Three Major Items of Dowry

"Let them make a scene!"

Zhang Guiying sneered, "She's been married to Zhao Chengxin for six years, and I've been supporting her for six years. Now that she's unemployed, she dares to bare her teeth at me. Does she think she's above everyone else just because she has a job?"

"I'm in charge of my own job. If she dares to cause trouble, I'll beat her to a pulp."

Li Meifeng sighed.

She and Zhang Guiying were neighbors separated by a wall, and she knew Zhang Guiying's family affairs best. Zhao Chengxin's wife was indeed quite unreasonable at times.

Once it was confirmed that Zhang Guiying really wanted to sell her job, Li Meifeng said, "Your job will definitely sell. Rumors started last year that jobs will be changed to contract-based systems, and children won't be able to take over their parents' jobs. Everyone is uncertain and is thinking of finalizing their children's jobs before the official documents are issued."

This news is not unfounded.

On July 12th of last year, the news announced four policies to "abolish the system of children taking over succession," which were officially implemented on October 1st.

The news caused a nationwide uproar.

In order to pass on their secure jobs to their children, parents go to great lengths: some apply for medical retirement, others apply for permanent retirement, some rush to get married so that their children can work, and even those without jobs hurry to scrape together money to buy a job.

Back then, a job could fetch an astronomical price.

In those few days, Zhang Xia went to great lengths to get her a job, buying her new clothes and cooking delicious meals for her, her attitude was incredibly attentive.

But it only lasted a few days.

Once she got the job, Zhang Xia's attitude changed completely.

Zhang Guiying would never give up her job to such an ungrateful person. The moment she was reborn, Zhang Guiying decided to sell her job.

Calculate the time.

The policy will be released in six days.

Zhang Guiying told Li Meifeng not to rush, to hold off on discussing prices and keep an eye on things. The more candidates the better; once the policy is released, the highest bidder wins.

Li Meifeng took this matter to heart.

For three consecutive days.

Zhang Guiying did not go to the hospital.

On Sunday, the day she was discharged from the hospital, Zhang Guiying still did not show up, and Li Shufen's face was ashen.

Although Zhao Jinzhong took leave to take care of her at the hospital for a few days.

Can Zhao Jinzhong and Zhang Guiying be compared?

Only by winning over Zhang Guiying, Mingyu's future mother-in-law, can she live a life of dignity in the Zhao family.

What does it mean that Zhang Guiying is not coming to the hospital?

Is he dissatisfied with her or with Mingyu?

Li Shufen was furious at Zhang Guiying's silent protest. Mingyu hadn't even entered the house yet, and Zhang Guiying dared to give her attitude. If Mingyu entered the house, wouldn't she eat Mingyu alive?

Song Mingyu was also furious, feeling that Zhang Guiying didn't value her at all.

After discussing it, the mother and daughter decided to teach Zhang Guiying a lesson.

Zhao Jinzhong was busy arranging his discharge from the hospital.

Even Li Shufen's husband, Song Beiping, and her son, Song Mingzhi, couldn't get involved. After completing the discharge procedures, Zhao Jinzhong rented a tricycle and rode it to take Li Shufen home.

As soon as they got home, Li Shufen called Zhao Jinzhong into the house and asked him bluntly, "Jinzhong, tell me the truth, is your mother dissatisfied with Mingyu?"

Zhao Jinzhong's heart skipped a beat. "Auntie, that's not true. Mingyu is such a good girl, how could my mother not be satisfied?"

Li Shufen said with a stern face, "Zhao Jinzhong, I think you're a good kid, that's why I let Mingyu date you. If you lie to your aunt, I'll really be angry."

"..."

Zhao Jinzhong's forehead was sweating.

His mother refused to go to the hospital, and he made up countless excuses over the past few days.

But the Song family isn't stupid; how could they not understand?

Zhao Jinzhong hung his head and remained silent.

