Cheng You hadn't held out much hope for the betrothal gifts Zhao's family gave Cheng Tao. Even if the gifts were more substantial, Cheng Tao would still have pocketed some.
Twenty yuan was already pretty good.
Clutching the twenty yuan gleefully, she thought about going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy two more bolts of cloth for clothes.
On the day Cheng Tao got married, Cheng You put on a dress she had just made and sat by the door, cracking melon seeds.
Everyone knew she had fallen out with Song Yulian and her daughter, so they didn't find her actions unusual.
Cheng Tao donned a newly made red wedding dress, her face powdered and lips rouged. Her long hair was pinned up with a silver hairpin.
This was part of Song Yulian's dowry for her.
Despite the effort in dressing up, everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to Cheng You standing outside.
Cheng Tao, looking like this, still couldn't compare to Cheng You's unadorned appearance.
When Zhao Yunlin also looked at Cheng You, Cheng Tao couldn't help but darken her expression.
Song Yulian pinched her hand and said, "Endure it. This is a wedding, it's only once. No matter how much Zhao Yunlin likes Cheng You's face, it's you, Cheng Tao, he's marrying now!"
Cheng Tao gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening with anger.
Someone saw this and teased with a smile, "Is the bride reluctant to leave her family?"
Song Yulian feigned wiping away a tear, "My Tao'er has always been sensible since she was little. We're closest, so it's natural to be reluctant. Fortunately, we're in the same village, so you can come home anytime."
With that, she let Zhao Yunlin lead Cheng Tao out.
As they passed Cheng You, Cheng Tao stopped.
"Cheng You, the household will be a burden on you from now on. Your sister is getting married today. Let's let go of our past grievances."
Cheng You dropped the melon seed shell in her hand. "You're getting married, so stop sickening me here. 'Let go of our grievances'? You did wrong by me, so why should we just let it go? People might think I wronged you and begged for your forgiveness! You're about to get married, and you still come to disgust me. How inauspicious!"
After speaking, Cheng You clapped her hands and walked away, giving Cheng Tao no chance to retort.
Zhao Yunlin and Cheng Tao were left standing there as if they had swallowed a fly.
Fortunately, Song Yulian recovered her composure and quickly said with a smile, "Alright, Cheng Tao, if Cheng You doesn't appreciate it, so be it. Hurry and go home with Yunlin, don't be late for the auspicious time."
Cheng Tao managed a smile, her face flushed with maidenly shyness as she got on the bicycle and followed Zhao Yunlin home.
She knew that today, she was tied to Zhao Yunlin for better or worse.
A smile touched her lips. Her good days were just beginning.
Upon arriving at the Zhao family's house, Cheng Tao found it strange that there was no trace of red anywhere.
"Why isn't your house decorated at all?"
There was no red cloth hung at the door; it didn't look like a wedding was taking place.
Zhao Yunlin explained, "My mom said since we're not having a banquet, it's just a formality. I agreed; it's too much trouble to decorate and then clean up."
Cheng Tao's smile was strained. What was so troublesome?
This was a wedding! How could it be troublesome?
Then, wouldn't holding a banquet be even more troublesome?
"Cheng Tao, are you unhappy?" Zhao Yunlin asked.
Cheng Tao shook her head. "No, you're right, it's too much trouble. Yunlin Gege, when will I get my eighty yuan betrothal gift?"
Zhao Yunlin frowned unconsciously. Talking about money on the wedding day seemed so vulgar.
However, he patiently explained, "My mom said that all the money in the house, including my salary, is handed over to her. She'll keep this money for you. We have everything at home, so you don't need to buy anything."
Cheng Tao stared at him, dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.
What did he mean his salary was handed over?
This meant she wouldn't be able to touch Zhao Yunlin's salary from now on?
She married into the family but couldn't manage the household. How stifling would that be?
"But that was my betrothal gift, not the Zhao family's money."
Hearing this, Zhao Yunlin became displeased.
"But this money was taken out from the Zhao family, wasn't it? After you marry in, you're part of the Zhao family. Whose money would it be if not the Zhao family's? My mom said that since you're marrying in, you can't still think of yourself as a Cheng."
Cheng Tao lost her patience. "I'm marrying you, not selling myself to you! Even if I were selling myself, I wouldn't sell myself for twenty yuan! Everything is according to your mom. Why don't you just marry your mom?"
She had intended to put on an act, but upon marrying in, she realized Zhao Yunlin was a mama's boy who listened to his mother about everything!
Zhao Yunlin also became angry.
"Cheng Tao, you're being unreasonable. It's our first day married, and you're already causing trouble. Do you want to live like this?"
Cheng Tao's alarm bells were ringing. She had endured this much; she couldn't fall out with him right at the beginning.
She remembered what Song Yulian had told her: men are all the same. If you satisfy them in bed, they'll agree to anything you say.
Cheng Tao quickly lowered her stance and said, "I was just angry for a moment. Why are you so fierce? We're newlyweds, and we're fighting before even entering the bridal chamber. Won't people laugh at us?"
She twisted her waist and leaned into his arms, her ample chest brushing against him.
Zhao Yunlin reacted immediately, holding her and trying to push her down. But Cheng Tao stopped him.
"It's broad daylight, people will laugh. We haven't even spoken to Mom yet."
Zhao Yunlin rolled off the bed. Cheng Tao thought he had given up.
Then she saw him lock the door and quickly pounce onto the bed, tearing at her clothes.
In the past, no matter how much Cheng Tao teased him, he had to endure and usually took care of himself.
Now that it was legitimate, why should he restrain himself?
In the main hall, Wang Hongxia and Zhao Yongqiang, who were waiting for Cheng Tao to greet them, waited in vain.
Wang Hongxia's patience wore thin, and she went back to call them.
Before she could speak, she heard sounds from the room.
Her face immediately turned ashen. She cursed under her breath, "Making out in broad daylight, like they've never seen a man before!"
But no matter how much she cursed, Zhao Yunlin was already fully engaged and couldn't stop.
The only response was Cheng Tao's higher-pitched cries.
Zhao Yongqiang's face darkened. He pulled Wang Hongxia into the house.
"They're getting married today. You can say whatever you want tomorrow. Shouting so loudly, do you want everyone to hear?"
Wang Hongxia's voice finally lowered, but she couldn't help but grumble, "Look at her, she's so capable, bringing someone to bed in broad daylight. Our second son will be led astray by her and become unproductive!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Aren't all young couples like this after marriage? This is between the second son and his wife. Why are you interfering so much? Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed?"
Wang Hongxia had no choice but to suppress her anger, her chest feeling like it would burst.
By the next morning, Wang Hongxia was still fuming. She stood outside and called for Cheng Tao to get up and sweep the yard.
Cheng Tao yawned in bed, her hand pulling Zhao Yunlin's towards her waist.
"It's all your fault. I can't move."
Zhao Yunlin thought about yesterday, his heart filled with longing.
"Don't worry, I'll go out and tell Mom."
Cheng Tao knew then that the experience Song Yulian had imparted was indeed effective.