Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 256 True or False First Love 56_1

Chapter 256: Chapter 256 True or False First Love 56_1

Zhang Shifen’s job transfer sparked some discussion, with many considering her behavior as an act of caprice.

Especially when Zhou Dajiang was seen storming into Zhou Lina’s home one evening to express his dissatisfaction,

the words Zhang Shifen fired back in response got around as well.

Some said it’s no wonder Zhou Lina is so domineering—it’s all because she has a mother who’s the same way.

Others felt that Zhou Dajiang was truly overbearing. Despite not contributing to household expenses, he still complained about Zhang Shifen’s reduced income.

Of course, everyone was more curious about how much dowry Zhou Dajiang had to prepare for his son’s marriage.

When asked, Zhou Lina stated they were not concerned with the matter, "My mother and Uncle Zhou’s finances are separate. Zhou Yong is Uncle Zhou’s son; he’s wholly responsible for it."

Zhang Shifen was of the same mind. In any case, no one would ever get a word out of them about how much dowry they were going to give to the Luo Family.

Though Zhang Shifen and her daughter kept a tight lid on the subject, not revealing much, some were already greatly displeased with the dowry.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Yang family were very resentful—Yang Zhaodi resented that Zhou Dajiang had borrowed three hundred for Zhou Yong’s marriage without knowing when he’d be able to repay it.

Zhou Hong’s wife was angry because although they were both daughters-in-law of the Zhou Family, the dowry given to Luo Lili was much more than what she received.

Even though she had joined the family earlier and the two families had agreed on an average dowry at the time, when it came to Zhou Dajiang’s turn to welcome a daughter-in-law, he spent lavishly. Who would be content with that?

Zhou Hong’s wife, fuming, casually mentioned the dowry the Yue family demanded for Zhou Yong, knowing it was shocking enough without any exaggeration.

Even without embellishment, the mention of these items alone was enough to stun everyone.

"No wonder Zhou Dajiang is eyeing his daughter-in-law’s purse."

"No wonder Zhou Dajiang’s wife couldn’t stand it anymore, keeping tabs on her job, calculating her purse."

"Finally I understand why Zhang Shifen called him less than a man, incapable of providing for the family, accusing him of favoritism and selfishness—it truly is selfishness."

"It’s really favoritism. How much does he earn in a month?" Generally, one could guess a person’s income.

"Marrying off a son would cost two years of his salary."

Everyone felt that Zhou Dajiang had truly lost his mind. Even if the other party agreed to bring the entire dowry back, that was the young couple’s own wealth, completely irrelevant to Zhou Dajiang.

When someone knew the exact value of the dowry, they naturally asked Zhou Lina if she was aware of it.

Zhou Lina certainly knew, but she feigned surprise, "So Uncle Zhou isn’t without money; he just spent it all on his son’s wedding."

"Truly a good father," Zhou Lina said and continued to focus on crunching numbers.

After all, this was her job, and what else could she say? Express discontent?

Ah? That’s it? There was no follow-up from Zhou Lina, just an expression of understanding, but for others, it left a sour taste.

It was only if Zhou Lina had something to say that the topic could continue, "Don’t you think the dowry is a bit too much?"

One hand kept calculating data, "Whether the dowry is too much, that’s not for me to worry about."

"As long as Uncle Zhou and the others think it’s fine, then it is."

"But isn’t he with your mom? Aren’t you worried at all?" someone continued to provoke.

"What’s there to worry about? Their wages have always been separate. Whatever amount Uncle Zhou wants to spend is their business," Zhou Lina responded.

Everyone suddenly understood, "But what if Zhou Dajiang doesn’t have enough money..."

"Then that’s his business. Whether it’s their savings or he borrows money, it’s his business, nothing to do with my mom."

Zhou Lina looked at the crowd suspiciously, "Don’t tell me you guys also borrowed money."

"If that’s the case, then it’s a trouble to find the creditor."

Everyone understood upon hearing this that Zhang Shifen and her daughter didn’t really care about how Zhou Yong’s wedding was managed, as long as they weren’t asked for money.

This news spread quickly, and the machinery factory was also informed. People who had lent Zhou Dajiang money immediately became anxious.

They really hadn’t known that Zhou Yong’s marriage required so much money, and they were even more unaware that Zhang Shifen didn’t care about this at all.

It meant they could only ask Zhou Dajiang himself for the money back, and the anxious crowd, of course, went to confirm with Zhang Shifen straight away.

Zhang Shifen was also very straightforward, "It’s Zhou Yong’s marriage, and Zhou Dajiang is responsible for this money."

"If you lent him any money, I’m sorry, but I won’t assume any responsibility."

"We each take care of our own household expenses."

Everyone immediately became frantic, they didn’t dare to surround Zhang Shifen asking for money. She was raising Zhou Xuan, and Zhou Dajiang had not contributed a penny, making it difficult for them to speak up.

People began to look for Zhou Dajiang, and especially when they met and reported how much they had each lent, they realized how serious the problem was.

"The dowry Zhou Dajiang’s son gave to the bride’s family, almost half of it was borrowed from us."

Everyone involuntarily took a sharp breath, "He couldn’t have borrowed money only from us, he probably also borrowed from his brother."

"Regardless of whether he borrowed or not, the way Zhou Dajiang did this, it’s really unscrupulous."

After discussing among themselves, they all went to Zhou Dajiang’s house to demand their money back.

Those with a kinder approach said, "Zhou Dajiang, my family needs money now, what do you say?"

"Zhou Dajiang, I’m telling you, no more borrowing, give me back my money," said those with a strong attitude.

And the most aggressive were like, "Zhou Dajiang, give me my money back immediately, or you’ll have to deal with the consequences."

Zhou Dajiang knew something was wrong the moment the dowry given to the Luo Family started making noise everywhere.

He was really angry about it, feeling that Zhou Dahai’s family had overstepped by letting this matter out.

Seeing his colleagues blocking his doorway, Zhou Dajiang wanted to negotiate with them, "After all, it’s my son’s big life event, he didn’t have a mother since he was young..."

Zhou Dajiang then repeated the same words he often said in front of Zhang Shifen, but unfortunately, while Zhang Shifen might have given him this face, would the crowd?

"Is it our fault that Zhou Yong grew up without a mother?"

Someone who knew some of the old stories said, "Isn’t it all your fault? When your wife was sick, you, being so stingy, thought that going to the hospital meant taking leave and losing money. You wanted her to just endure it."

"As a result, your wife’s condition was dragged out until it seriously worsened. When she finally went to the hospital, it was too late."

Time had passed for so long that everyone had almost forgotten this situation, especially since no one expected it to become so serious.

But now that he had to act all regretful, who would give him face? They all scoffed at him instead.

Watching the agitated crowd, what could Zhou Dajiang do? Not give back the money?

Someone had already started to clamor, "Giving so much for a dowry, is there a problem? Should we..."

The person meant to notify the labor union and let them handle this matter, but when it fell on Zhou Dajiang’s ears, it turned into notifying GWH.

This really scared Zhou Dajiang terribly, and he didn’t dare to pretend to be pitiful anymore; he could only pay the money back.