Chapter 7

Once the words were out, even though it pained him, Zhu Chang’an steeled himself and refused to take them back.
He even wanted to rush to Sang Ran’s house and announce that he would add a bicycle to the betrothal gifts!
Thankfully, Sang Ran stopped him.
She planned to wait and see how much dowry the Sang family would provide before making a decision. After all, the issue of the room and the events from the plot in her previous life made it impossible for Sang Ran to believe that their character settings included traits like "loving their daughter" or "having a conscience."
If it were simply about selling off a daughter, the dowry would certainly not include anything good. Zhang Cuixia had already hinted to her that the betrothal gifts from the Zhu family would likely amount to ninety-nine yuan.
In this era, that was already a large sum of money. Zhang Cuixia’s other two daughters-in-law hadn’t received nearly as much. This was only because Zhu Chang’an was her most beloved youngest son.
Of course, on the surface, only sixty yuan was openly given; the rest came from her own pocket.
Given this situation, Sang Ran felt that if the Sang family’s dowry was too meager, it would be better not to mention the bicycle at all.
After receiving such a generous betrothal gift, if they weren’t even willing to provide a dowry and had already taken over her room as a storage space before she was even married, it was highly unlikely they would let the bicycle end up in her hands.
In Sang Ran’s understanding, the dowry and betrothal gifts should serve as a marriage fund from both families to support the couple starting their new life together.
But times were different, and circumstances varied. She could understand the Sang family taking a portion for themselves, but if things turned out as she expected, she couldn’t comprehend it.
She wasn’t the original owner of this body and had almost no emotional attachment to them. The only reason she treated Grandpa Sang kindly was due to the lingering attachment left by Sang Ran’s soul.
Naturally, she couldn’t share these thoughts directly with Zhu Chang’an. Fortunately, he was simple-minded, so she rephrased it, saying she hoped the bicycle would be a delightful surprise for their wedding.
Zhu Chang’an readily agreed.
Having settled the matter, the two returned home feeling satisfied.
As soon as they reached the door, they were met with a crowd of onlookers, all eager to tease them: "Oh, look, the young couple is back. They really are a perfect match!"
"Look at those happy smiles, so full of joy."
"…"
Sang Ran pretended to be shy, smiled, and quickly retreated to her room to hide.
Zhu Chang’an, however, couldn’t escape and had to stand there like a tree.
When he wasn’t acting frivolous, he was actually quite a decent young man, at least in appearance. Though he didn’t fit the current standards of handsomeness, no one could in good conscience call him ugly.

After a lively lunch, the matchmaker left contentedly, taking the Zhu family with her.
Mother Sang came over with a smile and said, "You’re a lucky girl. Just the betrothal gifts from your mother-in-law are substantial. In the future, you’ll surely live a life of comfort. Didn’t I tell you it wouldn’t harm you?"
The betrothal gifts certainly weren’t limited to money; there were other items as well. In the 1980s, the "three rounds and one sound" were popular. However, bicycles were extremely rare. Since the Zhu family had given a generous amount of money, the bicycle wasn’t initially included in the list.
But the other three items, a radio, a sewing machine, and a wristwatch, were all part of the gifts.
Sang Ran smiled slightly, "Mm."
The response was too plain. Mother Sang frowned but quickly smoothed her expression for the sake of the money, her smile growing even more amiable. "Sang Ran, I know you're not entirely satisfied with this marriage, but in life, one can't always have everything perfect."
"I know," Sang Ran nodded, indicating she didn’t mind the marriage.
Mother Sang breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Originally, the family should follow the proper order, your older brother should marry first, then you. But circumstances are different now. The family finally has a bit of money, and your father and I want to quickly arrange a wife for your brother."
"Mm," Sang Ran nodded again, a faint smile in her eyes as she watched her mother's expression, not appearing sharp.
Her demeanor was gentle but carried a hint of amusement, and she didn’t engage further.
Mother Sang felt a bit annoyed, thinking her daughter wasn’t as considerate as before. Still, there were things she had to say. If the Zhu family hadn’t valued Sang Ran so much, she wouldn’t have been so polite. But Zhang Cuixia seemed to hold Sang Ran in high regard, and the family would still rely on their daughter in the future, so she couldn’t afford to cause a rift now.
She spoke gently, "Sang Ran, the betrothal ceremony is on the 28th, they say it’s an auspicious day. The wedding will be on the 15th of next month. What do you plan to do about the dowry?"
Before Sang Ran could respond, Mother Sang cut in, "The family doesn’t have much money, and your brother needs to marry too. Can you be understanding of your parents? How about we send you off with two sets of cotton quilts?"
