That evening, the family returned from a walk in the park and sat in the living room watching TV. Zhao Danxiang mentioned an upcoming family event to her. "Next Saturday, your sister-in-law's son is getting married. Everyone in the family hopes you can come and join in the fun." Zhao Danxiang's tone revealed her anticipation for the wedding.
Upon hearing the news, Xia Liang hesitated. She recalled some unpleasant experiences with her sister-in-law, especially the incident during her sister-in-law's childbirth, which left her with a negative impression of her sister-in-law's mother, Zhou's mother. That incident had left a shadow in Xia Liang's heart, making her somewhat reserved in her attitude towards the Zhou family.
However, Xia Liang also understood that, as relatives, despite past unpleasantness, mutual support and reunion were equally important on important family occasions. She didn't want her personal feelings to affect the harmony of the entire family, nor did she want to make other relatives feel disrespected.
After thinking for a while, Xia Liang finally agreed to Zhao Danxiang's request. "Mom, don't worry, we will definitely go to the wedding next Saturday." Her voice revealed a hint of determination. Although she was somewhat reluctant, she still decided to attend the wedding for the sake of her family.
Upon hearing Xia Liang's reply, Zhao Danxiang smiled with relief. "Good, that's good. After all, we're relatives, and we should support each other in times like these." She knew Xia Liang might be a little unhappy, but she believed she could handle her personal feelings and family relationships well.
Xia Liang nodded, already considering the arrangements for the wedding day. She hoped that the day would go smoothly and that the shadows of the past would not affect the family's good mood.
Xia Liang knew about Zhou Xiaohui's family situation and knew that her brother had a son and a daughter, and that the older son was older than Xia Liang's niece, Xia Xinran.
Zhou Xiaohui's nephew's wedding was a wonderful day for family reunion, an important moment to showcase family joy and celebration. Gu Yanxiao happened to be off work that day, so the whole family decided to go to the hotel together to attend the celebration.
As the car slowly pulled into the hotel, Xia Liang observed its exterior and surroundings through the car window. She noticed the exquisite decor and professional service staff, giving the hotel an overall upscale and sophisticated feel. Xia Liang thought to herself, "This is quite high-class." This not only reflected the importance Zhou Xiaohui's family placed on the wedding but also showed their high expectations and standards for celebrating this day.
The family stepped out of the car, and Xia Liang and Gu Yanxiao led the children into the hotel's banquet hall. The wedding venue was lavishly decorated, with flowers, lights, and music creating a festive and warm atmosphere. Xia Liang and Gu Yanxiao greeted their relatives and friends who had come to attend the wedding, while the children looked around curiously, finding everything at the wedding venue new and exciting.
A warm and peaceful atmosphere permeated the hotel lobby. Xia Liang was chatting quietly with her eldest daughter, sharing intimate thoughts. However, this tranquility was shattered by her younger daughter's abrupt intrusion.
The youngest daughter, Gu Yuanzhi, had flushed cheeks and her eyes gleaming with urgency. She practically rushed into the house, panting as she reported to her mother, "Mom, there's a commotion at the bride's house!" Her voice was tinged with excitement and confusion.
Xia Liang and her eldest daughter's conversation abruptly ended, their gazes simultaneously turning to Gu Yuanzhi, their faces showing surprise. Xia Liang asked with concern, "What happened? Tell me slowly."
Gu Yuanzhi composed herself and continued, "Just now, my cousin Xia Yuxuan and I were outside watching the bride when we saw the bride's mother blocking the wedding car and demanding money. She said she wouldn't get out of the car without a 3,000 yuan 'getting-out-of-the-car fee.'" Her tone revealed her confusion and dissatisfaction with this unexpected situation.
Xia Liang frowned, unable to comprehend such greed at a wedding. In her view, a wedding was a joyous occasion of two families uniting, filled with blessings and happiness, not tainted by money and disputes.
Xia Liang sighed softly, knowing that this was someone else's private matter, and as an outsider, it was inappropriate for her to interfere too much. She sat back down in her chair, deciding to observe and see how this dispute would ultimately end.
The noise outside gradually increased, and Zhou Xiaohui's nephew Zhou Jiyuan's voice clearly entered the house. His voice was filled with obvious dissatisfaction and indignation: "Your family asked for a dowry of 18,000 yuan, which we have already paid. We have also given you furniture. How can you suddenly ask for a 'getting-out-of-the-car fee'? Is this how you bully people?"
Zhou Jiyuan's question echoed in the air, his tone firm, each word revealing his strong dissatisfaction with this sudden escalation. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes flashed with anger, clearly feeling that this approach was neither reasonable nor respectful.
The guests listened, their feelings becoming complicated. They could understand Zhou Jiyuan's anger; after all, a wedding is a joyous occasion for both families, and it should be a matter of mutual agreement, not one party making extra demands at the last minute.
Neighbors and passersby began to gather, whispering amongst themselves. What should have been a joyous wedding had become awkward and tense due to the money issue. Xia Liang shook his head, secretly hoping that both sides could resolve the dispute quickly so that the bride could have her wedding proceed smoothly.
The bride's mother stood in front of the wedding car, her face showing a mixture of determination and greed. Her voice was clear and firm: "This is our custom, and it's for your own good. Once you're a family, I'll still have my daughter take you home." Her words revealed her obsequiousness towards her son-in-law's family, thinking that after the wedding, her own family would be in charge.
Hearing this, the Zhou family's expressions gradually softened. Although they still harbored resentment, the bride's mother's words seemed to offer a glimmer of hope, showing them a possibility of resolving the issue. Old Mrs. Zhou's face showed a hint of difficulty; she knew her family couldn't afford to pay any more money to meet this immediate demand.
Grandma Zhou turned her gaze to Zhou Xiaohui, her eyes filled with pleading and expectation: "Xiaohui, look at this..." Her voice trembled slightly, clearly showing her deep anxiety.
Faced with this unexpected situation, Zhou Xiaohui was extremely unwilling, but she also understood that she couldn't just stand by and watch her nephew's wedding be ruined. She took a deep breath and then slowly said, "Okay, I'll cover the cost first." Her tone revealed a sense of helplessness, but even more so, a desire for the wedding to end as soon as possible.
Zhou Xiaohui took the money out of her bag and handed it to the bride's mother. Her movements were hesitant, but she ultimately completed the gesture. The bride's mother took the money, a satisfied smile spreading across her face; she knew the wedding could finally proceed smoothly.
The surrounding neighbors and passersby watched this scene and discussed it amongst themselves. Some expressed understanding for the bride's mother's behavior, believing it to be part of traditional customs; while others expressed sympathy for the Zhou family, feeling that they had been forced into this situation.
Xia Liang quietly observed everything from inside the house, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She could foresee that the Zhou family's future days would likely be difficult, and she felt sympathy for their helplessness. It seemed that the bride's family was not someone to be trifled with.
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