“Yuan Han, my father is just harsh with his words, don’t take it personally. As for the list my Second Aunt gave you, do what you can, and we’ll figure out the rest together. Don’t worry…” Zhou Yi chased him out of the restaurant.

Yuan Han held her hand. “Xiao Yi, don’t worry. Although my family’s circumstances aren’t great, I’ll do everything I can to prepare for bringing you home as my bride. I don’t blame Uncle. I’m already grateful that he and Aunt have agreed to our marriage!”

Zhou Yi’s face flushed slightly.

She hadn’t expected things to work out so easily, like the clouds parting to reveal the moon.

Worried that her father might be stalling for time, she urged Yuan Han to prepare quickly. Only after they were married would Zhou Yi feel at ease.

Yuan Han promised repeatedly and reminded her to take care of herself while at her parent’s home:

“Don’t argue with Uncle and Aunt. Take good care of yourself and wait for me to come marry you. It’s so cold outside, hurry back in.”

They were reluctant to part, with Zhou Yi looking back three times as she returned to the restaurant.

Her eyes were only on Yuan Han, and she didn’t notice how Yuan Han’s mother and sisters had been ignoring her, all in rather unpleasant moods.

Once Zhou Yi was out of sight, Yuan Han’s mother’s face grew longer than a donkey’s:

“What did the Zhou family ask you to buy?”

Yuan Han read through the list heavily.

Elder Sister Yuan drew in a sharp breath, “A refrigerator alone costs two thousand yuan, and then a TV, specifically requiring no less than a 19-inch color TV, which is even more expensive than the fridge. Add in all those other miscellaneous items – won’t marrying Zhou Yi cost you over ten thousand?”

The new Four Big Items alone cost several thousand yuan.

Though the Zhou family’s requirements were detailed, Yuan Han knew they weren’t unreasonable.

If Zhou Wenbang announced that he wasn’t asking for anything else from potential suitors except these items for his daughter’s marriage, countless men would compete to become the Zhou family’s son-in-law.

Yuan Han consoled his sister: “High requirements aren’t scary – what’s scary is having no requirements at all. Letting the Zhou family save face now means they’ll treat me as a real son-in-law later.”

Mother Yuan complained, “Is there such a thing as a fake son-in-law? Didn’t that other one marry you without asking for anything? The Zhou family is just taking advantage of our good nature. If you delay visiting for two or three months, let’s see if they get anxious when Zhou Yi’s belly grows bigger day by day…”

She was referring to his ex-wife, who had married him without asking for anything.

But how could the two situations be compared?

Yuan Han’s expression darkened. “Mom, please don’t mention this in front of Zhou Yi in the future. What’s the point of bringing up past matters?”

Second Sister Yuan spoke softly, “Little Brother is right. Let’s pool our resources to help him get married first. Mom, your methods might work in small towns, but do you know how prestigious Zhou Yi’s grandfather is? When Little Brother went to plead with Zhou Yi’s grandfather yesterday, there were guards at the door. If they didn’t allow him in, he truly couldn’t enter.”

What kind of family was this?

In their hometown, even the county chief or city mayor’s homes wouldn’t have higher thresholds than the Zhou family.

Second Sister Yuan felt that Yuan Han’s ability to marry Zhou Yi was like their ancestral graves emanating spiritual energy – a fortune falling from heaven onto the Yuan family. Wouldn’t it be foolish not to grab it properly?

If they delayed until the Zhou family had to marry off Zhou Yi, they might have some money, but it would have made Zhou Wenbang and his wife dislike Yuan Han. Second Sister Yuan felt it wasn’t worth it.

Mother Yuan pulled a long face. “You make it sound so simple. Where will this money come from? Are you contributing?”

Second Sister Yuan choked.

Elder Sister Yuan quickly waved her hands. “Don’t look at me. I can only squeeze out 1,000 yuan at most – consider it my support for Little Brother.”

Second Sister Yuan hastily added, “Then I’ll contribute 2,000 yuan. Look, we’ve already gathered 3,000 yuan. We can figure out the rest.”

