I fell in love with Liu Jingze at first sight. He was tall and handsome, with eyes as bright and clear as stars nestled in deep, deep eye sockets. He had long, curled eyelashes, a high nose bridge, and a clear, melodious voice. He didn't look like someone born in the countryside; he had an air of nobility about him. His first impression was of a gentle yet distant demeanor. I knew his car cost over 500,000 yuan, and his house, while not in the city, was just as valuable as a city house. It was a four-story villa, with over 200 square meters per floor. He was really eager to find a girlfriend, and he was very happy with me. After we'd known each other for almost a month, he invited me to his grandmother's birthday party. He told me that his grandmother was ill and her biggest wish was for him to get married and have children soon. She would be very happy to see him have a girlfriend, and that would make surgery even more likely.
I followed Liu Jingze back to his village for the birthday banquet. Curious, I asked him why he didn't hold the banquet at Siqi Farm in town, which is large and prestigious. He said his grandmother loved rural life, and that holding the banquet there would make it more convenient for the villagers to attend the wedding. His grandmother lived in a three-story villa, twice the size of my own, and they had 60 tables for the birthday banquet. Not only did they not accept any gifts, but they also gave each household who attended the banquet a 100 yuan red envelope and a bag of fruit. Chen Shaogang was right; Liu Jingze's family was truly well-off.
Liu Jingze's grandmother was very happy to see Jingze bringing me along. I also heard the villagers talking about how Jingze's family was rich and that his girlfriends were all very beautiful and had good jobs. At that moment, I felt really proud. Also attending the birthday party were some of Liu Jingze's second-generation wealthy friends, whom he introduced to me. One of them was named Xu Liangming, who said his family was in the jewelry business. When he saw me, he lit up and said he wanted to add the beautiful woman on WeChat. Seeing that Liu Jingze didn't object, I added several of his friends on WeChat.
After the birthday party, Liu Jingze and I continued our relationship, but it wasn't as sweet and happy as I'd imagined. He was busy accompanying his grandmother to doctor appointments and taking care of her. He had a nanny and a caregiver, but whenever he had time, he'd go spend it with her. He was also busy with work, lacking interest in me, rarely spending time with me, and never offering me gifts. However, if I asked him about it, or even mentioned it, he was quite generous. I liked the latest Apple phone, and he had someone buy it for me. I told him what brands of clothes and bags I liked, and he also had someone buy them for me. However, he just didn't have time to go shopping with me, saying we could exchange them if I didn't like them. Also, when I mentioned that I liked eating at Siqi Farm, but it was a bit expensive, he didn't give me any free meals, but he did give me three 5,000 yuan gift cards, which were valid for spending at Siqi Farm. My friends all said he was nice, and my mom told me to get along well with him.
But my working hours are very fixed and I have a lot of vacation time. I am really bored if he doesn’t accompany me. I look at his circle of friends and see that his friends are all free, playing here and there and enjoying life. Why can’t Jingze spend more time with me?
I started hanging out with some men who had feelings for me. Of course, I kept my distance and didn't do anything to offend Jingze. Even between us, I never slept with him. My mother taught me since I was in junior high that women must maintain their boundaries in order to make men cherish them. This isn't feudal or unenlightened thinking; it's a woman's most valuable asset. So, between Jingze and me, we only held hands and hugged.
Jingze knew I often hung out with guys who had a crush on me, and he got a little angry and ignored me. His angry expressions were so serious that I was a little scared. I told him there was nothing wrong with those guys and promised him I wouldn't go out with them casually anymore. Only then did he smile again. I still complained about him spending too little time with me, though. He'd sent me flowers a few times, seemingly to cheer me up, and then he'd just keep busy.
Things are frustrating at home. My brother is a complete loser. He lost 300,000 yuan on his bakery. Mom used all our savings to pay back 200,000 yuan, and still owes the bank 100,000 yuan. I scraped together 100,000 yuan to lend him, but he still refuses to work. This time, he partnered with a friend to open a fitness center, but it closed after four months. The fitness equipment was valuable when we bought it, but it's worth less now. Add in the renovations, rent, and employee salaries, and we've lost over 300,000 yuan. How did he even afford to open a fitness center? It turns out he'd mortgaged our house to the bank. Our house is old and small, and even though it's in town, it's not worth much. Now, if he can't pay back the money, he won't even have a place to live.
My mother, a teacher, has always prided herself on her education, beauty, and elegant image. But this time, she threw all her weight around and burst into tears. Ever since my father was laid off, he hasn't looked for a job. He spends his days poring over stock charts. Besides supporting the family, my mother's salary is used to lavishly feast on him and my brother. What should I do? My mother told me to talk to Jingze, saying that if we get married, we can ask for more betrothal gifts, which would be a good way to pay off our debts. She also said that my brother is older than me and should get married too. He already has a girlfriend, and she's asking for a large betrothal gift like me, a house, and a car. What should I do? I know what my mother means. If Jingze pays more betrothal gifts, he can help my brother more.
But how do you ask me to start? Mom invited Jingze to dinner. Dad and brother acted politely. I really had no appetite for this meal. I felt like a commodity. My usual proud and innocent image was gone in front of Jingze. Mom poured Jingze a glass of wine and said, "Jingze, you've been dating my daughter Lingyue for five months. What do you think of her?"
Jingze said: "Lingyue is beautiful and smart."
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