pdf-ebookys Chapter 192 I Have to Take Responsibility
Chapter 192 I Have to Take Responsibility
Ye Nuan didn't consider herself the type to judge people based on prejudice, but she clearly disliked Zhou Guoqiang from the first moment she saw him.
In the subsequent series of conversations, Ye Nuan's dislike became even more apparent.
As Song Huili's cousin, Gu Hanchuan naturally had to wait at home.
Since it concerned his younger sister's marriage, Gu Hanchuan believed he had some say in the matter and that it was necessary for him to help his aunt and uncle investigate.
The location was chosen to be Gu Hanchuan's home.
Ye Nuan had Xiao Gangpao clean the entire house inside and out early in the morning, and then she started preparing lunch.
Ye Nuan heard that Zhou Guoqiang was a local, so she planned to steam the fish she bought. However, Gu Hanchuan was influenced by his comrades from Sichuan and Chongqing and developed a love for spicy food, so he planned to cook a few more Sichuan-style dishes.
Little Cannon helped start the fire, while Yueyue sat quietly on a small stool and helped peel garlic.
Lunch was prepared in abundance. Ye Nuan specially steamed white rice, since locals still prefer to eat rice.
Zhou Guoqiang brought some green vegetables and seasonal fruits to the door. Ye Nuan accepted them with a smile and then asked Song Huili to invite him inside to talk.
Ye Nuan didn't look down on the cheap gifts the other party brought. On the contrary, this showed that Zhou Guoqiang's family was not well-off. After all, it was his first time visiting the woman's family and he could only bring such meager gifts, which was enough to show that.
However, there is also the possibility that the man's family does not take this matchmaking seriously.
Actually, Zhou Guoqiang was also a little uncomfortable. Several days ago, he had specifically told his parents that he was going to meet his girlfriend's parents. He thought that his mother would at least prepare two pounds of snacks for him.
But after receiving the items, Zhou Guoqiang felt extremely uneasy.
That's too shabby!
However, Zhou Guoqiang had handed over all his salary, and with only two yuan left, he needed to take the bus, take Song Huili to the movies, and so on, so he couldn't possibly have any money left to buy gifts.
And so, after watching a movie in the morning, the two came to the family compound, and Zhou Guoqiang had very little money left.
Seeing that the other party did not show any displeasure, Zhou Guoqiang felt a little more at ease.
After a few days of simple conversation, we started with a meal.
Gu Hanchuan specially took out a bottle of Moutai, but did not open it. He just looked at Zhou Guoqiang and asked, "Want some?"
Gu Hanchuan's aura was so strong that Zhou Guoqiang was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No, thank you."
Gu Hanchuan nodded slightly; it was originally just a test.
Since he said he wouldn't drink, there's no need to force him.
Lunch was very plentiful.
Xiao Gangpao and Yueyue were also there. Zhou Guoqiang glanced at the siblings a few more times and found that the two children were quite good-looking, with chubby faces, and they didn't seem timid or hesitant when eating. They must be living well in this family.
"Auntie, can I not go to kindergarten tomorrow?"
Ye Nuan looked at her: "Why?"
“My brother is going to see Zhanpeng, and I want to go too.”
Ye Nuan looked over, and Xiao Gangpao immediately said, "I'm just going there during lunchtime, it won't interfere with my studies."
"In that case, Yueyue should go to school obediently. Next weekend, your brother will take you."
Yueyue simply said "oh" and calmly accepted the result.
After dinner, Xiao Gangpao helped clear the dishes, while Ye Nuan took off her apron and chatted with them in the living room.
Ye Nuan brought out a tea set, the very simple kind, so simple that you couldn't tell if it was good or bad.
"Does Comrade Zhou have any dietary restrictions regarding the types of tea he drinks?"
Zhou Guoqiang shook his head: "No, no, I'll do whatever my sister-in-law says."
Ye Nuan nodded. "It's late autumn, let's brew some black tea."
Gu Hanchuan and Song Huili were used to drinking tea, but Zhou Guoqiang seemed a bit reserved.
To be honest, when they entertain guests at home, they at most buy loose tea from outside, which costs only a few cents a bag. They certainly wouldn't serve it like this.
While drinking tea, Ye Nuan began to ask questions.
Ye Nuan and Gu Hanchuan already knew the basic family situation, but they still asked a couple of questions as a formality.
"You're not young anymore. If you marry Huili, what are your plans for your wedding home?"
Zhou Guoqiang's palms were sweating with nervousness.
"Well, our family only has two ordinary rooms, and we are currently facing a housing shortage. So I was thinking of applying to the factory to provide us with a single dormitory room, even if we can't get a room for the time being."
These days, many young couples live in single dormitories, just like many family members accompany soldiers to rent dormitory buildings.
"Housing at the pharmaceutical factory is indeed tight. What about after the wedding? Comrade Zhou, do you have any detailed plans? For example, if Huili really marries you, what are your family's plans regarding the bride price?"
Song Huili blushed and said shyly, "Sister-in-law!"
Ye Nuan glared at her, signaling her not to cause trouble.
Zhou Guoqiang's face also turned a little red, but it was from nervousness and a bit of guilt.
“My family wants us to do things in a modern way. We can’t afford the ‘three turns and one sound’ (referring to a house, a watch, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a radio), but we can offer 66 yuan for the bride price.”
At this point, Gu Hanchuan's expression darkened.
What do you mean?
What do they take Song Hye-ri for?
He's a full-time employee, after all. He brought such a grown woman into his family, and all he had was a dowry of sixty-six yuan.
Isn't this just a way to get a wife for free?
Song Huili kept her head down and didn't speak, while Ye Nuan smiled and said, "Really? So what are your family's plans regarding the dowry?"
“Our family is not picky at all, and we don’t care about the dowry.”
"Since you'll be living in single dorms after you get married, you'll definitely be living separately. So, what are your plans regarding your salary?"
This is what Ye Nuan really wants to ask.
Perhaps because he answered the previous questions smoothly and Ye Nuan didn't show any signs of anger, Zhou Guoqiang relaxed his guard and became more relaxed as well.
“I’m the eldest in my family, and I have two younger brothers and a younger sister who aren’t married yet, so I definitely have to take on this responsibility. My current salary is a little over forty yuan a month, which I used to give to my mom. If we get married, our expenses won’t be that much, so I’m thinking of keeping a dozen or so yuan for myself each month and giving the remaining thirty to my mom.”
At this point, Song Huili's expression changed.
"So you're saying that if I marry you, I have to support you? What kind of logic is that? I only know that a woman marries a man for food and clothing, I've never heard of a wife supporting her husband!"
Song Huili spoke a bit hastily, and her tone was inevitably somewhat impulsive.
Ye Nuan didn't speak; she also wanted to hear what Zhou Guoqiang had to say.