Reborn as Tycoon's Wife in the Countryside
Chapter 245 Xiaofeng is Fortunate (First Update)

Chapter 245: 245 Xiaofeng is Fortunate (First Update)

The villagers from Shili Village noticed that there were quite a few visitors at Liu An’s house today, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, including some varieties they had never seen before, all visible outside.

"Is there some kind of happy event at Liu An’s house today? They’ve been in our village for three years now, but I’ve never seen their house as lively as it is today," speculated a villager, observing from afar.

"Indeed, apart from providing medical care for the villagers occasionally, they seldom interact with us. Quite the peculiar father and son," another villager remarked.

"This looks like they’re setting up for an engagement. Just look at all that fish and meat," one of the villagers exclaimed as if he had discovered something quite important, raising his voice a few decibels.

"You might be onto something there. Dr. Ye is such a good-looking man; if he were my grandson, I would’ve gotten him a bride a long time ago."

"An engagement, really? Which girl’s family could it be?" No one had heard about any family planning to become related by marriage to Liu An’s family.

A villager just back from the fields joined in: "You folks don’t know? It’s the Guaizi family from Lihua Village that’s becoming relatives with Liu An’s family. Some things you just can’t anticipate."

The crowd was shocked: "No way, wasn’t the Guaizi girl pregnant?"

"Yes, and they say no one knows who the father is."

"I just heard it from the villagers of Lihua Village. They said Dr. Ye drove over early this morning to pick up the Guaizi girl. The two were dressed very nicely, the kind you’d see on a bride and groom, saying they were going to the county town to get their marriage certificate, and that they’d have a wedding banquet at home at noon," relayed the villager who had just returned from the fields, sharing the news with everyone.

Upon hearing this, the villagers were taken aback once again.

"No way, bypassing all formalities and just getting the marriage certificate?" In the countryside, there are many customs associated with marriage.

The groom’s family would have to visit the bride’s family first to make a formal proposal, then the bride’s family would go to the groom’s house to assess it. If they agreed, the two families would set a date for the engagement and then another for the wedding.

There had been no buzz about Dr. Ye and the Guaizi girl before this, and now they had gone straight to getting married. They must have been in quite the hurry.

"Do you think," a villager whispered, "that it’s possible the child in the Guaizi girl’s belly could be Dr. Ye’s? Dr. Ye is in such a good position, why would he marry a girl from the Guaizi family?"

"There are some things we just can’t guess at. Liu An and his grandson have helped us quite a bit normally, we should not meddle in their private affairs. Besides, such matters are up to the young couple’s agreement, not ours," reasoned another villager. After all, marriage is a matter for the couple behind closed doors and doesn’t have much to do with others.

"That’s true," Villager A, looking at the bustling scene in the distance, suggested: "Let’s go over there and help out. Those who have chickens at home prepare chickens, those who have eggs, bring eggs. You tell me, over these years, who else in the village has cured our ailments without asking for Liu An."

It didn’t matter that Liu An’s family had no kin in this area; the entire village was his kin.

A big wedding with relatives present adds to the spectacle, and it’s something people would talk about with respect later on.

One villager made the suggestion, and naturally, the rest agreed.

In the past three years, thanks to Liu An living here, they had benefitted greatly, and Liu An charged only nominal fees, not profiting off them at all.

No sooner said than done, someone went door-to-door spreading the word: if you have items at home, bring them; if not, chicken, fish, and meat will do. In short, anything needed for a wedding was welcome.

Liu An tied on an apron and grinned broadly: "Come on, pick up the pace folks."

"Liu An," Ye Fei held up a big "happiness" character: "I never dreamed that we’d see the day the young master gets married. I’m so thrilled."

"What are you talking about? Acheng might have his issues, but he’s a normal man, and of course, he should get married."

"Liu An," a villager called from outside.

Liu An wiped his hands on the apron, thinking a villager was seeking his medical attention.

He stepped outside and was met by a large group of villagers, momentarily dazzled by the sight: "What’s all this?" "Liu An," Villager A held up a chicken: "We heard today is Dr. Ye’s wedding day, so we’ve brought over some things to wish Dr. Ye a happy marriage and to bear children soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu An felt a warmth in his heart.

This was exactly why he loved living in the countryside; the villagers were so sincere.

"Thanks, everyone." Since everyone had come with such goodwill, Liu An skipped the formalities: "We originally planned to keep it small with just a few tables, but since all of you are so enthusiastic, everyone stay for lunch. I’ll show off my cooking skills for you all."

"Great, great," the villagers, hearing this, all sprang into action: some killing chickens, some steaming rice, others going home to fetch tables, the scene was bustling with activity.

