Siheyuan: Start with a Truck Driver

Qin Huairu felt relieved after Jia Zhang gave in, but she also understood that she must seize this opportunity to completely resolve the marriage issue between Xiaodang and Yan Jiefang.

She pursed her lips slightly, looked at Jia Zhang with a firm gaze, and said softly, "Mom, since you agree to release Xiaodang, then you should also agree to Jiefang and Xiaodang's marriage. You see, the children really love each other, and they have suffered a lot for this relationship. As elders, we can't always force the couple to break up. Please help them."

When Jia Zhang heard this, she immediately showed a look of dissatisfaction on her face. She frowned, narrowed her eyes slightly, and said unhappily: "Huh, what's so good about Yan Jiefang? He's so poor.

If our Xiaodang marries him, how can she have a good life in the future? I am doing this for Xiaodang’s own good.”

As Jia Zhang spoke, she waved the handkerchief in her hand, as if to emphasize her correctness.

Qin Huairu patiently persuaded: "Mom, although Jiefang is a little poor now, he is an honest man and is sincere to Xiaodang. Besides, they are still young and can work hard together in the future. Life will get better. We can't just focus on the immediate benefits and ignore the happiness of the children."

Jia Zhang remained unmoved. She curled her lips and said, "I don't care. I just don't agree. If they are together, they will definitely suffer in the future. I don't want Xiao Dang to suffer."

Qin Huairu looked at Jia Zhang's stubbornness and felt a little anxious. She knew that if she couldn't convince Jia Zhang, Xiaodang and Jiefang's marriage would be in trouble again. She thought about it and decided to persuade her in a different way.

"Mom, think about it, Xiaodang is locked up by you now, without food or water. If this continues, his body will surely collapse. Moreover, if you continue to disagree with their marriage, Xiaodang might do something stupid. By then, it will be too late for you to regret." There was a hint of worry in Qin Huairu's voice.

After hearing this, Jia Zhang was also a little shaken. She was silent for a while, and finally said, "Okay, but they can get married, but I have a condition." Jia Zhang's eyes flashed with a trace of calculation.

Qin Huairu's heart tightened and she asked, "Mom, what are your conditions?"

Jia Zhang raised her chin slightly and said, "I want the third uncle to give our family fifty yuan as a betrothal gift. Otherwise, I still don't agree to this marriage."

Qin Huairu sighed helplessly. She knew that Jia Zhang loved money, but this request was indeed a bit excessive. However, for the happiness of Xiaodang and Jiefang, she decided to discuss it with the third uncle.

Qin Huairu reluctantly came to the third uncle's house. At this time, the third uncle was sitting on a small bench in the yard, wearing glasses and reading a newspaper carefully. Seeing Qin Huairu coming, the third uncle raised his head slightly, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Qin Huairu smiled awkwardly, but the smile on her face seemed very forced, and her eyes were full of anxiety and helplessness. She slowly walked to the third uncle, lowered her head slightly, twisted her hands nervously, and then slowly said: "Third uncle, there is something I need to tell you. Jia Zhang agreed to Xiaodang and Jiefang's marriage, but she asked for a betrothal gift of fifty yuan."

After Qin Huairu finished speaking, she raised her head slightly and looked at the Third Uncle expectantly, hoping to get a good response from him. However, when she saw the Third Uncle's expression change instantly, her heart sank.

When the third uncle heard this, his face changed instantly, his brows furrowed, his eyes widened, and he said in surprise: "Fifty yuan for a betrothal gift? This Jia Zhang is too much! How can I have so much money?" The third uncle has always regarded money as his life. When he heard that such a large betrothal gift was required, he refused without hesitation.

"Qin Huairu, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that fifty yuan is too much. My family is not rich, how can I come up with so much money?" The third uncle frowned and waved his hands repeatedly, his face full of reluctance.

Qin Huairu looked embarrassed, her lips trembled slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes. She knew the temper of the Third Master and understood his difficulties. "Third Master, I know this request is a bit excessive, but that's what Jia Zhang said. Can you discuss it again? A little less is fine." Qin Huairu's eyes were full of expectation, trying to persuade the Third Master.

The third uncle shook his head firmly, his face darkening, "No, fifty dollars is too much, I definitely can't afford it. This matter is not negotiable."

  At this time, Yan Jiefang learned about the situation and rushed back home.

"Dad, please agree. I really want to be with Xiaodang. I will find a way to get the bride price." Yan Jiefang said anxiously.

