The old locust tree at the village entrance, due to months of drought, is now just a bare trunk. Such a large tree, yet not a single leaf remains.
Under the old locust tree stood Wang Dazhuang and Cheng Taotao, with Lao Hong sandwiched between them, chatting enthusiastically.
Wang Dazhuang blushed with embarrassment, while Cheng Taotao remained calm, as if she were used to such things.
"Peach, you have to listen to what I've been through. Dazhuang's family has plenty of food and water, so you won't go hungry if you marry into their family."
"Besides, Dazhuang's family is simple, and you won't have to serve your in-laws after you marry in. Isn't that great? Just wait to enjoy your life!"
After nagging Cheng Taotao for a while, Lao Hong turned to Wang Dazhuang and said something.
"Dazhuang, Taotao is only fifteen years old. Although there is a difference in age between you two, it doesn't matter if the boy is a little older. As long as he knows how to care for others, you must treat our Taotao girl well."
Wang Dazhuang quickly nodded, "Of course, Auntie."
He was quite satisfied with Cheng Taotao; she was fair-skinned and spoke gently.
He was very thin, which suggests he suffered a lot during the famine.
Seeing that Wang Dazhuang had relented, Lao Hong gave Cheng Taotao a wink.
"You silly girl, say something!" She whispered in Cheng Taotao's ear, "Don't forget you have two younger brothers waiting for you to eat, and your parents, they..."
"Alright then," Cheng Taotao interrupted hastily.
"Oh, that's more like it! You two are such a perfect match. Alright, you two chat here, I'm leaving now." Before leaving, Lao Hong pulled Cheng Taotao aside and muttered something to her.
Cheng Taotao looked terrible and it took her a long time to recover.
Wang Dazhuang handed the matchmaking fee to Lao Hong, which was the custom in the village.
If the newlyweds are satisfied with each other on their first meeting, the man should give Lao Hong a red envelope on the spot.
Usually, there are sixty coins inside. If the two of them get married in the end, they will give Lao Hong another one hundred coins.
Under the old locust tree, only Wang Dazhuang and Cheng Taotao remained.
Wang Dazhuang is an honest and simple man. In all his years of life, he has only been around men.
I've never spoken to a young girl like this before.
Wang Dazhuang hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Tao...Tao Tao, why don't you sit down for a while? You must be tired from standing for so long."
Cheng Taotao shook her head, her voice somewhat cold.
"No, I'm not tired."
"Then, are you thirsty?" Wang Dazhuang continued to ask.
Cheng Taotao shook her head again, "I'm not thirsty."
"That……"
Wang Dazhuang wanted to speak, but Cheng Taotao interrupted him.
She said bluntly, "Dazhuang, let me tell you the truth. If we get married, my father said he wants a dowry of ten taels of silver."
"If you can afford the dowry, then it's settled. If you can't afford it, then it's not settled."
Wang Dazhuang wasn't her only option; her father had asked several old men in the Communist Party to arrange marriages for her.
During this period, she met more than twenty potential suitors, but they all broke up when they talked about the dowry of ten taels of silver.
Cheng Taotao wasn't one to suffer, and these ten taels of silver were extremely important to her and her family!
Wang Dazhuang was stunned by these words, ten taels of silver...
He had worked in the mine for many years, saving every penny, but he had only managed to save five taels of silver.
Half is still missing.
Wang Dazhuang's heart clenched. "Then...this...then...could it be less?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Taotao immediately became angry.
Her fair face flushed red with anger. "What do you take me for? Not enough?"
"No, no, no..." Wang Dazhuang quickly explained, "What I mean is, can we discuss this matter again?"
Cheng Taotao said fiercely, "No, this is the standard bride price in our village. If you think it's too much, you can marry a girl from another village."
As Cheng Taotao spoke, she turned to leave.
Wang Dazhuang was so anxious that he wanted to rush forward and stop them, but he was afraid of being too forward.
He could only awkwardly stand in front of Cheng Taotao, "Miss Taotao, please don't be angry. Could you... allow me to scrape together some money?"
Cheng Taotao's expression softened. "Okay, but you have to hurry. If you can't raise ten taels of silver in three days, the marriage will be called off."
He Tiantian stood not far away, and was shocked by what she saw.
What? Getting married is so expensive now? This isn't about feelings at all, it's about money!
Before she could speak, Zhao Yanniang cursed, "That old man Hong from our village is a real scoundrel, he's heartless! He introduces all sorts of monsters and demons to our village!"
"What's wrong? Did Aunt Zhao figure something out?" He Tiantian asked in surprise.
Zhao Yanniang, looking quite mature, gestured with her mouth towards the village entrance.
“Look at that woman, she’s obviously not the kind of person who can settle down and live an honest life. Does she think she can fool the bachelors in our village? No way, I have to tell Dazhuang to open his eyes wide.”
Even after Cheng Taotao had walked quite a distance, Wang Dazhuang was still gazing at her retreating figure, unwilling to look away.
Zhao Yanniang quickly walked over, coughed twice, and asked knowingly, "Dazhuang, what are you looking at?"
When Wang Dazhuang saw that He Tiantian and Aunt Zhao had arrived, he quickly composed himself.
He stammered, "I...it's nothing really."
Zhao Yanniang didn't want to argue with him, and kindly reminded him, "Alright, don't explain anymore. I saw everything just now, but Dazhuang, let me remind you, this girl isn't suitable for you. Trust your aunt's judgment."
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