Chapter 6

Even though Gao Han hadn’t made much of himself, the Gao family was still considered wealthy in Hongxing Town.

Back in the day, they had done business and accumulated a decent fortune. It was even rumored that they owned a small Western-style house in the provincial capital—though that was just hearsay and no one could say for sure.

The family was large, and back when Gao Han was in the military, he would send a good sum of money home every year.

But no one knew why he suddenly left the army and started working in a factory, throwing away what should’ve been a bright future.

The gossip around town was that he had been discharged from the military for repeatedly violating rules and refusing to obey orders.

And anyone discharged from the army in these times was usually assumed to have serious character flaws.

“I trust Comrade Song. This money was always meant for her—how it’s handled should be up to her.”

“I’m sure Uncle Song isn’t after the money. Otherwise, people might say you’re selling your daughter, don’t you think?” Gao Han said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

He had a fierce face—when he wasn’t smiling, he looked downright unapproachable. But when he did smile, there was a sense of danger in it.

It was a smile with a knife hidden behind it—fake and menacing.

Even Song Yuanshan felt a jolt of unease.

“Now, now, Comrade Gao,” he said nervously, “no decent parent would want to take their daughter’s money. We were just afraid she might get swindled…”

“Exactly! And besides, my parents raised her all these years. Even if they take the money, it’s only fair—it’s what they deserve!” Song Mingshan couldn’t help but chime in.

Right after speaking, she quickly ducked behind her father.

To be honest, she was actually quite scared of Gao Han. He looked like the kind of guy who could knock someone out with one punch.

Especially since he’d been in the army—he was surely stronger than the average man.

“Is that so?” Song Qingdai spoke coldly. “All these years, I’ve been working day and night at the garment factory. Sixty yuan a month—every cent of it turned over to the family. That’s 720 yuan a year. The factory provided food, and I’ve been working since I was fourteen. You’ve never spent a dime on me.”

“And you, Song Mingshan—everything you eat, drink, and wear has come from my wages. Even your current broadcasting job was bought with my money. What right do you have to speak here?!”

Qingdai clenched her fists tightly.

Yes, she’d been naive before. She used to obey every word from her family without question.

Her father told her to hand over her wages, and she did—never keeping a cent for herself.

Besides working in the factory, she also sewed clothes and took odd jobs in her spare time just to make a little money to get by.

This family had practically sucked the life out of her.

Off to the side, Gao Han’s eyes darkened upon hearing all this.

He stepped forward and sat down at the table, long legs crossed, one arm resting lazily on the tabletop.

The move exuded a kind of wild arrogance—unrestrained and intimidating.

Everyone in the room was shocked by the sudden shift.

Raising an eyebrow, Gao Han’s voice held a dangerous charm:
“What’s this? The Song family planning to back out now?”

“She—Song Qingdai,” he scoffed, pointing at her, “ruined my reputation yesterday. How am I supposed to find a wife now? So what, your Song family plans to just let her take advantage of me and walk away?”

Qingdai: “…”

You didn’t have to say it like that.

She knew Gao Han was only saying this to force her father to agree to the engagement.

But…

Why did it sound like he was genuinely grudging about it?

Their eyes met in the air, and Qingdai’s heart trembled. She quickly lowered her head, saying nothing.

If she needed to play along, she would.

Her expression made it clear she felt guilty.

Song Yuanshan had no idea about the drug Song Mingshan had slipped her the previous night—but Feng Cuifen did.

“Well, if this is how the Song family wants to play it, then I guess I’ll just…”

“Wait, Comrade Gao, don’t!” Feng Cuifen interrupted, flustered.

“You’re right. The money should go to Qingdai.”

“But…” Her eyes flickered, a scheme already forming. “You know she has an older brother who’s about to get married. Our family is marrying off a daughter and bringing in a daughter-in-law—we really can’t afford a proper dowry. So about that…”

She clearly didn’t want to give a dowry.

“I don’t need a dowry. I only want to take my mother’s belongings.”

Song Qingdai cut her off coldly.

She had never cared about a dowry.

Not in her past life, and not in this one either.

All she wanted now was to escape this pit of snakes and wolves.

No matter what kind of man Gao Han really was, he was still a gamble she was willing to take.

If she bet right, she might finally have a bright, open road ahead.

If she bet wrong… well, she’d just restart her life again.

She had already died once—what was there to be afraid of now?

“Alright, then it’s settled,” Gao Han said, getting up. One hand casually in his pocket, the other reaching out to grab her wrist and drag her outside.

“Where are we going?”

His palm was warm, callused—especially around the thumb joint.

His hand was large—large enough to completely envelop hers.

The morning sun cast a soft light across his face, highlighting his sharp features and strong jawline.

As he glanced down at her, a flicker of unspoken tenderness flashed in his eyes.

“To the bank. To deposit the money.”

“What?”

Gao Han had come on a motorcycle.

In those days, even owning a standard bicycle was considered a luxury—but he had a motorcycle.

He’d bought it himself, and rarely rode it—only when going to the county seat.

Hongxing Town wasn’t far from the county. It would take less than thirty minutes by motorbike.

Qingdai hadn’t expected him to follow through so seriously.

But he led her straight to the bank and deposited the bride price into her personal account. She had two passbooks—one for herself, and one that had belonged to her mother.

Staring at the numbers in the bankbook, Song Qingdai felt like she was dreaming.

Gao Han turned to look at her, seeing her frozen in place. By now, the sun was high in the sky.

“Comrade Song, I’m sure you understand the idea of fair trade, right?”

She looked up at him, gripping the bankbook tightly.

“Are you really planning to marry me? Or are you just doing this to appease your family?”

She knew he wasn’t young anymore—his family was probably pressuring him hard about marriage.

“I just want you to honor your promise. I helped you, so now you have to take responsibility. Or what—are you going back on your word?”

That didn’t even answer the question!

What she really wanted to say was: If you don’t actually want to marry me, you don’t have to force yourself. Especially not after giving away so much money.