Wang Shufen seemed hesitant. “You see, Wanxing was originally engaged to Jianbin. Jianbin was a martyr—we’re honored. But now… he’s gone. Wanxing became a widow before even marrying, and her reputation… well, it’s just…”
As she spoke, she pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears. “Now she’s marrying you… Even though this was Jianbin’s last wish and you mean well, people will talk. As her parents, it hurts us deeply!”
Lin Jianguo chimed in at just the right moment, raising his voice with the air of an honest man forced to negotiate: “Jianfeng, we farmers don’t beat around the bush. When Wanxing marries into your family, she’ll be both Jianbin’s widow and your wife. In principle… shouldn’t there be two bride prices?”
He paused, watching Gu Jianfeng’s expression.
Then he quickly added, “Since Jianbin is gone, we won’t ask for much for his share. But shouldn’t part of the military compensation go to Wanxing, as his widow? As for your share—you’re an officer, well-off. You wouldn’t mistreat Wanxing; we trust you. It’s just… raising her wasn’t easy. We fed her well, clothed her well, kept her healthy and strong…”
Gu Jianfeng listened, his brow slightly furrowed, but he didn’t immediately refuse.
He remembered Lin Wanxing’s tear-stained face at the funeral, her hardships, her gentle magnanimity, and how the rest of her life would now be tied to the Gu family… A strong sense of responsibility and guilt washed over him.
Uncle Lin and Aunt Wang had a point. His sister-in-law’s future was now in his hands. With his older brother gone, he should take on more responsibility.
The Lin family had raised their daughter, only for her to marry into what was essentially a life of widowhood.
He remained silent for a moment. Just as Lin Jianguo and Wang Shufen grew nervous, thinking he might refuse or bargain, Gu Jianfeng looked up, his gaze clear and firm.
“Uncle Lin, Aunt Wang, I understand what you mean. This is indeed something I and my family failed to consider properly.”
His tone was steady, carrying the solemn promise of a soldier: “Regarding my brother’s compensation—how it’s distributed—I’ll discuss it with the military and my parents. I’ll make sure Wanxing gets the portion she deserves. As for my part…”
He paused, laying all his cards on the table: “Over the years in the army, I’ve saved some allowances and savings. I’ll use all of it as Wanxing’s bride price. Additionally, I’ve kept some fabric coupons and industrial vouchers—I’ll bring those over as well. I won’t let Wanxing suffer, nor will I let the Lin family lose out.”
His words were sincere and straightforward, without a hint of evasion.
Lin Jianguo and Wang Shufen were stunned.
They hadn’t expected Gu Jianfeng to be so agreeable—even offering to give up all his savings!
They exchanged a glance, seeing sheer delight and disbelief in each other’s eyes.
“Jianfeng… are you serious?” Wang Shufen’s voice trembled.
“A soldier does not make empty promises,” Gu Jianfeng nodded gravely. “I’ll go back and take stock, then deliver the bride price as soon as possible. I just hope… Uncle Lin, Aunt Wang, you’ll treat Wanxing well from now on. She… has had a hard time.”
“Of course! Of course!” Wang Shufen hurriedly agreed, her face breaking into a wide smile, revealing her yellowed teeth. “Wanxing is our own daughter—how could we mistreat her?”
Lin Jianguo rubbed his hands together, a rare genuine smile spreading across his face. “Good son-in-law, don’t worry! We’ll make sure Wanxing marries in style!”
Seeing their overjoyed reactions, Gu Jianfeng felt a slight sense of relief. If his savings could make his sister-in-law’s life better at her parents’ home and ensure she married with dignity, he thought the money was well spent.
He stayed a while longer, discussing the arrangements in detail, then stood up to leave.
Once Gu Jianfeng was gone, the Lin family’s main room erupted in excitement.
“Oh my goodness! He really agreed! And he’s giving up all his savings!” Wang Shufen clapped her thighs excitedly, pacing in circles.
Lin Jianguo grinned, showing his smoke-stained teeth. “I told you! This Gu Jianfeng is an honest one! We’ve hit the jackpot!”
