As soon as Xu Nian’an heard that the Yue Family had arrived, he immediately rushed out and stood by Xu Nianji, becoming even more convinced when he saw Yue Hongliang, that there could be no compromise.
The father and sons stood at the entrance, clearly not intending to let anyone into the courtyard.
"Big brother, this is Yue Hongliang. Look, doesn’t he seem impressive?" Xu Qinghu got out of the car, smiling as he said, "Look, they even brought the dowry gifts deliberately, all three rounds and then one sound, they brought everything today."
Xu Qinghu’s voice was loud, and together with the tractor entering the village, carrying a sewing machine and a bicycle tied with big red flowers, it looked as if they were marrying off a daughter, attracting everyone in the village.
"Big brother, they mentioned about the thirty-six legs, saying that at the time of marriage, they will make sure all are placed in their bridal room." Xu Qinghu said with a smile, stepping forward to whisper something to Xu Qinghe.
But Xu Qinghe defensively backed away.
As soon as Yue father began,
Xu Qinghe corrected, "Mr. Yue, we certainly cannot climb high enough to affiliate with your Yue Family."
The expression on Yue father’s face changed; he was the brick factory boss, a ten-thousand-yuan household in this era, wearing a silver watch and a large gold necklace, flaunting his wealth everywhere.
He had never been so publicly snubbed before.
"Big brother, let’s talk nicely," seeing the awkward situation, Xu Qinghu immediately stepped forward, smiling and saying, "Let’s talk inside, it’s embarrassing with so many people watching."
"We have nothing to discuss," Xu Qinghe said coldly, "We are not marrying off a daughter, naturally, we can’t accept the dowry."
"Big brother, give me some face, now that the people are here, anyhow, let’s talk inside first." Xu Qinghu said in a lowered voice, standing in front of Xu Qinghe.
Once they were inside, she was certain she could finalize the marriage.
Xu Nian’an and Xu Nianji not only did not make way but instead moved forward, staunchly guarding the gate, preventing the Yue Family from entering the courtyard.
"Why should it concern me since you invited these people?" Xu Qinghe clearly refused to give Xu Qinghu face.
He was easy to talk to, but if he gave face to Xu Qinghu, who would look after Nianhua’s well-being?
"Xu Nianji, the matter of you injuring my son Hongliang, I haven’t settled yet. Considering we’re about to become relatives, Hongliang will let it go. In the future, as Hongliang’s uncle, he will surely promote you to be a team captain, and your salary could well double," Yue father said with a forceful voice, only making the trip because Yue Hongliang had taken a liking to Xu Nianji’s sister.
After all, he had only this one son.
"Mr. Yue, it was Yue Hongliang who started the fight that day. Even if there’s a case to answer, I’m not afraid," Xu Nianji straightened his back and said firmly, "Please, Mr. Yue, pay me the rest of my salary, I’m quitting."
Yue father’s face grew stern, not expecting that the Xu family would be so ungrateful.
Yue Hongliang, considering himself quite familiar with Xu Nianji, stepped forward and said, "Nianji, I genuinely like your sister. If you’re not satisfied with the dowry, I can add... two hundred more." Yue Hongliang initially wanted to say five hundred, but a nudge from Yue mother changed it to two hundred. His gaze kept moving inside, but Xu Qinghe and the others were blocking the front, and Nianhua did not appear.
Yue Hongliang extended his hand to pat Xu Nianji’s shoulder but was dodged by Xu Nianji, and Yue Hongliang’s hand fell through, his face souring slightly, but remembering he was Nianhua’s brother, he still said, "I will treat your sister well in the future. Our families’ marriage is known all over the village, you’ve already received the dowry, you surely can’t go back on your word, right?"