"Hisss!" Hearing Lin Zhaodi's matter-of-fact statement, the surrounding villagers all gasped in shock!
Suddenly, hushed private conversations began to emerge, one after another.
In the era of Longhua Country, when the average farmer's monthly income is only about five or six big silver coins, and even a small town worker earns no more than twenty big silver coins a month, to demand 300 big silver coins for a bride price right off the bat, this, this is practically selling flesh!
And it's even more expensive than selling flesh!
Even if Zhang Shan Ni has always been a capable and good girl in the village, she can't command such a price!
Shanglin Village is relatively remote, and most families there ask for only ten to twenty big silver coins as a wedding gift. She's asking for more than a whole year's salary of a Level 3 worker—how many people in the village could afford to marry her?!
At the same time, many women and young men of Zhang Shan Ni's age felt a sense of 'fortunate' relief. Fortunately, they hesitated, and that saved them the embarrassment of being a laughingstock in public!
As for what the city folks say about three spins and a jingle or other bridal gift customs like Shen Ma, there's no such practice in the countryside today. To be able to bring a bride price to the husband's family is already very generous and honest.
For instance, the two daughters of Zhang Zhiguo who are already married are often praised by the villagers. Why is there such a big difference when it comes to San Ni?!
However, while the bride price in the countryside isn't much, offerings like the triple meat gift and other etiquettes are still expected, and, if affordable, some furniture or cigarettes, spirit, and wedding candies are also provided—things used for wedding banquets. These odds and ends can cost the two families no less than a hundred big silver coins.
But a demand for 300 big silver coins for a bride price is something only city people would ask. Country folks are generally decent and marrying off children is about joining two surnames in harmony, not about creating enemies! Lin Zhaodi's demand for 300 big silver coins has indeed caused the onlooking villagers to secretly say:
The Zhi Country family is really not decent!
Yan Jinsu heard the words of Zhang Shan Ni's biological mother and looked hopefully towards the young man who had spoken out. Was this the young man who saved her?
But 300 big silver coins is no small amount, and in a time when pork is only seventy to eighty cents, 300 big silver coins is a Level 3 worker's entire annual salary!
It was at this moment that Yan Jinsu realized that the young man was very tall and robust indeed, at least 1.9 meters, right?!
Uh, maybe she had gotten shorter? She used to be 1.67 meters, but this body she's in now definitely can't be that tall! Even the line of sight is off!
He looks... quite ordinary, with big eyes, thin lips, and a tough-guy demeanor. His gaze is sharp, yet it gives the impression that he can be relied upon. Coupled with his robust build, though a bit dark, in this era, such a young man is quite popular!
Xie Jingchen looks at the girl in front of him who's dark and svelte, nervously biting her lower lip and looking over to him through Aunt Qiangzi. Her big eyes seem to be able to speak, and thinking of the precise mission of his return, and considering that he has held this girl, as a Rong Wei, he must take responsibility for his actions. Plus, he very much likes her defiant nature; at least she dares to defy her fate, just like himself!
He glanced at Lin Zhaodi, then at the young girl staring at him with wide eyes. Was she even eighteen yet?
Once the surrounding discussions ceased, he turned around and told Zhang Hongqiang, "Uncle Qiangzi, I can provide the silver, but this family must sign a 'severance agreement' with her, cutting off all ties of gratitude and obligation from then on!"
Hearing Xie Jingchen's resonant and emphatic words, the onlookers, who initially thought the demands made by the Zhang family were excessive, now felt that the young man's actions were a bit too much.
Some recognized who he was and then saw him as a promising young leader, thinking more thoroughly than they did! He was currently nipping potential troubles in the bud, ensuring a worry-free future!
"Why should I?!" Lin Zhaodi, upon hearing the young man's words, angrily shouted back. She might be illiterate, but she knew exactly what cutting off all ties meant!
"It's precisely because you're forcing her to marry someone else in exchange even as she's about to jump into a river, you're selling your daughter, not marrying her off!" While Xie Jingchen had a good impression of Zhang Shanni, he had absolutely no regard for the elder woman before him and spoke quite rudely.
Lin Zhaodi wanted to retort, but she realized her son was pulling at her desperately.
"Mom, what are you ranting about? Just agree quickly!"
As soon as Zhang Dongliang heard that the other party was willing to pay 300 coins, he immediately urged his mother to accept. As for a severance agreement, with San Ni's timid nature, wasn't it them who would dictate everything anyway? Where would she get the right to sever ties or sever obligations?
Right now, his mind was completely filled with the thought of 300 coins!
Seeing her son's anxious demeanor and thinking of how San Ni always listened to her parents, Lin Zhaodi also snapped back to reality and said joyfully,
"Fine, as long as you give the 300 coins, you can take this worthless girl with you!" After all, Zhang Shanni had been touched and embraced by someone else, and her reputation was surely gone in front of most villagers.
She also noticed that the man who was initially arranged to marry her had run off long ago. Lin Zhaodi intuitively thought he must no longer find Zhang Shanni appealing, and she sneered inwardly, cursing: Oh, she really thinks she's a goddess, desired by everyone!
As for Lin Aiguo, he had already fled back to Old Lin Village as soon as people recognized him, so his cowardly escape was mocked for a long time by the young men behind him, calling him a shameless old fool!
Due to his cowardice, he had no idea that after he ran away, his betrothed was sold off by Lin Zhaodi and her son at the sight of silver! Of course, since he was such a coward to run away, being misunderstood by Lin Zhaodi was just desserts.
What Lin Aiguo would never imagine was that because of this unexpected windfall, even his sister, whose marriage had been delayed because of him, would become selfish for once! But that's a story for another time.
Seeing how the Zhang family of three was easily swayed by money, the always silent Yan Jinsu secretly felt delighted, yet she continued to lower her head, not daring to let anyone discover the joy on her face.
"Uncle Qiangzi, look, could you stand up for me as a witness? Elders, please also be witnesses for me, thank you!" Xie Jingchen took out a pack of 'Shuangxi' brand cigarettes from the backpack tossed on the ground and distributed one to each of the old men present.
Prompted by his father, Zhang Zhiming had already helped lead people to the village office with Xie Jingchen.
It was because the village office was not far from the pond, and there were many old trees around that when the elderly had some free time, they loved to sit under the cool shade of the trees and chat.