The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 139 - 138: Have I Been Too Easy on You?

Zhao Yunyun pointed to herself. "You say I’m a disgrace? I haven’t even called you disgusting yet. You’re dirt poor—no betrothal gift, no house. I’ve never seen a family so desperate to marry off their daughter. Anyone who didn’t know would think you were the ones taking in a husband, not the other way around."

Zhang Qian sneered. "Who told you there’s no betrothal gift? Do I have to pull it out for you to see? We’re planning to buy everything once we get to Beijing City. Is there a problem with that?"

Zhao Yunyun said scornfully, "That’s because you’re a fool. You’ll believe anything they tell you." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Zhang Hongjie slammed his hand on the table. "Is this endless? Zhang Hui, take your wife home! If you didn’t want to come, you shouldn’t have! No one forced you. If you leave now, you can just get the hell back to the provincial capital."

Zhang Hui looked from his father to his wife, torn and unsure of what to do.

Seeing this, Huang Ying tugged on her husband’s arm, silently urging him not to be so angry.

Just then, the door to the private room opened, and a waiter came in to serve the food.

No one looked pleased. The few children stared blankly at them, not daring to speak.

After the waiter left, Xue Xingzhou turned to the side, pulled a thick stack of cash from his pocket, and placed it on the table. He said slowly, "This money was originally for the major wedding purchases and for Qianqian’s betrothal gift. It’s just that Qianqian said it would be better to buy everything after we get to Beijing City, so she told me to hold onto the cash."

Huang Ying quickly explained, "We know, Xingzhou. You don’t have to show us. We trust you."

Xue Xingzhou chuckled. "Ma, this is a show of my sincerity. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m swindling my way into this marriage."

Xue Yue took a bracelet out of her bag and walked over to Zhang Qian. "Sister-in-law, my mother left this behind. She said it was for her future daughter-in-law. Now, it’s yours. Let me put it on for you."

Zhang Qian stared blankly as Xue Yue fastened the bracelet on her wrist. It took her a moment to come to her senses. Touching the cool bracelet, she exclaimed, "This is too valuable! What if I break it?"

Xue Yue smiled. "Don’t worry, it’s meant to be worn. Even though my mother is no longer with us, she would be overjoyed to know my brother is getting married."

When Zhang Qian heard it was a gift from her late mother-in-law, intended for her son’s wife, she was overjoyed and stroked it continuously.

Huang Ying and Zhang Hongjie looked at the bracelet on Zhang Qian’s wrist and exchanged a glance.

Zhang Hongjie pushed the money back toward Xue Xingzhou. "Put this away. It’s your money. You two can decide what you need to buy when you get to Beijing City. Your mother and I both trust you."

Since Zhang Hongjie insisted, Xue Xingzhou took the money back and put it in his pocket.

Zhao Yunyun glanced at the stack of money, then at the bracelet, a flash of envy crossing her eyes.

Zhang Hongjie asked Xue Xingzhou, "Did you call your father?"

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "Yes. He’s very busy, but he said that after Qianqian and I arrive in Beijing City, he’ll treat us to a meal to celebrate."

Zhang Hui looked at Xue Xingzhou, puzzled. "May I ask what your father does in Beijing City?"

"He works for the Ministry of Commerce. Something to do with receiving foreign dignitaries. I don’t know the specifics, myself."

The color drained from the faces of both Zhang Hui and his wife. Zhang Hui shot his wife a glare, and Zhao Yunyun lowered her head, looking embarrassed.

Xue Xingzhou, of course, noticed their reaction. He had said it on purpose.

Zhang Hongjie nodded. "That’s very good. You two should pay him a visit as soon as you arrive."

"Mm."

With that, the unpleasantness was over. After they finished the meal, it was time for everyone to part ways.

Huang Ying took Xue Yue’s hands and patted them. "I was going to invite you over to our house, but you’re leaving for Beijing City tomorrow and still have to pack. Next time you’re back, you must come over with Qianqian and Xingzhou. I’ll let you try your Auntie’s cooking."

Xue Yue nodded. "Okay, I definitely will."

