Old Lady Li frowned. "Enough, she'll be married off in two days."
She gave her a warning look. "You'd better not cause any trouble for me."
Sun Hongmei sprang to her feet. "I cooked the meal. Whoever wants to wash the dishes can wash them—I'm not doing it."
With that, she turned and left.
Old Lady Li looked at Lin Hui. "You wash the dishes. From now on, you'll take turns cooking, one person per day."
Lin Hui mumbled softly, "But Siyi said Fourth Sister-in-law should handle everything. I'm afraid if you arrange it this way, she'll make a fuss later."
Old Lady Li's tone brooked no argument. "That's how it's arranged. If you have any objections, keep them to yourself."
Lin Hui sneered inwardly. You old hag, it's just because Fourth Brother is your favorite son.
Playing favorites and acting all high and mighty about it.
The next day, Song Siyi still didn't go to work. She slept in until the sun was high in the sky.
During breakfast, cured meat was indeed served on the table, much to her satisfaction.
After the meal, she decided to go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative for a stroll.
Not to mention, she didn't even have decent clothes to wear for her wedding.
Although she could make them herself and had fabric in her space, if she took it out, there would be no explanation for its origin.
When Song Siyi arrived at the village entrance, the ox cart was already filled with people. After boarding, Song Siyi handed two cents to Uncle Jiu.
Several aunties immediately gathered around. "Song girl, are you heading to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative?"
Song Siyi nodded, quite openly. "I'm getting married soon, so I'm going to buy some decent clothes."
Hearing this, the aunties took a closer look and immediately set aside their curiosity.
One of them asked, "Didn't your family prepare any clothes for you?"
Song Siyi immediately hung her head and shook it gently.
The aunties' gazes toward her turned sympathetic.
They had heard that Sun Hongmei had bought fabric and even hired someone to make a trunk.
Poor girl, the patches on her clothes were layered two or three deep.
The aunties grew even more disdainful of the Song family.
As the ox cart swayed and jolted toward the town, Song Siyi regained her energy and chatted with the aunties about everyday matters.
Upon reaching their destination, Song Siyi bid farewell to the aunties and headed alone to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Before she even reached the cooperative, she unexpectedly ran into someone.
Lu Yan was also surprised to see Song Siyi. He had originally intended to leave directly.
But for some reason, his feet unconsciously carried him toward Song Siyi.
It was too late for Song Siyi to turn away.
Lu Yan stared intently at Song Siyi. In just a few days, he noticed she seemed even more beautiful.
He wondered if it was just his imagination.
"Siyi, I…"
Song Siyi's attitude was cold. "Please call me Comrade Song Siyi."
Lu Yan's eyes flashed with astonishment. Clearly, her attitude toward him hadn't been like this before.
Could it be that she really liked him, and that's why she was acting so coldly after learning about the exchange marriage?
That would make sense.
He hadn't expected things to turn out this way. He hurriedly explained, "Siyi, you know it was a matter of life and death back then. I had to save her. I never imagined things would end up like this."
But Song Siyi was already tired of wasting words on him. "Since we've already broken off the engagement, I hope you'll avoid me in the future."
"To prevent people from seeing us and spreading rumors."
Seeing Song Siyi about to walk away, he instinctively reached out to grab her.
Song Siyi avoided his hand and pushed him aside, her disdainful gaze completely unconcealed.
If it weren't for the bustling street, she would have already taken action.
Lu Yan watched her retreating figure with confusion.
If he had known back then that she could take eight hundred yuan from the Song family, he would never have agreed to the exchange marriage no matter what.
Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets now.
But if Song Siyi still had feelings for him, things would be different. Once her anger subsided, he could coax her a little, and that money could still be used by him.
Song Siyi was unaware of the calculations in his heart. If she knew, she would probably give him a few hard slaps.
As Song Siyi crossed the street, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye—Song Sijia’s silhouette disappearing at the alley entrance.
Song Siyi didn’t pay it much mind. Old Lady Li doted on Sijia the most, so she likely had plenty of money on her.
Song Siyi arrived at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. At this hour, there were no customers, and the salesperson, an older sister, was lazily knitting a sweater.
Song Siyi didn’t disturb her. She looked at the ready-made clothes hanging on display, but none of them appealed to her.
If she bought fabric now and went back to make something, it would still be in time.
Besides, there was plenty of fabric in her space—she could secretly take some out.
While she was browsing, a tall figure walked in through the door.
Xie Jingzhou was also taken aback for a moment when he saw Song Siyi.
He strode forward, coming to her side, and asked softly, “What are you looking to buy?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Song Siyi turned around, somewhat surprised. What a coincidence.
But then again, it made sense—after all, it was a matter of marriage, and there were always things to prepare, more or less.
“I’m just browsing for now. What about you?”
Xie Jingzhou said, “Running into you is perfect timing.”
Just as Song Siyi was wondering what he meant, she heard Xie Jingzhou turn to the salesperson and ask, “Do you have wristwatches and bicycles?”
The salesperson, seeing Xie Jingzhou’s upright posture, could tell he was a soldier even though he wasn’t wearing a military uniform.
Her tone became a bit more polite. “What a coincidence! We just got a new shipment.”
She discreetly sized up the two of them and asked with a smile, “Buying these for the wedding, right?”
Xie Jingzhou replied succinctly, “Yes.”
Song Siyi looked at Xie Jingzhou. “You’re buying a wristwatch and a bicycle… for me?”
Xie Jingzhou noticed her surprised expression, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
“Yes. I’ve already asked someone to bring a sewing machine and a radio from the city. They should arrive tonight.”
Song Siyi was puzzled. “But wasn’t the bride price already given?”
Xie Jingzhou didn’t look at her, simply saying, “That’s different.”
Song Siyi’s heart skipped a beat. Was it because she was the one he was marrying that he was willing to give the “three rounds and one sound”?
She had to admit, she felt pretty good about it.
Since childhood, she had always been overshadowed by Song Sijia, with the two of them constantly compared by others.
Hearing that someone was treating her differently from Song Sijia made her genuinely happy.
Xie Jingzhou had already picked up a wristwatch and was trying it on her hand. “How is it? Do you like it?”
Song Siyi glanced at the remaining watches but still preferred the one Xie Jingzhou had chosen.
She nodded. “This one, then.”
After all, she was going to marry Xie Jingzhou. She wouldn’t coyly refuse his gifts, especially not the bride price.
Seeing the faint smile on her lips and the bright sparkle in her eyes, Xie Jingzhou felt his face grow slightly warm.
He handed the wristwatch to the salesperson. “Wrap it up, please.”
The salesperson’s smile widened. “Right away!”
Xie Jingzhou was about to lead her to look at the bicycles when Song Siyi stopped him.
“Wait a moment.”
Xie Jingzhou was confused. “Hmm?”
Song Siyi turned to the salesperson. “Could you show me the men’s wristwatches as well?”
Xie Jingzhou seemed to have anticipated something, and he couldn’t help but feel a little happy.
Upon hearing this, the eldest sister wasted no time at all; almost as soon as the words were spoken, the watch was already placed on the counter.
Xie Jingzhou spotted at a glance the wristwatch similar to the one Song Siyi had.
He picked it up and handed it to the salesperson, saying, "This one, please."