Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 156 - 156 156 Halt

?Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Halt Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Halt Bai Jianguo’s family really did act in a shameless manner. When it comes to marrying off a daughter, everyone provides a dowry. However, all they packed for Bai Mei were several bundles, some of which contained her old clothes. The bedding was neatly made, sure, but beyond that there was nothing else of value in her dowry.

When Fang Xiaoshan came to fetch the bride, he arrived in high spirits, but upon reaching the door, he was first blocked by Bai Zhuang and Bai Shan. The villagers made a fuss, demanding red envelopes and wedding candies. The Fang Family had prepared for this, but Bai Shan and Bai Zhuang were a bit excessive, dissatisfied with the fifty cents and one yuan in the red envelopes. After finally getting inside, paying their respects, and planning to leave, Fang Xiaoshan’s mood soured upon seeing the dowry loaded onto the tractor. His family had given a bride price of two hundred yuan and fireworks, thinking that at least a few items should be returned as part of the dowry in order to satisfy tradition.

No one had ever seen a wedding without even a single dowry item; Fang Xiaoshan couldn’t be pleased.

But seeing Bai Mei made up with her cheeks rosy red, Fang Xiaoshan still held back. He knew the importance of this day and didn’t want to cause discomfort. Before he could get over this irritation, he and Bai Mei had just climbed onto the tractor. As her elder brother, Bai Zhuang was supposed to escort them — a local custom. But Bai Zhuang was being difficult, refusing to let them leave without being given a red envelope.

One red envelope wasn’t enough; he brazenly demanded one worth ten yuan.

That was when Fang Xiaoshan lost his patience. He immediately turned hostile, pointing his finger at Bai Mei’s nose and saying bluntly, “Marry or not, if the wedding is off, then return the bride price and betrothal gifts. Our tractor cannot return empty-handed.”

Instantly, both families were at a standoff.

Bai Jianguo couldn’t swallow his pride; if he backed down today, he would be the laughingstock of the village. But if he didn’t, would Bai Mei remain unmarried? He already had plans for the bride price and betrothal gifts.

Someone had to step in to ease the tension, so he reluctantly asked Bai Ju and her spouse to try to persuade Fang Xiaoshan.

Bai Ju and He Wang were not the slick-talking types. Their clumsy attempts only provoked Fang Xiaoshan to argue even more. A disagreement escalated quickly, and not only did Fang Xiaoshan hit He Wang, but he also threatened to strike Bai Ju.

Just as his fist was about to smash into He Wang’s head in front of Bai Ju, a voice bellowed.

“Stop!”

The voice was like thunder from a clear sky, startling Fang Xiaoshan enormously.

He turned around, cursing, “Who the…” He choked on his words upon seeing Bai Xiao following behind Bai Song.

Since the engagement and the giving of the bride price and betrothal gifts, Fang Xiaoshan had never seen Bai Xiao, and he had assumed the “star of disaster” was gone. Knowing that Bai Xiao had been admitted to university, he thought she had already gone off to school. Yet, here she was.

All at once, the pain he had endured before came flooding back to Fang Xiaoshan.

He shivered involuntarily.

Looking around at the gathered crowd, his courage grew; Bai Xiao surely wouldn’t dare to do anything to him in front of so many people.

“Who are you? Mind your own business!”

Bai Song came over, and with a sidestep, he bumped into Fang Xiaoshan with his shoulder, causing him to stagger. Bai Song’s build was ten times that of Fang Xiaoshan.

Fang Xiaoshan rubbed his chest, muttering, “Doesn’t watch where he’s going, damn it hurts, what is he made of, iron?” But his air of defiance diminished instantly. He wasn’t a fool; the other man was wearing a military uniform, and he dared not provoke him.

When Bai Ju saw her brother Bai Song, she breathed a sigh of relief. Who knew that such a scene would unfold upon her return?

Bai Jianguo hurriedly stepped forward, “Bai Song, you’re finally here. Look at how Fang Xiaoshan beat up your sister. This new son-in-law is really not giving the Bai Family any face, daring to hit his wife’s family. If we let this slide, will they start to walk all over us in the future? You can’t let him off!” At this moment, he hoped Bai Song would step in and keep Fang Xiaoshan in check. That way, today’s humiliation could be reclaimed, and Fang Xiaoshan wouldn’t dare to treat his daughter poorly afterward.

Fang Xiaoshan got anxious. Were these really the Bai Family’s people?

“Father-in-law, please be reasonable. Tell me, does the Bai Family act honorably? I’m also a human being, and just because I’m the new son-in-law doesn’t mean I should be bullied by your family! Look at the dowry. Who else would accompany such things? Our family gave a dowry of two hundred yuan! We also sent a ‘three rounds and one sound’ betrothal gift. According to old customs, shouldn’t there be two items accompanied back in return? Let everyone decide. Which family marries off their daughter like this? Isn’t that like selling a daughter? And, just now, my brother-in-law insisted on ten yuan, refusing to get in the car without it. What’s up with that? Have you never seen money before? Is your daughter made of gold or silver? A brother-in-law actually demanding a ten-yuan red envelope, tell me, is there anyone else in our ten villages who is so greedy? Am I being unreasonable, or is the Bai Family’s behavior improper? Let’s sort this out. I refuse to believe there’s nowhere to seek justice,” Fang Xiaoshan said, usually grasping for straws even when wrong, let alone when he was in the right.

With those words out in the open, the villagers’ gazes toward Bai Jianguo and his wife weren’t too kind. There were very few families who married off their daughters like Bai Jianguo did.

Bai Jianguo quickly tried to smooth things over, “Xiaoshan, indeed, Bai Zhuang was inconsiderate with the red envelope. He was just joking with you. Who knew you’d take it seriously? Plus, we are sincerely looking to become family. Why would we make things difficult for you? Right?” He deliberately avoided mentioning the dowry issue, as they had planned not to give one.

Some people stepped forward to mediate, after all, it wasn’t right for the celebration to continue in such disarray.

On Fang Xiaoshan’s side, elder individuals from both families mediated and, eventually, Fang Xiaoshan calmed down. Mainly because he felt uncomfortable seeing Bai Xiao and wanted to leave soon, so he didn’t pursue the matter further. After venting a few words of anger, he went along with the flow and readied himself to get on the tractor and return.

“Wait!” Bai Song spoke up.

Fang Xiaoshan glanced at Bai Song. He couldn’t afford to offend a soldier. Fang Xiaoshan was no fool. He knew who he could provoke and who he couldn’t, and he clearly knew he couldn’t provoke the man before him.

“People’s Liberation Army comrade, do you have anything else to say?”

Bai Song pointed to Bai Ju and He Wang, “You might be done with your matter, but it seems we’re not finished! After hitting someone, do you think you can just slap your butt and leave?” Even if the man had beat up his second sister, and despite being Bai Mei’s husband, Bai Song couldn’t let Fang Xiaoshan leave just like that.

Bai Ju pulled at Bai Song, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. On such a joyous day, let’s not cause any discomfort for others. After all, we’re family now, no worries!”

Hao Fang also hurriedly said, “Right! We are all one family; we can’t let outsiders laugh at us. Bai Song, you can’t be helping outsiders laugh at our family affairs now.”

Seeing his mother-in-law intervening, Fang Xiaoshan also apologized, “This is my brother-in-law and sister, right? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize earlier, and I acted impetuously. I truly apologize. Tomorrow, when I come back for the return visit, I’ll make sure to have a good drink with you both!”

He stepped his foot on the tractor, and as he lifted himself up, someone from above reached down and took hold of his hand, helping him up.