Siheyuan, don't mess with me

"Dad, let's go propose marriage tomorrow!" Yan Jiecheng said impatiently.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I'll think about it!" Yan Bugui thought that he couldn't just listen to the matchmaker. The matchmaker's words were unreliable and he could make up things that were totally untrue. A widower in his forties or fifties could be described as a young man, and a widow with children could be described as a virgin!

It's not unheard of that people were deceived into marriage by matchmakers. It's no use looking for the accounts later. The betrothal gifts have been spent, the wedding banquet has been held, and the marriage certificate has been obtained. What's the point even if you go to the matchmaker to settle the accounts? Matchmakers only deceive those who come from poor families and are eager to get married. What can you do? You can only hold your nose and make do with it for the rest of your life!

The people who are working in this industry now are all old people from the old society. How many of them are honest and decent people? Besides, honest people can't survive in this industry at all!

So Yan Bugui was half-believing and half-doubting the matchmaker, and wanted to ask around in private to find out more clearly. However, Yan Jiecheng would not wait for a moment, and the matchmaker beside him was also unhappy. "Why? Old Yan, let me tell you, if the price you offered was not high, who would want to run errands for your family? You don't know what your family's reputation is now. Even if this marriage is successful, I will still be at risk of being scolded! Is it okay? Just say something. If not, just find someone else. I won't serve you anymore!"

The matchmaker wanted to walk away and said she would not serve me anymore. She was so hesitant and even dared to doubt what I said. If it wasn’t for earning five dollars from your family, I would not introduce such a good girl to your family!

"Her aunt, don't be anxious. The head of the family is a slow and measured person. Don't be anxious, let him think about it!" The third aunt hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over and stopped the matchmaker Wang who was about to leave!

Yan Bugui also figured it out. Who cares what she looks like? First of all, she is a woman. Second, the bride price must be small. If the situation is not right, then I can just not agree, right?

Yan Bugui, who had figured it out, said, "Look at what you said. How could I not believe you? If I didn't believe you, I wouldn't have entrusted my child's lifelong affairs to you! How about this, let's go on a blind date tomorrow!"

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll wait for you at the entrance of Che Nian Zi Hutong tomorrow. But you must come early!"

"Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, be there on time!" Yan Jiecheng said impatiently.

. . . . . . . . .

The next morning, He Yuzhu rode a bicycle and led Director Wang to Chenianzi Hutong!

Time was too tight and there was no time to buy gifts. The door-to-door gifts were all provided by Chen Zhiguo, who moved He Yuzhu to the point of tears, "Come on, stop shedding your tears in front of me. You're an adult, it's embarrassing!" Chen Zhiguo's joking words calmed He Yuzhu's mood, "Let's go, just wait to drink at the wedding!" The confident He Yuzhu is back!

Chen Zhiguo prepared two peonies, two bottles of Fenjiu, two boxes of tea, two boxes of cakes, and two hares and two pheasants for He Yuzhu! This gift was very luxurious at the time! Especially hares and pheasants, which were very difficult to get on the black market!

In addition, Chen Zhiguo also stuffed 200 yuan into He Yuzhu's pocket. According to Chen Zhiguo, "If you don't agree, just throw money at me until Yu Li's parents dare not accept it!" Considering Chen Zhiguo's wealth, he dared to say that. However, Chen Zhiguo did not understand at all, so he said that!

The current price of dowry for a rural wife is generally around ten to twenty yuan, and it can't be too high, because the cost of marrying a rural wife is too high. The wife has to eat expensive food, and the child she gives birth to is the same as the mother. For a rural household registration, the dowry is cheap in the early stage, but in the long run, it is very uneconomical, as the cost of living is too high, unless the wife has a good family to subsidize the food. But the current situation in the countryside is even more miserable!

The bride price in the city is a little more expensive, which also depends on the situation. It is different for those with a job and those without a job, and for those with a dowry and those without a dowry!

For those who have no job and no dowry, the bride price will be lower, about 20 or 30 yuan. For those who have a job and a dowry, the bride price will be about 40 or 50 yuan. There is no higher price. If you take too much bride price, people will say you are selling your daughter. Your parents in your natal family will not be able to hold their heads up high for the rest of their lives, and your daughter will have a hard time in her husband's family!

