CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 301: A LAVISH BETROTHAL GIFT

Lin Cuifen looked at the delicious dishes being served on the table, somewhat in disbelief.

So... so much... braised fish, sweet and sour ribs, salt-baked shrimp... there were some dishes she couldn’t even name, but they were all meat.

This kind of food, even the old couple couldn’t possibly eat it every day! How was this completely different from what she’d heard?

Shouldn’t it be that villagers couldn’t even solve their food problems? How could they manage to eat fine grains? And such a variety of chicken, duck, fish, and seafood, such large shrimp and crabs that were difficult to buy in the Capital City, yet they could eat them. What was that dish? Old duck soup?

There was no way these things were brought by Zhang Yuan, she didn’t believe it. She already figured out what Zhang Yuan brought along the way, and there were definitely none of these.

The sight of these dishes, full of color, aroma, and taste, was making her mouth water uncontrollably.

She was fed up with eating train boxed meals during the journey, combined with the cold and poor accommodation, it was quite torturous. As the saying goes, transitioning from frugality to luxury is easy, but going from luxury to frugality is hard. She simply couldn’t bear to endure hardships anymore.

"Come, come, come, in-laws, grandma and grandpa, try this braised pork, it’s our Xiao Xue’s specialty dish! It’s particularly delicious! It’s also tender and easy to chew!" Grandpa Wang took the lead in serving the guests, but when he got to Zhang Haijun and his wife, he stopped, saying, "You young ones can serve yourselves, I can’t tell what you like! Don’t be shy, eat more!"

Lin Daliang stepped forward to pour wine for everyone and noticed Zhang Haijun wasn’t very responsive to him. He had already heard Zhang Yuan talk about the family’s situation, but fortunately, his eldest daughter didn’t have to live with a stepmother, so he didn’t particularly care about the couple’s attitude. If they ignored him, he just needed to do his duty as a host.

This was also taught to him by his eldest daughter, so he went ahead to pour wine for the two of them; it was dry red wine, very high-end.

Moreover, the tableware and cups used today were temporarily taken out by Lin Xue from her space, to show those who looked down on their family who exactly was the frog at the bottom of the well.

"Thank you..." Zhang Haijun surprisingly spoke a word of thanks.

This caught Lin Daliang a bit off guard, and he hurriedly said, "You’re welcome, eat more!"

Lin Cuifen smiled and nodded, taking the wine glass poured by Lin Daliang in hand, then nodded in thanks.

She had deliberately learned these social etiquettes from wealthy families to elevate her own status. Seeing such high-grade red wine and high-class wine glasses today, she couldn’t let herself lose face.

"In-laws, before we eat, I have something to say!" The old man stood up.

Seeing the old man stand, Lin Daliang had just finished pouring the wine, so he sat down.

On the younger side, Zhang Yang had already picked up a shrimp, but hearing his grandpa speak, Zhang Ting knocked the shrimp from his hand.

He glared unpleased at Zhang Ting. These past few days, he hadn’t eaten or slept well. Finally, here was something tasty, yet he wasn’t allowed to eat. It made him want to explode with anger.

He didn’t know what changed, but after arriving here, his mom and sister turned mean to him. Unable to resist, he glanced at Lin Xue, and when their eyes met, he shot her a fierce glare.

Lin Xue was baffled. Why glare at her when grandpa was the one speaking? This brat really was something, so she glared right back, thinking he was spoiled!

Her siblings were still well-mannered, each one being sensible and capable.

"The reason we came over this time is because of the kids’ marriage. We set the date earlier, so before eating, discussing the dowry is most important! We didn’t bring it up earlier to wait for Xiao Yuan’s dad to join us in discussing it. It’s not to slight our girl!" The old man happily said, "In-laws, if you have any requirements for the dowry, just mention them!"

Hearing this put Lin Cuifen at ease. Letting the in-laws state their demands, she knew how village marriage dowries worked, ranging from ten to a hundred yuan. Even if the in-laws asked for the moon, it would only cost a few hundred, negligible for the Zhang Family’s wealth.

Wang Cuihua and her husband, Lin Daliang, exchanged a look, then glanced at Bai Xianglan. The three of them nodded, leaving it to Lin Daliang to speak.

"Grandpa-in-law, these two kids really like each other, and there haven’t been conflicts since their engagement. As parents, we just hope our daughter can be happy. As for the dowry, you can just offer a token gift, since it’s just a custom!"

Lin Daliang’s training had made him quite eloquent and level-headed.

Lin Cuifen was slightly concerned inside. One shouldn’t underestimate rural people; such a ploy implies the old man couldn’t give little, right? A minimum of a thousand, and that’s so much money; enough for her...

Despite feeling a pinch in her heart, she kept a gentle smile, saying nothing, just sitting and watching.

"Would one yuan be okay?" Zhang Yang whispered to his sister’s ear, "Saying ’offer a token’ like they’re selling something?"

Zhang Ting pinched his arm hard, giving him a fierce warning look as he almost cried out.

This brother seemed decent usually but ever since coming here, managed to cross his grandparents time after time, with what benefit for him, she couldn’t imagine!

Brother Jianguo did mention... sigh, whatever, better think of a way to get back to the Capital City quickly.

"In-laws, traditionally, the dowry is proposed by the bride’s side and arranged by the groom’s side. You saying to just give a token doesn’t quite sit right. Offering too little or too much may cause disputes between families!" Zhang Haijun couldn’t help but speak up.

The old man wasn’t quick enough to stop him, and grandma only managed to pull him briefly; it didn’t stop him speaking out.

"Oh, what are you saying, Haijun? Too much or too little, doesn’t really matter; we’re not negotiating a business deal. Xiao Xue, that girl, is so excellent that any dowry is justified, right mom?" Then, warmly turning to ask granny!

"Yes! Cuifen is right! Our Xiao Xue is a granddaughter-in-law like no other!" Grandma unexpectedly cooperated with Lin Cuifen, calling her affectionately.

But Lin Cuifen couldn’t feel happy; Granny was messing with her. Whatever dowry amounts might come up later, she wouldn’t be able to argue once Granny suggested it, leaving her feeling uneasy.

"In-laws, what you’re saying isn’t right! What’s this talk of too much or too little and causing disputes! Our daughter isn’t relying on a dowry, nor would we take her dowry. This is merely a custom; a dowry represents good fortune, that’s why we’re saying a token offering is fine! You’re making it sound like we’re selling our daughter!" Lin Daliang couldn’t stand his eldest daughter being wronged. He favored her the most, and the thought of her suffering at her in-laws would be unbearable, so he quarreled with Zhang Haijun regardless of the occasion.

"Am I wrong? I..."

"Enough, behave!" Zhang Haijun was interrupted by the old man’s stern voice.

"In-laws, since you said to let us offer a token, then I won’t stand on ceremony, I’ll decide!" The old man smiled, looking across, "Just as his grandma said earlier, our granddaughter-in-law is unmatched! Let’s give a dowry of 11,001 yuan, symbolizing ’one in a million’! How does that sound to you?"