"Brother, do you know what happened today? I’m getting married, but the family can’t afford the bride price. I heard they borrowed some money from sister-in-law’s family. And what happened? She didn’t give me a single penny. Instead, she made me sign an IOU to Song Family," Qin Fen said, his heart brimming with grievance, "Tell me, she is my sister-in-law, isn’t she? Our family is in trouble right now. We’re just borrowing money from her to get by until things are better, and of course, we will pay her back eventually. But she just refused."
Qin Jian listened to his younger brother criticize An Hao, his brows gently furrowing, "Is the problem solved now?"
"Hmm. It’s sort of solved, I guess?" Qin Fen sighed.
"If it’s solved, then that’s that. What else is there to discuss?"
His young wife was not only young but also very sensible and literate; he trusted that if An Hao handled it this way, there must be a reason for it.
"Ah... but this has made my future mother-in-law and wife unhappy. What if we have conflicts after we’re married?" Qin Fen was dissatisfied and even blamed all the potential future family conflicts on An Hao.
"True love is not built on money. You’re thinking about it all wrong," Qin Jian said gravely, his face stern as he admonished Qin Fen, "Marriage is not child’s play. It must be built on the willing and equal basis of both parties..."
Qin Fen could tell that Qin Jian was defending An Hao’s reputation and interests at every turn.
"Alright, brother! Stop talking. I get it; now in your heart there’s only sister-in-law," he was quite unhappy with Qin Jian over this.
That Qin Fen could say such things truly chilled Qin Jian’s heart.
But Qin Fen was still young, and as his elder brother, he wouldn’t hold it against him, "Qin Fen, if you need money for the bride price, you could have just asked me directly. After discussing it with your sister-in-law, we would definitely have helped you."
"That’s great. Brother, can you give me three hundred yuan to start with?" He wanted to boast to Yueqin right away, asserting that he had the bride price, and he would make sure the wedding was a bustling celebration.
But before he could get excited, he heard Qin Jian resolutely say, "No. I can give you money to marry any other girl, but not Song Yueqin!"
"Not Song Yueqin? Why? Brother, are you protecting sister-in-law to the extent that it’s gotten ?" Qin Fen was seething with resentment.
Qin Jian was indifferent to Qin Fen’s criticism. As an elder brother, it was his duty to remind Qin Fen to think about his future path, "Song Yueqin is not a good girl! Her lifestyle is not admirable! Marrying her won’t bring you happiness! On the contrary, I’m very worried about your future!"
"You don’t need to worry about that." Qin Fen was completely unreceptive to Qin Jian’s words.
Only later in life, when the two of them started their daily life together, did he regret his decision back then.
"Fine. I won’t say more. You’re an adult, and you should have your judgment." With that, Qin Jian left.
.................................
The Qin Family’s affairs were almost settled, and Qin Jian and An Hao headed back to the city.
An Hao had already started school, but she had to take a few days off due to the family’s situation.
Qin Jian thought he could stay at home for a few more days to keep his young wife company, only to receive an unexpected call from the army that day, ordering him to return to the base.
During the days he was away, the local area suffered from seven or eight days of continuous rain. The ground became unstable, leading to landslides and massive collapses, with falling rocks completely burying the village.
The towns were heavily affected by the disaster, and as a stationed group army, they needed to quickly engage in rescue and relief efforts.