Liu Qingshan touched the bicycle placed in front of him with great care, saying, "These things are a bit old, but that doesn't affect their usability."
You said at the time that your family was short of these things, and you wanted to fulfill your filial duty by leaving them at home in the future.
I know you're worried about these not being brand new, but that's my current financial situation. Don't worry, though, if you want to change them back later when we get more furniture, you can always do it.
These words were spoken very sincerely, and some of the neighbors were moved.
"If we really do that, it's not impossible. Everyone's circumstances are pretty much the same now, so it would be quite good if we could even manage to scrape together all that money."
Many people get married with only a few dozen yuan as a dowry, let alone the traditional "three turns and one sound" (referring to a set of three-wheeled vehicles, a watch, a radio, and a bicycle).
Bai Ailian said, "Comrade Liu Qingshan, we know that what you said makes sense, and our family is not an unreasonable family."
However, if you had told us beforehand that your family's circumstances were like this, we certainly wouldn't have forced you to comply.
Ultimately, we were just greedy, wanting our daughter to have a good future.
Look how difficult it is for you to gather all these things, and you still have to promise to buy Xiaolan a brand new set in the future. This is really putting you in a difficult position.
We are all kind-hearted people. In order not to make things difficult for you, let's call off this marriage.
With your qualities and promises, I'm sure there will be other wonderful girls who will form lifelong friendships with you.
That's all for today, everyone can go home now.
Hua Xiangyun slightly opened her mouth, while Bai Ailian opened and closed her mouth, thus gaining herself a reputation for kindness and tolerance.
Tian Guihua pulled Hua Xiangyun away a bit, making her retreat to the outermost edge.
Hua Xiangyun asked silently, "..." The previous spot was fine, why did you move here?
Tian Guihua then led her to the corridor, saying, "I'm afraid the two families might clash later, so we don't need to get involved."
Neither of them are easy to deal with. This matter won't be resolved so easily today.
Sure enough, the two families started arguing as they talked, neither willing to back down an inch.
Liu Qingshan came prepared this time to propose marriage, not only by offering inferior goods but also by bringing many relatives and friends, seemingly intending to use his influence to intimidate others.
"This isn't about getting married, it's about making enemies." Hua Xiangyun watched the argument escalate and once again marveled at Tian Guihua's foresight. They were in this position, which allowed them to watch the spectacle without being disturbed.
“Liu Qingshan came prepared. It seems the Zhou family is in trouble this time.” Tian Guihua looked at both sides, each with their own reasons and arguments. “If they don’t want to get married, they might have to suffer a huge loss again.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Xiangyun finally couldn't help but open her spiritual eye. There was no bloodshed, but rather a sign of financial loss. It seemed that the old lady's words about massive bleeding meant exactly that.
However, if this marriage doesn't go through, I'm afraid Zhou Xiaolan will turn her attention to my family again.
She did want to intervene, but those of the Xuanmen sect cannot interfere in other people's lives; Heaven will eventually settle accounts.
More and more people gathered in the courtyard, and Hua Xiangyun saw that Hua Zhian was also among them.
"This is simply driving us to our deaths! Now it's a matter of freedom of marriage, and we don't want to marry off our daughters anymore, is that not enough?" Bai Ailian cried out loudly at Zhou Jinfeng's prompting.
"How can you force someone into marriage like this? We're not going through with this marriage."
Liu Qingshan put himself in an extremely humble position, his tone pleading, "Auntie, I am truly devoted to Xiaolan. Although I am a little poor now, I promise to treat her well and give her some time. In the future, I will take care of you together with her."
Look how skillfully they put it! It's as if the Zhou family wants to break up this ill-fated couple.
It also points out that the Zhou family is materialistic and looks down on the betrothal gifts he raised with all his family's resources.
Faced with such a rogue, the Zhou family secretly lamented their misfortune, wondering why they hadn't investigated more thoroughly and had been blinded by the superficial conditions.
At this moment, Zhou Jinfeng didn't care about hiding in the back. "Comrade Liu, you misunderstood. It's not because your conditions are not suitable, but because my Xiaolan thinks you are not suitable."
It's better to sacrifice Xiaolan than ruin the family's reputation. If Xiaolan marries into such a shameless family, she won't get any benefits and might even be bullied.
Zhou Xiaolan has been playing the role for over a decade, so how could she not see through Liu Qingshan's true colors? They're all the same kind of people, and she's even more wary of them.
She naturally didn't want to jump into this fire pit, but hearing her family's decision, which was to sacrifice her reputation to resolve the matter, she had no choice but to accept it, otherwise she might really be pushed out to marry Liu Qingshan directly.
"After careful consideration over the past few days, Comrade Liu Qingshan feels that we are not suitable in many ways, and I am still young and do not have the determination to be a good stepmother." Zhou Xiaolan stared at Liu Qingshan and said in a low voice, "Given my temper, if I have a conflict with the children, or if I do something wrong, it will lead to complaints."
These words carried a threat. It wasn't impossible for him to marry her, but his children would have to live under his care.
Liu Qingshan narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Xiao Lan, you're overthinking it. My child is very well-behaved, obedient and sensible since childhood. If there's anything wrong with him, we, as elders, will definitely have to teach him a lesson."
And if you raise them, they will take care of you in the future.
Zhou Xiaolan nodded. "They say that beating someone is a sign of affection, and scolding someone is a sign of love. If you really say that, I'm relieved."
Since you insist on marrying me, I must show my sincerity and promise to properly educate them in the future.
Hearing Zhou Xiaolan emphasize the word "teaching" so tightly, Liu Qingshan hesitated.
Although Zhou Xiaolan is young, she is not particularly beautiful.
He wanted to marry a wife to help manage the household, but if she turned the house upside down, how could he ever have a peaceful life again?
The girl, who had seemed so gentle and weak before, now displayed such fierceness that it made him hesitate.
With such a large dowry, he could choose any good girl from the nearby villages.
He had been blinded before, thinking that this girl was quiet and easy to manipulate. In addition, both Zhou's parents had jobs, which was better than marrying a rural wife who would be a burden. Now it seems that he needs to change his mind.
The Zhou family is good at hiding their true nature, and the whole family is so greedy. It's better not to marry such a vicious woman.
But having wasted so much of his time and caused so much trouble, this debt should be properly settled.
"But what can we do now?" Liu Qingshan said with a bitter expression. "It's not that I want to force this, and I know that a forced marriage won't be happy, but I've borrowed from all my relatives and friends to raise these things for this marriage."
I bought all of these at a high price, and now it won't be so easy to sell them. Why don't you just pay me back?
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