Chapter 8 – No Bride Price

Wang Xiuqin was practically gleaming with delight, her mental abacus clicking away furiously. Her eyes were filled with smug satisfaction.

Just as Song Huai’an and Chen Yuehua were about to speak, Su Mujin walked out of the room.

“Uncle, Auntie, thank you for coming. Can I speak with Qinian alone first? As for the bride price, we can talk about that later.”

Song Huai’an and Chen Yuehua exchanged a look, then nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”

In truth, both of them felt a little guilty.

Their son had always been their pride and joy. They believed he was so outstanding that no girl would be out of his league.

But now that he had suffered a serious leg injury—one the doctor said had less than a one-percent chance of healing—there was also a possibility that it might affect his fertility.

Under such circumstances, how could they in good conscience drag some innocent girl down with him for life?

But their son said he wanted to marry Su Mujin, and Su Mujin had agreed. So, the two of them brought gifts and their son to formally propose.

Before coming here, they had already agreed:
Their family owed Su Mujin.
No matter what demands the Su family made or how much of a bride price they asked for, they would not object.

Yet before they could even bring it up, Su Mujin had taken the initiative to request a private conversation with their son.

They watched as she pushed Song Qinian’s wheelchair into the room and shut the door. Song Huai’an and Chen Yuehua both felt a mix of anxiety and nervousness.

They didn’t know if their son would ever walk again, but they also didn’t want him to grow old alone.

If it was possible, they truly hoped Su Mujin would be willing to marry him.

If she agreed, then whatever she said from now on would be law—they would never go against her wishes.

Su Dafu and Wang Xiuqin wanted to keep talking about the bride price, but Song Huai’an and Chen Yuehua were focused entirely on the closed door, not even sparing them a glance. That left them with no choice but to shut their mouths and curse Su Mujin silently in their hearts.

Especially Wang Xiuqin—she was furious and anxious.
She had no idea what kind of trick Su Mujin was pulling this time.

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Inside the room:

Su Mujin released the wheelchair and squatted down across from Song Qinian, lowering her voice.

“Can we make a deal?”

Song Qinian lowered his eyes slightly, then looked up—meeting her face head-on.

Su Mujin was… really beautiful.

More beautiful than any young woman he had ever seen.

Her small, delicate face was framed by large, round eyes with slightly upturned corners, giving her a touch of playful mischief.

A dainty little nose, lips rosy and glistening with moisture—looking at her inexplicably made his mouth go dry.

She was squatting in front of him now, looking up.
He could even see his own reflection in her eyes.

It felt like, at that moment, her eyes were completely filled with him.

Song Qinian pressed his lips together and responded softly, his voice slightly husky,
“What kind of deal?”

“I don’t want your parents to give the Su family a single cent in bride price. No dowry gifts either—no ‘three rounds and one sound.’ After we get married, don’t give them any help whatsoever.”

She didn’t beat around the bush. She stated it plainly and directly.

“They didn’t treat you well?” Song Qinian asked.

Su Mujin nodded.
“Very badly. I’ve been serving that whole family since I was eight. All these years, I’ve been like a little servant girl in my own home. Now that I’m getting married, I don’t want them to profit a single bit from it.”

Su Mujin spoke these words calmly, with no noticeable emotion. He couldn’t even tell whether she was sad or not.

After a moment of silence, Song Qinian nodded.
“Okay, I agree. But if you do this, I’m afraid you won’t be able to stay in this house anymore. If you’re willing, we can register the marriage tomorrow, and then you can move into my home. As for the wedding—”

“No need for a wedding,” Su Mujin cut in quickly.

This was a sensitive time—right in the middle of the Four Olds Movement.

Red wedding dresses, red veils—all of that was considered feudalistic garbage.

And with Song Qinian being a soldier, such things were even more inappropriate.

A wedding nowadays meant nothing more than two people standing in white shirts and military pants, reciting revolutionary quotes in front of friends, family, and leaders.
She had no interest in experiencing that.

If feelings developed between them later, maybe after the reform and opening up, they could hold a proper wedding.

Though Song Qinian didn’t quite understand why she didn’t want a ceremony, he still agreed.
“Okay, whatever you say. I’ll talk to my parents. Pack your things—we’ll register the marriage first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Alright!”

Su Mujin replied with a cheerful smile. She got up, opened the door, and pushed Song Qinian’s wheelchair out of the room.

Song Huai’an and Chen Yuehua immediately came up to them.
“So? How did the talk go?” they asked eagerly.

Song Qinian looked at them and said,
“Dad, Mom, no need to prepare a bride price. No dowry gifts either. I’ll come pick her up tomorrow morning to register our marriage, and she’ll move in with us right away.”

“What?!” Wang Xiuqin practically screamed, her voice loud enough to shake the walls.
“I don’t agree!”

Su Mujin looked at her coldly.
“Your agreement doesn’t matter. I’ve agreed.”

“You—!”

Wang Xiuqin was shaking with rage.
“Su Mujin, are you insane? You’re not asking for a single cent, and you’re still bringing all that money and ration coupons with you? And you’re marrying a cripple on top of that—are you trying to lose out both ways?!”

Her words were nasty—not something a mother should ever say to her daughter.

Su Mujin just shrugged indifferently.
“If you really want to see it that way, I can’t stop you. But I’m a modern, independent woman. Women hold up half the sky. I don’t need any bride price—that’s all just feudal nonsense!”

Wang Xiuqin nearly fainted from anger.

At that moment, Song Qinian turned to Su Mujin again.
“I’ll pick you up first thing in the morning. Pack your things—we’ll go register and head straight home after.”

“Got it! I’ll walk you out.”

Chen Yuehua still wanted to leave the gifts they’d brought, but Song Qinian gave her a subtle look to stop her. Confused but obedient, she left with the gifts in hand.

As they went down the stairs, the two orderlies directly lifted the wheelchair to carry it.

Su Mujin watched them get into the car downstairs. Only then, feeling satisfied, did she return to the Su household.

The moment she stepped in, four pairs of eyes turned toward her.

Su Dafu wore a dark, sullen expression.
“Mujin, do you even realize what you’re doing? Marriage is a lifelong matter—you can’t be this rash! Do you think your mother and I are asking for the bride price and dowry gifts for ourselves? We’re doing it for you!

If you don’t get anything from them before the marriage and ask for nothing at all, their family will look down on you and take you for granted. Once you’re married, you’ll be in for nothing but misery!”

He actually sounded sincere, even fatherly.

But Su Mujin wasn’t fooled by his act.

If Wang Xiuqin’s cruelty was always on the surface, then Su Dafu’s malice was hidden in the shadows.