The two eagerly calculated how much Gu Jianfeng’s savings might be and what fine things the fabric coupons and industrial vouchers could exchange for, as if they already saw the bride price piled high in their home.
As for Gu Jianfeng’s request to “treat my sister-in-law well,” it was long forgotten.
Lin Dabao and Lin Xiaoya also clapped their hands and started planning.
“Wow! Yes! We have to get the ‘Three Rotations and One Sound’! A sewing machine and a watch too!”
“A color TV would be even better!”
“This is great! This is great!”
The whole family was swept up in the joy of the impending lavish bride price, as if they could already see the envious looks from their neighbors!
As soon as Lin Wanxing returned and heard their joyous commotion, she realized what they had discussed with Gu Jianfeng.
Seeing her parents’ expressions, she carried a sieve of corn and inwardly sneered, then said calmly, “Dad, Mom, whatever the bride price is, it’s Jianfeng’s goodwill. We shouldn’t make too much of a show. After all, we have to be mindful of appearances—we can’t let people think we’re marrying off our daughter just for gain.”
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, slightly dampening the Lin parents’ excitement.
Wang Shufen pursed her lips. “We know, we know! Of course, we have to keep up appearances! We can just celebrate privately behind closed doors!”
Lin Jianguo also nodded. “Wanxing is right. We still have to put on a good front.”
But regardless, getting real benefits was what mattered most. Looking at Lin Wanxing now, both of them found their daughter much more pleasing to the eye.
Lin Wanxing watched as they eagerly began planning what to demand for the bride price and how to divide it, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Two bride prices? It sounded like a lot.
Too bad—did they really think any of it would end up in their hands?
Just wait and see what actually ends up in your grasp.
She gently smoothed the old but clean clothes she wore, then thought of that straightforward Gu Jianfeng…
Remembering his earnest determination to take responsibility even if it meant giving up everything, she couldn’t help but shake her head and almost laugh.
This man… his foolishness was almost endearing.
Still, once she married him, she’d have to properly shape him.
She couldn’t let him be drained dry by the vampires in both the Gu and Lin families.
She needed to teach him that his sense of responsibility and kindness should be directed toward those who truly deserved it.
…
Gu Jianfeng returned to the Gu family but didn’t discuss the matter with anyone. He went straight to his own simple, humble room.
From under his bed, he pulled out an old wooden chest that was locked. He opened it to reveal all the savings he had accumulated over the years, neatly organized inside.
There were several thick stacks of cash bound with rubber bands—mostly allowances from the army, which he had hardly touched.
There were also piles of various ration coupons for grain, fabric, and industrial goods, meticulously categorized with metal clips and arranged with precision.
At the very bottom was a small red velvet box containing a brand-new Shanghai-brand wristwatch—a reward from the army for his merits, which he had never worn, unable to bear using it.
He looked at these items, his expression calm.
These were all his worldly possessions, saved for starting a family or emergencies.
But now, he felt using them for this purpose was worth it.
His elder brother had sacrificed his life, leaving his sister-in-law alone and helpless. By both emotion and reason, he should take good care of her.
Though the Lin parents were somewhat calculating, their words, though blunt, held truth. They had raised their daughter, and now she was marrying into their family under such circumstances—asking for an extra bride price wasn’t unreasonable.
All he could offer were these material things. If they could secure Wanxing’s peace and stability for the rest of her life and reassure the Lin parents, that was enough.
Without the slightest hesitation, he began counting the money and coupons in the chest.
He calculated carefully, preparing two bride prices according to the highest standard in the Red Star Commune—even adding a little extra.
He wrapped the cash in red paper and organized the coupons neatly. As for the watch, he hesitated for a moment before deciding to include it in the bride price for Wanxing.
After finishing, he locked the chest again and pushed it back under the bed.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gazed out at the deepening night outside the window. His resolute face showed no regret, only a quiet sense of relief, as if a burden had been lifted.
Gu Jianfeng knew that with his mother’s temperament, giving the Lin family two bride prices would surely lead to complaints and might even upset Lin Wanxing.
Remembering Lin Wanxing’s hand brushing dust off his shoulder outside the supply and marketing cooperative that day, he felt an inexplicable stir in his heart.
