MTLNOVEL Chapter 24: The Betrothal Gift
Chapter 24: The Betrothal Gift
“Mom, this is what Liyan and I agreed on—a ten-dollar betrothal gift.”
Lu Yuan handed the bill to Zhao Qiaoer, who was helping the couple pack their belongings. She immediately shook her head, refusing the money. After all, her son-in-law had already brought generous gifts—white flour, fatty meat, and imported snow cream. It seemed excessive to accept more.
Before she could voice her refusal, Lu Yuan produced a fifty-yuan note. “This is from Su Liyan and me, to honor you and Stepmother.”
Zhao Qiaoer’s eyes widened at the substantial sum. “No, Yuaner! I can’t accept this. Take it back—you’ll need it in the city. What would I even spend such money on here in the village?”
Jin Meijing nodded in agreement. Though she treated Su Liyan as her own daughter, and Su Liyan returned that affection, Jin Meijing knew her place. Su Liyan was Zhao Qiaoer’s biological daughter, and Lu Yuan had no obligation toward either of them.
Lu Yuan had anticipated their reaction. There was wisdom in the old saying: before choosing a wife, observe her mother. And looking at the gentle, selfless women before him, he understood where Su Liyan’s character had been forged.
He pressed the money firmly into his mother-in-law’s hands. “Mom, please accept this. They say if you had a son, there would be no discussion needed—but a son-in-law is half a son. From today, consider me your own child.”
His voice softened. “I lost my mother, so I’ll treat you both as my own mothers, just as Liyan does. Your comfort here in the village means our peace of mind in the city.”
His words touched something deep in both women. Tears glistened in their eyes—the promise of a man in their family, someone to shoulder burdens and provide care, felt like a blessing they’d never dared hope for.
Still, Zhao Qiaoer tried returning the money. “Yuan’er, this is too much. It’s enough that you and Liyan are happy together. We have everything we need here.”
“Our family doesn’t lack money,” Lu Yuan insisted, his tone growing serious. “I’m not exaggerating about owning those dozen shops—it’s all true.”
He had noticed their skeptical expressions earlier when he’d mentioned his businesses. They’d probably assumed he was embellishing to impress the villagers. The matchmaker certainly hadn’t known the full extent of his wealth.
Both mothers looked stunned by his candor.
“If I were poor, I couldn’t give this much,” Lu Yuan continued. “I’m not obsessed with appearances, but we truly can afford this and more. How could I rest knowing you’re eating cornmeal cakes while we live in luxury? Please, accept it.”
His sincerity left no room for refusal. Finally, the women nodded, touched by his generosity.
“We’ll save this for you and—”
Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows. “No saving it for us! Buy flour tomorrow. Have some nice clothes made. Get Lina something special. If it’s not enough, Liyan and I will send more. If I come back to find you still eating cornmeal, I’ll truly be upset!”
The women laughed softly at his playful command. As Lu Yuan finished speaking, he noticed Su Liyan standing in the doorway, several chickens forgotten at her feet. She’d been listening, her expression tender with emotion.
Before he could speak, she rushed forward, embracing him. “Brother,” she whispered.
Moved by the sight of his beautiful wife, Lu Yuan lowered his head and kissed her soft lips, unconcerned with their audience. Su Liyan blushed deeply as her mothers exchanged knowing smiles.
Once everything was packed, the entire family walked to the avenue to wait for the bus.
“You should head back,” Lu Yuan suggested, holding Su Liyan’s hand. “It’s too hot to wait out here, especially with Lina.”
But the mothers insisted on staying until they saw the couple safely aboard.
“Mom, wait a week or two until things settle in the city,” Lu Yuan suddenly remembered. “Liyan and I will return to prepare a proper wedding banquet.”
Su Liyan looked startled. “Brother, we don’t need to do that. We have so few relatives, and unlike the city, people here don’t give many gifts. It would be wasteful.”
The mothers nodded in agreement, but Lu Yuan wrapped an arm around his wife’s slender waist. “We must. This is your first marriage, and mine too—our only marriage. It’s life’s greatest joy. How could I begrudge celebrating something so precious?”
His voice grew warm with promise. “When we’re old, sitting in the sun together, we’ll look back on this moment without regrets. Besides,” he added with a smile, “don’t you want to wear a beautiful red dress and toast our guests by my side?”
Lu Yuan had a gift for painting dreams with his words. Su Liyan’s eyes grew distant, imagining the scene, before she shyly admitted, “I do want that.”
Her mothers smiled silently, impressed by their son-in-law’s thoughtfulness.
Soon after, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan boarded the bus back to the city. By the time they reached the compound, evening had fallen. Neighbors stared in confusion at their numerous bags and packages.
The unspoken thought hung in the air: Did they bring their entire mother-in-law’s house back with them? How much could they possibly have taken from such a humble village home?