The little drama queen is both capricious and naughty, but her military officer husband insists on s

Ma Cuihong grabbed Jiang Zao's hand as if it were a lifeline.

I just want to pour out all my grievances at once:

"Zao'er, don't blame me for speaking harshly today. I'm just so frustrated. I can't live like this anymore!"

Jiang Zao grasped Ma Cuihong's hand and comforted her, "Auntie, sit down and talk slowly."

Zhou Meixia also stepped forward and grabbed Ma Cuihong's arm, pulling her towards the bench: "Yes, Cuihong, sit down and talk."

At the same time, she said with concern, "Zao'er, you should sit down too. You're heavy, and standing will be tiring."

Jiang Laigui tried to stop Ma Cuihong, but Jiang Laiwang stopped him in time: "Laigui, if you consider me a brother, don't be so formal. Just let Cuihong speak."

Jiang Laigui looked troubled: "Brother, it's not that I'm being formal, it's just... sigh!"

Jiang Laigui sighed heavily halfway through his sentence.

The man, in his forties, had tears welling up in his eyes from worry.

Ma Cuihong pulled Jiang Zao aside and complained, "Zao'er, around this time last year, your brother Dayu went on a date with a girl, do you remember?"

Jiang Zao quickly searched her memory and confirmed that it was true.

He nodded quickly: "I know, I heard that the engagement will take place after National Day."

Ma Cuihong slapped her thigh: "That's right! Back then, we said we'd get engaged after National Day!"

Hearing Ma Cuihong's loud voice getting louder and louder, Jiang Laigui frowned and reminded her, "Could you please keep your voice down? Don't startle Zao'er!"

Ma Cuihong composed herself and spoke again, her voice much softer:

“But last year around National Day, it just so happened that you got married. Sun Hehua even came to the wedding banquet on your wedding day. But a few days after the banquet, her family sent the matchmaker to say that they wanted to increase the bride price. The three items that were originally agreed upon—a watch, a sewing machine, and a bicycle—had increased to five items. They wanted to add a TV and a radio. The bride price was agreed upon at 500, but her family demanded 2,000…”

Jiang Zao and her parents were surprised to hear about the price increase.

Although the original owner's betrothal gifts and dowry were much more than this when she married Lu Yanxun.

Especially when it comes to betrothal gifts, in an era where betrothal gifts are generally between three and five hundred yuan, Jiang Zao's betrothal gift of five thousand yuan can be described as unparalleled.

But in reality, Zhou Meixia only wanted a dowry of 800 yuan at most. Limited by poverty, even though she cried, made a scene, and threatened suicide for Jiang Zao's marriage, she didn't dare to ask for 1,000 yuan.

Before Zhou Meixia could even mention the bride price after her outburst, the Lu family offered five thousand yuan, along with several other betrothal gifts.

His imposing and domineering manner stunned Zhou Meixia so much that she forgot to refuse.

When the Lu family saw Zhou Meixia staring blankly and not saying a word, they thought they hadn't given enough, so they even offered to add another thousand yuan and a television set.

Since the other party was willing to give it, Zhou Meixia couldn't refuse, otherwise it would seem as if her daughter didn't deserve it.

However, she didn't want things to look too bad, lest her daughter, Zao'er, suffer mistreatment at her in-laws' house.

In the end, apart from the additional 1,000 yuan and the television set which she declined, Zhou Meixia gladly accepted all the other betrothal gifts and the 5,000 yuan dowry.

But then again, it's not the same thing to have someone give it to you willingly versus to ask for it yourself.

Besides, what kind of family is the Lu family? They're one of the most prominent families in the city!

Even a dowry of five thousand yuan is nothing in the eyes of the Lu family.

But it's a different story in the countryside.

The five-item betrothal gift and the five hundred yuan bride price are already rare. Suddenly rising to two thousand yuan is a huge blow even to a well-off family like Jiang Laigui's.

In the silence of the crowd, Ma Cuihong continued:

“Your uncle and I were stunned. Over the years, your brother Da Yu has worked hard in the factory and saved a lot of money. We built a new house and can afford the three major items and the 500 yuan dowry. Even if she increases it to five major items, it won't be a problem. But the agreed 500 yuan suddenly increased to 2,000 yuan. We can't come up with that even if we sell everything we own!”

"Our family can't afford that much money, so the engagement has to be postponed. Your uncle and your brother Dayu have saved some money in the past six months, and your sister Taozi has also contributed her savings. The whole family pooled their money and barely managed to scrape together 1,500 yuan. A few days ago, I asked the matchmaker to go to the Sun family to ask if the bride price could be reduced by 500 yuan, but the matchmaker came back saying..."

At this point, Ma Cuihong couldn't help but sob again.

Zhou Meixia guessed that the matchmaker would definitely come back and say that the money couldn't be less.

So he spoke up righteously: "Cuihong, don't worry about the five hundred, I'll give it to you later."

