---

Chapter 4: Another Chance Encounter with Xie Yanli!

Song Qiao froze for a moment, her face instantly flushing red. In her rush to get to the restaurant earlier, she hadn’t checked carefully what the sales assistant had handed her. Considering that Xu Qin had been widowed for many years, it was indeed inappropriate to give her such a gift.

With an apologetic expression, she explained, “I’m sorry, Auntie, I was in such a hurry earlier that I didn’t check carefully…”

“Alright, I know you’ve never really cared much about me. It’s not like this is the first or second time. I’m used to it. Sit down — I have other things to discuss with you,” Xu Qin cut her off sarcastically before she could finish.

A wave of grievance washed over Song Qiao. Ever since she got together with Chen Yang, she had gone out of her way to be considerate toward Xu Qin. But no matter how hard she tried to please her, Xu Qin always nitpicked and found fault with her.

Just as she pursed her lips and was about to speak, Chen Yang wrapped his arm around her waist and sat her down.

“Song Qiao, you’re a city girl — you might not understand the customs of our hometown. Let me explain. When a daughter gets married, her parents are supposed to give her a ‘waist money’ gift. I wonder how much your family plans to give?” Xu Qin’s tone was laced with entitlement.

“Waist money?” Song Qiao looked at Chen Yang in confusion.

Chen Yang avoided her gaze, nervously nudging her hand under the table, signaling for her to just agree.

This small gesture immediately reminded Song Qiao of the time when Xu Qin had insisted that Chen Yang hand over all his savings to build a house back in their hometown. He had pleaded with her cautiously in exactly the same way.

“Qiaoqiao, my mom is old-fashioned. She hopes I’ll eventually return to my roots. It hasn’t been easy for her to raise me. Let’s just go along with it, okay?”

This time, Song Qiao decided she wouldn’t compromise anymore. She moved Chen Yang’s hand away and calmly replied, “Auntie, I can follow your hometown custom and give the ‘waist money’. But how much bride price (betrothal gift) are you planning to give me?”

The corners of Xu Qin’s wrinkled eyes twitched. She retorted righteously, “Song Qiao, I really can’t afford even a penny of bride price. Since you and Chen Yang are about to become family, you should be more understanding and not so calculating.”

“Well, if you’re unwilling to give a bride price, why are you asking for waist money?”
With these words, the atmosphere instantly froze.

After a brief silence, Xu Qin shot Song Qiao a sideways glance and spread her hands.

“That’s because your family can afford it. My family has no money. Chen Yang’s father abandoned us when he was just a few years old. I survived by farming during the day and mending clothes for others at night. I even got blisters on my fingers just to pay for his schooling. Now I’ve even spent my retirement savings to build him a house. What more do you want? Do you want me to sell my blood to satisfy you?”

Song Qiao knew Xu Qin was being unreasonable. She turned to Chen Yang and calmly asked, “Chen Yang, what do you think?”

When their eyes met, Chen Yang immediately lowered his head.

His silence meant acquiescence. A quiet sense of disappointment rose in Song Qiao’s heart.

Seeing Chen Yang remain mute, Xu Qin felt emboldened. She cleared her throat and spoke coldly, “Chen Yang isn’t married yet — everything in this house is still up to me. Young people these days are too spoiled. Back in our day, we didn’t have things like bride price, and didn’t we still live just fine?”

She crossed her arms and pursed her lips.
“Song Qiao, the bride price is just for show. What really matters is that you two live a good life together after marriage. Since you love Chen Yang, why make things hard for him?”

Seeing Chen Yang lower his head even further, Song Qiao was deeply dissatisfied with his inaction. A mix of grievance and anger surged within her.

She had intended to argue logically, but in the end, she suppressed her anger and spoke as calmly as she could.
“Auntie, asking for a bride price doesn’t contradict loving Chen Yang. Besides, neither his nor your hardships were caused by me. You don’t need to bring them up every time. I’m discussing the bride price because I want to build a good life with him. I haven’t made any outrageous demands to deliberately trouble you. A bride price is a promise for marriage and a sign of respect for me.”

