45: Chapter 45 Yesterday wasn't just...

The Waitress quickly brought over some boxes, and Chen Yali efficiently packed the remaining dishes into them, one by one.

More than half a plate of red-braised pork remained, there were still several pieces of sweet and sour pork tenderloin, and the dry-fried green beans were almost untouched.

Everything was packed up neatly.

She picked up the bag and stood up.

"Then I'll be going first. You hurry up and get the money ready so we can get things done sooner."

After saying that, she clicked away in her high heels, swaying her waist, without even looking back.

Wang Xiaohu sat at the empty table, staring at the empty plates, dazed for a long time.

...

After leaving the restaurant, Wang Xiaohu stood by the side of the road and took out his phone.

His finger hovered over that familiar number for a long time.

In the end, he pressed it.

"Dad..."

The voice of Wang Fujia came from the other end of the line.

"Xiaohu, what is it?"

Wang Xiaohu opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to say them.

He was silent for a few seconds.

"Dad, about the bride price. Chen Yali wants three hundred eighty-eight thousand, and also the three golds..."

There was silence on the other end of the line as well.

After a long while, Wang Fujia's voice came through, sounding weary.

"Come back for a trip. Let's discuss it at home."

"Okay."

Wang Xiaohu hung up the phone and stood in the cold wind, watching the pedestrians coming and going on the street.

Everyone was preparing for the New Year, their faces full of joy.

Only he felt as cold as ice inside.

The next day.

Wang Family Village, in the courtyard of Wang Yang's home.

A stove was burning in the main room, making it warm and cozy.

Wang Fujia sat on a wooden chair, holding a cigarette in his hand, his brow furrowed tightly.

Sitting next to him was his wife, Li Sanhua, her eyes red, clutching a handkerchief in her hand.

Wang Fuguo sat opposite them.

Li Xuehua came in carrying tea and poured a cup for everyone.

Wang Fujia stubbed out his cigarette and looked up.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I really can't bring myself to say this..."

Wang Fuguo waved his hand.

"We're brothers, why say such things? Wang Xiaohu is my own nephew. Even though he's three years older than Wang Yang, I've watched him grow up since he was little. His business is my business."

Wang Fujia lowered his head, his voice raspy.

"That child Wang Xiaohu has been dating Chen Yali for three years. It's not easy for them to have reached the stage of talking about marriage; as elders, we can't just watch it fall apart."

"But three hundred eighty-eight thousand... His mother and I have turned out all our savings, and even borrowed from all our relatives, but we're still short fifty thousand."

Li Sanhua wiped away tears on the side.

"Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, we really had no other choice but to come to you. Wang Xiaohu is already twenty-eight. In the countryside, if he doesn't get married at this age, he really won't be able to hold his head up."

Wang Fuguo and Li Xuehua looked at each other.

Wang Fuguo spoke up.

"How much are you still short?"

Wang Fujia looked up.

"Fifty thousand."

Wang Fuguo nodded and looked at Li Xuehua.

Li Xuehua didn't say a word; she got up and walked into the inner room.

After a while, she came out with a stack of money and placed it on the table.

Fifty thousand, neatly stacked.

Wang Fujia was stunned.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, this..."

Li Xuehua pushed the money in front of him.

"Take it. Getting a wife for our nephew is what matters. Wang Xiaohu is three years older than Wang Yang; the wedding can't be delayed any longer."

Wang Fujia's eyes turned red.

"This... this is the money Wang Yang sent back to you, right? You couldn't bear to spend it yourselves, how can I have the face to take it?"

Wang Fuguo waved his hand.

"Money is dead, people are alive. Wang Xiaohu's matter is urgent. Besides, that child Wang Yang is capable; he can earn more later. When he comes back and finds out about this, he will definitely support it."

Li Sanhua stood up, took Li Xuehua's hand, and tears streamed down her face.

"Sister-in-law, I... I don't know what to say."

Li Xuehua patted her hand.

"Don't say anything. A nephew getting married is a big deal; as his aunt and uncle, we will help if we can."

Wang Fujia stood up and bowed deeply to Wang Fuguo and Li Xuehua.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I will remember this kindness. After Wang Xiaohu gets married and we get back on our feet, we will definitely pay you back."

Wang Fuguo helped him up.

"Alright, alright, we're brothers, why say such distant words? Hurry back and prepare, don't let the kids get anxious."

Wang Fujia nodded and tucked the fifty thousand into his chest.

The couple left, expressing their endless gratitude.

The main room quieted down.

Wang Fuguo sat there, looking at the doorway, and sighed.

"Three hundred eighty-eight thousand... This bride price is too heavy."

Li Xuehua sat down beside him.

"Who's to say it isn't? But the girl wants it, and there's nothing we can do. That child Wang Xiaohu is honest; he's spent all his wages on her over these years, so he's definitely unwilling to let go."

Wang Fuguo shook his head.

"I wonder how much a bride will ask for when Wang Yang looks for a wife in the future..."

Li Xuehua smiled.

"Our Wang Yang is so capable, why worry about this? Maybe we won't even need to spend any money; he'll handle it all himself."

Wang Fuguo also smiled.

"That's true."

Outside the window, the cold wind swept across the courtyard, causing the cured meat under the eaves to sway gently.

But inside the room, it was warm and cozy.

...

Yuntian City.

The black X5M parked downstairs from Zhao Yaqin's home.

Wang Yang turned off the engine and went upstairs.

He walked to the door and raised his hand to knock.

Knock, knock, knock.

Footsteps came from inside, and the door opened.

Zhao Yaqin stood at the doorway.

She was wearing off-white loungewear, her hair draped casually, and a gentle smile on her face.

Seeing Wang Yang, her eyes lit up.

"Wang Yang? Why are you here again?"

Wang Yang smiled and walked inside, closing the door behind him.

"What, not welcome?"

Zhao Yaqin blushed.

"Welcome, I just didn't expect you to come back so soon..."

Wang Yang reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Zhao Yaqin's body softened, and she leaned against his chest.

"I missed you."

The voice was low, sounding in her ear.

Zhao Yaqin's face turned even redder.

"Didn't we just... yesterday..."

"Yesterday is yesterday, today is today."

Wang Yang lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead.

"I missed you so much after just one day apart."

Zhao Yaqin felt sweet inside, but she muttered softly.

"Smooth talker."

Wang Yang laughed, and his hands began to wander.

Moving slowly from her waist upwards.

Zhao Yaqin's body trembled, and she pushed him lightly.

"Don't, it's broad daylight..."

Wang Yang didn't stop; instead, he held her even tighter.

"So what if it's broad daylight? Do I need to pick a time to kiss my own woman?"

Zhao Yaqin's face was red enough to bleed, and the strength with which she pushed him grew weaker and weaker.

"You, you just know how to bully me."

Wang Yang lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Zhao Yaqin's resistance completely melted away.

She closed her eyes and climbed her hands onto his shoulders.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Both of them were breathing heavily.

Zhao Yaqin leaned in his arms, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glistening.

Wang Yang looked at her appearance and was very satisfied in his heart.

He reached out and gently wiped away the moisture from the corner of her mouth.

"Sister Yaqin."

"Hmm..."

"I'm heading home for the New Year in a few days."

Zhao Yaqin was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him.

Wang Yang continued.