After a moment’s hesitation, he packed the boxes, locked them, and his expression grew firm.
For the first time in his life, he exercised caution—he did not consult his family.
The next day happened to be the seventh day since the news of Gu Jianbin’s death had reached them.
Gu Jianfeng set out early in the morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten.
The country roads were bumpy and uneven. Occasionally, a neighbor would emerge to pour out water, accompanied by the sound of coughing and crowing roosters.
He went straight to the Lin family, carrying the two bride prices he had planned and prepared earlier.
When the two thick stacks of cash wrapped in red paper, the dazzling array of coupons, and the gleaming, brand-new Shanghai-brand wristwatch were laid out on the worn-out table in the Lin family’s main room—
Wang Shufen’s breathing grew rapid, her eyes widening like copper bells.
She could hardly believe that marrying off a daughter could bring so much!
And they had only casually mentioned it, without even pressuring him—if they had made a real fuss, how much more could they have gotten?
A faint sense of regret stirred within her.
Lin Jianguo’s hand, holding his long-stemmed pipe, trembled slightly. He forced himself to appear calm, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help curling upward.
After a lifetime of toiling in the fields, he had never seen so much wealth at once.
He had always said marrying off a daughter was a good thing—and now he knew raising her hadn’t been in vain!
Even Lin Dabao and Lin Xiaoya, peeking through the crack in the inner room door, were stunned, their mouths agape.
What they had demanded from Gu Jianbin earlier was nothing compared to this!!
They had never seen so much money and so many coupons in their lives!
And that watch—glittering and golden—looked incredibly valuable!
“Uncle, Aunt, these are the two bride prices. Please count them,” Gu Jianfeng said calmly, as if he were delivering ordinary items. “The watch is for Wanxing—consider it a personal gift from me.”
“Oh! What’s there to count? Of course, we trust you!” Wang Shufen snapped out of her daze, gathering the items into her arms with a grin so wide her yellowed teeth were fully exposed.
“Jianfeng! You’re… you’re so generous! With Wanxing marrying you, we’re a hundred percent at ease!”
Lin Jianguo nodded repeatedly, coughing and stammering with joy. “Good… good son-in-law! We… we’re family now!”
Lin Wanxing walked out and stood to the side. Looking at the pile of wealth that would make any rural family in this era envious, then at Gu Jianfeng’s calm, even relieved expression, she felt a complex mix of emotions.
This fool…
He probably emptied out all his years of savings, didn’t he?
She silently observed this man with his broad shoulders and clear eyes, realizing clearly for the first time:
The man she was about to marry might not be smooth-talking or skilled at sweet words, but he possessed the rarest qualities in this era and environment—responsibility and integrity.
Suddenly, she thought that shaping such a man might… be quite interesting.
Gu Jianfeng grew slightly uncomfortable under her gaze and averted his eyes, speaking solemnly: “Wanxing, if there’s anything else you need, just let me know.”
Lin Wanxing withdrew her gaze, lowered her eyelashes, and shook her head gently. “There’s nothing missing. This is already more than enough.” Her voice was soft.
Gu Jianfeng’s heart trembled slightly, as if brushed by a feather.
A faint warmth spread through him.
After Gu Jianfeng left, the door of the Lin family’s main room slammed shut again.
This time, Wang Shufen and Lin Jianguo looked at the pile of tangible treasures on the table with sheer delight.
“We’ve struck it rich! We’ve struck it rich, old man!” Wang Shufen caressed the Shanghai-brand watch, unable to put it down.
Lin Jianguo grinned as well, carefully counting the coupons.
Only Lin Wanxing, watching her ecstatic parents and remembering Gu Jianfeng’s honest eyes, inwardly sneered.
This bride price was Gu Jianfeng’s sincere, heartfelt offering.
But she wouldn’t let the Lin family squander it.
She would need these things for her future life.
With a flicker in her eyes, a plan began to form.
Let them rejoice for a few days.
When she married, she would make sure they sent her off with drums and gongs—and returned every single item of the bride price, intact and complete, right back into her hands!