Li Shufen said with a stern face, "How can I feel at ease letting Mingyu marry into your family with your mother like this?"

Zhao Jinzhong quickly explained, "Auntie, my mom really isn't dissatisfied with Mingyu. Some things have happened in our family these past few days, and my mom is very angry. She really wasn't targeting Mingyu."

He swore that he would treat Song Mingyu well from now on.

Li Shufen wasn't buying it. Seeing that he wouldn't understand, she gave Song Mingyu a meaningful look.

Song Mingyu spoke bluntly, "Zhao Jinzhong, with your mother like this, my parents really don't dare let me into your house. If you want to marry me, your family should show some sincerity."

"Mingyu, just tell me, and I'll agree to anything you can do."

"It's time for us to talk about marriage. Go back and tell your mother that if we get married, your family must provide a dowry of 2,000 yuan. Nowadays, it's not fashionable to have 'three turns and one sound' for weddings. It's fashionable to have 'three big items': refrigerator, TV, and washing machine. If your family can provide these things, I will marry you."

"..."

Zhao Jinzhong gasped.

The three main items alone will cost around three thousand yuan, plus the bride price of two thousand yuan, so it will cost at least five thousand yuan.

He doesn't eat or drink, and he only earns nine hundred yuan a year.

Zhao Jinzhong looked troubled. "Mingyu, when my elder brother and sister-in-law got married, my family gave 500 yuan as a bride price and three watches and one radio. Can we just follow my elder brother's standard?"

"no."

With her hands on her hips and a stern face, Song Mingyu said, "When your older brother and sister-in-law got married, a dowry of 500 yuan and the 'three turns and one sound' (referring to a set of three watches and a radio) were the top-tier treatment. Your sister-in-law had this top-tier treatment, so why can't I?"

"What, in your heart, am I not as valuable as your sister-in-law, that college graduate?"

Zhao Jinzhong immediately pledged his loyalty, "Of course not. In my heart, you are the best. Even a fairy descended from heaven cannot compare to you."

"So, do you have any other opinions?"

Zhao Jinzhong said with a bitter face, "I have no objection. I would give my life to you willingly. The main thing is my mother... I need to go home and discuss this with my parents."

"Then go back and discuss it."

Zhao Jinzhong left with a worried look on his face.

Song Beiping felt the conditions were too harsh and couldn't help but speak up for Zhao Jinzhong, "Zhao Jinzhong's parents' combined monthly salary is at most 150. Asking them for two 2000 dowries and three major items is just deliberately making things difficult for them."

Li Shufen glared, "Who told Zhang Guiying to be so ungrateful? If she were to be completely subservient to our family, would I make things difficult for her?"

He then reminded Song Mingyu, "Don't be soft-hearted. If you don't take this opportunity to get Zhang Guiying under your control, you'll be bullied to death by her in the future."

Song Mingyu listened to the advice and nodded vigorously, "Mom, don't worry. You and Dad raised me so well, not so that I would be mistreated by someone else. If Zhao Jinzhong can't give me a good life, I won't stay with him."

"It's good that you understand the situation."

Zhao Jinzhong returned home with a heavy heart.

It's the weekend, and the whole family is off work. Some are cleaning, some are washing things. When Zhao Jinzhong entered the yard, he saw Zhang Guiying sweeping the yard with a large broom.

He quickly went over and took the broom from her hand. "Mom, let me sweep."

You know your own son best.

Zhang Guiying glanced at him. "What mischief are you plotting now?"

"..."

Zhao Jinzhong hesitated to speak.

These past few days, his mother has been like a firecracker; she doesn't even need to be lit, she just explodes if you accidentally touch her.

He was afraid his mother would beat him.

But he also felt resentful. If his mother hadn't refused to go to the hospital to take care of Li Shufen, the Song family wouldn't have put forward such harsh marriage conditions.

It's still his mother's fault.

After mentally preparing himself, Zhao Jinzhong took a deep breath and explained the Song family's demands.