Chapter 177: Why Do You Have to Be So Nosy?

He Sanqiang was just afraid that the second daughter-in-law would deny it later, so he reminded them about the housing deed.

He kept it in mind, and only after seeing them get the deed done could he feel at ease. He didn’t want his sons to become enemies over the house after he passed away. Some things had to be made clear and handled properly from the start to avoid hidden troubles.

With the house matter clarified, it was time to talk about the family’s money.

He Sanqiang asked his wife Zhang Guizhi to bring out the family money: "With the house matter settled, the only thing left is the family’s money. In the early years, I was the only one working, and the monthly expenses were barely covered.

Later, the eldest dropped out of school early and became an apprentice at the factory. But even so, life was tough. It wasn’t until the eldest became a regular worker that things got slightly better at home.

But there were many children in the family, and just the tuition fees and school expenses were a huge cost. Having suffered from a lack of education myself, I was determined to support you all, no matter how tough or tiring it was, as long as you were willing."

At this point, he paused and subconsciously looked at the second son and his wife, sighing: "Later, when the eldest got married and had children, the second was in the countryside, sending subsidies from time to time, and at the same time, we were still supporting two students at home, so there was really no way to save money.

It wasn’t until the second returned to take over my job, the fourth got married, and only the fifth remained in school that the family’s situation improved.

Later, when the second got married, the second daughter-in-law suggested contributing only to living expenses. Your mom and I thought about it all night and agreed. Since then, both the eldest’s and the second’s families have only contributed to living expenses, up to the present day.

As for Yanqing’s wedding, the Cui family gave a large dowry, and our family didn’t keep any of it. We let her take it all, without any extra contribution."

He said this, but in reality, when the fourth got married, the two of them privately gave her twenty yuan as personal money. However, he couldn’t mention this, as she was their only daughter.

Seeing the sons silent, he continued: "In these years, apart from household expenses and socializing, your mom and I managed to save a total of six hundred yuan. Now, with the third and fifth unmarried, the money for their wedding dowry must be taken out first.

The eldest got married early, and at that time, the dowry was the going rate of twenty yuan and a set of fabric, not outstanding, but not shabby either.

The second married a bit later, and at that time, the dowry was sixty-six yuan and fabric for two sets of clothes. The second daughter-in-law also had an additional request for a nine-yuan pair of white sneakers, and since the second had returned from the countryside and was quite mature, we gritted our teeth and agreed."

He deliberately mentioned this to warn the second couple, in case the second daughter-in-law stirred up trouble again, as he was about to allocate wedding dowries for the third and fifth.

Upon hearing her father-in-law’s words, Gao Yumei realized it wasn’t good, and she quickly nudged He Jian Country with her elbow: "Forget about the fifth, but the third doesn’t lack money. Surely the family won’t still need to pay the dowry?"

He Jian Country, having already felt deeply shamed by his father’s words, got even more annoyed at Gao Yumei’s remarks and, clenching his teeth, quietly told her, "Shut up."

He Sanqiang calculated a bit in his mind before speaking: "The dowries and the money for banquets for the weddings of the eldest and the second were provided by the family..."

He was just about to say: "The third and the fifth won’t be exceptions..."

But before he could finish, the second daughter-in-law jumped out and said: "Dad, during our wedding, the family indeed hosted the banquet, but the gift money collected back then was taken by the family too."

The eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Erni, couldn’t stand her sister-in-law anymore: "Second family, is it necessary to be so particular? Besides, Dad hasn’t finished talking yet."

Hearing her sister-in-law’s words, Gao Yumei got displeased: "Big sister-in-law, I’m just speaking the truth. Besides, are you trying to show yourself as understanding by making me look petty? Do you find joy in making me look bad?"

Her words directly annoyed the eldest, He Jiefang: "Second, can’t you control your wife’s tongue?"

If there were not outsiders present, He Jian Country had long wanted to hit someone. He jumped up: "Gao Yumei, why is there always so much nonsense with you?

I’ve said it before, if you feel that the He Family can no longer accommodate you and you find life unsatisfactory, you can leave. I will make it happen for you. Don’t act like a troublemaker, being involved everywhere."

Seeing He Jian Country’s red eyes in anger, Gao Yumei dared not speak, but she began a new tactic, sitting there wiping tears.

However, everyone in the room pretended not to see it.

After discussing with a few witnesses, He Sanqiang finally spoke: "Since the second daughter-in-law brought it up, your mom and I can’t ignore it.

Now, the dowries for arranged marriages in the city are mostly one hundred and twenty yuan, some even as high as one hundred and fifty or two hundred. Let’s take a middle ground and adhere to the current marital trends.

We’ll first deduct the dowries for the third and fifth from these six hundred yuan, plus money for additional clothing and a pair of shoes, is that not reasonable?"

He Sanqiang said this to the second couple, and He Jian Country, feeling quite ashamed, nodded: "Dad, it’s reasonable."

He Sanqiang, in front of everyone, counted out a hundred and eighty yuan each for He Jinxuan and He Yuejin and handed it over: "Count it, please."

Both of them took the money, counted it, and simultaneously said: "No problem."

He Jinxuan initially didn’t want it, but he didn’t want to let the second sister-in-law benefit, planning to return the money to the old couple as respect for them after the family splits. He really wasn’t concerned about this money.