"Just that?" Sang Ran asked, somewhat incredulous.
"I’ll also make you a new set of clothes," Mother Sang said, her expression pained.
Sang Ran’s lips twitched. "I remember there’s also the 'three rounds and one sound', aren’t you planning to give me any of that? Mother Sang looked troubled and a bit reproachful, her voice tinged with complaint. "You know the family’s situation. If we give it to you, what will your brother have for his marriage? Who would be willing to marry him then?"
"There will be someone willing to marry him. Not every family has that much anyway," Sang Ran said. From the memories she had inherited, aside from a few well-off families, most only had half or even less, that was the reality for everyone.
The Zhu family’s conditions were relatively good, but if they were to provide a bicycle as well, the two sisters-in-law would likely cause a scene out of resentment.
However, the Song family probably had it all, because Song Jianguo earned his own money to support his family. He was an upright man, meticulous in his work, and wouldn’t skimp in this regard.
Mother Sang said unhappily, "If we offer less, only girls from poor families would marry him. Your brother is the pillar of this family, he must marry someone good."
Sang Ran smiled, feeling her decision was right. She nodded, "Fine, you decide. After all you’ve raised Sang Ran for eighteen years."
Ninety-nine yuan, plus the "three rounds and one sound."
Calculating carefully, the original host’s entire life hadn’t cost that much.
In that case, it was enough.
"What nonsense are you talking, child?" For some reason, Mother Sang felt a pang of unease at her daughter’s faint, distant tone. But these decisions had long been settled, so she didn’t change her mind, only adding, "We’re all family, there’s no need to be so calculational, right?"
Sang Ran nodded vaguely, "You’re right."
You’re the family.
After saying what she wanted to say, Mother Sang felt she hadn’t offended her daughter. This daughter was still as easygoing as ever.
When Mother Sang stepped outside, she saw her eldest son waiting by the door, looking at her with hopeful eyes. Clearly, he knew she had just gone in to speak with his younger sister.
The eldest Sang son felt a bit embarrassed but immediately asked, "Mom, how did it go? Did Little Sister agree?"
Mother Sang shot him a mock-annoyed glance and said, "Of course she agreed. How could she refuse? Your marriage is a big deal."
The eldest Sang son breathed a sigh of relief, grinned, and looked thoroughly satisfied.
The two younger brothers, not yet at the age to marry, glanced at their eldest brother with envy.
Father Sang puffed on his cigarette, listening to his wife and son talk, and nodded contentedly.
Raising this daughter was truly worthwhile.

The Song family’s wedding took place before Sang Ran’s.
Those who went to watch came back full of praise. Su Ya received the "three rounds and one sound", a sewing machine and a radio were kept at home, while the bicycle and wristwatch were taken back to her parents’ house. The journey from Su Village to Zhu Village wasn’t short, but with the lively crowd and the groom riding the bicycle with the bride, no one felt the distance.
Sang Ran didn’t pay it any attention, but in such a small village, even the tiniest matters spread far and wide. Even though she stayed at home, she couldn’t help overhearing plenty.
After all, it was supposed to be her enjoying all that.
Some people deliberately tried to stir up drama, making sure she heard.
But each time, Sang Ran pretended not to hear, remaining perfectly calm.
She didn’t concern herself with the affairs of Su Ya and Song Jianguo. Although Su Ya had used a scheme to take Song Jianguo away, Sang Ran couldn’t resort to the same tactics to win him back.
As for doing anything else, even though the two villages were neighbors and very close, after the incident, Su Ya never showed her face around Sang Ran again, making it difficult for Sang Ran to take any action.
If she were to confront Su Ya openly, it would be easy to leave evidence or give others something to hold against her.
So, for the time being, she decided to ignore it.
Once she got married, she would find out, Su Village and Zhu Village were truly close, almost like one village. When they crossed paths later, she could repay the favor in small ways.
Moreover, what mattered more was that Su Ya had always been jealous of the original Sang Ran. If she discovered that Sang Ran was living even better than before, that would hurt her far more than simple revenge.
Sang Ran knew exactly what the Song family was like, but Su Ya didn’t.
Did she really think getting married was enough? Without real capability, surviving in the Song family would be nothing but a mess.
She sneered softly. Beside her, a young boy held a sweet rice cake, swallowing his saliva but still refraining from taking a bite. After Sang Ran finished the candied hawthorn in her hand, he handed her the rice cake and said, "See, I’ve been keeping you company all this time. Now, just rest here, it’s a shady spot, so you won’t get sunburned. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon."
Long accustomed to Zhu Chang'an's habit of pulling such stunts, Sang Ran still looked at him with a pitiful, wronged expression. "How long will it take?"