Since it was agreed that the bride’s family would not hold a wedding banquet and would only have a meal at the groom’s house, Su Xiaofeng’s family bought some bedding and other items from town, tied them onto a tricycle with red string, and waited for Xiaofeng to return.

The tricycle wasn’t heavily laden; just a quilt, pillows, pillowcases and the like, all in bright red, looking very festive.

"We’re returning 60,666 yuan, we’ll just keep 6,000," He Ximei placed the money retrieved from the town on the table, soon to be tied up with the quilts.

Guaizi originally wanted to return all of it but thought better of it, not wanting to give the impression that Xiaofeng was worthless.

"My goodness, how much money are you returning?" He Ximei and Guaizi were bundling the money at the doorstep when the villagers crowded around, almost drooling at the sight of the thick stack of money on the tricycle.

Without looking up, He Ximei tied the bundles carefully, "We aren’t afraid of being laughed at. Ye Cheng was generous, providing a 66,600 yuan dowry. We dare not take so much; we’re giving back 60,666 and keeping just 6,000."

A 6,000 yuan dowry isn’t a small sum in the countryside, where many hover around one or two thousand.

"They really gave 66,600 yuan? My word, Ye Cheng’s family must be so rich, what’s their background?" Treating the villagers surely couldn’t bring in that much.

Just a few yuan at a time, it couldn’t amount to much even over a year.

"Old Man Ye made quite a bit of money in his early years, set aside early just waiting for Ye Cheng to get married. Our Xiaofeng is lucky to marry into Ye Cheng’s family," He Ximei was giddy inside, overjoyed that Xiaofeng found happiness.

Hu Xiulan and her daughter Su Xiaotao stood among the crowd, clenching their fists as they heard He Ximei’s triumphant laughter.

A 66,600 yuan dowry, just think about it.

Out in the countryside, their income wasn’t even 10,000 yuan for several years, perhaps they couldn’t save up that much in a lifetime. Others were offering a dowry of 66,600 yuan while their daughter only got a bit over 900 yuan for hers.

It’s like heaven and earth, simply incomparable.

Su Xiaotao also felt extremely uncomfortable. What made Xiaofeng so lucky? She was a woman who had been violated; she should spend the rest of her life under the spit and scorn of others, never able to hold her head up high.

Instead, she’s getting married and acting all superior.

If the marriage is a sham, the dowry can’t be.

It’s unlikely Guaizi’s family could have come up with so much; it must be Ye Cheng’s contribution.

To just hand over more than 60,000 yuan, what kind of family must he come from?

By comparison, Hu Xiulan increasingly disdained Liu An and even her daughter looked less appealing: "You see, if you hadn’t married Liu An back then, Ye Cheng might have taken a liking to you."

Listening to her mother, Su Xiaotao forced a smile, "Mom, I’d rather die than marry Ye Cheng."

Hu Xiulan frowned, "You silly girl, don’t you see? Ye Cheng is marrying Xiaofeng, not you. What use is saying that now?" And ’I’d rather die than marry him’ – you’d need the chance first.

A 66,600 yuan dowry, just the thought makes the heart race.

"Mom, I have a secret to tell you," Su Xiaotao had only one thought, to reveal the secret in her heart and let everyone know.

"What?"

Leaning in, Su Xiaotao whispered a few sentences to Hu Xiulan.

After listening, Hu Xiulan raised her eyebrows, "Really?"

"Mom, why would I lie to you?" Su Xiaotao giggled softly, "Otherwise, why do you think Ye Cheng would marry a woman who comes with baggage?"

With a cold laugh, Hu Xiulan said, "So that’s how it is, let’s go have a chat with that fat lady."

Such a big secret would be such a waste if not shared with everyone.

"Oh my," Hu Xiulan made her way to the front of the tricycle, "Fat lady, you really are generous, returning so much dowry money, tsk tsk, truly makes people see you in a new light."

"Naturally, the young couple will have many expenses after their marriage, and besides, we don’t need much money at home, why keep all that?"

"Fat lady, you’re just too proud to admit your suffering," Hu Xiulan stood in front of the tricycle, her voice filled with smugness, "You’re just afraid Ye Cheng won’t treat Xiaofeng well, that’s why you dare not take too much dowry."

He Ximei stopped what she was doing, "Hu Xiulan, today is Xiaofeng’s happy day and I don’t want to argue with you. Let me tell you, your jealousy won’t change anything; this is Xiaofeng’s good fortune."

"Pah, ’good fortune’," Hu Xiulan wasn’t about to let it go peacefully, "Fat lady, I bet you’re essentially selling your daughter. I’ve heard that Ye Cheng doesn’t like women at all, that the only reason he’s marrying Xiaofeng is to bring her home as a facade, to block the idle chit-chat outside."

You actually thought you snagged quite the son-in-law.