Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 1541: The Heart of Comparison 3

"Does your son have money?" Feng Qingxue suddenly asked.

"He said he doesn’t. He wants us to cover the costs of buying the wedding supplies," Peng Aihong replied. "But I know this isn’t entirely true. He’s been working for seven years now. Back then, he took over my father’s position at the machinery factory, and his salary increased from a little over twenty yuan to now over forty. Since Zhou, as a senior, also has a salary every month, taking care of Zhou Fei’s expenses hasn’t been too much of a burden for us. So, we’ve never asked him for money, nor have we heard of him buying any large, expensive items. Recently, it’s just the expenses for his dating that have been a bit higher; he’s been dining out and watching movies frequently. Even if he saved five yuan a month, that would mean saving sixty yuan a year. In seven years, he should have saved several hundred yuan, yet he’s telling us he has no money."

This kind of son is truly a disappointment.

Feng Qingxue shook her head. "Aihong, I’ve calculated it. Three essentials—the bike, sewing machine, and watch—and the thirty-six legs for furniture, all domestically made, would cost at least six to seven hundred yuan. Imported goods are another matter, but if they can’t get a domestic watch, they’re likely to demand an imported one, which costs several times more than a domestic watch. Then there’s the bedding and household goods, which you’ll also need to buy, right? Clothes and shoes, too—another significant expense. And if they go on to demand a long wool coat for Su Meixiang, it would cost no less than a thousand yuan. The marriage wouldn’t come to fruition!"

Peng Aihong said, "With the ration tickets, it comes down to over twelve hundred yuan. My husband Zhou and I meticulously calculated it. And on top of that, the bride’s family is asking for 188 yuan. Essentially, it’s a dowry, but they don’t call it that, afraid people would make fun of them."

"They’re already this greedy? Aihong, have you lost your mind? And you still want to form an alliance by marriage?" Ding Min said incredulously.

"Exactly, Aihong! If you agree to their current terms, they’re very likely to keep pushing further, coming up with even more demands," Feng Qingxue thought to herself. In this era, finding a pushover isn’t easy, but the bride’s side is clearly trying to pin the Zhou Family down, attempting to dominate them and bully them endlessly.

Peng Aihong shuddered, her expression full of worry and sorrow. "What should we do then?"

Feng Qingxue didn’t respond. The best solution was simple: don’t agree, don’t compromise, and let them throw their tantrums on their own. If the bride’s family doesn’t get what they want, they’re very likely to break off things with Zhou Cheng and move on to find another gullible family.

When it comes to marriage, it’s perfectly reasonable for the bride’s side to have a few requests. Whether these requests are met can reveal the groom’s attitude. If they ask for nothing at all, it might lead the groom’s family to look down on them. If the husband is reliable, it doesn’t matter if there’s a "bare wedding." But if he’s not dependable, it could end miserably for the bride after giving up her youthful years in vain. However, asking for too much is unreasonable—after all, isn’t every child raised by their parents with care?

Zhou Cheng’s partner asking for the three essentials and the thirty-six legs is reasonable—a little high, but not excessive. But threatening to halt the wedding unless she gets a wool coat is truly crossing the line.

Ding Min, who had a good relationship with Peng Aihong, said outright, "Then stall."

"Stall?" Peng Aihong hesitated, worried that her son might sever ties with her and her husband over this.

"Of course, stall! Don’t agree to anything. Let them buy whatever they want themselves. You already have the bicycle coupon and wardrobe coupon, right? Give those to them. Let them pay for everything else themselves. As for anything more than that, no way!" Ding Min said bluntly. "Your son is already this unfilial, and you’re still thinking about him? In the future, he’ll surely be completely under her thumb."