Song Feng didn't dare to go too far; he still had to maintain a facade of politeness.
He asked tentatively, "Xiao Ze, is there something you need today?"
"Of course I have something to say. Why would I come to you if I didn't?" Song Ze said with a half-smile.
Upon hearing this, Song Feng and Liu Tao looked at Song Ze nervously, as if afraid that he would make some unreasonable request.
Song Ze wasn't interested in keeping him in suspense any longer, and said slowly, "I'm getting married soon. You should at least give something for your own son's wedding. I don't need much, just a dowry of 1,000 yuan plus three turns and a radio will be enough."
That's right, his purpose in coming here is to get money. It doesn't make sense that he only cares about the three children born to the woman he married later, even though they are all Song Feng's biological children.
Even if Song Ze didn't care about the money, he didn't want Song Feng and the others to have an easy life. He was happy when Song Feng was unhappy.
"Married? You said you're getting married?" Liu Tao exclaimed in surprise.
She had indeed heard from others that her stepson seemed to be dating someone from the countryside, and that the girl was a college student at Beijing University.
But Liu Tao treated this matter as news from a stranger and forgot about it as soon as she heard it. She wished she could never have anything to do with this stepson again, so she didn't have the time to care about his personal issues.
She just didn't expect Song Ze to be so shameless. Even though they had already cut off all contact, he still asked Old Song for money for his wedding.
No way. Her sons, Chaoyang and Chaoting, are of marriageable age, and they need money for betrothal gifts and dowries. How could she let Song Ze take away the resources that belong to her children?
Song Feng forced himself to compose his expression: "Xiao Ze, why are you getting married all of a sudden? I've never heard you mention it before."
“It’s not surprising at all. I’ve been dating my boyfriend for several years. Of course we have to get married when we reach a certain age, otherwise I’d be considered a scoundrel,” Song Ze said matter-of-factly.
Song Feng was speechless for a moment, but quickly retorted, "You...you didn't even tell me, your father, when you started dating, and now you know to come to me for a bride price."
Song Ze glanced at him indifferently: "How can you, a father, say such a thing when you never care about your own son?"
"Song Ze, are you trying to drive me crazy?" Song Feng shouted angrily, clutching his heart.
Seeing this, Liu Tao quickly stepped forward and gently patted him a few times: "Old Song, don't be angry. It's not worth ruining your health."
Her three children still depend on this father; what if he gets sick from anger?
"Xiaoze, it's not that I'm criticizing you as your aunt, but what you did was really unfair. You have a girlfriend and you didn't even bring her over to meet your dad. Besides, your dowry is way too high. It's not like you're marrying a wife, it's like you're marrying your ancestor."
Don't think she doesn't know that Song Ze's girlfriend is just a country girl. Even if she were a college student, a dowry of one or two hundred yuan would be the most she could give. But she asked for 1,000 yuan. Does she think her husband Song Ze made the money?
“Your Aunt Liu is right, but as your father, I do have to give something for your wedding. But you know your younger siblings are just reaching marriageable age, and the family really can’t afford much money. So I’ll just give you 200 yuan,” Song Feng said kindly.
Song Ze sneered: "Ha, do you think this is how you treat a beggar? Forget about the 'three turns and one sound' (referring to a type of cigarette, a watch, a radio, and a watch), just give me 1,000 yuan, and I'll leave as soon as I get the money."
"1000 yuan? Why don't you just rob a bank? Where would your family get that much money for you?" Liu Tao's voice was sharp, clearly provoked.
Since Song Ze took that money from her when she went to the countryside, the family has finally managed to save some money again, all of which is for her three children.
As for Song Ze, she wouldn't even give him 200 yuan, let alone 1000 yuan.
Song Ze looked at Song Feng with a half-smile: "Dad, is that what you think too?"
"I...you're asking for too much. Look at any other family that asks for a dowry of 1,000 yuan," Song Feng said with a frustrated expression. He had no way to deal with this unfilial son. It's true that children who aren't raised by your side are never close to you.
Furthermore, Grandpa Shen already had a lot of opinions about him, so he probably wouldn't say anything good about him as a father in front of Song Ze.
Song Ze nodded indifferently: "Fine, if you don't want to, I'll go to your workplace tomorrow and ask around to see if there's any father who doesn't care about his son's wedding."
"Song Ze, you stop right there!" Song Feng was so angry that his face turned ashen.
If Song Ze were to cause a scene at his workplace, would he even be able to face anyone?
His breathing was a little rapid. After calming himself down, he said, "The family really can't come up with 1,000 yuan. We can't give all the money to you. You have to think about your three younger siblings too."
Song Ze spread his hands innocently: "My younger siblings still have their biological mother, so of course I, a child without a mother, can only rely on my biological father."
"Song Ze, do you have to be so ruthless?" Liu Tao asked through gritted teeth.
“This money at home is what your father and I saved together. We can only give you 500 yuan at most. This is not a small amount of dowry in the city. Don’t be greedy.”
"If it were Song Chaoyang getting married, would you also give him 500 yuan? I'm afraid the cost of a three-wheeled watch and a radio would be more than 500 yuan," Song Ze said with a smile.
These words really struck a chord with Liu Tao. Of course, her son's wedding had to be the best, but what did that have to do with Song Ze?
It's all because Song Ze's biological mother died early, and as a stepmother, she naturally prioritized her own child.
Song Feng seemed to have thought of something, closed his eyes and said, "Give Xiao Ze 1,000 yuan."
"Old Song, what did you say?" Liu Tao looked at Song Feng in disbelief.
“I said I’d give Xiaoze 1,000 yuan,” Song Feng repeated with a stern face.
Liu Tao shook her head violently: "No, that money is all prepared for Chaoyang and the others, I won't allow it."
“This family is not your place to make decisions. Go and get me the money right now,” Song Feng said sternly.
"Old Song, you..." Liu Tao looked at Song Feng with tears in her eyes and a wronged expression.
Song Feng sighed, took Liu Tao's hand, and whispered, "Go get the money."
Finally, Liu Tao reluctantly went to her room and took out 1,000 yuan.
Song Ze took the money without much concern, casually put it in his pocket, and said nonchalantly, "I'll send you invitations later, whether you come or not is up to you."
He didn't care at all whether Song Feng attended his wedding. Anyway, he couldn't possibly bring Qingqing to serve tea to the other party; Song Feng didn't have that kind of face.
Watching Song Ze stride away, Liu Tao spat out angrily: "Who cares if he goes?"
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