Chapter 26: If You Don’t Want It, I Don’t Want It Either!

Zhao Guihua quickly stood at the door. “It’s just a small matter, no need to make a scene and let everyone laugh at us.”

She had just been reported by these two shameless things and taken to the station.

And now, because of these things, she was about to become a joke again? How was she supposed to live like this?

But that entire room full of good things—many of them were items she had gone through great lengths to get from out of province, things that couldn’t even be bought in the capital!

Pei Qingyuan, that spoiled rich kid—she had hidden them so well, so how did he even find them?

No matter what, those things had already been used by them. Even if she took them back now, they’d be second-hand!

She was furious.

Zhao Guihua’s heart ached so much it felt like it was bleeding.

Sheng Chunxiang smiled. “At least my stepmother-in-law understands reason. Since I’m already married into the family, hand over the bride price and meeting gifts too. You all know what kind of person I am—I definitely won’t waste money.”

Pei Qingyuan added, “Everyone in the compound knows our family’s bride price was 500 yuan, and the meeting gift was 100 per person. Pei Qingshen is out of town and couldn’t attend, so you need to make up his share. That’s a total of 1,000 yuan.”

What?!

Pei Guokang’s family of four was completely dumbfounded.

A bride price of 500 yuan?

Sheng Chunxiang—what kind of rich family’s daughter was she to be worth that much?!

In these times, most people got married with a bride price of at most 50 yuan.

And a meeting gift too?

100 per person?!

Why didn’t they just go rob someone?!

Pei Guokang was so furious he opened his eyes wide and pointed a shaking finger at Pei Qingyuan. “You… you unfilial son… you—”

He was so enraged that his chest hurt, making it hard to breathe.

Zhao Qingya couldn’t hold back her anger anymore and shouted, “You two got married, stole a whole room of good things, and now you still want a bride price and meeting gifts? Are you trying to empty out the family? How are we supposed to survive in the future?!”

Her mother had told her that a lot of the things hidden away were meant to be part of her dowry when she got married.

Now they were all gone.

Sheng Chunxiang was just some country bumpkin, a lapdog—what gave her the audacity to demand so much?

Their parents had already given them plenty of compensation, and now they still wanted more?!

Then what was Zhao Qingya supposed to use for her own wedding?!

Zhao Guihua sat to the side, wiping her tears. She had been beaten by Sheng Chunxiang before and was already terrified of her. Now she was exhausted and starving, with no energy left to argue.

She felt heartbroken over all the good things that had been taken and was even more aggrieved.

A country bumpkin who had beaten her, a lapdog who had sent her to the station—these two had actually entered her home.

Pei Qingyuan was even protecting Sheng Chunxiang so much—was she going to have to live under her rule from now on?

Everything had been planned so well. Pei Qingyuan was supposed to be sent to the countryside to toil away, and this huge family business was supposed to belong entirely to her children.

Now everything was ruined.

Not only was Pei Qingyuan not leaving, but he had even brought back this wretched Sheng Chunxiang!

Sheng Chunxiang looked at Pei Qingyuan with a pitiful expression. “Husband, is your family really run by your stepmother and her children?”

“No wonder your father isn’t in good health—he must have been bullied too.”

“We have to be good to your father from now on. After all, he’s your real father.”

Pei Qingyuan stroked his wife’s head, his gaze filled with affection. “Wife, you’re the most understanding. Old Pei has too much pride, so he’s been supporting that mother and her two kids for years, spending so much money on them.”

Sheng Chunxiang nodded. “So, the 1,000 yuan he promised me has all been spent by them? Oh no, what should we do? We should go find Director Zhao and ask for justice.”

Director Zhao—Zhao Haitang—the director of the neighborhood committee, who had always been at odds with Zhao Guihua.

Pei Qingyuan’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! Let’s go, right now!”

A couple working together—nothing could stand in their way.

After being reborn, he realized that his taste was excellent. A wife like Sheng Chunxiang, who was both beautiful and strong, was truly his perfect match.

Pei Guokang’s family, hearing their conversation, was so angry they nearly coughed up blood.

Shameless!

Who said they were going to give them 1,000 yuan?!

“You’re not going anywhere!”

Pei Guokang finally spoke up.

Pei Qingyuan said, “Old Pei, we’re doing this for your own good. All these years, you’ve suffered in silence, but I understand.”

Sheng Chunxiang nodded earnestly. “That’s right, Old Pei, don’t worry—we’ll make sure justice is served for you!”

