Zhang Shifen opened the door to see Zhou Dajiang standing at the door, her brows furrowed.
It couldn’t be that they had another family meeting after going back yesterday.
Clearly, it was a family with nothing to its name, yet they met every few days to discuss this and that.
In her view, instead of scheming over these things, it would be better to consider how to improve oneself.
Zhou Dajiang had certainly noticed Zhang Shifen’s displeasure, but there was nothing he could do; aside from discussing the matter with Zhang Shifen, he didn’t know whom else to turn to.
"Do you know that yesterday Zhou Yong and I discussed the things needed for the wedding?"
It was because of this that Zhou Dajiang had hardly rested the night before.
Though he knew the situation was bad and that it was very likely going to cost a lot, he really hadn’t expected to bleed this much money.
"I don’t want to know," Zhang Shifen said bluntly. "Looking at you, I can tell it wasn’t a small sum."
"Anyway, you’ve saved up your salary for so long, you should be able to handle it."
Zhang Shifen guessed that the money wasn’t sufficient, so they were targeting her once more.
The thought alone made Zhang Shifen feel nauseous—whenever there was a need for money, they remembered her.
Zhou Lina yawned as she walked to the bedroom door, not expecting to overhear such a conversation.
The relationship was already so terrible, yet this person had the nerve to come knocking as if nothing had happened.
Truly, someone with thick skin could live well anywhere.
What to do? Of course, just stay here and keep listening to how Zhou Yong and his wife would make their outrageous demands this time.
In her past life, Zhang Shifen probably paid for Zhou Yong’s wedding, but this time, it was impossible for her to foot the bill; everything would depend on Zhou Dajiang.
Zhou Dajiang, looking at Zhang Shifen’s indifferent expression, just couldn’t hold back anymore. "How can you be so heartless?"
Hearing this, Zhou Lina wanted to hurl an entire lexicon of curses at Uncle Zhou for his blatant double standards.
Heartless? "Am I as heartless as you?"
"You locked us out, did you ever think about whether that was heartless?"
"Also, when we first got married, didn’t we agree? To each take responsibility for our own children’s affairs."
"How Zhou Yong’s wedding is arranged is your business; over the years, you too have saved quite a sum."
"As for me, I’ll take care of Xiao Na’s wedding—you can’t just say now we should focus on Zhou Yong’s wedding, then later prepare for Xiao Na’s together."
Zhang Shifen glared coldly at Zhou Yong, "I know all about your little schemes. You succeeded before because I did not think it necessary to make a fuss, after all, we were family."
"Now I understand, even though we share children, in your heart, there’s only Xiao Yong."
"I, I..." Zhou Dajiang indicated he could explain.
Zhang Shifen didn’t give him the chance at all. "There’s no need to explain; what’s the use of more explanations?"
"Since we signed the agreement initially, let’s follow that agreement."
"If we split now, you and Xiao Yong can live together, and I’ll take Xiao Na and Xiao Xuan."
"If you remember you have a son like Xiao Xuan, then take some living expenses."
"Of course, if you don’t have enough to make ends meet, it’s no problem—soon Xiao Na will pass her exam and have an extra source of income."
"If she doesn’t pass, that’s fine too; the three of us can survive on one salary."
Zhou Dajiang’s mouth opened wide; he truly had nothing more to say, considering she had made it clear they would get by with the salary of one or three people supporting three.
"I know we have an agreement, but really, I have no choice," Zhou Dajiang said, remembering what Zhou Yong had asked for the day before, he sighed helplessly.
"You have no idea; he wants me to prepare a sewing machine, a radio, and two Shanghai watches—one for men and one for women."
"And a new Phoenix Brand Bicycle."
"As for the rest, making them several new outfits, the bride price and all that, I won’t even mention."
Zhou Dajiang felt increasingly bitter as he thought about it, "I’ve calculated it, and it’s going to be about a thousand or so."
"Where would I get that much money?" Zhou Dajiang looked pitifully at Zhang Shifen.
"A thousand?" Oh my gosh, Zhang Shifen considered herself someone who had seen her fair share of things, but the other party’s asking price left her.
All Zhang Shifen could say was, "I’m impressed, really impressed. Which family’s daughter are you marrying off to?"
"They really know how to set a price."
"Did you agree to it for Zhou Yong?" Zhang Shifen sighed slightly.
She made up her mind to have a serious talk with Zhou Lina and her brother afterward.
After all, her family would never ask for such a high bride price from the groom’s side, nor would they agree to any excessive demands from Xiao Xuan’s future girlfriend’s family.
Zhou Dajiang nodded, "There was no choice, yesterday Xiao Hong cried so sadly."
"Really, I have never seen him so heartbroken before."
Zhang Shifen would have given advice in the past, that even if you love your child, you can’t spoil them without thinking.
But he would just let it go in one ear and out the other, now she couldn’t be bothered to advise anymore, "Sure, sure, if you think it’s okay, then go for it."
"Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t be keeping tabs on your money."
"Spend it however you want to spend it."
"Xiao Xuan is a sensible child, he won’t mind these things," Zhang Shifen assured.
Seeing that he clearly understood her stance but still avoided the outcome she wanted, "That, Shifen, I know it’s a bit too much."
Was this an attempt to force her? Zhang Shifen coldly said, "If you are asking for too much, then don’t talk about it."
"Zhou Yong has been working for several years now, doesn’t he have a few hundred saved up?"
"I support three people on my single salary, how could I have that much money saved up."
"If you don’t have the money, then you shouldn’t have agreed. If you agreed, then you have to follow through."
"You can borrow from whoever you like, it’s none of my business."
"Don’t expect me to help you pay back the loan."
"Alright, it’s not early anymore, I have to go to work,"
Zhang Shifen would rather go to work early and be busy than to stay here.
"By the way, I remember you asked me to lend the house to your nephew, saying that if tough times come, your brother could help."
"I don’t need their help; you’re the one facing this problem, so go to your brother."
"Look, with your salary for half a year, plus your previous savings, you must have at least four hundred."
"As for Xiao Yong’s savings, he must have at least two hundred."
"Then you can borrow two hundred from your brother and your parents, and you’ll have this sorted out."
"I don’t have much money."
"You can rest assured that I haven’t contributed to Xiao Yong’s wedding, and when Xiao Na gets married, I won’t ask you or Xiao Yong to contribute either."
Zhang Shifen wasn’t foolish, she suspected that after Zhou Yong’s wedding, they would ask Zhou Dajiang for money, and he would say it was a stepmother’s affection for her stepson.
Then he would promise to offer money when Zhou Xiaona gets married.
Humph, as if they hadn’t even thought of that from the start.