The efforts of the Zhao family had spread the news of Zhao Shixiao and Chen Qian Yue's private affair to several surrounding brigades.
Chen's father, his hand raised high in anger, couldn't bring himself to strike. Chen Qian Yue, her neck stiff, argued vehemently with her father.
"How could you be so stupid? Without their family's interference, how could this have spread so quickly?"
"It's all those old gossips who love to spread rumors, Dad. Can't you stop thinking of the Zhao family as so bad?"
"Fine, very fine. Your wings have truly hardened, talking back to your own father for a few unrelated people."
Chen Qian Yue's eyes welled up with tears. "Dad, I believe him. Since things have come to this, I will not marry anyone else."
"You're trying to anger me to death! Their whole family is clearly scheming against you."
"What is there about me for him to scheme against? Is it because of your position, Dad? You think too highly of yourself."
Chen's father was so infuriated he plopped down onto a stool, constantly stroking his chest. His beloved daughter didn't believe him at all.
"I will come forward to explain things clearly. Don't even think about you and Zhao Shixiao."
"Who needs your help? He and I are in love. This is a new era; you have no right to decide who I marry."
Chen's father's rage reached its peak. He roared ferociously, "If you are truly determined to marry him, then don't acknowledge me as your father."
There was a hint of pique in his words, and he regretted it as soon as he spoke. He felt it would hurt his daughter's feelings, but Chen Qian Yue delivered a direct blow to his heart.
With tears blurring her vision, she said, "If you don't acknowledge me, then so be it. I don't want a father like you. This is dictatorship and tyranny; I have the right to pursue my own happiness."
With that, she ran back to her room, ignoring the others in the living room.
Chen's father nearly couldn't catch his breath. Chen's mother quickly went to help him calm down.
"The child is still young; why are you getting so angry with her? Besides, I don't think that Zhao Shixiao is as bad as you imagine."
"After living so many years, can't you understand?"
"I think that young man is quite steady, and devoted to our Yue Yue. Moreover, they live so close; if she's ever bullied in the future, we can support her."
"If he were as good as you say, he wouldn't have let things spread."
"That's also uncontrollable. Yue Yue couldn't resist going to find him. She even asked people for directions; it's only natural for people to gossip."
"Are you blaming your daughter? If he hadn't secretly dated Yue Yue, why would Yue Yue have impulsively gone to find him? This is seduction; the whole family is disgusting."
"Old Chen, perhaps you're overthinking because you care too much about your daughter. None of us feel there's anything wrong. Zhao Shixiao couldn't have predicted this."
Elder Brother Chen: "Let's just grant Yue Yue's wish. I don't think it's as strange as you say. In this situation, what family would still be willing to propose to our Yue Yue?"
Eldest Sister-in-law Chen: "Even if someone proposes, Yue Yue won't agree. Can we tie her up and force her to marry?"
Second Brother Chen: "Yes, yes. If Zhao Shixiao dares to make any small moves then, the three of us brothers will break his legs."
With the persuasion of the whole family and Chen Qian Yue's daily listlessness, Chen's father had no choice but to compromise. However, he intentionally set a very high bride price, hoping to deter Zhao Shixiao.
"Dad, how could you do this? Which family can afford so much money now? Sewing machines are even harder to find. Mom, please say something to Dad!"
Under her father's intimidating gaze, Chen's mother remained silent; she wouldn't undermine her husband at a time like this.
Chen Qian Yue shook her arm persistently, but it was no use. In front of outsiders, their family had to appear united.
Chen Qian Yue looked pitifully at Zhao Shixiao, afraid he would back down and abandon their hard-won relationship.
Zhao Shixiao stood tall, his gaze firm as he looked at Chen's father.
"Uncle Chen, given my father's situation, I am the one making decisions about my marriage. I agree to all your conditions. I know you are not at ease entrusting your precious daughter to me, so you want to test me. My feelings for Yue Yue are sincere. Give me some time, and I will definitely borrow the money. I truly wish to marry Yue Yue."
Chen Qian Yue was moved to tears. The others were somewhat affected, while Chen's father spoke with a stern expression:
"You've calculated this well. If you borrow the money, won't my daughter have to help you repay it in the future? Wouldn't my daughter have to suffer with you?"
"Uncle Chen, I..."
"I am willing to suffer with him, Dad, please fulfill our wish."
Chen Qian Yue finished speaking, ran to Zhao Shixiao's side, and held his hand tightly. They looked at each other and smiled, their affection evident.
The relatives who had accompanied Zhao Shixiao to the house witnessed this scene. The marriage was as good as settled.
Although Chen's father was angry, he still wanted the best for his daughter. The wedding was held well, and ultimately, they did not buy a sewing machine.
Chen's father kept a portion of the bride price Zhao Shixiao borrowed, secretly giving the rest to his daughter and telling her not to tell Zhao Shixiao.
Meanwhile, the entire brigade knew that Zhao Shixiao had emptied his family's coffers and even needed to borrow money to marry the daughter of the Party Secretary from the neighboring brigade.
Everyone said Zhao Shixiao loved Chen Qian Yue to the bone, and their love was as strong as gold. Chen Qian Yue became the envy of many young girls in the surrounding brigades, and she herself felt as if she were immersed in sweetness every day.
...
Mother Zhao: "Your father, Shixiao's wedding date is fast approaching. What should we do? Are you thinking of borrowing a seed?"
Zhao Shixiao asked with a displeased expression, "Dad, whose family do you want to borrow from? Da Zhuang from Second Uncle's family? Elder Uncle's son is already married, and his wife keeps a close eye on him. Although we are distant relatives, this bloodline is the closest to ours, from the same ancestor."
Zhao's father remained silent for a long time. Mother Zhao asked uneasily, "Your father, you don't mean..."
She stopped speaking and covered her mouth, her face filled with shock.
Zhao's father said in a deep voice, "Distant relatives are still distant relatives. This branch of ours actually has someone closer, and that is me. Shixiao, don't have any ideas about this. Who told you your grandfather only had me?"
Zhao Shixiao was furious. "How can I not have ideas? If Chen Qian Yue has a child in the future, will she call me brother or father? Won't everything be messed up? I don't agree, I will never agree."
"Shixiao, don't get agitated. This child will definitely call you father in the future. If we don't speak of it, who will know? Anyway, you can't touch this woman you're marrying, so who she is with is all the same? Let the family's fortune stay within the family."
The veins on Zhao Shixiao's forehead throbbed. He clenched his fists tightly. After a long pause, he finally exhaled a sigh and compromised.
On the wedding day, Chen Qian Yue sat on the bed uneasily, waiting for Zhao Shixiao's arrival.
The door was pushed open, and she looked out with surprise. It was Mother Zhao, who came to bring Chen Qian Yue food.
"Mom, why are you here? Where is Shixiao?"
"A group of people are keeping him drinking; he can't come over for a while. I thought you must be hungry, so eat something first. Go to bed early later; you don't need to wait for him."
Mother Zhao felt very awkward looking at Chen Qian Yue, not daring to meet her eyes. Chen Qian Yue didn't mind.
"Thank you, Mom. Mom, you're so kind. You've also been busy all day; go and rest. Don't worry about me."
"Alright, alright. Remember to eat; don't starve yourself."
"Mhm, okay."
Chen Qian Yue was extremely happy to have found a good husband and a good mother-in-law. Her life in her husband's family would be no worse than at her parents' home. She felt truly blessed in this life.
Thinking this, she happily ate her dinner.