Director Wang had to deal with some things at the street office, so he was a little slow to start, but they were both riding bikes, so their speed was not slow! There were a few cloth bags hanging on the bar of He Yuzhu's bike. If Director Wang hadn't been riding slowly, He Yuzhu would have wanted to ride his 28-inch bike as fast as he could!

As luck would have it, the two groups of people actually met at the gate of Yu Li's compound!

"Shazhu, what are you doing?" Director Wang fell behind, and Yan Bugui didn't see him.

"Uncle, if you keep calling me by a nickname, I will call you Yan Laokou. If you don't believe me, just try it!" He Yuzhu was very dissatisfied. At this critical moment, someone actually wanted to expose his secrets!

"Okay! Okay! Zhuzi, what are you doing here? Ouch! Director Wang, why are you here?" Yan Bugui was facing He Yuzhu and just happened to see Director Wang getting out of the car behind He Yuzhu!

"Yan Bugui, why are you here if you're not at work?" Director Wang didn't have a good impression of Yan Bugui at all. If it weren't for his public office, he wouldn't want to pay attention to him!

"I took a leave today and brought my child here for a blind date!" Yan Bugui pointed at Yan Jiecheng behind him. Yan Jiecheng was wearing a new outfit today, but it was a little inappropriate for the weather. It was a woolen Zhongshan suit. In this weather, two single clothes would suffice, but Yan Jiecheng could wear it and was very happy. He didn't care about the sweat on his forehead at all! Director Wang couldn't bear to look at it!

On the other hand, He Yuzhu, although wearing not new clothes, but clean and fresh! Although he looks more mature, his temperament is much better than Yan Jie. He Yuzhu has become more stable recently, especially after becoming the canteen supervisor, he began to have momentum!

"Are you here for a blind date too? I brought He Yuzhu here to propose marriage today!" Director Wang also became curious. This compound is so blessed, how many girls are waiting to get married?

Just when the two groups of people wanted to enter the compound, Yu Li walked out, "He Yuzhu, you're here!" Seeing He Yuzhu appear on time, Yu Li's heart finally settled down!

Last night, when Yu Li returned home, she did not immediately mention that He Yuzhu was coming to propose marriage the next day. She planned to tell her parents after dinner!

Unexpectedly, just when she went out to the toilet, the matchmaker Wang who had introduced her to a date came to her house and said directly that a young man would come to her house for a blind date the next day, and asked Old Yu to stay home and not work!

After just a few words, Yu Li came back, and Matchmaker Wang left. Yu Li's parents met at the gate of the compound!

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing?"

"Just now, matchmaker Wang came and said he has found a good family for you. The old man is a teacher, and the mother-in-law is a good-tempered person. The young man is 20 years old this year. You must not be picky this time. If they are not suitable, the matchmaker doesn't want to run away. It's good enough to find one that is almost right!" Yu's mother said unhappily.

"Mom, Dad! Why don't I know?"

"Who told you to run around? You're not at home all day, just going out and having fun!" At this moment, Yu's mother was not as kind as Chen Zhiguo had seen this morning. She spoke coldly to Li!

Yu Li followed her parents back home. After much hesitation, she finally spoke up, "Mom, Dad, I have a boyfriend!"

【World-weary novel transfer station 99 2 85 9 3 87 】

"What, when did it happen?"

Yu Li's words were like a thunderbolt that exploded in the hearts of Yu's father and mother! This child, why is he so troublesome? Did he date someone by himself?

Yu's mother thought about it, grabbed Yu Li's hand and asked, "Is it the young man who drove this morning?"

"No, it's the brother of my sister's classmate!"

"Ah! It's him, he's so stupid!" Yu's mother angrily shook off Yu Li's hand and turned into the room. After smoking a cigarette, old Yu sighed and went back to the room!

"Old man, what should we do with these two groups of people coming? Will there be a fight?" Yu's mother asked a little worriedly.

"If you want to fight, get out of here!" Old Yu said toughly.

"Old man, you can't let this girl get away with her temper this time. She's already met with me twice. If she continues, her reputation will be ruined!" Yu's mother said dissatisfiedly.

