Seeing the Du family's second branch members busy in the courtyard, Liu Cuilian said, "Hurry up and get Yuhan ready. The groom's family is here to pick her up. Hurry up."
Upon hearing this, Du Haifeng and Du Haichao both hugged Du Yuhan and cried, "Sister, I won't let you get married. Big sister, please don't get married."
The youngest, Du Haisheng, didn't understand what marriage meant, but seeing his older brothers crying, he started crying too. Du Lianqiao and Wang Yuqiao also had tears in their eyes.
Han Xiuqin was a little confused by the family's behavior. She turned to Liu Cuilian and asked, "What's going on with them?"
Liu Cuilian quickly smiled and said, "They're just reluctant to part with their daughter. It's alright, she'll be fine in a little while."
Han Xiuqin watched Du Yuhan coaxing her younger brother. Although the little girl was very thin, she was fair-skinned. Her head was down, so it was hard to see her face clearly, but from the side, she didn't seem bad-looking.
Du Yuhan comforted her younger brothers and told them to stop crying. Then she said to Du Lianqiao and Wang Yuqiao, "Dad, Mom, let me pack up. Let's not delay their trip."
Du Lianqiao's eyes were red as he tried to say something, but when he opened his mouth, nothing came out.
He didn't know what to say. The agreement had already been made, many people had witnessed it, and now there was no going back.
With tears streaming down her face, Wang Yuqiao pulled Du Yuhan into the house, took out a small cloth bag from a cabinet, and opened it to reveal a lustrous piece of mutton fat jade.
Wang Yuqiao said with tears in her eyes, "Yuhan, this was left to you by your biological parents. I was afraid that your grandma and the others would see it and take it away, so I kept it safe for you."
Now that you're leaving, I'm returning it to you. Perhaps you'll need it someday as a token to reunite with your biological parents. Please keep it safe.
Du Yuhan looked at the jade pendant that had been with her all her life in her previous life, tears streaming down her face. She took it and held it in her hands, saying, "Mother, I will definitely take good care of it."
Wang Yuqiao then took out a pair of very thin gold bracelets and said, "These were part of my dowry from your maternal grandmother. Your parents didn't have any cloth coupons, so we couldn't even afford to buy you a decent set of clothes. We could only send you to your husband's family dressed in rags. Your parents are incompetent and sorry for you."
As she spoke, Wang Yuqiao took out the dozen or so yuan she had earned from selling rabbits over the past few days and stuffed it into Du Yuhan's hands, saying, "Your parents only have this much money, and we can't give you any more. Take this for self-defense."
Du Yuhan quickly refused, saying, "Mother, I can't take these bracelets. Listen to me, it doesn't matter to me whether I have them or not, but you can keep them and maybe use them to exchange for money to save my life in a critical moment. I'm already very lucky to have been raised by you, and you haven't wronged me."
I can't take the money. We need to keep some money at home in case something happens.
If I need anything at the Han family's place, I can consult them. The matchmaker said that the soldier is a good person and won't mistreat me.
At this moment, Du Lianqiao also entered the house. Hearing Du Yuhan's words, tears streamed down his face. He choked out, "Yuhan, if you're not doing well at your in-laws' house, come back. Your father can support you."
Du Yuhan nodded and said, "Dad, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Dad, remember to save as much food as possible at home, and try to keep the grains that can be stored for a long time. After the weather gets warmer, go to the mountains to find more mountain products, mushrooms and wood ear fungus are fine, as they can be stored for a longer time."
We haven't had a single snowfall this year, and if it doesn't rain in the spring, the land will be parched. Our village's land is already poor, and with this drought, the harvest will be even worse.
If you have food at home, be sure to hide it well. It's best to find an inconspicuous place, dig a cellar, and hide the food there, leaving only a little bit outside.
Even if someone comes to you to borrow food, you shouldn't lend it to them. You have to be ruthless, otherwise your family will be the ones who starve to death.
"You must be careful that people from the old house don't come here to take advantage. Dad, you must remember that. Mom and my three younger brothers depend on you for support."
Du Lianqiao nodded and said, "Yuhan, don't worry, Dad will definitely remember your words. No one's life is more important than our family's. Dad will definitely take care of your mother and your brothers first."
Du Yuhan nodded and said, "Dad, if I gain a foothold in the city, I will find a way to move you to a relatively better place. One way is to have enough to eat, and the other is to get away from those bloodsucking bastards from the Du family."
Du Lianqiao said, "If there's a chance to leave here, that would be great. I just want to get far away from those people in the old house so they won't have another chance to harm my family."
There's been no movement from the old house yet, but I suspect it's related to you because your grandmother hasn't received the bride price money. Maybe once you're gone and the money is in your grandmother's hands, they won't be so well-behaved anymore; they'll definitely come back to cause trouble and try to take advantage of us. They're used to bullying our second branch of the family.”
Du Yuhan felt much relieved to hear that her father had thought things through so clearly. She was afraid that her father would soften his heart. "Father, it's good that you've thought it through. You must protect Mother and my brothers."
Now that things have turned ugly, there's no need to be polite. If anyone from the old house tries to cause trouble or take advantage of you, kick them out. Don't hold back.
Du Lianqiao nodded and said, "Don't worry, I know what to do. Yuhan, take care of yourself and don't always think about us. Write home if anything happens."
Du Lianqiao and Wang Yuqiao saw Du Yuhan off with tears in their eyes, and the three younger children held onto their older sister's hands tightly.
Seeing the family's reluctant farewell, Han Xiuqin said to Du Lianqiao, "In-laws, don't worry, we will definitely not let Yuhan suffer any injustice. Although my nephew has difficulty moving around, he is indeed a good young man and will not mistreat your daughter."
Wang Yuqiao pulled Han Xiuqin aside and said, "Auntie, my daughter is still young and hasn't grown up yet, you see..."
Han Xiuqin, knowing what Wang Yuqiao meant, quickly said, "Don't worry, mother-in-law. I'm just letting my nephew and Yuhan get to know each other in advance, and we'll hold the wedding and consummate the marriage after Yuhan turns eighteen."
Yuhan really needs to take good care of herself. Don't worry, we'll take good care of her.
Wang Yuqiao felt somewhat relieved after hearing this. Her daughter was still like a child; how could she be someone's wife? She should be grown up by the time she turned eighteen.
Du Yuhan, carrying a small bag containing a few clothes, got into the car Han Xiuqin had come to pick her up, amidst the reluctant gazes of her parents and younger brothers.
The car started moving, and Du Yuhan leaned out of the window, watching through her teary eyes as her parents and younger brothers chased after the car, their figures growing smaller and smaller until they disappeared from sight.
During this time, Han Xiuqin didn't say anything. She understood her parents' reluctance to part with their daughter, and she also understood the little girl beside her who was crying uncontrollably and her reluctance to part with her family. It seems that their family has a very good relationship.
Han Xiuqin has already obtained a certificate from the brigade secretary. She will use her connections to transfer Du Yuhan's household registration to the city, so that she will have no further connection with the Du family.
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