Zhang Hongjie looked at Xue Xingzhou. "Don’t take what happened today to heart."

Xue Xingzhou chuckled. "I won’t, Master... er, Dad. I’ll come pick up Qianqian tomorrow, then."

Zhang Hongjie gave Xue Xingzhou a light punch on the chest with his fist. "Take good care of Qianqian, and keep in touch."

Xue Xingzhou nodded.

The two families said their goodbyes at the entrance of the state-owned restaurant.

The moment the Zhang family stepped through their front door, Zhang Qian spun around and slapped Zhang Hui across the face.

Zhang Hui froze on the spot, staring at Zhang Qian in disbelief.

After a moment of shock, Zhao Yunyun lunged at Zhang Qian. "Are you insane?"

But Huang Ying grabbed her arm, holding her back.

With a dark expression, Zhang Qian pointed a finger at him. "I hit you because you can’t control your own wife! You knew perfectly well that today was an important day for me and that I hold the Xue family in high regard, yet you still let your wife insult them. This slap is a lesson for both of you. The only reason I’m hitting you is because I still consider you my brother."

Then she turned her finger on Zhao Yunyun. "The Xue family isn’t what you think they are. Just look at them—two siblings who lost their mother at a young age and didn’t have much schooling, yet both got into a university in Beijing City. That alone is something you could never hope to achieve in your entire life. You look down on them for being from the countryside? Call them bumpkins? Go back two generations, and whose family wasn’t from the countryside? My own grandparents were farmers, and you still married into our family, didn’t you? I usually give you a lot of face, but to pull a stunt like this on my big day... You’re an utter disgrace."

Zhao Yunyun trembled with rage, wanting to lunge forward and claw at Zhang Qian.

Zhang Hongjie yelled at Zhang Hui, "Get your wife and get the hell back to your room!"

Zhang Hui had no choice but to drag Zhao Yunyun back to their room. Soon, the sounds of things crashing and Zhao Yunyun’s wailing came from inside. Zhang Hui’s son stood foolishly in the courtyard, unsure of what to do.

Zhang Qian stormed into the house. Huang Ying sighed in resignation. "What a mess. Why did it have to happen today?"

Zhang Hongjie’s face was grim. "I’m glad she hit him. They have no sense of propriety. The only reason this didn’t blow up is because the Xue family is well-mannered. Anyone else would have called the wedding off on the spot. Qianqian’s marriage could have been ruined."

Huang Ying thought about it and realized he was right. "Alright, let’s go inside. That sister-in-law of Qianqian’s, she’s no ordinary person either. After everything Yunyun said, her expression didn’t change one bit. She just took out that priceless bracelet and put it right on Qianqian’s wrist."

Zhang Hongjie, of course, had noticed. "That young lady is very shrewd. No wonder they’re brother and sister."

On the way back, Xue Xingjun couldn’t stop grumbling. "I could barely breathe during that meal. That sister-in-law of Qianqian’s... she’s such a snob. What did we country folk ever do to her? Why did she have to talk about us like that? I was so scared I didn’t even dare to eat too loudly, worried she’d find another reason to yell at me."

Xue Yue smiled at him. "Oh, you poor thing. Then how come you ate so much? I don’t think you put your chopsticks down once."

"There was so much good meat! It would have been a waste not to eat it, right?" He wasn’t about to be that foolish.

Xue Xingzhou laughed and nodded. "That’s right."

Then, Xue Xingjun’s shoulders slumped. "Big Brother, are you two really leaving for Beijing City tomorrow? What am I going to do?"

Xue Yue asked, confused, "What do you mean, what are you going to do?"

Xue Xingjun said, exasperated, "You’re all leaving! I’ll be the only one left here. It’s so far away... what am I supposed to do when I miss you?"

Xue Xingzhou glanced at him. "It’s not like we’re never coming back. Or, you could just study hard and get into a university in Beijing City yourself. Then you could see us all the time."

Xue Xingjun sighed. "Ah, forget it. The second class starts, I start dozing off. It’s like the books are written in lullabies."

Xue Yue couldn’t help but burst out laughing.