. That way, the interest rate is higher!"

"Okay!" Fang Miyan still had no objections, but she added, "You can deposit your money, but you have to keep the passbook with me."

"Okay! By the way, I also want to see your bankbook. We can look at it every night."

"Okay!" Fang Miyan liked counting money.

They were already married, so he wasn't afraid Fang Miyan would run away. Besides, the bankbook was in his name and had the password... Shi Xingchao handed his bankbook to Fang Miyan: "Here you go!"

Shi Xingchao has been working for Shi Zhen for over a year.

He earned less money earlier, but recently he has earned quite a lot, and he hasn't spent a single penny... He has seven or eight savings accounts, totaling a full 15,000 yuan!

Fang Miyan, who usually had a blank expression, couldn't help but smile at this moment.

She had never seen a newlywed couple with so much savings.

"You can cook for Shi Zhen during the day and embroider sweaters with me at night. You'll earn a good amount," Shi Xingchao encouraged her.

Fang Miyan nodded in deep agreement.

After their conversation, Shi Xingchao told Fang Miyan about the personalities of his family members, and then took Fang Miyan home.

After talking with Shi Zhen, Shi Dashan and his wife had accepted reality. They were very enthusiastic when they saw Fang Miyan and said, "Little Fang, even though you've registered your marriage, I can't leave you with nothing... Tomorrow I'll take you to town and buy you some clothes, a gold ring, and a bicycle."

Buying all three pieces of gold is a bit expensive, but buying a gold ring and a bicycle is still fine.

Smaller women's bicycles can be bought for a little over two hundred yuan, and Shi Xingxing bought one.

"Mom and Dad, what about me? Do I have one?" Shi Xingchao asked.

"You don't have any!" Chen Xiaofen said irritably. Her son had money! What was she going to spend on him?

Fang Miyan said earnestly, "Auntie, if it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'm going to cook."

"That?"

"Can we go when it rains?" Fang Miyan asked.

"So diligent..." Chen Xiaofen said, "Okay! Hey! You can't call me 'Auntie' anymore, call me 'Mom'!"

As she spoke, she gave Fang Miyan a red envelope.

Chen Xiaofen was very satisfied with Fang Miyan.

What a wonderful girl, she didn't even want a dowry... I just don't know what happened, she fell for her stingy son.

Coincidentally, it rained again the next day.

Chen Xiaofen took Fang Miyan to town and bought her clothes and a bicycle, and also had a gold ring made.

Fang Miyan used to always wear her younger brother's clothes, but after changing into girls' clothes, she looked much better. When Chen Xiaofen took her to get a neat short haircut and had the hairdresser trim her eyebrows, her appearance improved even more.

Shi Xingchao didn't seem to feel anything, but privately he felt sorry for the expense: "It must have cost a lot of money, right?"

Fang Miyan said, "It's not our money."

Indeed... Shi Xingchao felt relieved.

On the other hand, Chen Xiaofen felt that this daughter-in-law was too obedient.

When people in their area get married, they often make many demands, such as how big the gold ring should be.

She deliberately said less, waiting for Fang Miyan to ask her for something else, like a sewing machine or a gold necklace... but Fang Miyan didn't ask for anything at all!

They had saved a lot of money to pay for their son's wedding, and they were prepared that once the bride price was given, it would never be returned. Now... all the money has been spent on their own family.

Fang Miyan is a good cook. Today, she made all the dishes at their house, and they were absolutely delicious!

Speaking of Fang Miyan's cooking skills, we have to mention her grandfather, who was a chef.

In the past, whenever someone in their village needed to hold a funeral, they would ask her grandfather for help.

When Fang Miyan was a child, she often went around with her grandfather.

However, eight years ago, Grandpa Fang woke up one morning and suddenly collapsed and died, reportedly from a cerebral hemorrhage.

The next day it didn't rain, and Fang Miyan went to the construction site early in the morning to make breakfast for Shi Daniu and the others. After she finished, she rode her bicycle to town to buy groceries.

Having a bicycle makes things much more convenient for her.

Shi Daniu and the others were eating breakfast at the construction site, still a little dazed.

Shi Daniu couldn't help but ask Shi Zhen, "Zhen, why did Fang Miyan suddenly marry Shi Xingchao?"

He also wanted to suggest getting Fang Miyan and Liang Dawen together.

As for Shi Xingchao, he was quite eligible, and he thought that people would not be interested in Fang Miyan.

“They’ve been talking for months,” Shi Zhen said.

"They've been talking for months? They've done a great job keeping it a secret!" Shi Daniu couldn't help but exclaim, but he didn't suspect anything.

Fang Miyan had been embroidering sweaters for a long time, so she must have known Shi Xingchao for a long time.

All I can say is that these two kept it a secret for far too long.

On the other side, Fang Miyan bought groceries and rode her bicycle to the construction site.

Shi Daniu and the others were very interested in pig's head, and since pig's head was cheap, she bought one, along with some saury and seasonal vegetables, and headed to the construction site.

Before even reaching the construction site, Fang Miyan saw her father and younger brother. Her brother was riding his bicycle with her father on the back, panting and groaning as they made their way to the site.

Fang Miyan stopped the car and looked at the two of them.

"Fang Miyan!" Fang's father was furious when he saw his daughter: "Where have you been these past two days? You're an unmarried young woman, and you're not even staying at home? Have you no shame?"

Fang Miyan said, "I'm married."

"What?" Mr. Fang was dumbfounded.

Fang Miyan added, "I married my boss's cousin... Our boss is very powerful and knows a lot of people in town. You'd better not cause trouble. If you do, he will definitely call the police and have you arrested."

Fang's father shuddered at the thought of Shi Zhen, who could lift him up, but still said, "How could you suddenly get married? The other party didn't bring anything, how could you get married? What about the bride price?"

“I took it back with me as part of my dowry,” Fang Miyan said.

"you……"

Fang Miyan added, "Dad, if you have time, keep an eye on my brother. Be careful he doesn't run off to gamble again!"

"Your brother didn't gamble! He was scammed!"

"Whatever you say goes," Fang Miyan said. Her younger brother had always gambled, but he used to play with friends, and the wins and losses were all within ten yuan. Her brother was quick-witted and won more than he lost.

Sometimes when her younger brother wins money and comes home, her father praises him for being smart!