Chapter 42 The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (42)

Wang Xiuxiu stared at Xiaoxiao in disbelief. “We came down here together. We should have had the best relationship—how did it come to this? I even helped you before. Why can’t you do me this one tiny favor? It’s just a sentence from you—it’s nothing to you. Can’t you just say a word for me? I really misjudged you.”

Xiaoxiao found it all rather ridiculous. She’d actually thought Wang Xiuxiu was a decent person and had even wanted to be friends with her.

Probably because Wang Xiuxiu was the first person she’d interacted with after arriving in this world, she had genuinely tried to get along and be friends.

But after that first day at the educated youth compound, when Wang Xiuxiu chose to side with the old educated youths, Xiaoxiao hadn’t taken it personally. She thought everyone had the right to make their own choices—even friends.

Naturally, some distance had grown between them. That, to Xiaoxiao, was perfectly normal. After all, their relationship was still closer than most others’.

But what made her completely give up on the friendship was when Wang Xiuxiu started following the others in ostracizing her.

Xiaoxiao could understand her staying silent when others talked badly about her. After all, they lived together, and keeping the peace was important. But to actually go along with it and add fuel to the fire? That she couldn’t accept.

That was the moment Wang Xiuxiu was officially removed from her list of friends.

Now, seeing Xiaoxiao’s indifferent expression, Wang Xiuxiu felt like flames were burning in her chest.

She stared at Xiaoxiao and said, “Aren’t you afraid Chen Zhibin will find out what you’re really like? What if he decides he doesn’t want you anymore?”

Xiaoxiao shrugged. “Do as you please. Anything else? If not, I’m busy. Please see yourself out.”

After sending Wang Xiuxiu off, Xiaoxiao turned her attention back to preparing her dowry. She didn’t really know exactly what she should prepare.

After the wedding, she planned to stop using the space as much as possible. Some things that weren’t too eye-catching could be brought out.

Her thoughts drifted again to the sheet sets her mother had prepared. She knew the color and quality of the fabric were definitely out of place for this era, but they were the only wedding gift her mother had left her, so there was no way she was going to keep them hidden.

As for money, keeping it in the space shouldn’t be a problem, right?

She calculated her assets:

1. 1. The original body had left behind 1,000 yuan, and she’d spent a little over 100—leaving about 800.

1. 1. Chen Zhibin’s savings added up to over 4,000.

1. 1. Her father-in-law had given 1,000 as a bride price.

1. 1. The “name-changing” red envelopes (one from each parent) totaled another 400.

All in all, she had over 6,000 yuan, plus a large gold bangle from her mother-in-law. She was practically a little rich woman now.

No wonder her mother used to say, “Once you get married, you’ll have money.” Turns out that wasn’t a lie.

In modern times, even an average wedding meant the couple would start off pretty well-off—both families would usually give around 100,000 yuan each for bride price and dowry and often prepare housing or a car. The couple would basically have everything they needed after marriage.

After all, most parents put all their life savings into their children’s weddings.

Shaking her head, Xiaoxiao pushed away those modern thoughts.

*****

Finally, the wedding day arrived. Chen Zhibin had hired a tractor to take Xiaoxiao and her dowry.

Once she finished packing everything, it ended up being several chests. Two big red cotton quilts sat prominently on top—extremely eye-catching.

The bedsheets, of course, were the ones her mother had prepared. The quilts, however, had been bought at great expense and were brand new.

The moment they were loaded up, they became the center of attention—so much so that they even stole the bride’s thunder.

Xiaoxiao felt utterly helpless.

She’d dressed up nicely that day, hadn’t she? Even secretly took a peek in her small mirror.

Chen Zhibin leaned over and whispered, “Wife, you look so beautiful today.”

And he meant it. His heart beat faster just looking at her. He wanted nothing more than to hide her away from the world.

Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. “What, so I wasn’t pretty before?”

He quickly corrected himself, “You’ve always been pretty. Today, you’re just extra beautiful.”

Carrying her out the door, Chen Zhibin led the way. It was only then that the people—whether those who came to help or those just watching the fun—snapped out of their quilt-induced daze and began complimenting:

“The bride is so pretty. Chen Zhibin, you’ve got yourself a good one!”

“Yeah, and that dowry’s impressive. Where on earth did she get those bedsheets? I want some too!”

“Well, the bride’s lucky too. The groom seems like a good guy.”

…

When they arrived at the Chen household, the two red quilts once again stole the show.

Seeing everyone crowd around to admire them, Xiaoxiao felt a bit exasperated. She couldn’t help but think, “Wait, is this a wedding for me or for those quilts?”

Thankfully, Mother Chen stepped up. She quickly stopped people from touching the quilts and had them taken straight to the bridal chamber.

Technically, it was just Chen Zhibin’s room, but the Chens had cleaned it thoroughly, repainted the walls, and swapped out the old furniture. It looked just like a brand-new wedding suite.

Though they hadn’t planned a huge banquet, there were still five or six tables—one for the people from Wangjia Village and five for the Chens’ relatives and neighbors. It wasn’t the dozens or hundreds of tables common in modern times, but the atmosphere was lively and joyful.

After the toasts and once the guests had left, the family finally sat down to eat.

Xiaoxiao noticed that a few people were still lingering in the house. She figured they were distant relatives and didn’t think much of it. She vaguely remembered seeing them earlier during the toast rounds, though they hadn’t spoken—just quietly eaten.

But once they opened their mouths, Xiaoxiao got her first taste of what it meant to be shameless.

One elderly woman said to Mother Chen, “That bedsheet set your daughter-in-law brought is nice. Ask her where she got it. My grandson is looking to get married too. As his aunt, you should get him two sets like that.”

Mother Chen replied bluntly, “No way. The banquet’s over; you all should be heading back.”

The old woman, Grandma Chen, snapped, “I’m your mother! I raised you! This is how you repay me? Your nephew’s getting married, and you won’t help?”

Mother Chen shot back, “He’s not my son. Why should I care?”

“You ungrateful thing!”

“Sure, if you say so. In that case, don’t expect any holiday gifts from me ever again.”

“You wouldn’t dare! That’s unfilial!”

Mother Chen: “Then tell me, what has your ‘filial’ son ever given you? I’d love to hear it.”

“That’s your brother!”

“I’d rather not have one.”

Grandma Chen nearly fainted in rage.

Mother Chen turned to the other freeloading relatives. “If any of you cause a scene today at my son’s wedding, don’t expect another scrap from me.”

Grandma Chen tried again, “Why are you acting like this over your nephew? As his aunt, you should do your part. Just split half of your son’s wedding goods and give them to your nephew. That way, his wedding could be just as grand.”

Mother Chen: “If you don’t leave now, I’ll give the leftover meat and food to someone else.”

“You can’t! That’s mine!”

“Are you going or not? If not, don’t expect me to show up at Xiaofeng’s wedding. And don’t be surprised if I throw in a couple of coins and call it done.”

Xiaoxiao thought Grandma Chen would surely argue a bit more, but to her surprise, the woman left immediately.

Looking around at the other Chen family members’ calm expressions, it was clear this wasn’t the first time such drama had occurred.