Zhu Chang'an, whose mind was solely set on playing cards, felt a pang of guilt under her gaze, his eagerness cooling considerably. But he had already promised his friends. "Just half an hour this time, I promise. It’ll be over before you know it. This is all the free time I have anyway, have some pity on me. My mom’s been making me report my whereabouts everywhere she goes lately."
Sang Ran thought to herself that he really did have so little time to himself. Once they were married and everything was settled, if Zhu Chang'an still had money to gamble with, she’d eat her words.
With that thought, her heart softened a little. She stopped pretending to be pitiful, pressed her lips into a slight smile, and nodded. "Alright then, but don’t go over the time limit."
"Of course, of course! You’re the best, Sang Ran. Next time, I’ll treat you to something delicious." Overjoyed, Zhu Chang'an bounded away.

Under the large banyan tree in the town.
A few elderly men were playing chess.
A pretty young girl sat nearby, nibbling on a rice cake as she watched, standing out conspicuously among the group of seniors.
When Su Ya saw her, she froze for a moment, then quickly averted her gaze, pulling Song Jianguo toward the other side.
It was the second day of her marriage, and tomorrow was the traditional "return to the bride’s home" day. Song Jianguo had brought her out to buy some gifts to take back.
Su Ya’s mood was far from cheerful. While shopping, she didn’t hold back, instead, she bought whatever was expensive.
She felt as though all her careful planning had gone to waste.
The Su family had originally intended to keep all the "three rounds and one sound" dowry and the betrothal gifts for themselves. Fortunately, she had managed to warn them off. In her memories, this was exactly what had happened to Sang Ran in her previous life, on the wedding day, Song Jianguo’s mother had worn a sour expression, clearly displeased.
So, Su Ya had done everything in her power to avoid repeating Sang Ran’s mistakes from that past life.
Yet, right after the wedding, her mother-in-law had started making demands yesterday, insisting she wake up early to do chores and even join the collective labor.
She had heard about these things in the rumors about Sang Ran in her past life. Back then, she assumed it was because Sang Ran hadn’t brought any of the "three rounds and one sound" with her, which angered her mother-in-law. But now, it seemed Song Jianguo’s mother was simply unreasonable!
What kind of family makes a new bride work nonstop from the very first day of marriage?
Su Ya wasn’t as patient as Sang Ran had been in her past life. After being deliberately ordered around a few times, she refused to comply. On the afternoon of her wedding day, she had already argued with her mother-in-law.
That wasn’t all, she soon realized that Song Jianguo was indeed supporting the entire family on his own. His younger brothers and their wives hardly worked, earning so few work points that they couldn’t even feed themselves, yet the household still had plenty of nice things!
Where did all that money come from?
Wasn’t it all from Song Jianguo? Feeling that her efforts had been in vain, she decided it was better to spend more money and let her own family enjoy some benefits. That way, if anything happened, she could still count on her family for help.
But as she shopped, Su Ya suddenly realized she was running out of money.
On the first day of their marriage, Song Jianguo had given her some cash. To show that she hadn’t married him for money, Su Ya had taken it without asking for details or even counting it before putting it away.
Since then, she had been inseparable from Song Jianguo and hadn’t had a chance to check the money secretly.
Today, while shopping, afraid of losing the money, she had handed it to Song Jianguo to hold. But they had barely bought anything, how could the money already be insufficient?
"That’ll be 15 yuan, ma’am. I’ve already rounded down for you," the vendor said with a smile, holding out his hand.
Song Jianguo frowned in distress, looking at the little over twelve yuan left in his hand, hesitating as he said, "How about we just buy one piece?"
The street vendor quickly chimed in, "This is the latest style of clothing my relative brought back from the capital! There are only a few pieces left, if you miss out, they’ll be gone."
Su Ya clenched her teeth, her face filled with frustration as she reluctantly put one piece down. After Song Jianguo paid, she grumbled unhappily, "How could it not be enough? I have two younger sisters! I didn’t even buy one for myself, and now it’s not enough?"
At this time, Song Jianguo’s monthly salary was 41 yuan!
She remembered clearly, with that much money, how could it not be enough?!
If it really was this little, how was she supposed to get by after Song Jianguo left? Su Ya was so angry she wanted to curse, her eyes fixed intently on Song Jianguo, afraid he had hidden the rest because he thought she spent too much.
Song Jianguo’s expression darkened as he said, "I only kept this much. The rest is with Mom."
That mother-in-law who acted like a relic from feudal times?
Su Ya felt a lump in her throat, her teeth grinding in frustration.