Jiang Xingyao put down the things she was carrying and told her the truth.
“Liu Zhilan asked me to marry into the countryside in Shen Jiaoli’s place, so I asked her for 2,000 yuan.”
As she spoke, she took out 500 yuan and handed it to Xu Xiangmei.
“I already deposited 1,000 yuan in the bank. This 500 is for you and Dad.”
But Xu Xiangmei looked as though she had been struck by lightning.
“Daughter, you absolutely cannot go to the countryside! Even if she gave you 20,000 yuan, you still couldn’t marry into the countryside in Shen Jiaoli’s place.
“Shen Jiaoli is a permanent employee of the textile factory. Once she gets married, her husband can transfer his household registration to the city through her.
“But you’re different. You don’t have a job right now. If you marry a rural man, you’ll have to follow him back home and work the fields.
“You’ve always been delicate, and your health has been poor since you were little. You won’t be able to endure that kind of hardship. Listen to me and hurry up and return the money to Liu Zhilan. Don’t marry him!”
Her daughter was only twenty years old. She was still so young.
Once there was an opportunity, she would find her a job and arrange for her to marry into a family where both husband and wife had stable jobs.
She didn’t ask for great wealth or luxury. All she wanted was for her daughter to have a roof over her head, be protected from the wind and rain, and never have to go hungry or suffer from the cold.
“Mom, don’t worry. Shen Jiaoli’s marriage was arranged by Old Master Shen years ago. The Shen family always thought the other party was poor, so they’ve been avoiding them.
“But I’ve met him. Not only is Xie Jingsi handsome, he also rides in a car and has bodyguards. The Xie family definitely isn’t an ordinary rural family.
“I won’t lose out by marrying him. At the very least, these 2,000 yuan from Liu Zhilan are practically free money.”
Xu Xiangmei sighed.
“Since you’ve already made up your mind, Mom won’t say anything more. At worst, if things don’t work out in the future, you can get a divorce and come home. Your father’s salary is still enough to support the two of us.”
“Okay! Mom, let’s cook. Dad and my brothers should be home soon.”
“You rest. I’ll cook.”
“I’ll help you wash the vegetables.”
As Jiang Xingyao pushed Xu Xiangmei toward the kitchen, she secretly slipped the 500 yuan into her pocket.
Xu Xiangmei unpacked the vegetables and said, “Yaoyao, from now on, if you have money, save it for yourself. Don’t waste it buying all these things. If you want to eat something, just tell Mom. I’ll buy it for you.”
“Okay!”
In front of her mother, Jiang Xingyao was determined to be obedient and well-behaved.
But next time…
She’d definitely buy more anyway.
“Tonight, we’ll make fish head with tofu, slice some fish and make pickled-cabbage fish, and stir-fry some spicy eggplant.
“Tomorrow we’ll make dumplings, and the day after that, we’ll make a whole chicken in a pot. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good.”
Xu Xiangmei had just started cleaning the fish when Jiang Jiandong’s voice came from the living room.
“Xiangmei, I haven’t seen our daughter these past few days, and I’ve been worried sick. I bought her favorite roast duck. Go call her over.”
Jiang Xingyao smiled at Xu Xiangmei and walked over.
“Dad.”
“Yaoyao!”
Jiang Jiandong stared at her in astonishment.
His daughter had actually called him Dad again.
Then, like an excited child, he happily brought the entire roast duck over to Jiang Xingyao.
“Yaoyao must be hungry. Come on, eat.”
“Dad, let’s all eat together when dinner is ready. Mom is making fish, too. Look, I bought new shoes for everyone.”
Jiang Xingyao took out a pair of size-42 leather shoes.
“Dad, try these on.”
She pressed Jiang Jiandong down onto a stool and was just about to help him take off his shoes when Jiang Qingze came in and immediately pulled her to her feet.
“Dad, what are you doing?”
Jiang Xingyao quickly smiled.
“Third Brother, Dad didn’t do anything. I bought him these new shoes and wanted to help him try them on.”
She picked up another pair of leather shoes and handed them to Jiang Qingze.
“Here, you have a pair, too. Try them on.”
“That old geezer can put them on himself. There’s no way I’m letting you touch his stinky shoes.”
After saying that, Jiang Qingze seemed to suddenly realize what she had said.
He looked at her excitedly.
“Yaoyao, you… you actually bought me shoes?”
Jiang Jiandong also belatedly realized what was happening. His eyes reddened with emotion.
“My daughter really is so thoughtful. I knew it. I knew my daughter loved me… Sob, sob…”
Jiang Qingze suddenly said, “Yaoyao bought leather shoes for the whole family. That must have cost a lot of money. Yaoyao, did you borrow this money? Don’t worry. Once I get my paycheck, I’ll pay you back in full. I’ll also pay you back for Big Brother and Second Brother!”
Jiang Xingyao smiled.
“Third Brother, I don’t want your money.”
After Jiang Qinghuai and Jiang Qingjun came home, she told them all over again about breaking ties with the Shen family and agreeing to marry in Shen Jiaoli’s place.
Jiang Qingjun slammed his palm against the table with a loud crack.
“That Shen family is truly vicious and underhanded! They’re going way too far! Yaoyao, don’t you dare force yourself to do something you don’t want. As long as you don’t want to marry him, nobody can force you!”
“Second Brother, I don’t feel wronged. Since I’m going to get married sooner or later, I might as well marry someone rich and powerful.
“At least life will be more comfortable. And if I have children in the future, they’ll have a higher starting point than other people.
“Marriage isn’t just about finding a husband for myself. It’s also about finding a father for my children.”
Jiang Qinghuai looked at her with heartache.
“I don’t even know how much suffering Yaoyao must have endured in the Shen family to have figured out such profound things at such a young age.
“Yaoyao, whatever you want to do, go ahead and do it boldly. Big Brother will always support you.”
Jiang Qingze said, “It’s better for Yaoyao to get married. It’s certainly better than wasting her life pining after that two-timing scumbag Zhao Hewen.”
Jiang Jiandong’s expression turned solemn.
“Daughter, I don’t care who the man is or what kind of family you’re marrying into. As long as you’re unhappy, tell us.
“Your mom, Dad, and your brothers will come and bring you home, no matter how far away you are.”