“Well, we really don’t have a penny for a bride price. I’m a rural person — not as complicated as you city folks. I only believe in one thing: ‘Follow the chicken if you marry a chicken, follow the dog if you marry a dog.’ If you dislike that my family is poor, then break up with Chen Yang and find someone else.”

Xu Qin’s face was filled with defiance, as if she was ready to burn all bridges.

Her words thickened the air with tension. Song Qiao looked at Chen Yang again. She figured that if Chen Yang still remained silent, there was no point in staying here any longer.

Sensing Song Qiao’s intense gaze, Chen Yang knew that if he didn’t speak up now, the marriage talks would collapse. He stood up, trying to mediate.
“Mom, Qiaoqiao, we’re about to become family — can’t we just talk things out?”

He first looked at Xu Qin, softening his voice.
“Mom, I know you’ve worried about this family your whole life. I know how hard it’s been, and I know how difficult things are now.”

Then he turned to Song Qiao, his eyes full of tenderness.
“Qiaoqiao, I also understand that you’re asking for a bride price not for money but because you want to feel valued. Please, both of you calm down. There’s always a solution.”

Xu Qin snorted coldly and dismissed him.
“Chen Yang, I’d like to give you the money too, but we really don’t have any left. If you’re capable, convince her to marry without a bride price.”

A decisive glint flashed in Song Qiao’s eyes.
“Auntie, since you insist on this, I’ll be clear too. If you’re not willing to give even a penny, I’ll have to reconsider whether I should marry into your family at all. After all, no one wants to enter a family just to be mistreated and looked down upon.”

Seeing Song Qiao’s firm stance, Chen Yang turned to Xu Qin again.
“Mom, can you not talk like that? Qiaoqiao really has been very understanding toward our family.”

Xu Qin stared at Chen Yang, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears. She raised her hand and angrily pointed at him, crying out,
“Everyone says a son forgets his mother after getting a wife. Chen Yang, I raised you through thick and thin — and this is how you treat me? Fine, fine, you go live your rich life at the Song family. I won’t stay here to get in your way anymore. I’m going back to the countryside!”

With that, she stormed off in tears. Lin Shiyu quickly got up and grabbed her arm, gently consoling her,
“Auntie, please don’t say things out of anger. Chen Yang has always been a dutiful and considerate son. He’s not someone who looks down on the poor and favors the rich.”

Xu Qin rolled her eyes at Chen Yang, hinting,
“Ever since he got together with Song Qiao, he’s no longer the Chen Yang he used to be. Shiyu, don’t try to stop me. I’m just a poor, powerless old woman — I won’t stay here to cause trouble.”

She cried as she stormed out of the private room. Lin Shiyu glanced at Chen Yang, her face serious.
“Chen Yang, it’s late. I’ll take Auntie to my place first. But you know her temper best — I’m afraid I won’t be able to calm her down alone. Do you want to come with me?”

Chen Yang didn’t speak. He turned to Song Qiao, seeking her opinion.

Song Qiao’s heart sank. She pursed her lips and said flatly, “Go ahead.”

Chen Yang held her hand, guilt written all over his face.
“Qiaoqiao, wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he quickly left with Lin Shiyu.

The room immediately quieted. Song Qiao looked at the untouched dishes on the table and the nutritional supplements scattered on the floor. Her eyes dimmed and reddened.

Two hours later, Chen Yang still hadn’t returned. Frankly, she had expected this. She got up to leave the room but turned back after a few steps to pick up the pile of supplements.

Song Qiao left the restaurant in disappointment after settling the bill. As she waited for a ride, the more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She didn’t care how others viewed her — she squatted down, covered her face, and sobbed bitterly.

Just as she was crying hard, a mocking voice suddenly came from behind her:
“Is he really worth it? A guy like that — even if you marry him, he’s the type to cheat anyway.”

---