Zhang Guilan nodded: "Then...then I'll go back and talk to his father."
After the Lu family mother and son left, Xiao Juan threw herself into Zhi Ming's arms and cried, "Zhi Ming, you're so good to me..."
Zhiming blushed and hugged her: "Don't cry. I'll be good to you from now on."
Ye Xiaoxiao watched this scene, but she was making plans in her mind.
Although the matter has been temporarily resolved, Lu Dagang will certainly not let it go.
As for Zhang Dajiang's side, they probably won't let it go so easily.
Sure enough, two days later, Lu Dagang came knocking on his door. This time, he didn't get angry; instead, he said with a gloomy face:
"Girl, are you really going to be with this repairman? Have you thought about the consequences?"
"Dad, Zhiming is a very good person..." Xiaojuan said softly.
"What's the use of being good!" Lu Dagang sneered.
Zhang Dajiang is a formal worker, earning over a hundred yuan a month, and he also has a housing allocation quota.
What future can you expect from working for this repairman?
"Uncle, please don't look down on Zhiming."
Ye Xiaoxiao said, "These days, having a skill is better than anything else. Zhiming is now in charge of this shop, and his monthly income is no less than that of a regular worker."
Besides, what iron rice bowl? You'll see in a few years. I've heard that quite a few people have been laid off.
Zhang Dajiang just gave away three thousand for no reason to marry your daughter. There must be something wrong with that!
Ye Xiaoxiao thought to herself, "The bride price hasn't increased that fast. Zhiqiang's bride price was only 1,500 yuan."
Clearly, Lu Dagang's eyes darted away upon hearing this.
"That's not a long-term solution either," Lu Dagang shook his head. "Who knows how long a privately owned shop can stay open? It might go out of business any day."
"Uncle, you've misunderstood."
Ye Xiaoxiao laughed: "Now that we're in a period of reform and opening up, more and more people are doing business privately."
As long as you're willing to work hard and have a skill, you won't have to worry about not having food to eat.
Besides, what era are we living in? Love is a matter of freedom, yet you insist on using your daughter to make money.
I'm letting Zhiming manage this shop. Once I've recouped my investment, it will belong to Zhiming.
Have you thought this through? Whether your daughter's future is good or bad is up to you.
Seeing Lu Dagang's expression, Ye Xiaoxiao was furious and blurted out those words.
"You...really?" How could Lu Dagang not be tempted by this? It was a pretty big shop. It must cost tens of thousands of yuan.
"Sister-in-law, you can't do that. I work for you." Li Zhiming hadn't expected his sister-in-law to have such a thought.
"Zhiming, do a good job. Once you've recouped the costs of this shop, I'll sell it to you."
"If Uncle Lu doesn't want his daughter to marry you, don't worry, you'll find yourself no shortage of girls to marry later."
Ye Xiaoxiao was really annoyed by the Lu family.
"Look at what you're saying. I never said I was unwilling." Lu Dagang immediately changed his tune.
Lu Dagang outwardly agreed, but inwardly he had his own plans.
He thought that Ye Xiaoxiao was only trying to keep his family in check; she wouldn't actually hand over the shop to Li Zhiming.
But the three thousand yuan dowry is real. As long as we receive the money first and the deed is done, we're not afraid they won't comply.
A few days later, Lu Dagang asked Zhang Guilan to pass on a message to Xiaojuan, saying that her family agreed to her dating Zhiming, but the bride price had to be paid first.
Ye Xiaoxiao knew immediately that Lu Dagang had ill intentions. He wasn't going to get a marriage certificate or hold a wedding banquet; he wanted to get the money first and then slowly manipulate them.
"Sister-in-law, should I take the money over now?"
Li Zhiming and Xiao Juan were both delighted; they were both energized by the good news.
They really thought the two of them could get married and be together.
Ye Xiaoxiao patted his shoulder: "Calm down. Xiaojuan, you should go back and tell your mother that she can give a bride price, but she has to bring out the household registration book first. Once you get the marriage certificate, she can give you a bride price of three thousand yuan immediately."
Lu Xiaojuan looked puzzled when she heard what Xiaoxiao said.
"Sister, do you mean my parents are trying to scam the bride price?" Lu Xiaojuan said, somewhat displeased.
"Xiaojuan, it's not that I'm overthinking it, but your dad's current intention is to give you money, but he won't mention the engagement."
What if he takes the money, then doesn't want you to be together anymore, and doesn't want to return the money, and then goes to collect money from Zhang Dajiang instead?
"Should we call the police or not? I think your dad's overthinking it."
Ye Xiaoxiao had a headache; this kind of thing could happen at any time.
"Oh no, that can't be."
Lu Xiaojuan was somewhat incredulous. But then her eyes lit up and she immediately came up with a solution.
"How about this, I'll steal the household registration booklet, and we can get our marriage certificate first?"
Lu Xiaojuan suddenly got excited.
"That's not a good idea." Li Zhiming, an honest boy, immediately objected, fearing she would be beaten by her family again.
"Don't interrupt, I'm going back to see her today. By the way, have you told your mom yet? I don't want her to be arranging another relationship for you while I'm busy with this."
Lu Juan used to be sad and heartbroken because the two of them hadn't been able to confess their feelings. Now that they've talked things out, she's become quite spoiled and speaks to Zhiming much more casually.
"Hehe, I've already called my mom and turned down the blind date. My mom even said she wants me to bring you home for a visit." Li Zhiming grinned foolishly.
Lu Xiaojuan was terrified at the thought of Zhang Dajiang's fierce appearance; she really didn't want to marry someone like that.
Honestly, if she really married that kind of person, and he ever beat her, even her father and older brother combined couldn't beat Zhang Dajiang. So she did it without hesitation.
As soon as it got dark, she asked Li Zhiming to take her home on his motorcycle.
It was dark when they got home. The two waited until after 10 p.m. before Lu Xiaojuan, taking advantage of everyone being asleep, sneaked into her parents' room and found the household registration booklet in the closet.
Her heart was pounding. She carefully took the household registration booklet and slipped out of the house to meet up with Zhiming, who was waiting outside.
The two rushed back to the county town overnight, found a small hotel to stay in, and planned to get their marriage certificate first thing the next morning.
The next morning, the two went to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
The staff smiled as they processed the marriage registration for the young couple, who looked both nervous and excited.
The moment they received their marriage certificate, Lu Xiaojuan and Li Zhiming embraced tightly, feeling that they could finally be together openly and legitimately.
Lu Dagang had his wife prepare food and drinks and was drinking with Zhang Dajiang. After a few rounds of drinks, Lu Dagang patted his chest and guaranteed:
"Dajiang, don't worry, my daughter will definitely be yours. I don't believe Li Zhiming that he can come up with three thousand yuan."
He's just a poor kid. What future can he have working for a small business owner?
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