Zheng Yilan also thought of this. After all, the Li family was a military family. If things were blown up, it would definitely become a big joke in the compound.
But she was unwilling to marry Jinju.
She gets furious just thinking about having to be related to that kind of person by marriage.
The old man didn't say a word and wanted to let it go, but Zheng Yilan slapped Li Zhenguo on the thigh. "Haoxuan has had such a big incident, you should say something."
Li Zhenguo was so startled that his beard trembled.
"If I don't want to make a big fuss, I have no choice but to marry her."
"It's the same as saying nothing at all."
Zheng Yilan rolled her eyes, then looked at her daughter, "Aiqin, try talking to Jinju tomorrow. Tell her that your brother is in the development stage of his career and asks if it's possible to postpone the wedding."
Her plan was to wait until the child was born, then secretly do a paternity test. If it was confirmed that the child was from the Li family, then she would keep the child and leave the mother.
Li Aiqin was speechless. Jinju wasn't stupid; she definitely wouldn't agree.
It wasn't that she was narcissistic, but although the Li family wasn't extremely wealthy, they were still better off than the Jin family living in a slum.
The Jin family couple favored sons over daughters and had always hoped that Jinju would rise to prominence. Now that she had finally managed to marry into their family, how could she possibly give up so easily?
"Can you do it? Say something."
Zheng Yilan got angry.
"Mom, you know it's impossible, aren't you just making things difficult for me?"
"How could this be..."
Before Zheng Yilan could finish speaking, Li Haoxuan roared, "Alright, do what you're supposed to do."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Zheng Yilan called from behind, "Haoxuan, where are you going?"
Oh no, Haoxuan might have gone to find Jinju.
At this critical juncture, the two should try to minimize their meetings to avoid being seen by others.
"Alright, if all else fails, just marry her."
Li Zhenguo made the final decision.
Zheng Yilan jumped up instantly, "You make it sound so nice. You're useless, you only managed to become a regimental commander. I was hoping that Haoxuan could marry a rich girl and change the status of our Li family."
Seeing that the two elders were about to start arguing again, Li Aiqin quickly got up and left.
Out of sight, out of mind.
After the Li family remained silent for several days, the Jin family had no choice but to go to their home to demand an explanation. What was supposed to be a private matter had now become known throughout the entire compound.
Everyone was talking about it, after all, in the 1980s, illegitimate children were not something to be proud of.
Although Zheng Yilan is usually fierce, she is no match for the rogue Jin Mu.
In the end, he had no choice but to agree to marry her, but they were deadlocked over the bride price.
"Impossible, you're asking for an exorbitant amount."
Three turns and a ring, plus a 200 yuan dowry? Why don't they just rob someone?
Do they really think the Li family's money grows on trees?
With her hands on her hips, Jin's mother was determined not to lose in terms of momentum. "I was a perfectly good young woman, and your son got me pregnant. The dowry I'm asking for is already very little."
Zheng Yilan pretends to be poor. Her husband is an officer in the army, and her daughter is a doctor in a hospital. Their monthly income must be quite high.
The other party's words were so offensive that Zheng Yilan gave up and went all out.
"Fine, since things have escalated to this point, I'm not afraid of losing face anymore."
People outside peered over the wall, quickly surrounding the Li family's house.
"Old hag, I'm telling you right now, no way you're going to ask for that much dowry."
In her eyes, Jinju was just a worn-out shoe, not worth a penny.
Standing next to her mother, Li Aiqin felt extremely ashamed.
She was originally hiding in her room, but her mother said she needed someone to cheer her on and insisted on dragging her over.
Seeing that things were getting out of control, she tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered, "Mom, there are people watching outside."
Zheng Yilan then noticed the commotion outside, and her face turned pale.
Jin Mu noticed this and immediately understood that the other party was not indifferent.
Over the next few days, neither family was willing to budge on the issue of the bride price.
A dilapidated thatched hut, with only a few bundles of weeds on the roof, looked as if it would collapse with a gust of wind.
The Kim family sat on the doorstep discussing the matter.
"Mom, what if the Li family is unwilling to compromise? Xiao Qiu's family is still waiting for the bride price."
Jinbao, however, couldn't hold back. He had found a girl he liked. She didn't mind that his family was poor, but she hoped that the bride price could be higher.
Jin's mother quickly reassured her son, "Don't worry, Xiaobao, Mom will definitely make sure you get a wife."
"Old woman, go and give the Li family another warning tomorrow. Our son can't wait any longer."
Mr. Jin, who was smoking cheap cigarettes nearby, offered a reminder.
Jinju was inside the house, listening to everything they said.
That's right, this dowry will ultimately be used for Jinbao.
"Mom, how about we lower our expectations a little?"
She really wanted to marry Haoxuan.
During this time, she used every means possible to get pregnant with Haoxuan's child.
As expected, heaven was on her side.
The child in her belly is her security now; she doesn't care much about the bride price.
"You brat, you're already thinking about other people's affairs before you've even married into the Li family."
Jin's mother slapped him across the face, but she hit his arm.
"Mom, can you think about this for me? What if the Li family changes their mind?"
Jinju was devastated. Her parents only cared about Jinbao; she was nothing but a weed.
"Mom won't let them go back on their word, so you can just relax and be a bride."
The news about the Li family spread throughout the compound.
"I never expected the Li family to be like this. Luckily, I didn't try to match Li Aiqin with Han Ting back then."
Chen Shufang patted her chest.
Having the Li family as in-laws would be a misfortune for the Li family.
Li Yuehuan paused in her eating, blinked, and asked, "Mom, should I still associate with Li Aiqin?"
One second she was Sister Aiqin, the next she was a stranger.
Chen Shufang looked at her daughter and said, "Just don't get too close."
After all, Huanhuan's intelligence is no match for Li Aiqin's.
"oh."
Li Yuehuan happily resumed eating.
Ouyang Qian knew that although her sister-in-law was a bit simple-minded, she could still distinguish between good and evil.
"Mom, Jingjing and Hanting are very much in love now."
Even she, the eldest sister-in-law, was envious.
"Yes, it can be said that the hard times have finally come to an end."
Chen Shufang sighed; those four years were too painful to recall.
It's unclear who spread the news, but people in the family compound started gossiping about it.
After all, Li Aiqin and Jin Ju frequently visited the military base and got along well with many people.
"Have you heard? Li Haoxuan got Jinju pregnant, and now the two families are at an impasse over the bride price."
Zhou Qian said mysteriously.
Someone chimed in, "I've heard that too. The bride price not only includes three turns and a radio, but also two hundred yuan."
Wu Xiuying pouted, "My goodness, Jinju isn't a gold nugget, how could the Li family possibly agree?"
That woman from the Li family is not someone to be trifled with.
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