Living off the Zhou family wouldn’t be so simple.
Zhou Yi worried – it seemed the Yuan family truly had no money.
Moreover, keeping her at home was a tactic to separate her from Yuan Han.
Would they prevent Yuan Han from seeing her? Zhou Yi anxiously stood up, “Dad, how can you—”
Zhou Wengang looked at her, “You may have no shame, but I do. You can carry on however you like in that backwater village, but this is Beijing! If you still want to be Zhou Wengang’s daughter, stay home properly until your wedding day. If you don’t want to be a Zhou anymore, do as you please – go wherever you want. The family won’t manage your affairs anymore!”
Though Zhou Wengang’s voice wasn’t loud, every word struck Zhou Yi and the Yuan family like a hammer.
If she didn’t want to be the Zhou family’s daughter, why had Zhou Yi come back?
Zhou Yi didn’t regret eloping with Yuan Han – living like newlyweds in the countryside had been interesting, and Yuan Han had been very gentle and considerate. But that lifestyle was truly unbearable for Zhou Yi.
Not to mention other things, she couldn’t accept the outdoor pit toilets.
Yuan Han’s house was quite nice, but how could that small city compare to Beijing?
Zhou Yi had grown up in Beijing – she knew all the best restaurants, movie theaters, and entertainment spots. How could any other place be more comfortable than the capital?
Zhou Wengang’s threat left Zhou Yi speechless.
Yuan Han forced a smile, “Xiao Yi, marrying me is already beneath you. Uncle is right – you should definitely leave from your parents’ home.”
Without accepting the Zhou family’s conditions, even if he and Zhou Yi got their marriage certificate, it wouldn’t mean much.
They’d walked 99 steps – even if the final step was covered in thorns, Yuan Han had to cross it!
He was truly unhappy – when he married his ex-wife, her family hadn’t demanded furniture or appliances, hadn’t required him to provide a marital home… But thinking about it, his ex-wife’s family background was far inferior to Zhou Yi’s. Now the Zhou family needed to save face by giving their daughter a grand wedding.
Ignoring his mother’s and sisters’ embarrassed expressions, Yuan Han readily agreed to Zhou Wengang’s conditions:
“Uncle, Aunt, give me half a month. I’ll prepare everything before coming to marry Xiao Yi.”
Zhou Yi’s eyes filled with tears – even under such difficult conditions, Yuan Han was so responsible.
Zhou Wengang’s expression softened slightly: “I hope you’ll keep your word. As Zhou Wengang’s son-in-law, lacking even this much sincerity would be laughable!”
Yuan Han’s heart lifted.
This was a hint.
With Zhou Yi pregnant, Zhou Wengang and Jiang Hong had softened their stance.
It seemed they just wanted to vent their anger by making things difficult. Yuan Han would endure and meet Zhou Wengang’s requirements.
There would be plenty of time ahead – Yuan Han wasn’t in a hurry.
Zhou Yi also sensed her father’s softened attitude. She looked expectantly at Yuan Han, just waiting for him to fulfill her father’s conditions so they could marry smoothly – this was her victory in the struggle with her family, a hard-won result that would taste especially sweet.
Yuan Mother didn’t undermine her son in front of others, but looking at the table of leftovers, she had no intention of staying longer.
Guan E’e took out a pre-prepared list, first showing it to Zhou Yi:
“It’s your marriage – see if you’re satisfied before I give it to the Yuan family.”
Zhou Yi looked – one color TV, no smaller than 19 inches; refrigerator; washing machine; and a tape recorder for electronics.
Furniture included a new bed, three-door wardrobe, dining table and chairs set, dressing table set, coffee table, and sofa.
This would cost quite a lot, wouldn’t it?
Zhou Yi opened her mouth but couldn’t find fault. This was her family’s standard.
To form a new family, each piece was necessary for Zhou Yi.
How could they sleep without a bed?
How could they eat without a dining table?
How could a woman manage without a dressing table with a large mirror for makeup?
“I’m satisfied, but—”
Guan E’e didn’t give her a chance to speak. As soon as Zhou Yi said she was satisfied, she took the list and handed it directly to Yuan Han.
“Then this is what we’ll require!”
Yuan Han looked at the dense list of items, roughly calculated the cost, and felt extremely heavy-hearted, though he had to smile and agree in front of the Zhou family.
He didn’t want to stay and eat leftovers either. Though hungry, he had no appetite.
“Uncle, Aunt, Second Aunt, and Sister-in-law, we’ll take our leave now.”
Xia Xiaolan smiled sweetly, “Better prepare everything quickly. After all, Zhou Yi is carrying the Yuan family’s child. If she gives birth at her parents’ home, people might joke about Brother-in-law Yuan living off others.”
Yuan Mother and the Yuan sisters glared at Xia Xiaolan – who would think she was mute if she didn’t speak?
Yuan Han felt like spitting blood.
No one dared challenge Xia Xiaolan’s words – she was young, so she could speak carelessly.
Moreover, Zhou Wengang had said Xia Xiaolan would be in charge in the future as the Zhou family’s eldest daughter-in-law. With Yuan Han and Zhou Yi not yet married, the whole family had to swallow their pride.
Yuan Han was exhausted and quickly led his family away.
Zhou Yi carefully checked her father’s expression before reluctantly following them.
Jiang Hong hadn’t spoken throughout, and when the Yuan family left, no one stood to see them off.
Yet the Yuan family endured even this.
Jiang Hong felt Zhou Wengang was right – why should they suppress themselves to make others comfortable?
They shouldn’t give the Yuan family face – they were hoping to climb the social ladder and wouldn’t dare cause trouble even when insulted!
“Sister-in-law, Xiaolan, have you eaten enough? Should we order more dishes?”
Jiang Hong spoke as if unconcerned whether Zhou Yi had followed them out.
Zhou Wengang remained composed, not even lifting his eyelids.
Xia Xiaolan and Guan E’e naturally said they were full, while Jiang Hong angrily took a few more bites.
Was this extreme disappointment in their daughter forcing out their determination to fight long-term with these terrible in-laws?
Xia Xiaolan didn’t know what to say.
No matter how much they humiliated the Yuan family, as long as Zhou Yi remained confused, the Zhou family would have to deal with such trash. Xia Xiaolan thought about her situation – if she hadn’t cut ties with the Xia family, no matter how excellent she was, the Zhou family would have hesitated upon seeing the bunch of terrible people in her family.
“Uncle, Aunt, if you need any help with Sister Zhou Yi’s wedding, just let me know.”
Zhou Wengang was already calling for the bill, responding calmly: “No need to waste your time. Zhou Yi is marrying down. The Yuan family hopes to take advantage in the future, so they’ll tighten their belts to make the wedding perfect. Not only do you not need to help, neither your aunt nor I need to trouble ourselves.”
This suggested Zhou Wengang expected the Yuan family to handle everything, not even preparing a dowry for Zhou Yi.
Xia Xiaolan thought this made sense.
Zhou Yi’s best dowry was her identity.
She was Zhou Wengang’s daughter, a Zhou family daughter… Wasn’t this what Yuan Han wanted?
He got what he wished for – hopefully, Yuan Han could really take her home and support a Zhou family daughter. Thinking of Yuan Han’s future disappointment, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but want to laugh.