Chapter 88: Sorry

Afterwards, Shen Xingchen asked Mai Laosan about the process of getting married and what specific things he needed to prepare.

Of course, the most important thing is when to get the marriage certificate!

Otherwise, he would not feel at ease, fearing that the wife he had just got would suddenly be gone.

Getting married these days is simple and complicated.

The man needs to prepare “three turns and one ring” as a betrothal gift.

That is, a watch, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a radio. Those who can get all of them are definitely considered wealthy families.

The woman needs to prepare “thirty-six legs” or “seventy-two legs” as a dowry.

That is, wooden furniture such as beds, tables, wardrobes, chairs, and cabinets.

It is also a considerable expense.

Of course, this is the marriage standard for wealthy families in the city.

They not only have money, but also have power.

Otherwise, they can’t get tickets for three turns and one ring. Without tickets, they can’t buy these big items even if they have money.

But marriage is always necessary.

Therefore, if you can’t buy the things, then you can give more betrothal gifts.

Rural areas are generally poor, and no one can gather these things.

Anyone who dares to make such a request is not trying to get married, but deliberately making enemies. There is no need to talk, just leave!

Mai Laosan told Shen Xingchen about these situations, not to let him get these things, but to ask for more betrothal gifts.

As a result, Shen Xingchen said directly: “The watch and radio are no problem. I happen to have the tickets. It’s just the sewing machine and bicycle… Can they be replaced with something else?”

Mai Laosan didn’t expect Shen Xingchen to be so generous, and he immediately smiled: “Yes, of course!

How about this, uncle won’t make it difficult for you. We will be a family in the future. In addition to the watch and radio, you can give three hundred for the betrothal gifts.

Uncle also knows that this betrothal gift is a bit high, but my Mai Sui is different from other girls in the village. She…”

“I understand, Uncle Mai San, you are right. Mai Sui is different from others. She deserves the best.”

Shen Xingchen looked so sincere that even Mai Laosan felt a little embarrassed.

You know, the standard of betrothal gifts in the surrounding villages is generally 66 yuan, and the more polite one is 88 yuan.

The numbers are auspicious and nice, and both parties are satisfied.

Mai Laosan asked for three hundred yuan, which really meant bullying an honest man.

But Shen Xingchen was happy and didn’t feel at a disadvantage.

He was full of expectations now and just wanted to get a marriage certificate as soon as possible.

Besides, three hundred is really nothing to Shen Xingchen, because he still has more than six thousand in his passbook.

Of course, Shen Xingchen is not stupid. Even if he has money, he knows that three hundred is not a small amount of money, but he is willing to do it.

However, in the end, Mai Laosan didn’t get the money, and it all went into Mai Sui’s pocket.

Because in Mai Sui’s eyes, Mai Laosan is not her father, but her younger brother.

Is it appropriate for you, a younger brother, to receive the betrothal gift when the eldest brother gets married?

Giving you some pocket money is good enough, but you still want a betrothal gift. I’m afraid you’re just itching for trouble and want to be beaten!

However, Mai Laosan did not get nothing. At least Mai Sui did not take the gift money given by Mai Xiangdong and others.

It is also possible that Mai Sui didn’t know about it.

Anyway, this is all in the future. Mai Sui doesn’t care about such a small amount of money.

As for the dowry, Mai Laosan wanted to build a big wardrobe for Mai Sui, but Mai Sui refused.

“I only have five, six, seven or eight pieces of clothes. What’s the use of a wardrobe?

Besides, I’m going to the army soon, and there’s no use for a wardrobe at home.”

In this case, forget it.

So, the woman’s side did not get a penny of dowry.

Mai Sui didn’t care, because the money in the family was all with her. After giving it away, it would eventually come back to her.

She didn’t bother to save face.

So this step was saved.

Shen Xingchen naturally had no objection, and Mai Sui agreed with what he said.

“When are we going to get the certificate? I heard that if you go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy wedding candy, you need to provide your marriage certificate.” Shen Xingchen asked impatiently.

This is what Li Qiming told him last night.

It is indeed the case.

Because it is a planned economy, everything is in limited supply and can be purchased with tickets.

But marriage is a major event in life, so the government stipulates that every couple can go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some wedding supplies with their marriage certificate.

These do not require tickets, which is considered a kind of welfare.

The welfare items provided by each region are different, but they are also similar.

Generally, it is five kilograms of fruit hard candy, an enamel washbasin, two enamel cups, and two towels, or a thermos.

If you don’t have money, you don’t have to buy so much.

But most people will still go to buy wedding candy.

After all, it is a marriage, and you don’t need a new washbasin, but wedding candy is indispensable.

Mai Laosan also felt that this amount should not be wasted, and planned to let them get the marriage certificate first and then hold the wedding banquet.

After hearing this, Shen Xingchen couldn’t suppress the upward smile.

He immediately said that he would go to the team leader to get a letter of introduction for marriage, and then take Mai Sui to the city to get the marriage certificate and buy things.

Mai Sui didn’t understand these things, so he let him and Mai Laosan arrange it.

Mai Laosan personally took Shen Xingchen to find his eldest brother Mai Xiangdong, and asked Mai Hongcai to call Mai Xiangnan as well.

Because they still had to discuss the specific date for the wedding banquet. In this way, when Shen Xingchen went to the city to buy things, he could also notify Mai Xiangbei to return to the village for the wedding banquet.

As an uncle, he had to come back no matter what when his niece got married. Mai Sui was not interested in these things, so she didn’t go with them.

After they discussed it, they could just notify her directly.

Mai Xiangdong and Mai Xiangnan were still a little bit unbelievable when they heard that Shen Xingchen was going to marry Mai Sui.

“So soon?”

“Not soon, Mai Sui and I have been together for a long time, it’s time to get married.” Shen Xingchen immediately retorted.

Mai Laosan also said: “Yes, the child is grown up, it’s time to get married.”

Mai Xiangnan nodded and murmured: “That’s good, in case Mai Sui goes to the army and has no time. If it takes many years, it will be delayed.”

“Yes! Yes!” Shen Xingchen nodded frantically.

Mai Xiangdong still had some concerns and asked Shen Xingchen: “Do your family members agree?”

“Agree, of course. I took Mai Sui to the commune to make a phone call yesterday, and my uncle asked me to take Mai Sui back for the New Year.” Shen Xingchen said calmly.

After talking too much, even he himself felt that it was like this, that’s right!

In this case, Mai Xiangdong had nothing to say.

He immediately gave Shen Xingchen a letter of introduction, then took out the Wanli year and started looking for a good day.

“The fifteenth of next month is good.” Mai Xiangdong said.

“No, no, it’s too long, choose a closer one.”

Shen Xingchen took the Wanli calendar and looked for it himself.

“This one is good, next Monday, everything is suitable! It’s just right for a wedding.”

Shen Xingchen pointed to a date on the calendar and said solemnly.

Mai Laosan, Mai Xiangdong, and Mai Xiangnan looked at each other, and finally nodded and said, “Okay!”

Anyway, the marriage certificate has been obtained, one day earlier or later will not make a difference.

After getting the letter of introduction and confirming a good day, Shen Xingchen couldn’t wait to take Mai Sui to the city to get the certificate.

Along the way, he rode his bike so fast that he almost stepped on the two pedals of the bike to sparks. As a result,

the two came to the Civil Affairs Bureau and were told by the staff that they could not get married.

To be precise, their procedures were incomplete, so the Civil Affairs Bureau could not issue them a marriage certificate.

“Impossible! We have brought the letter of introduction and the household registration booklet. What other procedures are missing?” Shen Xingchen asked.

“We still need the marriage application consent form from the army.”