Ma Cuihong said with a heavy heart, "Sister-in-law, if it were just about five hundred yuan, even if Lai Gui tried to stop me, I would still ask you for it."

Zhou Meixia was surprised: "Wasn't it only 500 yuan short of 2,000?"

Jiang Zao thought so too, but judging from Ma Cuihong's reaction, it was clearly not that simple.

"Auntie, has the Sun family raised the price again?" Jiang Zao asked curiously.

Ma Cuihong sighed, spitting out a torrent of resentment:

"That Sun family is asking for an exorbitant price. Not only do they insist on the 2,000 yuan dowry, but they also claim that their daughter was delayed for more than half a year because of my family's rain. If my family wants to marry her, they must compensate us by providing another refrigerator!"

After Ma Cuihong finished speaking, the entire room fell silent once again.

Refrigerators were considered very luxurious household appliances in those days. A single refrigerator cost more than a thousand yuan, and the total cost of buying five other household appliances was not enough to buy just one refrigerator.

Even city dwellers might not be able to afford it, let alone people in the countryside; not a single family in their village owns a refrigerator.

This is absolutely outrageous.

It's the kind of thing that can kill you with a single bite.

“This…” Zhou Meixia couldn’t help but frown. “Why is the Sun family acting like this? It doesn’t seem like they’re marrying off their daughter!”

“Yes!” Ma Cuihong became more and more indignant as she spoke. “At the time, I thought the matchmaker was stirring up trouble, so the next day, Da Yu and I went to the Sun family with gifts. It turned out that the conditions were actually proposed by Sun Hehua’s mother herself!”

"Her mother also said that Da Yu's cousin asked for such a large dowry when she got married, but her family only asked for two thousand. It was already considered that they were being considerate of our family because the two children had feelings for each other. Two thousand yuan was not a small amount, and a refrigerator was also a must, otherwise they would not have let their daughter marry into the family."

Jiang Zao was dumbfounded and speechless.

If she hadn't resorted to underhanded tactics, she would never have been able to get close to Lu Yanxun in her entire life.

Besides, the large dowry wasn't something her family asked for; it was given voluntarily by the Lu family.

If she were to go on a normal blind date and get married like other girls, her mother would at most ask for five large items and a dowry of 800 yuan, which would be quite a lot.

The Sun family is really bold; they have quite the appetite.

Zhou Meixia was also furious, and immediately snorted coldly:

"Does the Sun family think their daughter can compare to my Zao'er? Or do they think every family is as wealthy as the Lu family, with enough resources for them to fleece?!"

Ma Cuihong nodded in agreement:

“Who says otherwise! Sister-in-law, we’ve been sisters-in-law for over twenty years, and you know my character. I’m genuinely happy for you both that Zao’er married so well, but I never imagined that Da Yu’s wedding would be affected by Zao’er’s good marriage…”

“Originally it wouldn’t have been a big deal. If they don’t have enough money, they can earn more. If the three of them save up for another two or three years, they can buy a refrigerator. But the Sun family wants to buy a refrigerator this time, and who knows what they’ll buy next time. I just can’t swallow this!”

"After returning from the Sun family, I was so angry that I stayed in bed for two days. Today, I finally had the energy to go to the fields to do some work. When I came back from the fields, I saw Zao'er at the door... I know I shouldn't blame Zao'er or take my anger out on her, but I feel so suffocated and frustrated!"

Ma Cuihong pounded her chest with her fist.

“Auntie, I understand how you feel,” Jiang Zao comforted softly.

She thought for a moment and then said, "Uncle, Aunt, how about this, I'll pay for the five hundred yuan and the refrigerator, and let's settle Brother Dayu's marriage first."

It's not that Jiang Zao wants to be a saint; she loves money too, but compared to money, she feels that her relationship with her family is the most important.

Moreover, the memories in her mind told her that when she was a child, she and some friends ran to a wild pond to catch fish. She accidentally slipped into the pond and struggled in the water. It was Jiang Yu who pulled her ashore.

At that time, Jiang Yu was only eleven or twelve years old, not much taller than her. I don't know where she got the strength to drag her ashore.

If Jiang Yu hadn't saved her in time, she would probably have drowned that day.

Five hundred yuan plus a refrigerator would cost around two thousand yuan. Consider it a token of gratitude to Jiang Yu for saving my life back then.

Moreover, Jiang Yu missed her engagement because of her, so she also bears some responsibility.

Jiang Zao had made up her mind: she would take two thousand yuan from her savings and give it to Jiang Yu, and return the rest to Lu Yanxun as compensation.

But wouldn't that leave her penniless?

Jiang Zao sighed silently: Well, after giving birth and getting a refund, I'm back to square one.

Jiang Zao's thoughts drifted as she realized this wouldn't do; she still had to make a living and needed to find a way to earn money.

"No!" Jiang Yu suddenly spoke after a long silence.

The increased volume abruptly pulled Jiang Zao back to reality, only to see Jiang Yu coldly refusing:

"Zao'er, I can't take your money."