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Chapter 140: Each Has Their Own Thoughts
Chapter 140: Each Has Their Own Thoughts
When Deng Changyuan returned home, his family was sitting by the door, chatting under the dim light of a kerosene lamp. To save on fuel, the lamp was turned down to a tiny flame, no bigger than a soybean, casting a faint glow.
Seeing his second son, Deng Yuncai asked, "Ah Yuan, has your Uncle Jiu returned?"
Deng Changyuan nodded and replied, "He's back!"
Changyuan's mother chimed in, "Who is the girl? Did her family agree to the match?"
Deng Changyuan knew that Uncle Jiu hadn't mentioned the girl's family to his parents, likely because he was afraid they would refuse, making it pointless to bring it up. But now that the wedding date was set, there was no need to hide it anymore.
"Uncle Jiu personally went to propose, so of course, they agreed. However, there's no need for the formal introduction, as I met the girl last year and have seen her twice already!"
His parents, elder brother, and sister-in-law all looked surprised.
Before they could ask more, Deng Changyuan continued, "The girl is from Poxin Village, a childhood friend of Aunt Aiping. Last year, when Aunt Aiping visited Uncle Jiu's place to check the house, she came along. That's when I met her. Later, when Ah Tai and Aunt Aiping got married, she was one of the bridesmaids, so I've seen her twice."
Changyuan's mother realized, "So, you've had your eye on her all along, and that's why you asked Uncle Jiu to help with the match?"
Deng Changyuan chuckled, "I fell for her at first sight. Aunt Aiping also wants her friend to marry into our village to keep her company, so she was very supportive in helping me. We asked the girl herself, and then Uncle Jiu helped arrange the match."
His elder brother, Deng Changxing, exclaimed, "Ah Yuan, you're quite the smooth operator!"
Deng Yuncai finally understood the situation, "No wonder Uncle Jiu didn't tell me the whole story. The girl is a childhood friend of Aunt Aiping."
Deng Changyuan added, "Uncle Jiu said that the girl will come to our house on the tenth to check the house."
Changyuan's mother couldn't help but ask, "But we haven't even discussed the dowry yet, and she's already coming to check the house?"
Deng Changyuan explained, "Uncle Jiu said her parents don't have any special demands. The dowry will be the standard amount: three hundred yuan and three hundred pounds of rice."
Hearing this, the family all nodded in agreement. If there were no other demands, this was indeed the most common dowry amount.
Changyuan's mother looked troubled, "That's a reasonable request, but we just built three new rooms and have spent all our savings. We don't even have money to entertain her when she comes to check the house."
Deng Yuncai glanced at his elder son and daughter-in-law, coughing a few times as a subtle hint.
They had indeed spent all their savings on the new rooms, and most of that money came from the wages earned by their second son at the kiln factory. The new rooms were a significant contribution from their second son.
Of course, their elder son and daughter-in-law had also contributed by helping with the construction from laying the foundation to putting on the roof tiles.
Now, with no money left, even the wages from the kiln factory were all turned over to the family, leaving them with nothing.
However, Deng Yuncai knew that his elder son and daughter-in-law still had some savings, even if it wasn't much. If his daughter-in-law was willing to contribute a few dozen yuan, they could manage to entertain the girl when she came to check the house.
Deng Changxing, picking up on his father's hint, was about to speak when his wife kicked him under the table. He quickly swallowed his words.
Deng Yuncai naturally noticed the subtle gestures between his eldest son and daughter-in-law. Seeing that neither of them spoke up, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
After all, as the head of the family, he hoped everyone would pull together, especially during such a critical time. In his eyes, the reluctance of his eldest son and daughter-in-law to contribute money was a selfish act.
Deng Changyuan, of course, was unaware of his father's and elder brother's thoughts. He had never expected his family to help him in this regard. When his mother mentioned having no money, he said, "Mom, don't worry about that. Uncle Jiugong said he would discuss it with Uncle YunGui tomorrow and give me an advance on a year's wages so I can marry smoothly."
"Sigh..."
Hearing this, his parents and elder brother and sister-in-law couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
After a moment, Deng Yuncai sighed, "Ah Yuan, Uncle Jiugong really treats you well."
Deng Changxing also looked envious.
His younger brother had grown up with Uncle YunTai, who was the same age as him. They played and studied together from a young age, and their bond was even closer than with his own elder brother. Last year, Uncle Jiugong even arranged for his younger brother to work at the pottery factory, starting with a monthly wage of 60 yuan as a clay stomper, which was a significant favor.
Now, Uncle Jiugong was even advancing a year's wages for his younger brother to get married, showing just how much he cared for him.
The elder sister-in-law was both surprised and relieved. She had noticed her father-in-law's cough, which was a subtle hint for her to contribute the money she had saved to meet the bride's family on the tenth day. She had kicked her husband to prevent him from speaking out of turn, as she was unwilling to part with her hard-earned savings.
Now that Ah Yuan could handle it himself, it was a relief.
Deng Changyuan nodded, "Uncle Jiugong is indeed very good to me."
Changyuan's mother beamed, "If Uncle Jiugong advances you a year's wages, we won't have to worry about how to get the money for your wedding."
Deng Changyuan reminded them, "Mom, Dad, Uncle Jiugong said he guaranteed to the bride's parents that their daughter won't be mistreated if she marries into our family. If I bring her home, you need to be kind to her. If she does something wrong, tell me, and I'll correct her, but don't scold her in front of everyone, okay?"
Changyuan's mother was a bit displeased at this. As a mother-in-law, did she have to be on her best behavior for her daughter-in-law?
However, she didn't argue with her son. First, they needed to get the daughter-in-law into the family. If she was well-mannered and respectful, they would get along fine. But if she was disrespectful, she couldn't keep giving in forever.
Deng Yuncai didn't have any particular thoughts on this. Generally, the relationship between a father-in-law and daughter-in-law wasn't as tense as between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
The elder brother and sister-in-law had their own thoughts.
In the end, each family member had their own agenda.
Whether they could all get along once Changyuan brought his wife home was anyone's guess.
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Sweat, I spent half the day agonizing over the book title and summary. The title is now set: "Rebirth: A House Full of Descendants." I'm currently revising it. The title seems ordinary, and I'm not sure if it will attract new readers. It's really frustrating. Thank you to all the old readers for your support and votes.
(End of Chapter)
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