Zhao Jianhua, being a shrewd man, could certainly tell from Old Mrs. Li's attitude.
His behavior was becoming increasingly obedient. If Zhao Youcai saw his third son being so honest and well-behaved, he would probably rub his eyes several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Li's sister's face had been flushed ever since Zhao Jianhua entered the hospital. Seeing her sister-in-law's teasing look, she suddenly felt like the stool under her bottom had thorns, so she made up an excuse and ran away.
Grandma Li felt a mix of bittersweetness and joy. It was truly a case of a mother's love growing up and no longer being able to control her son; it was time for him to get married.
"Ask your dad when he'll have time to come over to our house and have a drink with your Uncle Li."
Zhao Jianhua instantly understood and decided not to stay any longer to try and gain favor.
"I'll go back and talk to my dad right away. Once everything is ready, I'll come and pick you all up to have dinner and drinks at my house."
The parents of both sides sat down to discuss the marriage. It wasn't like they were going to formally propose marriage. How could they possibly come to Old Li's house to eat and drink?
Zhao Jianhua understood this principle: entertaining guests had to be done at his own home.
Grandma Li smiled and nodded before watching Zhao Jianhua leave.
"If you don't have much to do these next few days, take the time to tidy up the yard and go to the supply and marketing cooperative in town to buy some things for your sister."
Old Li simply pulled out a handkerchief pouch from his pocket, opened it, and took out two large ten-yuan bills and a few loose small bills.
"If you can't find what you want to buy at the supply and marketing cooperative, go to the black market and see if you can find anything suitable."
This elderly couple really thought of everything for their daughter.
After all, in rural areas at that time, it was not common for girls to bring dowries. Even if they did, it was usually just things like washbasins and bedding.
But the Li family felt that the old man Zhao Youcai must be very generous.
If the bride price and dowry differ too much, the daughter will definitely feel inferior. What if she suffers grievances but dares not speak up?
The Li family's sons and daughters-in-law weren't envious, after all, they hadn't suffered any grievances over the years, and some of them hadn't even brought dowries when they married into the family.
"No need to buy cotton. I bought a lot of cotton a while ago and still have plenty left. It's enough to make a new quilt for my sister," Li's second sister-in-law added with a smile.
Hearing her second daughter-in-law's words, Old Mrs. Li nodded in satisfaction once again.
Of all her daughters-in-law, she liked her second son's daughter-in-law the most.
He is a wise and insightful person who would never scheme against others for petty gains.
She still had a gold ring and two silver bracelets in her possession, and when the day came for her to pass away, she would leave the gold ring to her second daughter-in-law.
The two silver bracelets were to be given to the eldest son's wife and the third son's wife. As for the youngest daughter-in-law, she could save up some more money and go to town to buy another pair of silver bracelets.
Zhao Youcai returned from his neighbor's house and was about to close the door to go to the farm to work when he heard his third son's excited shouts from a great distance.
"Father! Father, please help me! This matter requires your personal intervention!"
Zhao Youcai hadn't heard his third son's voice so excited in a long time. Lately, all he could think about was how to marry the Li family's daughter.
Why are you so excited all of a sudden? Could it be that good news is on the way?
Zhao Youcai was also very happy, after all, all his children had wives, and it was really unreasonable for his third son not to get married.
Forgetting about working on the farm, he opened the door, put on a serious face, and let his third son in to talk.
This unlucky thing can't even keep its voice down. It's not even completely settled yet, and it's already making such a racket. Does it want to be a laughing stock for others?
He had seen far too many good things that were set in stone ruined by outsiders' constant nagging and criticism.
Although people are simple and honest nowadays, who can guarantee that the whole village will be united?
What if someone gets jealous of the Zhao family's wealth and tries to sabotage them?
I've never seen my son this stupid before. He's really lost his mind trying to get a wife.
Zhao Jianhua was startled by his father's cold face and was forced to calm down.
After the father and son closed the door and sat down, Zhao Youcai slowly smiled.
"Tell me, what's the good news?"
Zhao Jianhua rubbed his hands together excitedly and whispered in Zhao Youcai's ear.
"Hehe, Aunt Li asked me to go home and ask you when you'd be free to come over for drinks. I said no need for that, let them come to our house for dinner."
Zhao Youcai smiled and pointed his finger at Zhao Jianhua from a distance, the curve of his lips widening even further.
"You're a smart kid! Your eldest sister-in-law and fourth sister-in-law have gone back to their parents' home. They should be back by tomorrow at the earliest, or the day after tomorrow at the latest. Once they're back, I'll go to town to buy some things to treat them."
Zhao Jianhua laughed like a fool, but still took out five yuan from his pocket and put it on the table.
"This is money earned by carrying cloth to other towns to sell, and by digging for garlic (scientific name: small-headed garlic) and dandelion in the mountains in my spare time. I can't let my father pay for all the money for my wedding banquet."
After all, there weren't so many issues before the two sisters-in-law and their wives married into the family. Although the father paid for the bride price, none of the three families had a precedent of hosting a banquet.
I have to cover this extra expense myself, so as not to upset others and affect the relationship between brothers.
Zhao Youcai originally intended to refuse, since buying seasonings wouldn't cost much. He had plenty of vegetables, meat, and eggs on his own farm.
However, it's rare for the third son to be reliable this time; the father is bad for not giving his son a chance to perform well.
Without being polite, he put the five yuan away.
Although the third son was reluctant to part with the money, it was already in his father's hands before he could even enjoy it.
But compared to something as big as getting married, five yuan is nothing to be upset about.
Besides, following my dad means money to be made and food to eat. As long as I stick close to my dad, why worry about not having enough money or enough to eat?
"Dad, you should rest. I won't keep you from sleeping. Tomorrow I'll continue selling cloth in other villages!"
Recently, not many people have come to Zhao Youcai's house to buy cloth. Apart from Li Dafu's family, who don't get along with Zhao Youcai's family, almost everyone else in the village has bought their cloth.
We still have to sell all this leftover fabric. It wasn't worth much to begin with, and it'll be worth even less if it sits there for too long.
"Okay, come in and get it yourself tomorrow morning, don't wake me up."
He also has to go to the breakfast stall to make breakfast, but that food is only available for a limited time and they have to close up shop when the time is up, so they can't afford to waste it.
Zhao Jianhua was even happier, feeling that his father was gradually trusting him and no longer worried that he would steal a few more bolts of cloth.
Perhaps they were so overwhelmed by the upcoming joyous occasion that they completely forgot that Zhao Youcai had kept a record of the amount of fabric he had purchased.
His timid fourth sister-in-law was exceptionally skilled at bookkeeping; she remembered the accounts perfectly, inheriting some of the skills from her grandfather, who was an accountant.
Zhao Youcai had already planned it all out: once his family business grew bigger, his fourth daughter-in-law would definitely be the accountant in charge of the books.
As for the others...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
