Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

Seeing his expression, Yi Zhonghai was even more satisfied and continued, "There's also the dowry of 200,000, but I've already paid the money."

"What?! Two hundred thousand?!" Jia Zhangshi exclaimed in surprise. "Master Yi, you...you're giving so much?"

According to the current market rates, the bride price is generally between 50,000 and 100,000 yuan, and 200,000 yuan is considered very high.

Yi Zhonghai explained, "Huai Ru is a good girl, worth this amount! Besides, if we show enough sincerity, the Qin family will feel at ease marrying their daughter to us."

Madam Jia's eyes darted around, and she suddenly said, "Master Yi, you can't take away this bride price. Our Jia family has to pay for it ourselves."

As she spoke, she turned and went into the inner room, and a moment later came out with a wad of cash.

"Master Yi, here's two hundred thousand, please accept it." Jia Zhangshi handed the money to Yi Zhonghai, her face showing a hint of heartache.

She thought to herself: I must pay for this 200,000 myself. I can't let Dongxu be fooled by this dead child.

Yi Zhonghai looked at the money Jia Zhangshi handed him, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

After thinking for a moment, he took the money and immediately stuffed it into Jia Dongxu's hand.

"Dongxu, take this money." Yi Zhonghai patted Jia Dongxu on the shoulder. "You're getting married soon, and you'll need money for everything. Consider this 200,000 yuan as a wedding gift from your master."

Holding the money, Jia Dongxu could no longer hold back his tears, which streamed down his face.

"Master..." He knelt down before Yi Zhonghai with a thud. "Master, your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. I... I will definitely take good care of you and your wife in your old age!"

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed at these words, but he pretended to be serious as he helped Jia Dongxu up: "Get up quickly. A man's knees are worth gold. Don't kneel down so easily."

"As long as you live a good life and take good care of your mother, your master will be satisfied."

Seeing this, Liu, the matchmaker, quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Oh my, look... look at the relationship between you two, master and apprentice, it's truly... truly enviable."

"Dongxu, you...you must remember your master's kindness, and...take good care of him in the future."

Seeing her son kneeling before Yi Zhonghai, Jia Zhangshi felt a pang of unease, but considering that she didn't have to pay for the sewing machine herself, she thought it was a worthwhile deal.

Jia Dongxu was pulled up, wiped away his tears, and nodded heavily, saying, "Master, don't worry, I will definitely repay you and my mother!"

Yi Zhonghai nodded in satisfaction and said to Matchmaker Liu, "Sister Liu, we'll have to trouble you to choose an auspicious day for us to formally propose marriage to the Qin family."

Matchmaker Liu nodded repeatedly: "No...no problem, I...I'll go back and consult the almanac to choose...choose an auspicious day."

The group discussed the specific details for a while, such as what to bring for the betrothal, how to organize the banquet, and so on.

After reaching an agreement, Mr. and Mrs. Yi Zhonghai and the matchmaker Liu took their leave.

After seeing the three off, Jia Dongxu was still holding the 200,000 yuan and grinning foolishly.

Looking at her son's state, Jia Zhangshi felt a pang of sadness.

Yi Zhonghai treats his son so well, will his son listen to him even more in the future?

"Dongxu," Madam Jia said, "it's only right that your master treats you well. Why are you crying like an idiot? You think you can support them in their old age with just this little bit of stuff? You're dreaming."

Jia Dongxu snapped out of his daze and quickly said, "Mother, what are you saying? Master is so good to me..."

Madam Jia interrupted, "What's so good about it? Are you stupid? I raised you from a baby, how much money did it cost? And Yi Zhonghai just bought you a sewing machine and expects you to support them in their old age? How shameless are you!"

Jia Dongxu was speechless for a moment, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed that what his mother said wasn't entirely unreasonable...

"Alright, just keep this in mind. When no one's around, say a few words to appease him, but don't talk about taking care of him in his old age in public. Whether or not you'll take care of him in his old age depends on his behavior..."

Jia Dongxu nodded thoughtfully and said, "Mother, I understand..."

-------------

Inside the Yi family's house, Yi Zhonghai leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest.

His wife was doing needlework nearby, glancing at him every now and then.

"Old Yi~" his wife finally couldn't help but speak up, "Didn't you give Dongxu too much money today? Although we have some savings, we can't spend it like this!"

Yi Zhonghai opened his eyes, glanced at her, and slowly said, "You don't understand, this money was well spent."

"What's so valuable about it?" his wife asked, somewhat disgruntled. "The sewing machine is worth over two million, and the bride price is two hundred thousand. That adds up to almost three million! That's several months' salary for you!"

Yi Zhonghai sat up straight and said seriously, "I'm asking you, who will support us in our old age?"

His wife was taken aback: "Of course we'll rely on Dongxu! Isn't that what you've always planned?"

"Yes and no~" Yi Zhonghai nodded, "The reason I spent so much money this time was not only for Dongxu, but also to show Qin Huairu."

"Given Jia Zhangshi's character, how can Qin Huairu expect to have a good life after marrying into the family? We should take good care of her then, as a double guarantee."

His wife was still a little confused: "But we've been very good to Dongxu before, why spend so much money? If Qin Huairu marries into the family, wouldn't it be better if we took better care of her?"

Yi Zhonghai shook his head: "What are those past favors compared to this? They were just small acts of kindness. This wedding is a big deal. I paid for his sewing machine and gave him 200,000 yuan as a wedding gift. That's a great favor."

"Dongxu is a sentimental child. I'm so good to him, he'll definitely take care of us in our old age."

His wife thought about it and agreed, but she was still worried about the cost: "But this is too much..."

"It's not much," Yi Zhonghai interrupted her. "As long as Dongxu and his wife are truly committed to supporting us in our old age, what's a little money? Besides, I think Qin Huairu is a good girl. She's smart, sensible, and someone we can rely on in the future."

Hearing him say that, his wife couldn't object any further, and simply sighed, "I hope so!"

Yi Zhonghai closed his eyes again, pondering another matter.

Matchmaker Wang was introducing a potential partner to He Yuzhu, and he couldn't interfere with the process.

It seems that once Liu the matchmaker has gathered the information, she will leak it to others.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Yi Zhonghai's wife got up to open the door and, seeing it was Matchmaker Liu, quickly invited her in.

"Sister Liu, what brings you here again? Is something the matter?" Yi Zhonghai's wife asked.

Matchmaker Liu entered the room and said to Yi Zhonghai, "Master Yi... I... I've found out."

Yi Zhonghai perked up: "Oh? So fast? Tell me about it."

Matchmaker Liu lowered her voice and said, "Matchmaker Wang...Matchmaker Wang introduced this girl to Zhu...Zhu Zi. Her name is He Qiuyue, and she is...seventeen years old this year."

"Oh...right, I also found out that this girl has an older sister...named He Lanlan, who came to your compound before for a blind date..."

A glint of light flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes: "He Lanlan? Isn't that the one Qian Daniu went on a blind date with last time?"

Matchmaker Liu continued, "I heard...I heard that we'll meet at the He family's house the day after tomorrow morning."

"Which Ho family?"

"At...at the woman's house..."

Yi Zhonghai pondered for a moment, then said to Matchmaker Liu, "Sister Liu, thank you for your hard work. Don't tell anyone about this, especially He Yuzhu."

"You...you can rest assured, I...I know the rules," Liu the matchmaker assured her repeatedly.