Chapter 114

Xia Yunxuan said, “Yichen, don’t worry. I have a job. Even if they investigate my source of income, I’m not afraid. Our marriage is a lifelong commitment, we shouldn’t let other people’s opinions hold us back and make us feel wronged.”

Xiao Yichen replied, “Okay, Xuanxuan. I’ll be there for you if anything happens. Don’t be afraid.”

“Afraid? I’m not afraid at all. This lady has never known the meaning of fear.”

Xiao Yichen said, “Xuanxuan, I’ll go find someone to exchange more tickets. Otherwise, we won’t have enough to buy all that meat and vegetables.”

Xia Yunxuan replied, “Yichen, don’t bother. I have a way. I can get those things without tickets. Just tell me if you need anything.”

Xiao Yichen said, “Xuanxuan, are you going to that place?  It’s being heavily monitored now. You must not go. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Your safety is more important than anything.  We can do without the stuff.”

Gu Beihuai added, “Yeah, sister-in-law, that place is too chaotic and messy. You’re a delicate Girl, you can’t go there.”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Yichen, Second brother, are you misunderstanding something? When did I say I was going to that place? You mean the black market, right?”

The two men were stunned.  Was Xuanxuan not talking about going to the black market?  Where else could she get things without tickets?

The three of them continued discussing this over dinner, and no one went to rest.  Xiao Yichen brought up the issue of the dowry.  “Xuanxuan, I’ll give you 8,000 yuan in dowry publicly, and privately, I’ll give you all the good stuff.”

“You’re the head of the family, I can’t let you feel wronged.  8,000 yuan is too little in Beijing.”

Xia Yunxuan replied, “Yichen, I know that might not be much in Beijing, but we’re in the countryside now.  Won’t it be too flashy?  After all, people in the countryside are considered wealthy if they have a few dozen yuan.”

Xiao Yichen said, “It’s not enough. I think I’m giving too little.  My wife deserves to be pampered, she shouldn’t feel wronged.”

Just as Xia Yunxuan was about to say something, a voice interrupted her from outside.  “Comrade, is anyone home?  I’m the postman.  Is this Xiao Yichen’s house?  He has a package and a letter.”

Xiao Yichen went out and said, “Comrade, hello.  I’m Xiao Yichen.  Just give me the package and letter.  Thank you for your hard work.”

“Comrade, you’re welcome.  It’s my job.  Please sign here.  The package was supposed to be picked up by you, but you didn’t come for two days, so I brought it to you while delivering the mail.”

Xia Yunxuan poured a glass of water.  “Comrade, please have some water.  This must be something sent from home.  They didn’t tell us.  We’re so sorry.”

The postman took the water and said, “Thank you.  It’s fine, comrade.  I’m just passing by.  I have more letters to deliver to other places.  I’ll go now.”

After the postman left, Xiao Yichen carried the package inside, took out a small knife, and opened it.  Inside were clothes, malted milk, biscuits, and milk candies.

Xia Yunxuan wondered why Xiao Yichen’s family had sent so much food and clothes.  The clothes were clearly for her.  She didn’t know who had bought them, but it was heartwarming.

Xiao Yichen took out the letter and opened it.  It was from his grandmother for his wife.

“Xuanxuan, this is something sent by my grandparents for you.  This is their letter.”

Xia Yunxuan took the letter and read it.  She realized that the elderly couple liked her very much.  Although they had never met, it was clear from their address.  They called her “granddaughter-in-law” with such sweetness.

They said they didn’t know what she liked, so they just bought a few things.  If she needed anything else, she could call them and they would send it right away.  She shouldn’t worry about the money.

Xia Yunxuan said, “Yichen, are your grandparents too good to me?  We haven’t even met, and they’re willing to buy me so many things.  And there’s something else in my jacket pocket, oh.”

Xia Yunxuan took out her jacket and felt in the pocket.  She pulled out a wad of money.  It looked like several hundred yuan.

Xiao Yichen knew that his grandmother had secretly put it in there.  She had money, but she didn’t keep it for herself.  He was happy that she liked his wife so much.

Xiao Yichen said, “Xuanxuan, keep these things and eat them slowly.  This is my grandparents’ love for you.  They really like you.  I’ll tell you a secret.  My sister-in-law has been married for a long time, and my grandmother never bought her so many things.”

Xia Yunxuan replied, “Yichen, we’re eating all this food too.  I can’t finish it alone.  Let’s go send something back to your grandparents tomorrow at noon as a return gift.  I can’t just accept without giving anything back.  That would make them feel bad.”

Xiao Yichen said, “Okay, we’ll go together tomorrow at noon.  This is a gift from the future granddaughter-in-law.  They’ll be happier than anything when they receive it.”

Xia Yunxuan asked, “Tell me about your grandparents, your uncle, and your aunt.  What do they like so I can get them something they’ll appreciate?”

Xiao Yichen replied, “Haha, Xuanxuan, you’re so thoughtful.  My grandfather likes to play chess, drink a little wine, eat, and collect famous calligraphy and paintings.”

“As for my grandmother, she doesn’t have any other hobbies.  She just likes to chat with her friends.  But she loves gold jewelry.”

“My parents, my father is a typical henpecked husband.  He’s afraid of my mother.  He likes to drink tea and a little wine, but my mother doesn’t let him drink too much, so he drinks secretly sometimes.  I’ll tell you, he’s very vain.  He secretly uses my mom’s makeup, afraid of getting old.”

“My mother, she has many hobbies.  She loves to eat, play, and buy beautiful clothes, bags, and shoes.  She loves to go shopping and buys everything she sees, especially scarves.  She loves them.”

“My little sister is like my mother.  They’re two peas in a pod.  They love clothes, bags, and everything.  You wouldn’t believe it, her entire closet is filled with her clothes.”

“As for my sister-in-law, I don’t want to talk about her.  If you really want to send her something, just get a small gift and get rid of it.  You’ll understand once you get to know her.  She’s the kind of person who can’t tell right from wrong and likes to cause trouble.”

“My brother is always busy with work.  If you give him some books on research, he’ll be happier than anything.”

Xia Yunxuan now had a general understanding of Xiao Yichen’s family’s personalities.  Except for his sister-in-law, the others seemed easy to get along with.

“Okay, Xuanxuan, we have to go to work.  It’s almost time.  Just send them something simple.  Don’t spend too much.”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Yichen, go ahead.  I’ll prepare the gifts.”