Chapter 23: The Betrothal Gift Raised to 260,000

Li Meilan shed her sharp-tongued demeanor, smiling as she looked at Xiangdi. "My daughter, you are truly blessed. The Liu family is willing to pay a bride price of 260,000 to marry you. That is unheard of for miles around; you should be proud. When the time comes, Mom will make you several thick quilts, buy you some fine clothes, and give you some private pocket money."

Xiangdi’s body trembled slightly. She looked at her mother with a suffocating sense of despair. "Mom, you agreed to it?"

Sensing her reluctance, Li Meilan urged, "The Liu family says those rumors aren't true. Even if they were, a prodigal who returns is worth more than gold. He’s much more mature and steady now. As for your in-laws, if you treat their son well, they will surely grow fond of you. The Liu family is well-off; you’ll live in comfort once you’re married. Daughter, we are only thinking of your best interests. A man who can bring out 260,000 to marry you must truly value you."

Xiangyu couldn't help but sneer, "It’s also possible that after spending so much money to marry you, they expect to squeeze an equal amount of value out of you."

Li Meilan flared up at once and began searching for a broom. She scolded, "Have you lost your mind? If I don't give you a proper beating, you’ll never know your place. You’re practically ready to climb on top of my head and defecate!"

Xiangdi quickly intervened. "Mom, please, let me think about it, okay?"

Li Meilan looked displeased. "Think about what? The engagement is tomorrow. Just be ready."

Thinking of the 100,000 yuan in bride price arriving tomorrow and the remaining 160,000 to be paid when she married at the end of the year, Li Meilan felt a thrill of excitement. She could not tolerate Xiangyu playing the contrarian on this matter.

Xiangyu, unafraid, turned and walked away. Xiangdi drifted back to the utility room she shared with her sister, her heart cold and aching.

Xiangyu held her tightly, whispering softly, "Sister, run away."

In her previous life, even someone as patient and enduring as her sister had eventually broken down and cried when she returned to her parents' house. It was clear that she had been pushed to the brink of survival in the Liu household.

Xiangdi was torn. On one hand, she didn't want to betray her parents; on the other, she truly didn't want to fall into a fiery pit. She didn't like Liu Gang at all—in fact, she felt repulsed by him.

Xiangyu gripped her hands firmly. "Sister, if you marry into a family like the Liu family, you will lose all autonomy over your life. Mom and Dad will take such a large bride price, but they won't help you in the future, and you won't be able to help them or Xianghao either. Instead of that, why not earn money for Mom and Dad yourself later on? It’s only 260,000; I guarantee you can earn that back in three or four years."

She knew how deep her sister’s loyalty to their parents ran, so this was the only way she could persuade her.

Xiangdi’s eyes began to focus, though a trace of struggle remained.

Xiangyu continued, "If I go to high school, I want to aim for college. By the time I graduate, I’ll be twenty-three. That’s seven full years where I can’t earn money for the family and will actually need tuition and living expenses. Do you really think Mom and Dad are willing to let me attend a top-tier high school? They are just certain I won't pass, and they’re using it as an excuse. Sister, if you marry Liu Gang and can’t help me, no one else will."

Xiangdi was jolted. She suddenly remembered when her own grades were good and she had hoped to attend a top high school. Her parents had lamented the family’s poverty and the heavy burden of three children. They had told her that even if she managed to get into a top school, it was filled with brilliant students, and only the elite made it to college; since she was only scraping by, she wouldn't make it anyway. Later, under their arrangement, she had dropped out in her third year of middle school, filled with despair, and hadn't even taken the entrance exams—she had just gone straight to work. She had cried in secret over that many times.

A sense of determination grew within Xiangdi.

Even if not for herself, she had to be brave for her sister’s sake. Yet, she remained worried. "If I leave, will Mom and Dad make things difficult for you?"

Xiangyu was overjoyed and shook her head quickly. "They are still counting on me to graduate and work to support the family; they won't go too far. As long as you leave and the engagement doesn't happen, everything will be manageable."

Xiangdi made up her mind. "Alright, I’ll pack my bags immediately."

Li Meilan shouted from the doorway, "Xiangyu! Go gather firewood this afternoon. Let your sister rest; she has an engagement tomorrow, and I don't want her getting tanned."

Many families in the village used coal briquettes or gas canisters, but the Xiang family was poor and had always burned firewood. Since gathering it was mostly Xiangyu's job, it didn't cost Li Meilan or Xiang Fuqiang any extra effort, and they never felt a pang of guilt, so it had always stayed that way.

Xiangdi was pleased. "This is perfect. If I leave, it won't affect you. Go get the wood-chopping knife."

Xiangyu was a bit worried, but she said, "It's fine. I'll go after you leave. They’ll be asleep and won't know when I left, and Xianghao is out running wild—he won't be back until dinner."

Xiangdi nodded. Half an hour later, the faint sounds of Xiang Fuqiang and Li Meilan’s snoring could be heard. Holding a fertilizer sack, Xiangdi walked out the door.