Reborn in the 80s, Get Rich by Eating Melons
Chapter 245: Resentment in the Heart

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Resentment in the Heart

Due to issues regarding the Tong Family, Tong Yao didn’t show up at the store for two days and neglected matters concerning Si Boyi and Zhang Lijuan. On the third day, when she went to the store, she learned from Gu Hongwei that Si Boyi had called twice.

Guessing that it must be about the wedding arrangement, Tong Yao called back, and as expected, the wedding had been fixed, albeit with some turbulence. When Chen Jinlan and Zhang Youfu met Zhang Lijuan, they picked up a laundry mallet in a rage ready to hit her. Upon seeing this, Si Boyi immediately shielded Zhang Lijuan and took the hit for her.

Si Boyi was exceptionally enduring, taking several hits without retaliating.

Despite Zhang Youfu’s fierce demeanor, his blows were not strong. Seeing Si Boyi protect his daughter, Zhang Youfu’s heart lightened a bit. Besides, with the village head persuading him, he backed off. The couple calmed down, invited the village head to discuss the matters of the wedding. They still held onto the 101 yuan dowry, along with the sewing machine gift. However, they canceled the television and the bike.

Chen Jinlan felt as if she had suffered a huge loss, keeping a straight face throughout the process as if someone owed her millions. On the other hand, for once, Zhang Youfu was able to make a decision, which made him very happy.

He was very satisfied with the wedding arrangement; he didn’t have any complaints about his son-in-law or the dowry, so aside from looking angry when he hit Si Boyi, he kept a smiling face ever since.

The wedding date was decided to be on the 22nd of the last lunar month - less than two months from now. The rush was to prevent an accident if Zhang Lijuan was to get pregnant; it would be unseemly to have a large belly at the wedding.

Just when everything was settled, and everyone was ready to leave, Chen Jinlan made another request - she wanted the Si family to bear the cost of the banquet. In this era, the banquet did not cost much, so Si Boyi didn’t think the request was too excessive. He agreed to her terms without consulting his family, which finally brought a smile to Chen Jinlan’s face.

After explaining everything, Si Boyi worriedly said, "Sister, since you and big brother weren’t there, I agreed to bear the cost of the banquet on my own. I hope you don’t mind."

Setting aside her bias against Zhang Lijuan, Tong Yao evaluated the situation objectively: "No problem, you did the right thing. They made compromises, so we can’t be too stingy. The banquet won’t cost much. I’ve discussed it with your brother. We’ll contribute 200 yuan as gift money for your wedding. Furthermore, we’ll buy you a new bed. But I have a small request. When you get married, could you move into the room Mom currently lives in? We can ask her to move into the room I used to live in."

Since it was Si Chen’s younger brother’s wedding, given the conditions, Tong Yao would not treat Si Boyi unfairly. However, she couldn’t accept the idea of someone else living in her bridal room, so she suggested that he change rooms.

Of course, Tong Yao’s request wasn’t unreasonable. Normally, the main room is left for the parents to live in. Initially, Lin Fengying was worried about inconveniencing Tong Yao, which prompted her to give up her room to Tong Yao to use as her bridal room.

When Si Boyi heard that Tong Yao was going to contribute 200 yuan as a gift and also buy a new bed, he was so shocked he didn’t know what to say. Even when it’s their own son’s wedding, parents might not be able to spare this much. Tong Yao was even going to gift a new bed.

Since he had initially planned to borrow money from Tong Yao, but now there was no need for it. He was deeply touched. He was aware that the money at home mostly came from Tong Yao’s store earnings. If Tong Yao wasn’t willing to part with her money, she wouldn’t have offered him that much. The saying ’A good sister-in-law is better than a good brother’ really held true.

After all, no matter how good a brother is, if the sister-in-law isn’t good, even if he gave his money, it could lead to disputes in the family. In such a case, the money would be hard to use.

Si Boyi silently decided that he would take care of his brother’s store as a way to return the favor.

When it comes to Tong Yao’s request, Si Boyi didn’t find it unreasonable. According to customs of Li City, it is considered unlucky for the same room to be used for two brides.

With his voice filled with happiness, he said, "Sister, I had planned on discussing this matter with you. Mom mentioned that she wants to move to your room. She wanted me to let you know."

Tong Yao found it unexpected that her mother-in-law was quite resourceful. Since it indeed was a happy occasion that her brother-in-law was getting married, Tong Yao’s mood improved significantly. "Alright, I’ll call mom later and ask her to find someone to build a new bed for you guys."

After hanging up, Tong Yao called Lin Fengying. The house didn’t have a phone installed yet, so she had to call the village head’s house and asked them to call Lin Fengying to come and take the call. After a back-and-forth hassle of ten minutes, Lin Fengying hurried from the fields to take the call.

"Yaoyao, Boyi and Lijuan’s wedding date has been set. It’s on the 22nd of the last lunar month. Can you and Xiaochen make it then?"

These past few days, Lin Fengying had been all smiles. Every time someone saw her, they complimented how fortunate she was, her younger son was getting married, and by next year she could be holding two grandchildren.

However, she was unclear about what was happening with her older son’s side, as there has not been any news of Tong Yao getting pregnant.

"I should have time. I’ll confirm with Ahchen tonight. For Boyi’s wedding, I plan to purchase a new bed for him. Can you help me find a carpenter to build a new bed according to their preferences?"

In this era, very few people purchased ready-made beds. Most of them hired carpenters to make the beds. The quality of the beds was quite good. A new bed could last more than twenty years. If the quality was even better, then as some netizens would say, ’people leave, but the bed remains.’

"Buying a new bed?" Lin Fengying staggered for a moment, thinking of saying something, but hesitated and kept quiet.

"Yes, why?" Tong Yao sensed something was wrong from her mother-in-law’s tone and further inquired, "Is there a problem?"

"No, there’s nothing." Lin Fengying replied, stumbling upon her words.

Since her elder son was doing well now, she expected him to support his younger brother financially for his marriage. But buying a bed alone seemed too stingy.

However, she didn’t want to voice these thoughts out in front of her daughter-in-law. She thought to herself, perhaps the customs in Kyoto were different. She should find an opportunity to discuss this with her elder son.

Previously, her elder son was reluctant to fund for her younger son’s TV, likely because Tong Yao disapproved. Although Tong Yao didn’t do anything wrong, Lin Fengying felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Thinking of the questions the villagers have been asking her lately, she diverted the topic and hinted, "Boyi is getting married soon, and if there are some good news from you and Xiaochen, then this year we would be double-blessed. Next year we could have two more members in our family, making it double joy for the family again."

Tong Yao was savvy enough to catch the implication in Lin Fengying’s words. Was she pressuring her to have grandchildren?

Pretending not to understand the implications in Lin Fengying’s words, she deflected the conversation and found an excuse to hang up.

"When are Boyi and Lijuan getting married?" Gu Hongwei, who was sitting beside and doing the bills, casually inquired. Since he grew up with them, they shared a good rapport. Now that Si Boyi was getting married, if he could make it back, he could lend a hand.

While sorting coins at the counter, Tong Yao answered, "It’s the 22nd day of the last lunar month. If you get your break early, you can lend a hand at the store for a few days more. Then we can head home together, okay?"