Mrs. Zhou was pleased, and since they weren't the kind of family that would sell their daughter, she thought about her future in-laws' family situation and said, "As long as they're happy together, everything else is secondary. You can decide what to do." Zhao Danxiang was about to reply when Xia Rong said, "Uncle and Aunt, we're preparing 666 yuan for the bride price, a sewing machine, a bicycle, a radio, and three sets of clothes. What do you think?" Mr. and Mrs. Zhou were stunned. Even in the city, this bride price was among the highest. Nowadays, the most common bride price in the city is 188 yuan. As for the bicycle and sewing machine, most people can only choose one. Originally, they hadn't planned on asking for a specific amount, but they were worried that their daughter wouldn't be valued in her husband's family. Anyway, whatever they gave would eventually be given to their daughter. However, hearing Xia Rong say this, they nodded happily, as it showed that their family valued their daughter.
Both sets of parents were happy. After dinner, the date was set, and the Zhou family left cheerfully. Zhou Xiaohui looked back at Xia Rong seeing them off and saw that Xia Rong was also looking at her intently. She couldn't help but feel a little shy. From this day forward, their relationship had taken another step closer. After seeing the Zhou family off, Xia Rong returned to the main room. Seeing his family in the living room, he was stopped by his mother as soon as he stepped inside. "Rong, isn't that a bit too much dowry? It's not that I'm unwilling to give it to Xiaohui. Of course, I'd be willing if I could afford it, but do we have that much money? And what about all those receipts?" Zhao Danxiang quickly explained, afraid that her son would misunderstand that she was not satisfied with her future daughter-in-law. Xia Rong smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, Mom, I've prepared all of this. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to make such a boast." Zhao Danxiang thought about how her son had been leaving early and returning late recently, and wondered if he had earned that much money then. But she didn't dare to ask, and she didn't know what kind of work could earn so much money and so many receipts. After all, she was just an honest, simple country woman.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Liang and her brother went to the black market. Xia Rong led them to an alley behind the black market, where they stood in front of a dark door. Xia Rong knocked, and a bald middle-aged man opened the door. Xia Rong introduced him, "This is Brother Biao. You can go to him for anything in this area that he can't solve, whether it's finding goods, finding people, or finding a job. My job was arranged by Brother Biao." Xia Liang greeted Brother Biao with a smile, "Hello, Brother Biao." Xia Rong then turned to the man called Brother Biao and said, "Brother Biao, this is my sister, Xia Liang." Brother Biao smiled and nodded, saying, "Brother Xia, you flatter me." He then let the siblings in. Once inside, they discovered that the interior was surprisingly spacious, unlike the ordinary-looking exterior. The courtyard house was surprisingly well-stocked, with every room crammed full of grain, cloth, and other supplies. Xia Rong explained his purpose: "Brother Biao, I've come to ask for your help. I'd like to find my father a job at a furniture factory." Brother Biao patted his chest and said, "No problem, same as always." Xia Rong then pulled out a small stack of ten-yuan notes and handed them to Brother Biao. Without even counting them, Brother Biao slammed them on the table: "Alright, I'll take care of it. I'll give you an answer in three days. Is there anything else? If so, let's talk about it together." Xia Rong knew this was a dismissal, so he said, "That's all, Brother Biao. You're busy. My sister and I will take our leave now." Brother Biao nodded, and the brother and sister said goodbye and left.
On the way back, Xia Rong knew her sister was curious, so before Xia Liang could ask, she said, "This Brother Biao isn't a local, but he's been operating around the black market area. He basically controls most of the market prices here, has a lot of underlings, and is involved in a wide range of businesses. Don't let his unassuming appearance fool you; he's very capable and trustworthy. Although his fees are a bit high, he'll definitely do what he promises." Xia Liang thought to herself, "Isn't this just a gangster doing business? Oh! And a middleman at that." Xia Liang asked, "How much did Dad's job cost?" Xia Rong replied, "Two hundred, the same as last time. He only introduces you to the factories you want to go to; he doesn't care what you do there."
