Chapter 423 - 419: Petty

Chapter 423: Chapter 419: Petty

Luo Hongyi had fully anticipated this outcome—that the dowry he had clearly stated was for his second sister would instead be given to his first sister-in-law.

That’s right. It was a deliberate scheme.

Knowing his mother’s obsessive need to control finances, he was certain she wouldn’t be satisfied with how he allocated the money. In her eyes, all the money he sent home belonged to her; he had no right to decide how it was used. And since he hadn’t handed over his entire stipend to her in this life, she had long considered him an unfilial son.

Luo Hongyi sneered inwardly. In reality, giving his second sister extra money and things wasn’t out of deep brotherly affection. After all, whatever feelings he’d had were worn away in his last life after she had tormented Nuannuan and meddled in his marriage, deliberately sowing discord between them. That whole series of events had ground any affection to dust. His reason for still acting especially kind to his second sister was simple: he wanted her, one day, after learning the truth, to feel a thorn digging into her heart every time she returned to her parents’ home, every time she walked that long and difficult mountain road.

’In this life, my money and gifts won’t be so easily taken. Even if the benefits don’t actually end up in their pockets, the fact is that I gave them. Once everything is out in the open, the villagers will naturally make comparisons behind their backs. For example, I gave money and gifts when my siblings got married, but when it’s my turn to marry, how will my siblings repay me? Without comparison, there’s no gossip, right?’

Luo Hongyi thought pettily.

’Everyone has to learn, bit by bit, that I, Luo Hongyi, have already done enough, have "given my all" for my parents and siblings. Then, if it comes to a day when we finally tear off all pretenses and I have to turn against these so-called "family members," people will be able to judge for themselves what’s right. Most people would wonder: in the end, who was the one whose greed left me so disheartened?’

’If I can create conflict between them with just a few hundred yuan and a bicycle that will only be impressive for a few years, keeping them too busy to just stare at their own little patch of land and scheme, then the money and the bike are well worth it.’

’Besides, what’s a bicycle really worth? In the year my second sister got married, a bicycle was still a novelty that required a special coupon to buy, but the very next year, you could buy one without a coupon. Right now, in a small village and county town like theirs, a bicycle might still be considered something special, but in the cities, they are already becoming more and more common. In a few more years, who will still think it’s such a rare item?’

"Sigh, how could your mother do such a thing?" Seeing Luo Hongyi remain silent, his expression looking pained, Aunt Li felt a pang of pity. She shook her head and sighed. "It’s one thing for her to keep it a secret, but how could she give the dowry bicycle you intended for your sister to your first sister-in-law? Such blatant favoritism... the truth always comes out. Isn’t this bound to cause trouble sooner or later? What will your sister and brother-in-law think? Just you watch. It wouldn’t surprise me if even your future sister-in-law gets upset about it."

’Knowing my brother-in-law, he’ll be more than just upset. He’ll probably storm right over to their house and cause a scene.’ Luo Hongyi picked up the thread with a bitter smile. "Aunt Li, it’s all my fault. I’m just not capable enough. I couldn’t come up with any more money, so I really can’t help the family much."

"You absolutely shouldn’t think that way. It’s not easy out there on your own. But you’ve never missed a single month of sending support money to your parents. And you don’t forget your siblings either. If that’s called ’not capable,’ then what is?" Aunt Li dismissed his words. "Hongyi, don’t mind your auntie for being nosy, but there are three brothers in your family. You shouldn’t just feel that because you’re the one who went out and made something of yourself, you have to carry the whole family’s burden on your shoulders. Don’t be so naive. Be a little shrewd, keep some money for yourself. You’ll have plenty of expenses in the future, especially when you have a wife and kids." She shook her head again and couldn’t help but add, "Your mother... sometimes she really is quite muddle-headed."

’Muddle-headed is one way to put it... but it’s better if I don’t comment on that.’

Luo Hongyi could only force a bitter smile. "Aunt Li, what’s the deal with my fourth brother’s future in-laws? Weren’t they supposed to get married? It’s been over half a year, why hasn’t it happened yet?"

"What else? They broke it off because they didn’t think your family could afford the bride price they were demanding."

Aunt Li pursed her lips. "When they were first discussing the marriage, that family made an outrageous demand—a bride price more than double what a normal family would ask. How could your family agree to that? After a lot of haggling, they finally settled on the bride price, but then the girl’s family said your house was too run-down and demanded you build a new one. Your mom gritted her teeth and said she’d borrow the money to build it. She’d already borrowed the money and was ready to start construction when the girl’s side went back on their word again. This time they demanded the family property be divided, and that the new house would belong solely to your fourth brother’s branch of the family. How could your first sister-in-law stand for that? She started making a fuss, saying that if they were going to divide the family, they’d have to build an identical new house for her and your first brother too..."

Aunt Li glanced at Luo Hongyi, managing to suppress a gloating smile out of respect for him, and continued, "Anyway, in the end, the two families couldn’t agree, and the engagement was called off. The girl’s family found another match for her, but just then, they discovered their daughter was pregnant—and the baby is your brother’s. How could her family let that slide? They came to your house and beat your brother black and blue. Your mom wouldn’t stand for that, so she went to find people from the Luo Family clan to mediate. But in a situation like this, even if the Luo Family wanted to intervene, they wouldn’t have the moral high ground. Besides, the girl’s family threatened to report your fourth brother to the authorities and have him sent to jail."

"So my parents went to the girl’s house today because of this?" This was a little unexpected. Luo Hongyi raised an eyebrow. "And my first brother and his wife? Why did she suddenly run back to her parents’ house?"

"That family laid out their conditions. Not only do they want the original high bride price, but they also want the family property divided, a new house built, and gold and silver jewelry. This time, they’re really making an outrageous demand. Your parents can’t handle it, but they can’t refuse either. That’s why your first sister-in-law started kicking up a fuss. In the end, she took her child and went back to her parents’ house in a huff, and your first brother went chasing after her," Aunt Li explained. Then she asked curiously, "This whole thing, about your fourth brother’s marriage falling through before... your family never wrote to you about it?"

Aunt Li only asked out of pure curiosity.

"They did send a few letters, but I left them at my company dorm. I haven’t had a chance to open them yet," Luo Hongyi said with an apologetic look. "I was on a business trip before. This time, the item I was escorting was extremely valuable, and somehow word got out, so it was quite dangerous. So after I got back, I spent some time in the hospital. I had just gotten out of the hospital when I received the telegram. I grabbed a few changes of clothes and rushed back in a panic. I’d even forgotten about those letters until you just mentioned them."