Luo Cuilan paused briefly upon hearing this, then looked displeased at Luo Zhiyong, "Big brother, how can you go back on your word? How much could a dowry set possibly cost you? You and your wife are not short of money."
When Luo Cuilan said that earlier, Fang Pingying overheard it as she was coming out to call her family for dinner. She stood aside and didn’t say a word, thinking that if Luo Zhiyong could handle it, she would let him sort it out.
But she really did not expect Luo Cuilan to turn so heartless. Even after the previous dispute, she still said such unkind words.
Moreover, she thought that since Luo Cuilan was in trouble today, she had been sincerely looking out for her, and as sisters-in-law, they ought to be more affectionate towards each other.
But as soon as money was mentioned, Luo Cuilan showed no consideration for their relationship.
If that was the case, Fang Pingying no longer had any reservations.
She walked to the center of the courtyard, stood next to Luo Zhiyong, lifted her brows, and asked Luo Cuilan, "Cuilan, do you think before marrying me, your big brother had saved up enough money to buy you a complete dowry set?"
"After all, I’ve been in this house for less than two months and have not yet taken a single salary from your brother. I haven’t saved any money."
Following that, she explained the matter of buying the dowry,
"We originally said we would help out with your dowry if you got married during the New Year since we could save up for a few months and afford to buy you a little something. But you’re marrying now, and all these years, your brother’s money has been sent back home, we have no money in hand."
Luo Cuilan sneered at Fang Pingying and voiced the concern that had been on her mind, "Haven’t you made a decent profit from your business lately? Surely you can afford something like a bicycle or a sewing machine, you shouldn’t be lacking money for that."
With a cold laugh, Fang Pingying knew right away, the people from the Luo Family were truly ungrateful.
She had contributed her husband’s money to their food and drink, and yet, they still expected her to give away the money she worked hard to earn. She wasn’t wishful to be a lifelong slave for the Luo Family.
She flatly refused her, "Whether I’m short of money or not is not for you to decide. I can’t neglect my own life to give away all my meager savings to you."
Seeing that Fang Pingying was not budging, Luo Cuilan turned to Luo Zhiyong with a look of faint contempt, "Big brother, you are an official, you know the saying ’A word spoken is past recalling.’ The matter of buying the dowry was promised by you two, and now you want to go back on it?"
Luo Zhiyong was thoroughly infuriated by that contemptuous look on Luo Cuilan’s face. He waved his hand and pointed at Luo Cuilan, coldly saying,
"Luo Cuilan, let me tell you, I won’t buy the dowry. If you want to get married, go ahead; if not, just do as you said, pack your bags, and move to Jianguo’s house to live. I really want to see who will end up losing out in the future."
"Also, mom and dad, you two go and talk to the Zhang Family about this afternoon’s matter, don’t call for me." Having said that, Luo Zhiyong was about to turn around and go back inside.
The whole family, seeing that Luo Zhiyong was angry and ready to give up, grew scared.
Especially Luo Cuilan, although she said she was willing to live with the Zhang family just like that, she knew in her heart that if that really happened, she would be drowned by the villagers’ spit...
Furthermore, if she truly married into the Zhang family, she would still need this big brother to fight for her dignity.
If her eldest brother doesn’t even show up today to discuss the marriage, she doesn’t know what kind of scene it would turn into.
Relying on her parents is definitely not feasible; her father is a too honest of a person, probably unable to utter a complete sentence.
Her mother only knows how to make a racket, which will not solve any problems but only make things worse.
Therefore, she too became scared and stopped talking.
Luo Dashan sighed while holding Luo Zhiyong, "Zhiyong, I know just how much you’ve done for the family all these years. I’ve seen it all. Don’t worry about Cuilan’s dowry, your mom and I will take care of it. But don’t be mad at Cuilan either; if she really had any sense, she wouldn’t have gotten herself into this mess."
Hearing this, Zhou Yunmei’s face froze, and she looked up at Luo Dashan and Luo Zhiyong. Seeing both of their grim faces, she no longer voiced her objection to let her handle the dowry issue.
In the end, she pursed her lips, clenched her teeth, and tapped Luo Cuilan on the head, scolding, "Yes, you have the brains of a pig. When it comes to Jianguo’s house, you’re not cunning at all, but you remember every word said by your own brother and sister-in-law so clearly."
After speaking, she paused, then glanced meaningfully at Fang Pingying before saying to Zhiyong, "So, Zhiyong, you and your wife handle the dowry. If you have anything, do as much as you can as an elder brother and sister-in-law. If not, let Jianguo’s house pay the bride price, which family doesn’t spend money when marrying a daughter-in-law?"
Then, she added in an intentionally hushed tone, "Actually, it’s because you did indeed promise before to buy dowries for both of the sisters. And it’s not just Zhiyong who said it, but your wife Pingying also said the same after marrying into the family. That’s why Cuilan is so fixated on that."
Fang Pingying sneered upon hearing this.
Zhou Yunmei’s words did indeed contain some technicality. On the surface, she’s criticizing Luo Cuilan, but she’s also reminding them about not keeping their word.
Just to ensure Luo Zhiyong doesn’t gain a reputation for going back on his words in front of his family, Fang Pingying decided to own up to this mistake.
She had promised to buy the dowry, and she would, but to think about purchasing the ’four big items,’ that’s out of the question.
Thus, she indifferently told Zhou Yun and Luo Cuilan, "Alright, consider my previous words a mistake. I will accept the consequences. Once Cuilan has set the date, I will go buy her dowry."
Upon hearing this, Luo Cuilan and Zhou Yun were overjoyed, asking Fang Pingying in unison, "Really? Does that mean going to the county to buy those four big items?"
"Pingying, don’t bother with them," Luo Zhiyong interjected, thinking Fang Pingying had agreed to buy the dowry under pressure.
Fang Pingying nodded at him, signaling that he could be at ease, as she could handle these matters.
Afterward, Fang Pingying gave Luo Cuilan and the others a cold look and said, "I’m merely fulfilling my previous promise. As for where to buy or what to buy, that’s not for you to worry about. Anyway, I only said I’d prepare a dowry for you; I never specified what that dowry would be."
As Zhou Yunmei just mentioned, the intention of an elder brother and sister-in-law is also considered a dowry.
However, with this lesson learned, Fang Pingying will be careful not to make any casual promises to anyone in the Luo Family in the future.
Because in the Luo Family, they don’t care if there’s enough time, nor do they care if you really have the capability; they will hold you accountable for your words, especially if it’s related to money.
Even if Luo Zhiyong and Fang Pingying were so poor right now that they’d starve at their next meal, she suspected Luo Cuilan and the others would still force them to pay for the dowry, not to mention they had already set their sights on the money Fang Pingying earned from her business. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to vote and provide a monthly ticket on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)