104: Chapter 104 The elders only understand old ways of thinking, not the working class in Shanghai.

"But what? Zhu Jianhua, this bag is a bit expensive, but can't I be extravagant for myself just this once? Must I be worse off than others? Think about it, who will be doing the housework and raising the children in the future? Won't it all be me?"

Meng Fanyi said this righteously, claiming credit before she had even done any work.

At this moment, her two best friends walked over and tried to persuade him.

Li Ting soothed him, "Cousin Jianhua, you don't understand women; it's not that we don't understand! It's just that you only live once. You buying a car and a girl buying a bag are the same thing, right!"

Wang Xiaoya also chimed in, "Exactly, Meng Fanyi has seen a lot of the world! Many girls around me are like this—buying bags, buying houses, and some husbands even pay in full and add the girl's name to the deed! Take that person... who got married recently, her husband gave a dowry of over 500,000! Meng Fanyi is already content with your dowry of over 100,000, so you should cherish her."

These two were purely 'troublemakers,' but after that speech, Zhu Jianhua was left speechless.

Just then, the door opened, and Zhu Xiumei walked in.

Although she was a cousin-aunt, she was the one who arranged many things for the Zhu family.

In the entire Zhu family, she was the eldest sister of her generation, so naturally, she had to take charge.

"Cousin Jianhua, Meng Fanyi! Are you ready? The host wants you two to hurry over," Zhu Xiumei noticed the atmosphere was off the moment she entered.

Looking at Zhu Jianhua's ugly expression, she immediately understood what had happened.

She then added, "Don't pull a long face. Today is a happy day, you need to be happy. Whatever issues there are, talk about them later! Cousin Jianhua, you should give in to Meng Fanyi a little; she's young! You have a long life ahead of you..."

This was the common shortcoming of Zhu Xiumei's generation, exactly the same as the elders in the hall who were fussing over Luochuan.

Their starting point was genuine concern, but their actions still adhered to old-fashioned rules, completely disregarding the feelings of the younger generation.

They always claimed to be experienced, yet they failed to realize that the times had long since changed.

Having spent their whole lives in their hometown without seeing much of the world, they naturally couldn't comprehend the earth-shaking changes outside.

In the old days, the worry was not about scarcity, but about inequality.

In the past, when everyone was poor, no one looked down on anyone else.

Now it's different; there are always a few wealthy people in every town, which instantly creates a gap between the rich and the poor.

The children all go to big cities to work, and the closest one is Shanghai.

What kind of place is that? That is the birthplace of the Shanghai currency!

Here, a meal for 15 yuan is hearty and filling, while over there, 60 yuan will get you, at most, two extra eggs.

They don't understand the stress and lifestyle of young people.

They always think that young people sitting in front of a computer is better than moving bricks at a construction site, not realizing that the only difference is the method of moving bricks.

"Alright, I understand." Cousin Jianhua pondered for a moment, eased his inner anxiety, and then said, "Meng Fanyi, I'm sorry, let's go."

"Hmph~~" Meng Fanyi pouted coquettishly, but she didn't continue to make a fuss. As she stood up, she thanked Zhu Xiumei, "Thank you, Aunt."

"This child, we're family, why say such things? Hurry up and go, don't miss the auspicious time."

Zhu Xiumei responded with a smile; in her heart, she believed these things would always be smoothed over by time.

Because their generation knew how to endure... but she didn't know that young people today are much more 'clear-headed' than they were.

Tang Luochuan sat at the large round table, and Su Wantang suddenly whispered beside him, "Luochuan, I'm hungry..."

The girl's voice sounded a bit aggrieved, with a hint of tentativeness.

Su Wantang's eyes kept darting toward the Wangwang Snow Crackers on the table, wanting to eat something to stave off her hunger.

Jiang Jinyue also stole a glance; she hadn't eaten breakfast either, but the instincts of a young lady from a prominent family told her to remain poised.

But Tang Luochuan grabbed a few bags of snacks and threw them to the two, "Just eat, there aren't so many rules! Look over there, the kids and the aunts have almost finished eating."

Following his gaze, sure enough, the other tables had already eaten most of the snacks on their tables.

Jiang Jinyue shyly took a bag, opened it, and started eating it in small bites with Su Wantang.

They had only eaten a few bites when suddenly a chubby boy sat down beside them.

"Brother Chuan..." Wang Jie had arrived.

"Damn it!!" Tang Luochuan was stunned, and Jiang Jinyue and Su Wantang were even more surprised.

Tang Luochuan had already told the two girls that Wang Jie had dated Meng Fanyi for half a month and had even slept with her.

But he hadn't expected this guy to actually show up.

"Why are you here?" Tang Luochuan was a bit bewildered.

Wang Jie said, "Why can't I be here?"

"In what capacity? As an ex-boyfriend?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? My dad and Cousin Jianhua's dad are friends! They were high school classmates when they were young, then they joined the same factory and were colleagues for two or three years; they have a great relationship. So my dad came today, too! He plans on having a drink, and I'm the driver."

"That makes it even more awkward, damn it. Sit further inside, don't show your face."

"What's the big deal? Meng Fanyi herself doesn't feel awkward!" Wang Jie waved his hand and sat down carelessly on the edge of the aisle.

Tang Luochuan said, "But I feel grossed out."

People need face and trees need bark; you couldn't sense any of that in Meng Fanyi and Wang Jie.

Tang Luochuan and the other two sat in the corner 'shivering,' though they were also in the mood to watch the drama unfold.

But they didn't get to see any drama; Meng Fanyi, led by her father, walked onto the wedding stage.

Wang Jie just sat below, resting his chin on his hand, watching it all.

Tang Luochuan wanted to secretly tell his cousin, but they were getting married way too fast.

If they had dated normally for a year or so, he would have definitely had a serious talk with Cousin Jianhua.

"Sigh, if there are no problems in the future, thank heaven. Heh..." He gave a bitter smile and took a sip of tea.

Wang Jie suddenly leaned over and whispered, "Brother, actually Meng Fanyi is super soft."

"Shut up if you don't want to die."

"Oh~"

A wedding that appeared 'happy and perfect' to most people soon ended.

Cousin Jianhua's performance on stage was no different from anyone else's; it was nothing more than the host asking, "Do you love the bride?"

What else could he answer?

The people below just stared at the dishes, and after being wined and dined, they evaluated the hotel's service and the programs performed by the hired actors.

They were planning whether they could hire this wedding company when their own children got married.

"Luochuan, do you think our wedding will be like this?" Su Wantang looked at the two on stage, then compared them to the people below, and felt a moment of disappointment.

She hoped to be the center of attention and receive the most blessings.

But everyone was just chatting, drinking, and eating.

Even Tang Luochuan was the same, continuing to bury his head in his food.

However, hearing this, he put down his chopsticks, "This is just a ceremony; we will have one! But... I will make it up to you with something better... I hope that true surprise and romance are hidden in daily life! Not in a performance."