Fang Chaoyang was also a bit surprised.
Whether Da Li’s target, his brother, was framed or not, the issue had ultimately come to light.
It would take a lot of money to fill this hole.
"Thanks a lot, Matchmaker Liu, and I’ll have to trouble you to find another match for Da Li,"
Matchmaker Liu said cheerily, "Don’t worry, this time I’ll definitely look into the girl’s family thoroughly and make sure to find a congenial Yue Family for Da Li."
With everything said and done, of course, they wouldn’t continue to stay there.
Fang Chaoyang, leading a haggard Cao Dali, walked outside.
"Da Li, let’s just forget about this whole thing. The Li Laosan family is just a big pit. That widow’s family has probably been holding onto this leverage the whole time to attain benefits. Let Matchmaker Liu find you a pretty wife,"
"I know you’re going through a hard time right now. Come on, let’s go catch some fish by the river and have a feast at Third Brother’s place tonight."
Cao Dali didn’t speak, but still followed Fang Chaoyang, genuinely intending to catch some fish as well.
However, halfway there, they ran into a girl dressed in patched floral clothes, with two braids, and skin slightly fairer than a wheat-ish complexion.
If it had been before, and Fang Chaoyang ran into Cuihua, he certainly would have tactfully left to give them some privacy.
But things were different now; the two families had already fallen out.
"Da Li, it was my dad who wanted it, not me, not me." Tears filled Cuihua’s eyes as she looked at Cao Dali.
Although Cao Dali was a big fellow, in those days, he was quite sought-after, especially among rural folk—the kind who could work the fields for full work points, able to support a wife and children.
"Comrade Li, you have no relation to Da Li anymore. I hope you won’t come looking for Da Li in the future. We ordinary folk can’t afford the bride price your family demands. I hope you can find someone who can pay what your family wants,"
Fang Chaoyang said without mincing his words. Normally, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in his brother’s personal matters.
But with the Li Family causing trouble, demanding so much money from Da Li, couldn’t they see that everyone was a member of the same large collective? Where would one get so much money?
Even if they sold everything in the house, it might still not be enough.
"Da Li, didn’t you say that you’ve earned money, that you’ve earned a lot of money? I promise, as long as you give it, I’ll treat you well in the future,"
Fang Chaoyang looked at Li Cuixia in disbelief.
"Da Li, I suddenly realize the Li Family deserves their trouble. If this had come out after the marriage, would this Comrade Li have emptied our family’s coffers to assist her parents?"
Cao Dali simply looked at Li Cuixia and said, "We haven’t been betrothed. We have no relation now."
He didn’t know that every member of Li Cuixia’s family was grim-faced at home.
Her sister-in-law had already divorced her brother.
Moreover, that widow’s family was still holding onto the issue, threatening to call the Public Security if the money wasn’t raised quickly and to have her brother arrested, potentially charging him with the crime of being a hooligan.
"Da Li, I’m begging you, my family will be ruined without the money. Da Li, Da Li..."
Li Cuixia was pleading mournfully, tearful eyes lending her an air of helpless charm and poignancy.
"I don’t have that much money; I can’t help you," Cao Dali turned his gaze away, refusing to look at Li Cuixia, as the words left his mouth.
These words made Li Cuixia stare at Cao Dali in disbelief.