The third uncle looked at Yan Jiefang, frowned slightly, and showed a trace of helplessness on his face. "Jiefang, it's not that Daddy doesn't want to help you, it's just that fifty yuan is not a small amount. Besides, isn't your salary used to pay for your living expenses? How can you afford the betrothal gift?" The third uncle shook his head, his tone full of worry.

Yan Jiefang gritted his teeth and said firmly: "I will work hard, work overtime and earn more money. I will definitely collect the money for the betrothal gift, please believe me."

The third uncle sighed, "Jiefang, I understand your intentions, but this matter is really difficult to handle. Jia Zhangshi has that temper. If her demands are not met, she will definitely not agree to this marriage."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Yan Jiefang's eyes, but he did not give up. "Please think of another way. I can't live without Xiaodang. I will definitely try my best to make Xiaodang live a good life." Yan Jiefang pleaded again.

The third uncle looked at Yan Jiefang's persistence and felt a little sorry for him. But he really didn't want to pay so much money as a betrothal gift, so he could only shake his head helplessly again.

"Jiefang, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I really can't do anything about it. You should think of other ways." After saying this, the third uncle turned around and left with his hands behind his back.

Yan Jiefang was filled with sorrow and had no other choice but to ask his colleague Zhao Ergou for money. He came to Zhao Ergou's workplace with a nervous mood, thinking about how to ask for money.

When he saw Zhao Ergou, a forced smile appeared on his face, which was full of embarrassment and helplessness. Yan Jiefang rubbed his hands and walked to Zhao Ergou awkwardly.

"Ergou, um... I need your help with something." Yan Jiefang's voice was a little low, with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

Zhao Ergou stopped what he was doing and looked at Yan Jiefang in confusion. "Jiefang, what's the matter? Tell me."

Yan Jiefang took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say, "Ergou, I want to borrow some money from you. I'm getting married, but the girl's family wants a dowry of fifty yuan, which I really can't afford." After saying that, Yan Jiefang lowered his head, not daring to look Zhao Ergou in the eye.

Zhao Ergou's eyes widened when he heard this. "Fifty yuan? That's not a small amount! Jiefang, why do you want so much as a betrothal gift?"

Yan Jiefang sighed helplessly, "Alas, there is nothing I can do about it. The girl's parents insisted on so much money, and I don't want to lose her, so I can only think of ways to get the money together. Ergou, can you help me? I will definitely pay you back in the future."

Zhao Ergou frowned, looking embarrassed. "Jiefang, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I just don't have that much money. My family isn't rich, and my monthly salary is barely enough to get by."

A trace of disappointment flashed across Yan Jiefang's eyes, but he still refused to give up. "Ergou, I know this is very difficult for you, but I really have no other choice. Can you lend me some, even a little bit? I will pay you back as soon as possible."

Zhao Ergou hesitated for a while, and finally shook his head, "Jiefang, I really can't help you. I want to help you, but I really don't have the money. You should think of another way."

Yan Jiefang's heart sank to the bottom. He knew that Zhao Ergou was telling the truth, but he couldn't force him.

"Okay, Ergou, I understand you. I'll think of another way."

After Yan Jiefang finished speaking, he turned around and left dejectedly.

Yan Jiefang now realizes the fickleness of human nature. Two months ago, Zhao Ergou made a mistake at work and was almost discovered by the workshop director. It was Yan Jiefang who found ways to cover it up.

It can be said that Yan Jiefang was Zhao Ergou's savior to some extent. But Zhao Ergou was reluctant to lend him even fifty yuan.

When Yan Jiefang returned to the gate of the courtyard in a daze, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the ancient courtyard wall like a golden veil, covering the entire courtyard with a layer of warm and mellow golden light.

When he saw the familiar figure, he suddenly raised his head, which had been lowered, with surprise and emotion in his eyes.

I saw Xiaodang standing there quietly waiting for me. Her figure looked particularly gentle in the sunset, as if she was a fairy walking out of a painting.

When Xiaodang saw Yan Jiefang, a shy but determined smile appeared on his face.

Her bright eyes sparkled with anticipation for the future and deep love for Yan Jiefang.

She walked quickly to Yan Jiefang, reached out and gently held his hand, those hands conveyed warmth and strength.

He said softly, "Brother Jiefang, I took out the money I have saved for many years, a total of fifty yuan. You can take this money and give it to Jia Zhang as a betrothal gift."

As he spoke, Xiaodang handed a small package carefully wrapped in a handkerchief to Yan Jiefang.

Although the handkerchief was a little old, it was washed clean by Xiaodang. There were also a few elegant little flowers embroidered on it, as if symbolizing their pure and beautiful love.

Yan Jiefang stared at Xiaodang in a daze, and his eyes instantly turned red.

