"What’s the good idea?" everyone present asked in unison.
"Didn’t they say it looks bad not to have money for the bride price? Well, Qin Fen, you can write an IOU and owe the money for now. After you get married later and have the money, you can give what you owe to your future mother-in-law, right? That way, everyone is happy. Don’t you think?" An Hao said with a smile.
"What? I should write an IOU?" Qin Fen glared at An Hao, furious, "I haven’t even married yet, and you want me to write an IOU first!!"
"It’s either way your wedding. Shouldn’t you be the one to pay the bride price? Besides, even if you let your parents pay, when do you think they could gather such a large sum of money? In the end, isn’t it you who has to pay it back? So, what’s the difference between you writing it and your mom writing it?" An Hao pushed the paper and pen in front of Qin Fen with a giggle, "Come on, hurry up and write! Once you do, you can get married at the end of the year."
Zhang Juyun and her daughter were almost infuriated to death by An Hao.
They were already at a disadvantage, and now, with An Hao’s meddling, they were completely on the back foot.
Qin Fen hesitated to write as he looked at the paper and pen on the table. An Hao gently tapped the desk, reminding him, "Let me tell you, don’t be foolish."
Her words were clear enough.
If you want to get married, you can, but the Song Family would either have to give up the bride price, so the bride could be brought home. Or, Qin Fen would have to sign an IOU and owe it for now.
After they became family, even if Qin Fen wanted to give his mother-in-law money, it’s probable that by then Song Yueqin would stop him from giving it anyway, right?
The problem had been solved for him; it was up to Qin Fen now to figure it out.
Li Junping was the first to grasp An Hao’s intention, and she urged Qin Fen, "Write it! Let’s write this IOU. Show your future mother-in-law that it’s not because we lack sincerity that we aren’t marrying. We truly are facing difficulties. Writing this IOU should let others see our determination, shouldn’t it?"
Even if news of this matter spread later, no one in the village could fault the Qin Family.
After all, it was entirely the Song Family’s fault.
The female side was pushing for marriage, demanding an excessive bride price without considering the man’s current difficulties in the slightest.
Seeing his mother also pressuring him to write the IOU, Qin Fen reluctantly wrote it down.
Zhang Juyun, seeing this, also resignedly accepted the IOU.
Although they didn’t get the money in hand, having an IOU was certainly better than nothing. Song Yueqin couldn’t possibly stay at home any longer, for if she did, it would only become a source of worry in the end.
"There. You see how well that problem was solved. If both sides agree, then you two can discuss the wedding matters yourselves. I’m out of this now, so I’m going to the kitchen to see how the food is coming along." After saying this, An Hao lifted the curtain and left.
She went to the kitchen, carrying a thermal flask and a big enamel jar, heading to the back of the house.
Qin Jian had been working all morning and hadn’t had a break yet.
She needed to check on the Qin Family.
An Hao left the house and just happened to meet Qin Jian, who had just returned from dumping dirt, at the door. He was drenched in sweat, the beads of perspiration on his honey-colored skin gleaming dazzlingly under the sunlight.
"Tired, huh? You’ve been at it all morning. Take a break, why don’t you? There’s no rush; you can continue in the afternoon." As she spoke, An Hao stepped forward and poured a full jar of water from the thermal flask, handing it to Qin Jian.