Chapter 17: The Lavish Bride Price

Lin Junsheng stood in the kitchen. He was not about to indulge his second uncle.

“Uncle, just look at what second uncle said earlier—is that truly the conduct befitting an elder?”

Lin Junsheng’s gaze was unwavering as he stared directly into Lin Guodong’s bloodshot eyes, inflamed with anger.

“You only know how to cover your faults with scolding. Have you ever considered that if it weren’t for your drunken misconduct that night, sister-in-law Qin Yulan wouldn’t have suffered such misfortune? A six-month-old child, who hadn’t even seen the world yet, was…”

His voice carried an undeniable firmness, each word like a sharp blade cutting precisely into the most painful wounds Lin Guodong wished to avoid.

At this point, Lin Junsheng’s tone softened slightly, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes.

Lin Guodong’s face immediately turned ashen; his clenched fists trembled, as if on the verge of explosion.

“You… you little brat! How dare you speak to me like that!”

One night last year, Lin Guodong came home drunk, his senses muddled, and mistakenly entered the wrong room.

Qin Yulan, six months pregnant, stood at the doorway, only to fall victim to this cruel accident.

Lin Guodong’s kick not only shattered the door but also crushed all of Qin Yulan’s hopes and happiness.

Blood stained the floor and the hearts of the Lin family.

When Lin Guoxiang heard the news and rushed over, he found his wife lying in pain on the ground, despair and fury filling his eyes.

If it weren’t for others holding him back, he would have lost control and beaten Lin Guodong severely.

After that, the Lin family was completely divided; Lin Guoxiang moved with Qin Yulan out of the village.

They relocated to the nearby town to make a living, hoping to offer Qin Yulan a fresh start.

Lin Junsheng’s words were like a key, unlocking long-sealed memories.

A flicker of pain and regret crossed Lin Guodong’s face, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

“You don’t understand! That was… that was a momentary lapse…” His voice trembled, yet he refused to admit his fault.

Seeing this, Lin Junsheng felt a surge of inexplicable sadness.

To make this elder bow his head and admit his mistake was nearly impossible.

Yet Lin Junsheng understood even more clearly that he could not allow his stubbornness to let his sister, Xiaowan, suffer the same fate.

“Second Uncle, do you really want Xiaowan to repeat sister-in-law’s tragedy?”

Lin Junsheng’s voice was low but each word pierced Lin Guodong’s heart like a dagger.

This was both a question and a warning.

“Is this the same thing?” Lin Guodong glared fiercely at Lin Junsheng.

But soon, as if struck by a heavy blow, he became listless.

Lowering his head, he hurried away, leaving behind heavy footsteps.

Zhang Youcai did not stop Lin Guodong but turned his gaze toward Lin Junsheng.

“So, what do you think is a fair compensation?”

Li Aimei had originally wanted to ask for more, since their family’s finances were tight, and with that money, they could not only improve their living conditions but also secure some support for Lin Junsheng’s future marriage.

But now, faced with Zhang Youcai’s question, she hesitated.

“Let’s follow the village customs. No need to compare with the neighboring village.”

In the end, Li Aimei chose to ask for a bit more as bridal money.

“All right, 500 yuan, plus a big item.” Zhang Youcai responded quickly.

The “big item” referred to the “three transfers and one sound” — a bicycle, a sewing machine, a watch, and a radio — all precious possessions in those days.

Lin Junsheng wanted to negotiate a bit, perhaps reduce some for Li Yonggang.

After all, the whole family could barely save 80 yuan a year.

Five hundred yuan was no small sum for rural folks.

A Phoenix-brand bicycle alone was the envy of the entire village.

But seeing Li Aimei and Zhang Youcai nod in agreement, he knew arguing further was futile.

Yet life was like this—always seeking balance between compromise and persistence.

The night breeze was cool as he stood by the courtyard gate, bidding Zhang Youcai farewell.

His gaze passed through the darkness, settling on his mother Li Aimei’s slightly stooped figure.

In a single night, she seemed to have aged much, the wheel of time carving deeper lines upon her face.

A wave of indescribable sorrow rose in Lin Junsheng’s heart.

All this worry was for him.

He resolved to work harder, to earn more and improve their family’s conditions.

Li Aimei softly said to Lin Junsheng, “Go bring Junwan back home, and… explain the bridal money arrangement clearly to Li Yonggang’s family.”

Lin Junsheng nodded and turned away.

In his hand, he held the family’s only electric device — a Tiger Head brand flashlight, commonly called an “electric baton.”

As he stepped through the gate of Li Yonggang’s home, the aroma of dumplings greeted him.

Lin Junwan sat at the table happily eating dumplings, her face radiant with joy.

Seeing this scene, Lin Junsheng felt a measure of comfort.

This meal must have cost Li Yonggang’s family quite a bit.

“Junsheng’s here! Come try the freshly made dumplings!” Li Changgen greeted warmly, holding a bowl of his favorite old white spirit.

He drank while calling into the kitchen, “Wife, make some more dumplings, Junsheng’s here.”

“All right!” came Yang Yuhuan’s hearty reply from the kitchen.

Lin Junwan looked up, surprised at Lin Junsheng’s arrival.

“Brother, why are you here?”

Lin Junsheng smiled faintly. “Mom’s worried about you and asked me to check on you. Also… there are some matters I need to discuss with Xiaogang.”

Hearing this, Li Yonggang raised his eyebrows, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

“What matters?”

“We’ll talk after dinner.”

Lin Junsheng smiled lightly.

Soon, Yang Yuhuan brought over a plate of steaming hot dumplings, each plump and almost fist-sized, emitting an enticing aroma.

They were cabbage and pork filling, looking utterly mouthwatering.

Lin Junsheng took a bite, praising, “Aunt Yang, your cooking is really excellent. The dumpling skin is thin, the filling generous, and the taste fresh.”

Hearing Lin Junsheng’s compliments, Yang Yuhuan’s face blossomed with a satisfied smile.

Unlike her own son and husband, who never offered a word of praise.

If only she had a son like Junsheng, how wonderful that would be.

But fate was unkind; her son’s foot was crippled, and there was not enough money for treatment.

She had heard that treatment in the big city of Shanghai would cost tens of thousands of yuan.

Who could afford that?

“Glad you like them. Eat more, too,” Yang Yuhuan said warmly.

Lin Junsheng didn’t hold back, eating while encouraging, “Aunt Yang, you should sit down and eat, don’t keep working.”

Her heart warmed at his kind words.

What a good child!

“Smack!”

Li Changgen’s back received a sharp slap.

“What are you doing, woman?”

He had no idea how he had offended his mother-in-law.

“Hmph, serves you right!”

Lin Junsheng gently nudged Lin Junwan, signaling her to help.

Lin Junwan was clever; seeing her brother’s glance, she knew there was something to discuss and immediately rose.

“Auntie, I’ll help you.”

Her voice was clear and pleasant, tinged with youthful vitality.

“All right,” Yang Yuhuan smiled, a flash of relief in her eyes.

Fortunately, she had such a considerate daughter-in-law who understood and shared the burdens.

Once Yang Yuhuan and Lin Junwan entered the kitchen, Lin Junsheng got straight to the point.

“Uncle Changgen, Xiaogang, here’s the situation. My mother and my granduncle have agreed on the bridal money: 500 yuan plus one big item.”