Old Yu was silent, but just nodded! In fact, he was reluctant to marry his daughter off so early. First, the family was really in financial difficulty, and it was good to have fewer people to feed. Second, his husband was not happy with Yu Li and didn't want to keep her at home for a moment!

"Hey! Old man, there are two groups of people coming here, you can ask for more betrothal gifts! This way our family will be better off!" Yu's mother's eyes revealed greed.

Old Yu said nothing for a long while, "We are not selling our daughter. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if it got out?"

"What's so embarrassing about that? We raised her to this age. Is it easy?" Yu's mother said disdainfully, and old Yu remained silent completely!

Chapter 108 Blind date, backstabbed!

In the morning, the atmosphere in the house was depressing. Yu Haitang and her brother quickly ran away! The faces of the remaining three people were so gloomy that water was dripping from their faces!

The situation did not ease until two groups of people arrived at the door. One group was led by matchmaker Wang, who led an old man wearing glasses, followed by a young man. It looked strange. The weather was so bad, but he was still wearing thick clothes. The young man looked weak. How many miles did he walk? He was sweating profusely!

If Yan Jiecheng knew that this would be the first impression he would give to others, he would never wear his father's heirloom, which he rented for one dollar. Otherwise, no matter how much Yan Jiecheng persuaded Yan Bugui, Yan Bugui would never agree to let him wear it!

This is the young man I saw yesterday. He looks a little more mature, but in comparison, this one is still mature and steady! Although He Yuzhu has only been a supervisor for a short time, his spirit has changed significantly! Why does the middle-aged woman following behind look so familiar? Oh my god, isn't this Director Wang from the street?

"Hello, Director Wang!" Old Yu recognized Director Wang and greeted him warmly.

"Today I'm not a director. I'm just He Yuzhu's aunt. I'm here to propose marriage to him." Director Wang is so experienced. Today, two groups of people are looking for the same girl, so Director Wang has to control her position. If she shows up, the marriage won't be settled, and she'll have to give up her job as the street director!

Yu's mother's face froze. This young man had a strong backing and could even invite the director of the street office. It looked like her idea of ​​raising the price of the bride price today would be in vain!

As two groups of people sat down, Yu Li was busy pouring water for everyone. Even though she was reluctant, Yu Li still poured hot water for Wang the matchmaker and the father and son of the Yan family. There was no tea at home, so forget it! It was this young man, why were his eyes so annoying? How could he stare at someone like that, as if he had never seen a woman before!

He Yuzhu also understood that there was a collision today. Yan Bugui's family came to compete, but he had food in his pocket, so he would not panic. He didn't know about others, but Yan Laokou, with his stingy nature, He Yuzhu was confident that he could suppress him! Facing Li's parents, he was not as panicked as when facing Li!

"Uncle, aunt, these are the gifts I brought. I came here in a hurry and am not well prepared. Please don't mind." After saying that, he took something out of the bag in his hands!

Two packs of Mudan cigarettes, two bottles of Fenjiu, two boxes of tea, two boxes of cakes, two hares, two pheasants, wow! The whole eight-immortal table was filled with them! The quality of this gift was very high. Cigarettes and alcohol could be bought with some thought, but tea was difficult to buy. You could buy it at a high price, but this kind of fine tea was not available on the market at all! What's more, there was meat that was hard to buy even on the black market, and it was impossible to get it!

Yan Bugui looked at the things He Yuzhu had put out, and couldn't help but tighten the cloth bag in his hand. Inside were two taels of melon seeds and half a pound of peanuts, which were thank-you gifts for writing couplets for the residents of the courtyard during the Chinese New Year! It would be embarrassing to take out these gifts now, so it would be better not to take them out and save money!

He was no longer optimistic about this blind date. With Director Wang here and He Yuzhu's lavish gift on the table, what could Yan Bugui use to compete with him? Even if Yan Jiecheng was willing, would he still not be willing? The price was too high! However, Yan Bugui didn't want to give up. He couldn't come here for nothing! No matter what, he couldn't just let this silly Zhu get away with it!

Yan Bugui's eyes were rolling around, and I don't know what he was thinking!

