Zhao Tongsheng’s eyebrows radiated boundless joy. His bright eyes, were brimming with satisfaction, unable to hide his happiness.

“Alright, I got it.”

Zhao Rencheng nodded, thinking that bringing half a catty of liquor over should be just about right.

The autumn harvest had only ended the day before.

And already, three people had told him they were getting married.

There were even some girls among them, but Zhao Rencheng found his emotions hard to describe.

He never thought these people were an eyesore before. He even felt that they were about to enter a life of restriction. But now, looking at their smug faces, Zhao Rencheng was genuinely annoyed.

“Uncle, I’m off now.”

“Go ahead.”

Zhao Tongsheng ran off quickly.

If not for his father’s strict orders, he wouldn’t have come looking for his uncle at this time. It was obvious that his uncle was in a bad mood today.

But he was still very grateful to his uncle.

For giving him such a great opportunity!

When he first heard that he could enlist in the army, he jumped three feet high, wishing he could announce to the whole world that he was about to become an honorable soldier.

His father told him to keep a low profile.

This was a hard-won opportunity his uncle had secured for him. If word got out, who knew whose name would end up on the list?

Zhao Tongsheng calmed himself down a little.

And thought of his fiancée.

They had originally planned to get married.

But after receiving his father’s instructions, Zhao Tongsheng told his fiancée that he was going to join the army. She cried.

She thought he was going to abandon her.

How could Zhao Tongsheng be such a heartless bastard? Of course, he wouldn’t!

After comforting her, he discussed it with her family and decided to get engaged first and wait until next year to marry. During the engagement, his family would provide three catties of pork, two catties of sugar, and five yuan.

Later, the bride price would be another twenty-three yuan.

Her parents agreed without hesitation.

Everything was settled perfectly.

But deep down, Zhao Tongsheng understood that once he entered the army, he would have even less time to see his fiancée.

The problem was, his family didn’t even have a house for her to live in after their marriage.

There wasn’t even a room set aside for him.

His grandmother even said, “Why don’t you and your brother just put up a wooden partition? You’re all family—what’s the big deal?”

Zhao Tongsheng was furious.

If he and his wife did… unspeakable things, wouldn’t his cousin be right next to them? How awkward would that be?

And his wife, as a young woman, how could she share a room with another man?

He wasn’t into being cuckolded.

That’s why he had to join the army—to build his own house and live in it!

Just imagining a future where he and his fiancée had their own little home, without all the extra hassle, filled Zhao Tongsheng with excitement. His young face shone with joy, his spirits high and exuberant.

The day’s labor ended at noon.

It was a truly satisfying moment.

Zhang Yunxi reported her two work points. After receiving a speechless look from the accountant uncle, she quickly signed her name and left.

Deng Damei caught up with her. “Yunxi, wait for me!”

“Huh? Aren’t you going to your boyfriend’s house?” Zhang Yunxi was slightly surprised.

Deng Damei had dressed up quite well today, even bringing biscuits with her. She was clearly heading to her boyfriend’s home—so why was she calling her?

“I’m nervous.” Deng Damei’s palms were sweating.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If they bully you, just call for me!” Zhang Yunxi squeezed her shoulders. “Relax. You’re just meeting your boyfriend’s parents—they might be just as nervous as you. We’re modern women! No fear, be brave!”

“No, I’m still nervous. Walk me there.” Deng Damei clung to Zhang Yunxi’s clothes as they made their way to Zhao Xiaobing’s house.

Zhang Yunxi had no choice. “Alright, alright.”

Zhao Xiaobing’s family structure was fairly simple. His elder brother and sister-in-law had three children. His two older sisters were already married, leaving just the two brothers at home.

As the youngest son, Zhao Xiaobing was quite cherished.

Seeing Deng Damei, he thought she looked beautiful today. He felt so nervous that he didn’t dare to look at her for too long.

Zhang Yunxi gave him a knowing smile.

She really liked this kind of atmosphere. There was something lovely about young, innocent love.

When they arrived at Zhao Xiaobing’s house, Zhang Yunxi hesitated to go inside. Nowadays, food was rationed—how could she just invite herself in for a meal?

But Zhao Xiaobing’s mother came out to greet them.

She clearly thought highly of Deng Damei.

Noticing how nervous Deng Damei was, Zhang Yunxi quickly put on a bright smile and stepped forward. “Auntie, my Damei is a bit shy—please don’t mind her.”

“Oh, not at all, not at all! Zhang Zhiqing, why don’t you come in and eat with us? I made extra food today!” Zhao Xiaobing’s mother warmly invited her.

“I appreciate it, but my sister Xiaoxiao has already cooked at home—I wouldn’t want to waste food.” Zhang Yunxi took Deng Damei’s hand and led her forward. “Please take good care of my Damei, Auntie.”

“There’s nothing to take care of, it’s just simple food.”

“How can you say that? I heard even before I arrived that your cooking is famous for being delicious. Damei is truly lucky!” Zhang Yunxi put on an envious expression.

This made Zhao Xiaobing’s mother beam with joy.

“Oh, listen to me, rambling on. I should be going now—I won’t intrude.” Zhang Yunxi nudged Deng Damei with her elbow.

Signaling her to give the gift.

Deng Damei handed over the biscuits.

Zhao Xiaobing’s mother grinned from ear to ear. City folks were truly polite.

“Oh, you shouldn’t have! You didn’t need to bring a gift!”

Seeing that everything was going well, Zhang Yunxi quickly made her exit.

Deng Damei watched Zhang Yunxi’s figure disappear into the distance.

She felt reluctant to part.

She really wished she had Yunxi’s way with words.

She was fine in front of crowds, but when it came to elders, she always got tongue-tied.

Unlike Yunxi, who could make even the village dogs her friends if she wanted to.

Deng Damei followed Zhao Xiaobing’s mother into the main room.

On the table were a steamed egg dish, stir-fried lotus root with meat, and garland chrysanthemum greens.

It was quite a lavish meal.

Zhao Xiaobing sat stiffly in his seat.

His mother was exasperated. “Tell Damei to sit down and have some water!”

“Oh, oh, oh!” Zhao Xiaobing quickly obeyed.

But when Deng Damei looked his way, he shyly avoided her gaze.

Zhao Xiaobing’s mother had originally thought her son was the kind to throw caution to the wind for love, given his usually gentle nature. He had been incredibly determined when choosing Deng Damei as his partner.

But now, seeing him like this—

He was still just as soft.

The meal was warm and pleasant.

Until his mother hesitantly asked, “Damei, you know, rural families have it tough. The highest dowry we can afford is twenty or thirty yuan. We’ve never heard of a hundred yuan bride price…”

At the mention of the bride price, Deng Damei tensed up, sweat breaking out on her back.

Forget the countryside—

Even in the city, barely anyone asked for a hundred yuan.

She was absolutely asking for too much.

Yunxi had advised her before that if she and Zhao Xiaobing got together first, it would be easier to deal with her biological parents.

But…

She was afraid.

She feared her parents would call her useless.

They would remind her of everything they had done for her over the years. They’d say she would always need her family’s support, that if she was bullied in the future, no one would stand up for her.

If she disobeyed them,

She would be condemned endlessly.

She wasn’t strong enough to bear that.

But deep down, she had a secret plan:

To use that hundred yuan to sever ties with her parents.

She didn’t want to keep dragging Zhao Xiaobing down.

But first, she needed that hundred yuan!