Pei Guokang: ???

Old Pei?!

Not only was this unfilial son calling him that, but even his daughter-in-law was calling him “Old Pei”?!

This was utter disrespect!

Did she not fear being struck by lightning?!

Zhao Guihua couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted furiously, “What nonsense are you talking about?! When did I ever spend that much money?!”

That lapdog Sheng Chunxiang—who gave her the right to judge her?!

“Husband, does Zhao Guihua have a job?”

“No, before she married into our family, she was a widow and never worked.”

“Did she bring a lot of dowry with her?”

“Of course not. Her family is from the countryside, and they were the poorest in the village. What dowry could they possibly give her?”

“Then what did she bring?”

“Just two kids. And half-grown kids eat a lot. On top of that, during holidays, her family would come and scavenge from us too.”

“She said she didn’t spend any money? So, she got in touch with her old lover from her widowhood days, and he gave her money, so she didn’t have to use Old Pei’s money?”

Pei Qingyuan was just about to speak when Zhao Guihua trembled with rage and roared, “Shut up! I didn’t! I have nothing, nothing at all!”

“Old Pei, you have to stand up for me, wuwuwu…”

These two were disasters! How could she be so unfortunate? Would she ever have good days again?

Pei Guokang was so furious that his head was spinning. “Enough! I’ll give the money! I’ll give it to you, is that not enough?”

He went back to his room and took out a thick stack of bills, gathered up bit by bit as if painstakingly saved over time.

“Old Pei, why are you being so polite? We’re the closest blood relatives.”

“Wife, count it, is it enough?”

Pei Qingyuan spoke politely, but his hands weren’t polite at all—he snatched the money and handed it straight to Sheng Chunxiang.

Sheng Chunxiang didn’t hesitate and counted the bills on the spot to confirm there were no issues.

“Old Pei, rest well. A son getting married is a good thing, you should be happy, keep a smile on your face.”

“We have other matters to attend to, so we’ll head out first.”

Sheng Chunxiang walked out first.

Pei Qingyuan turned around, locked his room, and quickly followed, as if he didn’t notice the strange expressions on everyone’s faces.

Sheng Chunxiang greeted her parents before leaving with her elder brother, Sheng Yongkang.

The newlyweds spread the good news as they walked, announcing that the Pei family had given them the bride price and wedding gifts.

The entire Pei family hid in their rooms, sobbing loudly.

Even though they were under their blankets, their cries were as piercing as wailing at an ancestral tomb.

“What happened to the Pei family?”

“Pei Qingyuan got married, they should be happy.”

“Happy? More like a huge loss. The money they spent on the couple probably drained their savings.”

“That can’t be. Director Pei’s salary isn’t low.”

…

Sheng Chunxiang and Pei Qingyuan walked hand in hand, while Sheng Yongkang, a single man, suffered watching their affection.

But seeing his little sister happy, he was happy too.

Near the steel factory, Wang Xiaofang suddenly rushed over.

“Sheng Chunxiang! Why are you holding hands with Pei Qingyuan?!”

Wang Xiaofang had followed them for an entire street, making sure she wasn’t seeing things. Were Sheng Chunxiang and Pei Qingyuan really together?

Sheng Chunxiang: “We got married. Didn’t you know?”

Wang Xiaofang’s voice shot up several octaves: “Married?! You two got married? You don’t want Li Jiànshè anymore?”

How was that possible?

Li Jiànshè was Sheng Chunxiang’s everything. Without him, she’d die!

Sheng Chunxiang: “That scumbag? Should I keep him for the New Year? You like him so much, you can have him.”

Someone trying to steal her man?

Then she’d just give him away.

Plenty of men out there.

Pei Qingyuan: “Wang Xiaofang, my wife is generous. Happy now?”

Wang Xiaofang blurted out, “I don’t want something you discarded either!”

She froze.

Did she just… reject Li Jiànshè herself?

Sheng Chunxiang looked at Wang Xiaofang, puzzled.

They were both cannon fodder doomed under the male lead’s halo. But she had transmigrated into the book, so she had the ability to break free.

Then what about Wang Xiaofang?

Did even the original characters start to awaken and gain their own consciousness?

“Congratulations, you finally grew a brain.”

Sheng Chunxiang ignored her and walked away.

“Where are you going? I want to come too!”

Something felt off to Wang Xiaofang, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She didn’t want to just leave it like this