At this time, Director Wang spoke up, "Our Zhuzi, whose full name is He Yuzhu, is not only a level 7 chef at the steel mill, but also the canteen supervisor. His salary is not very high, only 42.5 yuan, but he is still young, only 23 this year. After a few more years of training, his chef level will rise, and his life will be better!

Zhuzi is an honest child. His father is not around and his mother passed away early. When he was a teenager, he lived with his six or seven-year-old sister, He Yushui, who was in the same class as Haitang! Now Yushui has grown up and Zhuzi doesn't need to worry about her anymore. He has started to think about his own affairs!

Zhuzi has his own house, located at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. The main house in the middle courtyard has an ear room, which is very spacious. Moreover, his house is a private property!

I just renovated it and built a small second floor with three rooms downstairs and three rooms upstairs. It’s enough to accommodate seven or eight children! What do you think, my nephew is doing well, right? "

Old Yu didn't say anything, but Yu's mother took over and said, "Director Wang, Zhu's conditions are really good, but our daughter didn't tell us earlier. Matchmaker Wang informed us, but she only told us now, which made us feel embarrassed. People who don't understand would think that our Yu family has one daughter and two families. Now that they are here, we have to listen to their conditions! Don't you think this makes sense?"

Director Wang nodded and said nothing. Logically, after Yu Li told her parents last night, the adults should have gone to the matchmaker's house to apologize and get back on track! Now that two groups of people have come, the intention is obvious. Let's compare them! Okay, let's hear what conditions Yan Laokou can offer!

To be honest, the things He Yuzhu brought are enough for the bride price. This family, especially the mother, is a bit greedy!

The girl looks okay, she is generous and she looks like someone who can manage the household. If this works out, it would be a good marriage!

Just when Director Wang was thinking about it, Yan Bugui spoke up, "I work at Red Star Primary School, and I have been working here for almost 30 years!" Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses. He was being cunning here, and he didn't say what he was doing now. He just wanted to use his previous identity to gild himself!

Seeing that Director Wang didn't say anything, Yan Bugui felt relieved and continued, "This is our eldest son, Yan Jiecheng. He is 20 years old this year and graduated from junior high school. He is working. It will be soon, but it is not convenient to disclose it today!"

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses guiltily, glanced at Director Wang and He Yuzhu, and seeing that they were not unusual, he continued, "We have a large family. The mother of the children does housework at home, and we have two sons and a daughter who are all in school. I am He Yuzhu's neighbor, also from No. 95 Courtyard, and I live in the front yard!"

"Yes! Teacher Yan comes from a family of scholars and is a rare cultured person. Look at this young man, so gentle and refined. If this marriage goes through, the children in the future will definitely be cultured people!" Matchmaker Wang began to assist. For the sake of five dollars, she had to fight for it. Making money was important, and she, the street director, couldn't suppress him and not speak for him!

The old Yu couple looked at each other. If one of them was not there, today would be a happy scene. One is rich and the other is educated. They both have good conditions. It's hard to choose!

"Since everyone has told us their own situations, we are now in a new society and we need a new atmosphere. We should no longer follow the old-fashioned rules such as parents' words and matchmaker's words. Let's listen to Yu Li's opinion!" Director Wang took the stand. Her words left Yu's parents and matchmaker Wang speechless. After all, we are now in a new society. It's okay to talk about the old ways in private, but who would dare to do so in front of her?

"I like He Yuzhu!" Yu Li answered firmly. This answer disappointed the Yu family, especially Yu's mother, who looked at Yu Li viciously! This loser, doesn't he know that this is a rare opportunity?

Yan Bugui was relieved at this time. It was finally over. As long as he didn't lose face, it would be fine! But Yan Jiecheng, who had been silent since he came in, spoke up. "He is just a fool. Don't choose him. Go ask around and see if his name is Shazhu!"

Don't expose someone's shortcomings when meeting him, especially when he is a neighbor living in the same courtyard. Yan Jiecheng said this about He Yuzhu, which shows that he is planning to tear his face off and wants to fight for a chance!

When Yan Bugui was speaking just now, Director Wang and He Yuzhu both saved his face. They didn't want to make this blind date awkward and make a scene. They didn't want to let Yu Li's neighbors laugh at them. Especially since He Yuzhu and Yan Bugui lived in the same courtyard, they wondered if they would get along well in the future! Unexpectedly, Yan Jiecheng jumped up when he was tolerant!