As Mother Yuan continued to express dissatisfaction, Yuan Han quickly intervened:

“My sisters’ families are just in these circumstances. I’ll figure out the rest myself. Didn’t you bring those items with you? I’ve heard there are quite a few cultured people in Beijing who like those old things. I’ll try to see if I can sell them for money.”

Mother Yuan didn’t believe it. “How much could that pile of junk be worth? Well, sell it if you can. At least we won’t have to look at it and feel annoyed.”

They were all things cleared out from home anyway. His previous wife had treated them like treasures, and Yuan Han had believed her words about their value.

Whether they were valuable or not, Yuan Han would have to try and see.

The Yuan family discussed as they walked, with Mother Yuan not forgetting to criticize Zhou Yi:

“Not to talk too much, but while the Zhou family may look down on others, Zhou Yi is also poorly taught. A table full of leftover dishes – how were we supposed to eat? And there she was, eating bird’s nest soup all by herself!”

Mother Yuan had never eaten bird’s nest soup – only ladies from noble families in the old society ate such things. Zhou Yi had no sense of propriety, eating by herself like that.

In this aspect, she was far inferior to the previous daughter-in-law.

Yuan Han was also unhappy inside.

To get the Zhou family’s consent for the marriage, he could only swallow their show of authority.

…

In the private room.

Zhou Yi returned from outside, bringing the cold air with her.

Zhou Wenbang had given her a way out, and Zhou Yi took it, sitting beside Jiang Hong and calling her “Mom.” Jiang Hong responded lukewarmly.

“I didn’t mean to anger you. I just love Yuan Han, and marrying him will make me completely content. I won’t argue or make trouble anymore, so please don’t be angry with me, okay?”

Jiang Hong’s chest ached with frustration.

Don’t be angry.

Zhou Yi’s light words attempted to brush aside everything that had happened, but Jiang Hong wasn’t such a magnanimous person.

Listen to what Zhou Yi said – she’d be content just marrying Yuan Han… To be so lacking in ambition, Jiang Hong could hardly believe this was the daughter she had raised for over twenty years.

The family hadn’t asked her to achieve great things, and it was fine if her career was mediocre, but to be mediocre in marriage too – Jiang Hong quickly lowered her head, or she would have burst into tears.

Zhou Wenbang snorted coldly, “I don’t care whether you marry Yuan Han or not, but now that you’re back, you must return to work at your unit.”

Zhou Yi was dumbfounded.

She hadn’t thought about work at all – shouldn’t she be resting at home and taking care of her pregnancy? Why was her father bringing up work right away?

“Dad, what about Yuan Han’s work…”

Zhou Yi’s voice grew smaller as Zhou Wenbang’s expression became increasingly unpleasant.

Never mind, better not anger her father right now. The matter of Yuan Han’s work could wait until after the marriage. Besides, Yuan Han needed to prepare for the wedding now, so it was fine that he wasn’t working.

Seeing that today’s proceedings were complete, Guan Huie also took her leave:

“Brother, Sister-in-law, Xiaolan and I should head back now. Her school dormitory takes attendance and inspects rooms at night, so I need to hurry and take her back.”

Jiang Hong’s spirits were better than before as she stood up to see them off. Zhou Wenbang said his family would leave too.

After separating from the Zhou family of three, Xia Xiaolan got into the car with Guan Huie before sighing:

“Uncle is truly thinking deeply about Sister Zhou Yi’s welfare!”

Guan Huie nodded, “Hopefully Zhou Yi will become more sensible in a few years. Whatever else you might say about your aunt and uncle, their love for Zhou Yi is undeniable. Even now, when they’re hurt and angry, they’re still planning for her future.”

Would Zhou Wenbang care whether Yuan Han worked or not?

However, requiring Zhou Yi to return to work while pregnant was entirely for her benefit.

It was a secure job – Zhou Yi would receive her salary just for showing up, and with time she could even get promoted. It was Zhou Wenbang’s final safeguard for his daughter.

They say you don’t understand your parents’ love until you raise your children – looking at Zhou Yi’s behavior, who knew if she would become more sensible after having her child!