Jiang Li looked at Ding Shichen with surprise—this wasn’t quite what they had agreed on.
The plan had been that if the Jiang family used the bride price to pressure them, they would just give the Jiang family an IOU, and Jiang Li could pay it back herself later.
She wasn’t unable to pay now; she simply didn’t want to give the Jiang family such a bargain.
The Jiang family were vampires—if they knew she could make money, they’d be even less willing to let her go.
Wait a few years, and when times changed, five thousand yuan would be nothing. Then she could give the money to the Jiang family without regret.
But why was Ding Shichen using the house as the bride price?
Jiang Li couldn’t understand, and no one else present could either.
“This isn’t a small matter, Big Brother Ding. You’re joking, right? Without the house, where would your family live? You can’t just give up your home to marry a woman!”
Wu Changgeng gave Ding Shichen a strange look.
This guy… even though he’s been disabled for years, he’s crazy enough to give up his house for a woman?
If Jiang Li really married him, who knew what kind of hardships she’d face?
Ignoring the warning, Ding Shichen pointed to a spot halfway up the mountain. “Our family has a wooden house up there. We can tidy it up—it can be lived in.”
“That place has been abandoned for years. The wood might all be rotten,” muttered Ding’s third brother, clearly displeased.
“Are you saying my words don’t count?” Ding Shichen’s face darkened. The brothers didn’t dare oppose him further.
Ding Shijun stepped back. “I’ll follow Big Brother’s decision. It’s just a house. If the Jiang family wants it, fine—but we can’t lose our sister-in-law.”
“Me too, I want a sister-in-law!” Ding’s fourth brother chimed in, egging him on.
Ding Shichen smiled and patted the fourth brother’s head. “Then it’s settled. What do you think, Mrs. Li?”
“What am I supposed to say?” Li Qiujü was stunned. She hadn’t expected Ding Shichen to go this far for Jiang Li.
Where did this “money-losing burden” get the power to make Ding Shichen willing to give up his house just to marry her?
Still, even if Ding’s house was run-down, its location was decent—close to some farmland—worth four or five thousand yuan, arguably more valuable than the money Wang Er had offered.
But she couldn’t make the decision herself. She looked at her son, Jiang Jianguo.
Jiang Jianguo still hadn’t recovered from the shock. Jiang Li could exchange her for three mud-brick houses?
The Ding family must be crazy.
But this was actually good news.
Without their houses, the Ding family’s life would only become harder.
Once Ding Shichen enjoyed having a wife, got bored of Jiang Li, he would regret this decision.
Then Jiang Li’s life in the Ding household would become miserable, and when she couldn’t manage, returning to the Jiang family would be easier to manipulate.
Hmph. Who told this “money-losing burden” to be so reckless as to insist on marrying into the Ding family? Let her suffer properly.
Jiang Jianguo was about to agree when Jiang Li spoke up:
“No, I don’t agree. The Ding family is already poor. Without their houses, how would they live?”
“Big brother… Mom, I know village rules can’t be broken. How about this: I’ll write an IOU for you. The bride price—we’ll repay it slowly. Not a single penny will be missed.”
“I’ve never heard of writing an IOU for a bride price,” Li Qiujü said. Seeing her son agreeing, she felt more confident. “If the Ding family has no money, then forget marrying. If you don’t agree, you’re coming home with me. There’s no way you can marry into the Ding family.”
Jiang Jianguo looked troubled.
“Sis, we’ve already compromised so much, we’ve said everything we can. You won’t listen. Now you want to break the rules—this isn’t allowed. Do you want Dad to personally come get you?”
Hearing this, Jiang Li instinctively shivered.
The most terrifying person in the Jiang family was Jiang Tiezhu.
He seemed silent and simple, but in reality, he was cruel and always achieved his goals without a sound.
His position in the Jiang family was unshakeable. One look from him could make people tremble in fear.
Even after two lifetimes, Jiang Li still felt extremely uneasy.
She could never forget being locked in a pitch-dark cellar as a child, starving for two days and nights.
Or in her previous life, when Jiang Weiguo rose to fame and wanted to replace her as his manager.
Jiang Tiezhu, without asking, tied her by a red-hot iron furnace and whipped her with a salt-soaked whip.
She was beaten until her whole body was covered in injuries, leaving her with lasting health problems. Later, she endured a year-long online harassment campaign that completely ruined her.
It was thanks to Jiang Tiezhu that her four brothers never took her seriously—they followed his example and seemed to enjoy tormenting her.
If she regretted giving her heart to her brothers, her feelings toward Jiang Tiezhu were pure hatred.
Her overwhelming hatred made her want more than just to escape the Jiang family.
Seeing Jiang Li remain defiant, Jiang Jianguo thought she was afraid and felt a flash of triumph—sure enough, Jiang Li couldn’t escape the Jiang family. With Dad around, she wouldn’t dare betray them.
But the next second, Jiang Li spoke:
“I’ve said it before—the bride price will be paid to the Jiang family eventually. As long as it’s paid, it doesn’t break the rules. Even if you call Dad, it won’t help. As long as the Ding family agrees to marry me, I’m going through with it.”
Hearing this, Jiang Jianguo raised his hand to slap her face, but Ding Shichen caught his wrist:
“In the Ding household, you don’t get to hit people. Xiao Li decides the bride price. No IOU is needed. The house counts as the bride price.”
“Shijun, see them out and take your sister-in-law to town this afternoon to register the marriage.”
Ding Shichen had been a soldier. Even sitting in a wheelchair, his stern expression carried an aura of authority and danger that made people flinch.
It even made Li Qiujü take two steps back, not daring to make a scene.
Seeing that the marriage was settled, Jiang Jianguo didn’t want to argue anymore. Besides, with the Ding family giving three houses, he was more than satisfied.
“Just wait and regret it later!” Without their houses, the Ding family wouldn’t treat Jiang Li well. Those brothers would surely torment her.
Jiang Jianguo waited for the day Jiang Li would cry and return to the Jiang family.
Once the Jiang family left, Jiang Li looked at Ding Shichen disapprovingly:
“Big Brother Ding, how can you give the house as the bride price? The Jiang family has no limits. They’ll come right after you agree and chase you out.”
“Helping me has left the Ding family without a place to live. How am I supposed to repay that kindness?”
Ding Shichen waved his hand:
“Let’s not talk about that now. Since the Jiang family will soon come for the house, we should pack up and move out quickly.”
“Don’t think too highly of me. I’m helping you partly out of my own interest.”
Jiang Li couldn’t guess what private interest Ding Shichen had in her. She wanted to ask, but seeing him already wheel himself toward Ding’s mother’s room, she gave up.
“Sis, don’t overthink it. My brother’s a soldier—he won’t harm you. If he helps, it’s because you’re worth helping. Come on, help us pack. From now on, we’re one family.”
Ding Shijun called the two younger brothers inside to pack, looking genuinely happy.
Even though they had lost the house, she couldn’t understand why he was so cheerful. What a silly boy!