Chapter 438: Chapter 438 Believe
Shen Yixiang saw her chance and looked towards Lu Hailing, "Hailing, what do you think should be done then?"
Lu Hailing glanced at her mother, who gave her a slight nod, and then she said, "Sister Yixiang, you and my brother are close, and it’s about time to get this good thing done without delay. He’s at that age, and he envies those who have children to hold. Don’t you see how much he likes to watch the little ones? Even though he doesn’t say it, he’s yearning for it in his heart. Sister Yixiang, please take pity on my brother."
Mrs. Lu scolded her with a laugh, "What kind of talk is that?"
Then she turned to Shen Yixiang and began to persuade her again.
Finally, when it came to the topic of the dowry, Mrs. Lu pondered for a while and said, "Yixiang, your aunt isn’t afraid to tell you the truth. Our Lu family isn’t wealthy either, just Father Hai Jun working a few acres of land at home. We do have a house that Grandpa Navy left behind with five rooms; it’s spacious enough to live comfortably. The little money we manage to save just comes and goes, but you can rest assured, we don’t need you two to provide for us. We are able-bodied and able to grow enough grain to fill our bellies. But I think, when you get married, regardless, some things need to be bought. I’m not sure what the plans are on your side?"
Shen Yixiang shook her head, "As for the dowry, I don’t plan on taking anything from home. That belongs to my brother and sister-in-law. If I lack anything in the future, I’ll buy it myself."
Mrs. Lu’s eyes twinkled, and she smiled, "You’re a child with ambition, but let me say one more thing. By doing this, you might make it look bad for your parents’ dignity. No matter what, there should be some dowry."
Shen Yixiang still shook her head.
Lu Hailing sat down beside her, "Sister Yixiang, look, when your younger sisters married, didn’t they all have a few things? When your sister-in-law married into the family, didn’t she bring things with her? And don’t villagers look up to her because of it?"
Shen Yixiang shook her head and said, "My sister-in-law’s family had some problems at the time, and the dowry was actually the betrothal gifts my brother paid. They brought it over from her family’s side."
This response made Mrs. Lu and her daughter somewhat stunned.
Then, Shen Yixiang said, "I think it’s fine to do it like my sister-in-law did - whatever the groom’s side offers as a betrothal gift, I’ll match it with my dowry."
Lu Hailing’s smile stiffened for a moment, but she quickly added, "Sister Yixiang, at your home... I know you have many sisters, and only Yang Peijun is the lone son. Don’t be sad."
Shen Yixiang was puzzled, "Sad about what?"
Pity was written all over Lu Hailing’s face, "In my village, there’s a household just like that, with several daughters and only one son. All the family assets belong to the son, and when the daughters marry off, they leave wearing nothing but their ordinary clothes, not even new ones. Everyone looks on and finds it disgraceful, and they’re not even that poor; they’re actually considered well-off in the village... I hadn’t realized it was the same in your family, Sister Yixiang."
Shen Yixiang was almost about to jump up, "Who said that about my family? It’s my own decision, not because my parents wouldn’t provide. If our family favored sons over daughters, could we go to school? Could my sixth sister go to college? I didn’t get into college myself; otherwise, I’d still be studying!"
Lu Hailing was somewhat at a loss for words and chuckled awkwardly, "I misunderstood, Sister Yixiang, please don’t be angry. I was just speaking carelessly."
Shen Yixiang finally calmed down, but her face still looked slightly unnatural. However, upon seeing the expressions of Mrs. Lu and her daughter, she extended her finger and began counting, "Also, my future wages will be in my own hands, and I should give at least half to my parents. They had a hard time raising me; my mother almost lost her life giving birth to us. I will be filial to her for my entire life. After marriage, expenses will be high, and I will need to contribute half of my wages alongside Hai Jun. I don’t know if that will be enough, we’ll need to rent a place, buy furniture, and all sorts of household items, which all need to be replaced. Marriage is a lifetime event; it’s okay not to buy the three rounds and a sound, but I still need to buy a big bed, cabinets, televisions, and the like. Back at my parents’ house, we had all these things. If I marry into a family that doesn’t have them, my parents will definitely be reluctant to send me into hardship. Maybe we won’t have everything at the start; I’ll talk to my parents about that. Slowly adding, two people’s wages over two years should be enough. After those two years, it will be almost time to think about having children. I really can’t stand the thought of children suffering due to incompetent parents. By then, the environment and my job will hopefully be in a better situation..."
The more Mrs. Lu and her daughter listened, the stiffer their faces became, almost unable to maintain composure.
Shen Yixiang glanced over sneakily, her heart not feeling quite right. She paused and continued, "I am straightforward by nature, and I like to be open about things. I will discuss these matters with Hai Jun when the time comes. He should agree as well, and then I’ll have my brother act as a witness. My brother said Hai Jun has been performing well lately, and he might have a chance for a promotion in the future. If we become family, he will also look after Hai Jun."
Ever since hearing Yang Peijun’s words, she hadn’t been able to sleep or eat for several days. She simply couldn’t believe that the two people she had actually met were like that; two women from the countryside couldn’t be so calculating, could they? And the kind that could lie without batting an eye? But Yang Peijun wouldn’t be idle and make up these things just to tease her.
After that, she kept thinking and reflecting on every scene and every word she had exchanged with Mrs. Lu and her daughter, which made her even more restless and uneasy.
Sleeping poorly resulted in puffy eyes, dark circles, and significant hair loss. One morning, she went to the bathroom disheveled and almost scared her sister-in-law.
Later, her sister-in-law spoke with her for a whole morning, commenting on whether Mrs. Lu and her daughter were really plotting against the Shen family or not. "Just test them and you’ll know. If they are calculating like this, it’s for money. So start with money."
Now, it seemed her sister-in-law was right; what were these two after if not money?
Look, as soon as she brought up the topic of dowry and wages, their faces changed immediately.
Mrs. Lu tried to persuade Shen Yixiang earnestly, "Yixiang, you are still young. I know your family is well-off, much better than ours. You’ve never suffered. I’m not afraid to tell you, as we are all family. Our family hasn’t split up, and in the earlier years, his father and I suffered for the sake of the children. Hai Jun once fell into a river during winter, and it was his brother who risked his life to push him out. Hai Jun has always said that once he makes it, he must treat his brother well. Hai Jun is a soldier; he cannot do something unfilial or disrespectful toward his parents or brothers; it would not be good for his future. Moreover, one should only take as much as one’s abilities allow. We need to plan for the future. Having money doesn’t necessarily mean happiness when it’s spent. What do you think, Yixiang?"
Shen Yixiang didn’t quite understand and said, "I’m not stopping Hai Jun from being filial or respectful. We’ll still give living expenses to our old home regularly, it’s just that I’ll also contribute here, though it will be less—around ten yuan per month. If you have any difficulties, we won’t turn a blind eye. However, once married, we won’t all live together. Each person will have their own income; this shouldn’t be confused..." She went on to talk about the expenses after marriage, meticulously accounting for everything down to needles and thread.
Lu Hailing looked at her in shock, "Sister Yixiang, what’s come over you? You weren’t like this before!"
Shen Yixiang smiled, "I am like this. I don’t take advantage of others, and I won’t let others take advantage of me."