His eyes were full of gratitude and guilt. He held Xiaodang's hands tightly. His hands were trembling slightly, as if telling the waves in his heart.

He said in a trembling voice: "Xiaodang, you... How can I feel embarrassed to do this? This is the money you saved with great effort.

Why don't you keep it for yourself? How can I use your money as a betrothal gift?"

Xiaodang looked at Yan Jiefang tenderly, his eyes full of love. That love was like clear lake water, able to embrace everything.

"Brother Jiefang, we are going to be a family soon, so what's yours and mine?

As long as we can be together, none of this matters. I just hope we can live happily together and face the ups and downs of the future together. "Xiaodang's voice was gentle and firm, like a spring breeze, sweeping away the haze in Yan Jiefang's heart.

Yan Jiefang was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He hugged Xiaodang into his arms and held her tightly, as if he was afraid that she would disappear if he let go. "Don't worry, Xiaodang, I will treat you well in the future and try my best to make you live a good life. I will spend my whole life protecting you and will not let you suffer any grievances."

Yan Jiefang's oath echoed in the air, full of strength and determination.

Yan Jiefang came to the Jia family with a gift, full of nervousness and expectation. He stood at the door of the Jia family, took a deep breath, and then knocked on the door gently. Jia Zhang's familiar and somewhat impatient voice came from inside the door: "Who is it?" Yan Jiefang replied: "Auntie Jia, it's me, Jiefang."

Jia Zhang opened the door and saw Yan Jiefang standing at the door, still with his usual dissatisfaction on his face. Yan Jiefang carefully handed the fifty yuan betrothal gift to Jia Zhang, and Jia Zhang's eyes widened instantly, her face full of surprise. She really didn't expect that the always stingy third uncle's family would actually take out fifty yuan for the betrothal gift.

Jia Zhang grabbed the money, counted it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, her expression eased a little. However, just when Yan Jiefang thought that the matter was finally resolved, Jia Zhang suddenly rolled her eyes and changed her mind.

"Humph, fifty yuan is not enough, I want a hundred yuan as a betrothal gift." Jia Zhang said confidently, with her hands on her hips. Yan Jiefang was stunned when he heard this, his face full of shock and anger.

"Auntie Jia, how could you do this? We just agreed on a betrothal gift of 50 yuan, and now you want 100 yuan. Isn't this going back on your word?" Yan Jiefang was so anxious that his voice trembled.

However, Jia Zhang was not moved at all. "Fifty yuan is not enough for my Xiaodang's wealth. One hundred yuan, not a penny less." Jia Zhang's attitude was very tough, as if she had Yan Jiefang in her arms.

Yan Jiefang was so angry that he was shaking all over. Looking at Jia Zhang's greedy appearance, his heart was filled with helplessness and despair.

Yan Jiefang was furious, and the anger that had been suppressed for a long time burst out like a raging tide. His eyes were red, as if burning with fire, and the veins on his forehead were bulging like a twisted earthworm. "Auntie Jia, you can't be so excessive!" Yan Jiefang roared at the top of his lungs, and the sound seemed to penetrate the entire courtyard.

However, Jia Zhang had no intention of giving in and remained arrogant. She put her hands on her hips, her eyes wide open, and said viciously: "Humph, I went too far, so what? One hundred yuan for the betrothal gift, not a cent less!"

Yan Jiefang could no longer control his emotions and suddenly rushed forward like an enraged lion.

He raised his fist and, with full of anger, hit Jia Zhang's face hard.

Jia Zhang staggered and almost fell to the ground, but she quickly reacted and the anger in her heart was completely ignited.

"You dare to hit me!" Jia Zhang screamed and rushed towards Yan Jiefang with her teeth and claws bared. She stretched out her hands with long nails and tried to scratch Yan Jiefang's face. Yan Jiefang dodged Jia Zhang's attack, but couldn't help but continue to punch her.

The two men started fighting fiercely in the house, and the scene was in chaos.

The furniture was knocked all over the place, the table was overturned, and the chairs were kicked far away.

Cups, plates and other items were smashed to pieces, and the fragments were scattered all over the floor. Yan Jiefang and Jia Zhang were both furious, completely disregarding the consequences, and only thinking about gaining the upper hand in this fight.

Sometimes they pushed each other, sometimes they hugged each other.

Yan Jiefang pushed Jia Zhang away with force, but Jia Zhang immediately rushed back and grabbed Yan Jiefang's clothes tightly.

Their hair was disheveled and their faces were covered in bruises.

There were several scratches on Jia Zhang's face from Yan Jiefang's nails, and Yan Jiefang's arms were also scratched by Jia Zhang. (End of this chapter)