Old man Lin was very conflicted. Before his mother passed away, she had repeatedly warned him not to be greedy for cheap wives for Guoqing, especially not to marry one who just walked into the house. He had to find one who could work.
Because his wife came by herself, although he still likes her very much, she is really too lazy, which makes his life very tiring. Old man Lin doesn't want his son to live such a tiring life, so he wants to find him a hardworking wife, and the bride price can be expensive.
Chen Chunhua was exactly the type of person his old lady had described as someone who came to the door on her own, yet she also said she would do anything. Isn't that a contradiction? How could such a diligent young woman still need to find a husband on her own?
Chen Chunhua could see the confusion in Old Man Lin's heart, so she explained it to him without any hesitation.
"My parents want to sell me to a man in his fifties, but I don't want to get married. They're asking 170, can you afford it?"
For a rural person, 170 yuan in 1968 would have taken countless years to save. This even exceeded the price of the more expensive betrothal gift that Old Man Lin had in mind.
"I don't have a dowry. If you are willing to marry me, I will work hard to earn money in the future to earn back the betrothal money."
Chen Chunhua's sincerity was already obvious, and now it was the father and son who were nagging. Lin Guoqing blushed so much that he didn't dare to look at Chen Chunhua directly, but he couldn't help but secretly glance at her.
Seeing that his father was still hesitant, he secretly pulled the corner of his clothes from behind, "Dad..."
Old Man Lin sighed. What an impatient brat! That could be 170! Even if they took out all their belongings, it wouldn't be enough. They'd probably have to borrow some from their eldest daughter.
"...Do you really know everything?" Old man Lin was thinking about this.
Chen Chunhua nodded affirmatively, "Eat less, work more, and know everything. Only 170 yuan!"
Like an object, it had a price tag on itself. Chen Chunhua didn't care about so-called dignity at all? What was that thing? Those who couldn't survive didn't deserve it.
Old Man Lin still didn't agree directly, and said that he needed to go to the village around Chen Chunhua and ask around. Besides, shouldn't Chen Chunhua also ask about their family?
Marriage is a big deal, a lifelong commitment. He has to be responsible for his son, and Chen Chunhua... Chen Chunhua has to be responsible for herself, right? It's like going to the market to buy an old ox. Can it work? How much can it be paid?
Chen Chunhua was silent for a moment, then asked, "Did you hit anyone?"
The two men opposite were confused by the question, what are you fighting for?
"Why do you want to hit people?" Lin Guoqing thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out.
Old man Lin reacted immediately. He knew that some men had the habit of beating their wives and children, and that these men were most likely to be cowards outside the house, the kind that would not say a word even if they were beaten with three sticks.
He looked down on people like this. With the little strength he had, couldn't he do more work? How could he beat his wife and children, who had no ability to resist, and still produce food for them?
He quickly waved his hands and said, "No, no, this is not something a human being should do."
Coincidentally, Liang Shengdi also returned from outside. She had spent a long time chatting with people under the big banyan tree next to the village chief's house. But all this gossip didn't satisfy her stomach, and now she's hungry.
"Are there guests at home? Hey, Lao Lin, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
It seems that whether there are guests or not is none of her business. She always cares about her own stomach.
When Chen Chunhua saw her, her eyes lit up instantly.
Liang Shengdi died with nothing. She was a lazy person, a rarity these days. But because she didn't work and rarely even got sun, at forty, she looked younger than some of the village wives in their early thirties.
Words can deceive, but eyes cannot.
Chen Chunhua looked at Liang Shengdi pulling the basket in Old Man Lin's hand and just looked at it.
"Winter bamboo shoots? How do you eat them?"
"What are you eating? Sweet potatoes! I'm going to take these bamboo shoots and eggs to the market to exchange for money tomorrow."
Liang Shengdi pushed the basket aside and curled her lips, "Oh, then let's steam the sweet potatoes quickly, I'm hungry." Then she walked in again with her hands folded, without taking anything.
This scene, in Shen Chunhua's family, would never happen again in this life, the last, or the next. If Liang Shengdi were in their house, she would probably get beaten six times a day. Morning, noon, and evening, plus morning, afternoon, and night.
From this perspective, the Lin family is really friendly to female comrades!
After Chen Chunhua summed up her own views, she became more positive about this marriage.
Chen Chunhua is not afraid of inquiring about reputation. Even if she is not the most diligent one in the surrounding area, she can still be ranked in the top ten.
"Can it be done as soon as possible? You can go ask tonight. If you think it's a good idea, can you come tomorrow with the money and propose marriage?"
Lin Guoqing's face had just faded a little because of his mother's return, but now it became red again.
This girl, this girl, why is she so eager to marry him?
Old Lin smacked his lips, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "It's already dinner time. Where can I go to ask in the dark? Your village is so far away. It will take two or three hours to walk there... Besides, I have to borrow money to get it..."
Chen Chunhua's face turned pale. She was really scared. She was afraid that if they agreed to Shen Laicai's price increase tomorrow, would she still be able to escape?
Lin Guoqing was more proactive than his father. "Don't be afraid...we'll go borrow money tonight and leave early tomorrow morning. We'll try to get to your house before noon!"
He didn't even give his father time to ask, and was glared at by Old Man Lin again.
Chen Chunhua gritted her teeth and said, "Then you must come, otherwise... otherwise... I might have no choice but to jump into the river!"
Threatening with one's own life can only impress good people. Obviously, the Lin family father and son are that kind of good people. When they heard that she was going to jump into the river, they were a little panicked.
"No... No, my dear, you can talk things over, right? Why do you always try to commit suicide? That fifty-year-old man doesn't want your life..." Old man Lin wanted to comfort her and tell her not to think too hard.
But as she was speaking, she saw that Chen Chunhua's eyes gradually turned red, and tears were already welling up in her eyes. Lin Guoqing was so anxious that he jumped up and down behind her.
"Dad! What are you talking about! That old man in his fifties is older than you, and he might be buried tomorrow! ... Um, what! Chunhua! Chunhua, right? Don't worry!
My father and I will definitely come tomorrow with money to propose marriage! Even if it means picking you up directly tomorrow, it’s fine! If my father doesn’t come, I will still come even if I steal money from my family! "
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