Marriages in Sanhe Town do require a gift. However, this gift is usually negotiated between the two families, usually around one or two hundred yuan. Those who ask for an exorbitant amount, like Zheng Qiulian, are ridiculed as "selling their daughter." Of course, the bride can't refuse a penny, as they'll be mocked for "paying back" because they can't get married.
According to Zheng Qiulian, money in her hands is the most beneficial to her, and she is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of her family, including reputation.
But Zhao Hongsheng insisted that Zheng Qiulian listen to him and lower her standards with reasons like "playing the long game to catch the big fish", "the mother's family will be well only if the grass is well", and "the grass is not an ungrateful person, she will definitely help her mother's family when she has money".
Five thousand yuan had suddenly shrunk to two hundred yuan, and Zheng Qiulian was feeling distressed. Unexpectedly, Cao was still not satisfied. Zheng Qiulian then used words to "wake up" Cao.
"Mom, although two hundred yuan is a lot for a betrothal gift, I believe the old secretary is reasonable given the example of Uncle Tian's family. But this means bringing my second brother and the others to live in the city, which is definitely not possible. Mom, look at Zhao Lei and the others. They have no education and no skills. If they go to the city, they may not even be able to find a job. What will they eat and drink? And my younger brother, isn't he learning the craft of bamboo weaving from grandfather? Where can we find bamboo to weave things in the city?" Cao spread out his palms and listed all his concerns in one breath.
Cao was right. Cao's younger brother, Zhao Jun, struggled with his studies, but his hands were as skillful as Zhao the bamboo craftsman's. While Zhao Hongsheng and his brother never learned Zhao's craft, Zhao Jun easily mastered 60% to 70% of it in just two years. It's better to have a skill than to have money. Money can be spent, but as long as you have a skill, you never have to worry about going hungry.
"What Cao said does make some sense." Zhao Hongsheng nodded, agreeing with Cao's idea.
"Boss, don't you want Cao to take care of her brothers? This girl hasn't even gotten married yet! You're pushing everything away. How can this work?" Zheng Qiulian was unhappy.
"Mom, you are talking lightly. How can it be so simple to change a rural household registration to an urban household registration? Haven't you seen that in our surrounding area, except for those who got into college and left the countryside, there is no one who can change the rural household registration to the urban household registration? Besides, now that the land has been distributed to each household, it is not for free. You can't leave it idle. You still have to pay public grain every year!" Zhao Cao took the opportunity to talk about the dozens of acres of land that his family had just received.
That's right! The family had over twenty acres of land, and every season they had to pay a lot of grain to the government. If Lei and the others left, she and Hongsheng would get older and older. How would they manage to farm all that land? When the captain delivered the document, he emphasized several times that land was the lifeblood of crops. If anyone abandoned their land, he would report it to the town and have the police arrest and put them in solitary confinement.
Thinking of this, Zheng Qiulian hesitated.
Cao let out a cold smile. These were her family, her parents. No matter what happened, as long as their own interests were involved, they would be extremely cautious. Might as well take this opportunity to make them behave themselves, which would be better than any trouble later.
Although Cao had only been around the Zhou family for a short time, she knew they were generous and tolerant, but they also had boundaries. If Cao couldn't handle her own family, even if her marriage to Zhou Jiasheng went through, her family wouldn't be able to stop her from getting along. Therefore, Cao didn't intend to appease her mother. For the sake of her future stability, she had to stick to her own boundaries.
Besides, with the household contract responsibility system now implemented in rural areas, as long as you're willing to work hard, you'll definitely be able to prosper. If Zhao Lei and his family really need help in the future, Zhao Cao will definitely not refuse. However, all of this must be based on Zhao Lei and his own progress. Zhao Cao will not indulge her family in the habit of getting something for nothing.
"But... didn't your son-in-law promise to take care of us in the future? Someone in his family is a high-ranking official. Can't he even handle such a small matter?" Zheng Qiulian thought of her life as a famous figure in the city. After thinking about it, she felt a little unwilling.
"Mom, think about it, the higher the official's position, the stricter the rules. Zhou Jiasheng's great-grandfather is very fierce. If he knew that Zhou Jiasheng abused his power for personal gain, he would definitely break his legs. Besides, taking care of them is one thing, but it's impossible for Zhao Lei and the others to do nothing all their lives and just rely on Zhou Jiasheng to support them, right? It's not like raising pigs!" Zhao Cao couldn't help but retort.
"You damn girl, how could you treat your brother like a pig?" Zheng Qiulian was so angry at Zhao Cao that she couldn't help but stretch out her hand and wanted to slap Cao.
"Okay, okay, stop talking nonsense. Just do whatever Cao wants." Zhao Hongsheng saw that Cao's attitude was very firm, so he quickly held Zheng Qiulian's hand.
Zhao Cao would not stand there stupidly and get beaten. When Zheng Qiulian raised her hand, Cao had already jumped behind Zhao Hongsheng.
"Well, what should we do if this damn girl has no conscience in the future?" Zheng Qiulian muttered unwillingly.
"Don't talk nonsense! I'm not your type." After Zhao Hongsheng finished scolding Zheng Qiulian, he turned around and said to Cao with a loving face: "Cao! Our family's conditions are here. Your father is not capable. From now on, your brothers and sisters will still need you to take care of them a little more. Can you handle it?"
Seeing that Zhao Hongsheng finally recognized the reality, the "Principal" nodded decisively.
"Then... I should go directly to the old secretary about the betrothal gift?" Zhao Hongsheng cautiously sought Cao's opinion.
"Okay. Dad, you go ahead! I'll go wash my face first." Cao nodded and quickly left. Cao's tears hadn't stopped since she entered the house. She was afraid that Zhao Hongsheng would see through her.
At Zhao Qingshan's house, Zhou Yuanyuan withdrew the spiritual consciousness that was placed on the grass and smiled with satisfaction.
Zhou Yuanyuan knew that if Cao was willing to put in the effort, he would definitely be able to deal with her unreliable parents.
The Zhou family couldn't afford the 510,000 yuan betrothal gift, nor was it that they didn't want to pay, but they didn't want to become famous because of this matter.
In Sanhe Town, a betrothal gift of one or two hundred yuan was already considered high. If the Zhou family agreed to the Cao family's offer of five thousand yuan, it would put both families at the center of public controversy. Gossip spreads easily, especially with the presence of Zheng Qiulian, who loves to show off.
Cao's family background was not high. If those noble ladies in Kyoto who were eager to watch the fun knew that Cao had married Zhou Jiasheng with a high bride price from the Zhou family, not only would Cao lose face, but the Zhou family would also be ridiculed for using money to "buy a wife."
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