Mr. Wang glanced at Mrs. Wang, his face instantly darkening. He retorted irritably, "Hmph! Threaten you? If you hadn't gone so far, why would they threaten you? Besides, can't we discuss the bride price properly? What are you yelling about? Quiet down!" After saying that, he turned to Wang Rui, his tone softening slightly as he asked, "Daughter, have you mentioned this to that Qian Gui?"
Wang Rui nodded vigorously, indignantly replying, "I told you! Qian Gui said he's willing to pay the bride price according to the wedding customs of Pengcheng." As soon as she finished speaking, Wang's mother jumped up, shouting at the top of her lungs, "What? He's quite the picky one, always trying to get the best deal!"
Just then, Wang's father suddenly let out a heavy cough. Upon hearing this cough, Wang's mother immediately deflated like a punctured balloon and obediently shut her mouth, no longer uttering a sound.
Wang Rui knew that her father's words carried weight in this family, so she looked directly into his eyes, her own eyes slightly reddening, and continued, her voice choked with emotion, "Dad, you know I've always been very sensible since I was little. Every penny I earned through hard work was given to the family without reservation. Even after I started working at Wanmao Company, Mom still demanded my wages, claiming she was keeping them for my future dowry. Dad, you should still remember that clearly!"
Mr. Wang coughed awkwardly, thinking to himself, "How could I not remember?" However, the reality was that Wang Rui's money had already been spent almost entirely. Asking them to come up with such a huge sum of money as a dowry in a short period of time was simply beyond their capabilities! Thinking of this, Mr. Wang's face grew even more gloomy.
At this moment, the Queen Mother spoke up, saying, "Consider that money as a token of your filial piety towards us, your parents."
Upon hearing this, Wang's father remained silent, but Wang Rui readily agreed, "Alright, consider that money as a gift to Mom and Dad. In the future, I will keep in touch with my older sister and younger brother regarding your retirement expenses. Whatever they give, I will give the same amount."
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's expression immediately changed, and she hurriedly retorted, "How can that be?"
Seeing this, Wang Rui raised her voice and replied, "Logically speaking, what I've given should be more than enough, right? My eldest sister has never given you much money for your retirement, and as for my younger brother, needless to say, he's still in school! Besides, I promised him before that if he really gets into university, I'll cover his tuition. Isn't that enough?"
After considering the situation, Mr. Wang understood that pushing his second daughter too far could lead to trouble. So, after a moment's thought, he slowly said, "Hmm... alright then, from now on, all three of you sisters will contribute the same amount to our retirement savings."
Upon hearing this, Wang's mother, who was sitting to the side, jumped up from her seat and shouted, "Old man! How can this be?!" However, she was immediately silenced by Wang's father's angry shout: "Shut up!"
Seeing this, Wang's mother had no choice but to shut her mouth in a huff and sat back down in her chair. But her eyes were still fixed on Wang Rui with a fierce look: This wretched girl is really a jinx to me. Why didn't I throw her into the chamber pot to drown her when I gave birth to her?
At this moment, Wang Rui continued, "Dad, Mom, Qian Gui told me that he sincerely wants to be with me and live a good life, so he is willing to give 500 yuan as a bride price."
Before she could finish speaking, Wang's mother retorted again, "500 yuan? Is that enough to feed a beggar? That's far from enough!" After saying that, she turned to look at Wang's father, seemingly hoping to get his support.
Mr. Wang nodded in agreement with the mother's opinion, saying, "I also think 500 is too little; it should be at least 1000."
Upon hearing what Wang's father said, Wang's mother immediately became smug and yelled at Wang Rui, "Did you hear that? It has to be 1000 yuan! Otherwise, don't even think about getting married!"
Wang Rui frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation on her face. After a long silence, she finally spoke, "Since he's offering 1000 yuan as a bride price, shouldn't I prepare a dowry of 500 yuan in return?"
No sooner had she finished speaking than the Queen Mother, standing to the side, widened her eyes in surprise and hurriedly interjected, "Didn't you just say you didn't want a dowry?"
Wang Rui nodded slightly and explained, "Yes, I did say that before. But the problem is, you didn't tell me beforehand that you wanted his family to increase the bride price." After saying that, she looked at her mother with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
At this moment, Wang's mother gritted her teeth in anger, glared fiercely at Wang's father, and said indignantly, "Look! Do you see that? She hasn't even officially married yet, and she's already starting to turn against her husband!"
Hearing this, Wang Rui wasn't angry at all; instead, she burst out laughing. She said coquettishly to her mother, "Oh, Mom, don't misunderstand! I'm not siding with outsiders at all. Even if I give you the 500 yuan dowry, I don't plan to take a single penny for myself! Consider it money for the wedding banquet. Besides, after Qian Gui and I get married, we'll truly be a family. It wouldn't be right for me not to think about my own little family!"
However, the Queen Mother was unconvinced and retorted with her hands on her hips, "How can that be? Do you really intend to move all the valuables into your own home without considering the feelings of your maternal family?"
Faced with her mother's aggressive questioning, Wang Rui's beautiful face showed a hint of helplessness. She sighed softly, then slowly spread out her fair and delicate hands, and continued to explain to her mother in the gentlest and most patient tone possible: "Mom, please don't be so anxious and upset. My intention is really not what you think."
"If I were to move everything back to my parents' house, what would Qian Gui think of me? If you insist that I leave all the belongings and benefits to my parents' family, then in my opinion, shouldn't you also send all the existing wealth and possessions of our family to my maternal grandmother's house? Wouldn't that seem fairer and more reasonable?"
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