After the brother and sister returned home, they didn't go out again. It was a rare family reunion. Xia Dahe suddenly said, "If only your grandparents could live like this." This statement stunned the mother and her two children. Xia Liang said, "No way, we just need to give them the grain we give them every year, and that's enough to fulfill our filial duty." On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xia's father suggested visiting Old Man Xia's house. Although they had separated their households, they were still his parents, and he should visit them during the New Year. Xia Liang didn't want to go, but Xia's mother thought that if her daughter didn't go, the villagers might talk about her behind her back. So the four of them went to the old house. Xia Dahe also brought some cigarettes, alcohol, tea, candy, and biscuits that his children had given him. Xia Rong didn't say anything; after all, they were his grandparents. Xia Liang didn't say anything either; she didn't care about such a small amount and was too lazy to argue with them. When they arrived at the old house, everyone except Old Lady Xia and her family was home. According to the local custom, one shouldn't visit other people's homes on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Seeing Xia Liang and his family arrive, no one paid them any attention. Old Mrs. Xia came out of her room and began to berate them: "What are you doing? You unfilial son! You've already separated from your family, why are you back? Don't you know you can't visit each other on New Year's Day? I think you're just deliberately trying to make our lives miserable!" Xia Dahe said sadly, "Mom, what do you mean by visiting each other? I'm your son, Danxiang is your daughter-in-law, Xia Rong and Xia Liang are your grandson and granddaughter. How can this be considered visiting each other?" Old Mrs. Zhao spat and said, "What nonsense about being one family! Once you've separated, you're two separate families!" The eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Chunhua, seeing what her son was carrying, stepped forward to stop Old Mrs. Xia: "Mom, let my third brother and his family come in and sit for a while." She tugged at the old lady's sleeve and gestured for her to look at what Xia Dahe was carrying. Old Mrs. Xia followed her gaze and snatched the items from Xia Dahe's hands without hesitation, saying, "At least you still have some conscience!" Upon seeing what was inside, she couldn't stop smiling. She hurriedly handed it to her eldest daughter-in-law standing next to her: "Eldest daughter-in-law, take it inside quickly. When my grandson goes to his father-in-law's house, let him take it with him." Xia Dahe said, "Mom, this is what I brought to show my respect to you and Dad. How can I let Xia Fu take it to his father-in-law's house?" Old Mrs. Xia's face changed instantly: "What's it to you? What you gave us is mine. I can do whatever I want with it, it's none of your business." After saying that, she turned and went into her main room, completely leaving Xia Liang and her family outside. Xia Liang wanted to persuade them to go back, but then she heard Old Mr. Xia's voice from the main room: "What's all the noise about? Old woman, these are the sweet potatoes you wanted. You didn't say anything yesterday, and now I have to go down to the cellar during the New Year." As he spoke, he handed a basket of sweet potatoes to Old Mrs. Xia, turned around and saw his second son's family standing in the yard, and called out: "What are you standing outside for? Come in quickly." Xia Dahe seemed to have received some reward, and happily called his wife and children into the main room. Xia Liang was speechless, and she and Xia Rong exchanged a glance. They both saw helplessness in each other's eyes.
After entering the main room, Old Man Xia spoke first, "I heard that you're working in the city now, A-Liang?" Xia Liang nodded. She didn't want to talk to anyone, okay? Please don't talk to me, that's what Xia Liang was thinking at that moment. But how could Old Man Xia let her go? He continued to ask, "How much do you make a month? How many tickets?" Xia Liang made up a number to lie to him. Anyway, he had nowhere else to ask. The people around were astonished. Goodness, Xia Liang, a girl, had become a worker in the city. Then their son (husband) could also become a worker in the city. His salary would definitely be higher than Xia Liang's. After all, if Xia Liang, such a simple-minded girl, could earn so much money, their son (husband) was a hundred times better than Xia Liang. They were just dreaming.
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