Chapter 37: A Five-Hundred-Yuan Gift in Return, Just for My Sister’s Happiness

Li Aimei had already made up her mind, and she had happily accepted the betrothal gifts. In return, she meticulously selected new clothes and a wedding quilt as a reciprocal gift. Naturally, she also called Lin Huijuan, deciding to have them purchase a brand-new sewing machine and a radio to make the return gift appear even more respectable.

At this moment, these two "major items" were being carefully carried into the courtyard by Lin Junsheng’s elder and second brothers, drawing a flurry of curious gazes.

"My, look at this display! The Lin family is really sparing no expense!" Auntie Wang, standing at the entrance of the village, said to Mrs. Li while cracking melon seeds, her eyes gleaming with envy.

"You said it. Among the 'three rounds and one sound,' they’ve already covered one round and one sound, and with the bicycle from the betrothal gifts, the newlyweds have two rounds and one sound now. The dowry the Lin family is providing is truly top-tier in this village," Mrs. Li replied. Though she was busy knitting a sweater, she couldn't help but look up several times.

The old village secretary sat in a corner of the courtyard, wearing his reading glasses and meticulously recording the list of gift money. The order of these gifts was not merely about etiquette; it was a silent declaration of the closeness of the relationships between the families. At this moment, Lin Junsheng’s actions made him look up, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.

"Junsheng, what is this you're doing? Why didn't you let your second uncle and aunt offer their gifts first? Why are you stepping in ahead of them?" the old secretary asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment. It was customary for the elders to offer their gifts first.

Li Changgen and Yang Yuhuan stood to the side, watching the scene with faces full of suspicion. Li Changgen was a straightforward man, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "What is the Lin family's eldest son up to?" Yang Yuhuan frowned, equally puzzled. She vaguely sensed that the eldest Lin brother was about to do something quite extraordinary.

The surrounding villagers began to whisper among themselves:
"What is the Lin family's eldest doing? He wouldn't be backing out, would he?"
"Unlikely. Look at him; it seems like he’s planning something big."
"My goodness, in this day and age, can you even add new twists to wedding return gifts?"

Just as the crowd was buzzing with speculation, the elder and second brothers had steadily placed the sewing machine and radio in the center of the courtyard. Lin Junsheng stood firmly before the old village secretary.

"Old Secretary, I am here to offer a return gift," Lin Junsheng said. His voice was not loud, yet it was exceptionally clear, cutting through the noise of the crowd.

Everyone was stunned. The return gifts that Li Changgen and Li Aimei had discussed amounted to only about 300 yuan—just the clothes, quilts, sewing machine, and radio. How could there be more?

Lin Junsheng slowly pulled five brand-new hundred-yuan bills from his pocket. The crisp banknotes shone dazzlingly in the sunlight.

"A cash return gift of five hundred yuan, plus a Butterfly-brand sewing machine and a Sanyo-brand radio," Lin Junsheng stated, enunciating every word.

According to his mother's wishes, those items were enough, and the additional cash wasn't necessary. Usually, the groom's side provides money and goods, and the bride's side adds a few more items. With two of the "three rounds and one sound" now provided, it was already quite generous.

There were few in the village who could afford such a situation. However, the Lin and Li families were marrying under debt, with the parents taking on the burden so their children could enjoy a smooth start. In this sense, the Lin family was doing well by their daughter, enough to keep the villagers from gossiping.

But Lin Junsheng wanted to provide his younger sister with a sense of security so she wouldn't be bullied by her husband's family. He had taken out his own writing royalties to provide these 500 yuan. If Li Aimei had been there, she surely would have interrogated him about where the money came from and would have been heartbroken at the expense; their family barely earned that much in a whole year, and after living expenses, they saved almost nothing.

Lin Junsheng’s action instantly silenced the entire courtyard; even the wind seemed to hold its breath. The old secretary took off his glasses and looked closely at Lin Junsheng. He had seen many weddings, but this was the first time he had seen a return gift exceed the value of the betrothal gift itself.

"Good lad!" the old secretary praised. "Your sincerity is truly rare."

Li Changgen and Yang Yuhuan exchanged a smile, their doubts vanishing instantly. Li Changgen patted Lin Junsheng on the shoulder, his tone filled with emotion: "Junsheng, with a heart like yours, we are truly at ease. Since your sister is marrying into our family, we will treat her well and never let her suffer any grievances. But we cannot accept this money."

Yang Yuhuan stepped forward and took Lin Junsheng’s hand tightly. "Child, we are truly touched by your sincerity. But we really cannot take this money; we already agreed on the arrangements."

Lin Junsheng called Li Yonggang over. "Yonggang, this is for you. Keep it safe. Consider it a little 'private fund' from your brother-in-law."

The public return gifts had already been accounted for. He insisted the money be given; while Lin Junwan had accepted the first 500, this 500 was specifically for Li Yonggang to hold. Li Changgen and Yang Yuhuan tried to protest, but the old secretary stopped them. "It's money for the newlyweds; don't interfere."

The villagers watched the scene, clapping and cheering. It was rare for the bride's side to be so generous. If a man from Jiangxi province were to see this, he would be envious of how the women in Yuzhou returned gifts exceeding the betrothal money—far better than just two ragged quilts.

"The Lin family's eldest, well done!"
"What an enviable brother to have!"
"This wedding truly warms the heart."

Lin Junsheng’s goal was nothing more than this moment. Lin Junwan would not be marrying into the family that had been part of a "bride exchange" in his previous life. This essentially changed the trajectory of their lives. Money could be earned again, but his sister’s happiness had to be secured. This was Lin Junsheng’s way of making amends after his rebirth. He hoped that in this lifetime, Lin Junwan could live a stable and peaceful life.

Following tradition, the closest relatives—the second uncle and the aunt—offered their gift money. Reciprocity was paramount, especially regarding elders. Although the aunt was the most senior in the family, according to the old tradition of "respecting men and honoring women," the second uncle’s gift had to come first.

Each family gave one hundred yuan—neither too much nor too little—reflecting their sincerity without adding a burden to their own households. The aunt said she was giving on behalf of the eldest cousin, choosing the sum of 66 yuan for good luck, as "six" signifies smoothness.

"66 yuan, that’s a good number. Let’s give 66 as well," the eldest brother, Lin Junxiang, agreed. It was customary for gifts to be in even numbers, symbolizing that good things come in pairs.

Liu Siyao, knowing she didn't need to provide gift money, had bought a separate gift for Lin Junwan. The second brother, still unmarried, simply joined in for the meal.

As the clock struck twelve, the old pendulum clock rang out with a clear "dong-dong." In the Li family’s courtyard, every face was brimming with joyful smiles. Outside, the crisp, loud sound of firecrackers began to crackle.

Li Yonggang, dressed in a sharp, new suit, rode the Phoenix-brand bicycle adorned with a large red flower to pick up his bride. In the Lin family’s courtyard, Lin Junwan was dressed in red, her makeup exquisite, with a small flower tucked into her hair. Li Yonggang gently helped her onto the back of the bicycle, and in that moment, their heartbeats seemed to merge into one.

As Li Yonggang pedaled hard, the bicycle slowly rolled out of the Lin family courtyard. At that instant, firecrackers echoed back and forth between the two houses. Before the smoke from the first round had cleared, new strings were lit, filling the air with the thick, pungent scent of gunpowder.

"Crackle, pop... crackle, pop..."