Ever since he saw Yu Li, Yan Jiecheng was attracted to her. He kept staring at her and even thought of the name of his child in his heart. Now seeing that his goddess chose the bastard Sha Zhu, he couldn't help it anymore. Anyway, with Director Wang around, He Yuzhu wouldn't dare to hit him. If it really worked out, even if he had to face Sha Zhu's anger afterwards, he would still be the winner. Yan Jiecheng, who had figured it out, started to slander He Yuzhu directly!

Yu Li looked at He Yuzhu in surprise. After all, it was only one day and she really didn’t know about all these circumstances!

He Yuzhu touched his nose and smiled awkwardly, "Yes, I used to be called Shazhu, not because I'm stupid, there is a story behind it, all the old residents living in the 95th courtyard know it, Uncle Yan, do you know the reason?"

Yan Bugui nodded awkwardly. He Yuzhu ignored Yan Jiecheng who was gritting his teeth and looked at Yu Li and said, "When I was a child, my father He Daqing made steamed buns and I carried him out to sell them. As a result, I met a black-hearted boss on the road. He used counterfeit money to cheat me and took away all the steamed buns!

It happened that when I was counting money, two soldiers saw me and tried to rob me. I refused to give them money and started running. They chased me and shot me. I was not afraid. I had only one thought in my mind: I can’t let the steamed buns made by my father go to waste. I ran for a long time before I got rid of them and ran home. As a result, when my father knew what happened, he said, “You are a fool!” Later, the news spread and everyone started calling me “Foolish”!

Later, my dad passed away, and I was left alone with my younger sister. How could I survive if I didn’t act stupid and dumb as a teenager? So people called me Shazhu, and I agreed. At that time, I thought, whoever wants to bully me, I will fight to the death, anyway, everyone knows that I am Shazhu! I was stupid! "

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, Yu Li was already in tears. She had not expected that He Yuzhu's childhood was so miserable. She felt very sad. In comparison, the hardships she had endured over the years were nothing!

"Don't cry, I don't have to play dumb now, no one can bully me now!" He Yuzhu quickly persuaded.

Chapter 109 Dowry Money

He Yuzhu is not someone you can easily mess with. I won’t hit Yan Jiecheng now, but I can still insult you. “Uncle Yan, I heard that you are cleaning the school now? Why don’t you become a teacher? Did you make any mistakes? How can you, an old teacher, be forced to do such rough work as cleaning? Do you want me to go to the Education Bureau to appeal for your injustice? The school is so unfair to you!”

He Yuzhu kept saying that it was for Yan Bugui's good, but to Yan Bugui, it was like a knife stabbing into his heart, then pulling it out, and then stabbing it in again! It really hurts! Especially since he just boasted that he had worked at the school for almost 30 years. Wasn't He Yuzhu's words obviously saying that his character was not good?

Although he was angry, Yan Bugui could only listen and endure without refutation! His son started it first, and as a father, he could only carry it on his back!

But Yan Bugui's good intentions were in vain. Yan Jiecheng didn't understand at all. He didn't care whether Yan Bugui's expression was right or not. He shouted at He Yuzhu angrily, "You don't need to pretend to be a good person here. You don't need to worry about my family's affairs!" Yan Jiecheng was a fool. He didn't hear the thorn in He Yuzhu's words at all. Or he didn't focus on that. He only cared about whether he could marry Yu Li!

She turned to Yu Li's parents, her face changed and she smiled. She changed her face so quickly, "Uncle Yu, Aunt Yu, I really like Yu Li, please give me a chance! I'll give you a 20 yuan gift. No, no, I'll give you 30 yuan!" Yan Jiecheng's eyes were fixed on Yu's mother, and when she mentioned 20 yuan, her face turned cold, so he quickly changed his words and added 10 yuan!

Compared to Chen Zhiguo, the fool, Yan Jiecheng has understood the market price of dowry. Twenty is the lowest, and thirty is already very good and face-saving for an average family. Yan Jiecheng is confident that his dowry can impress them, especially Yu Li's mother. Her eyes are very similar to those of his father!