Chapter 89 Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child -20

Shen Xiuyan held Su Mingyue’s hand as they walked into the post office. Under Su Mingyue’s stunned gaze, she calmly withdrew two hundred yuan using a remittance slip.

Su Mingyue, her voice trembling, asked, “Where… where did all this money come from?”

She had never seen so much money in her entire life.

Shen Xiuyan smiled lightly and breezily. “My family sent it over when they heard we were getting married.”

Su Mingyue: “……”

After a brief moment of shock, she took a deep breath and grabbed Shen Xiuyan’s arm. “You—did you ask your family for money? The wedding banquet doesn’t need your money. My dad said he’ll handle it. This is way too much, send it back right away.”

Who sends two hundred yuan just like that? Even ten or twenty yuan would have been a huge surprise.

This was the stark difference between the city and the countryside. No wonder so many educated youths wanted to return to the city. After all, a worker’s monthly wage was dozens of yuan, but in the countryside, making money was far more difficult.

Su Mingyue was full of worry, afraid that Shen Xiuyan might’ve pressured his family into coughing up such a large sum.

What if this money put the Shen family in a tight spot? Would they end up resenting her for it?

Shen Xiuyan raised his eyebrows and smiled. “So thoughtful. You’re even worried my family won’t have enough to live on. If my parents knew, they’d praise you to the skies.”

Su Mingyue’s face flushed. “Stop teasing me. Hurry and send it back.”

Shen Xiuyan pulled her along. “No need. The money’s from my older brother. He got promoted again recently. Consider this a wedding gift from him.”

“But… but…” Su Mingyue was anxious, not knowing how to persuade him.

Even if his brother had been promoted, it was still two hundred yuan. That would take ages to save up. It made her feel like she was leeching off his family.

Shen Xiuyan said, “Alright, don’t dwell on it. When we go back to the city in the future, just treat them well and be filial.”

This time, Su Mingyue stayed quiet. Go back to the city—Brother Shen was really planning to take her back to the city.

Her heart melted with sweetness.

She swore that once they returned, she would be the most filial daughter-in-law and sister-in-law.

Seeing that she wasn’t resisting anymore, Shen Xiuyan led her toward the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

As they neared the entrance, Su Mingyue asked in confusion, “Brother Shen, are you going to buy something?”

“Not for me. For you.” Shen Xiuyan shook his head. “Didn’t I say yesterday, my mom asked me to buy you a wedding gift.”

Su Mingyue stopped walking, blocking his path. “I told you, I don’t want anything…”

Shen Xiuyan tapped her nose and said helplessly, “You’re getting it. Don’t try to save me money. She said she wants you to live well.”

Then he patted his waist. “Your man’s not short on money these days.”

Su Mingyue couldn’t help laughing. Seeing he was determined, she had no choice but to follow along.

She figured if she couldn’t stop him, she’d at least pick something cheap later.

The Supply and Marketing Cooperative was as lively as ever.

Shen Xiuyan took Su Mingyue from counter to counter, wandering around casually. He wasn’t in a hurry, and Mingyue got to see new and interesting things.

Maybe it was because Shen Xiuyan had bought a bicycle, or maybe he was just that striking—either way, the saleswoman from last time recognized him again.

“Hey there, young man, back for more shopping?” she greeted cheerfully.

Shen Xiuyan smiled and nodded. “That’s right.”

The saleswoman looked toward Su Mingyue. “Oh? And this young lady is…”

“My fiancée. We’re getting married soon.” Shen Xiuyan introduced her, reaching out to gesture.

“Congratulations! Are you here to buy the dowry? Want me to recommend something?”

Su Mingyue quickly waved her hands. “Thank you, big sister, but there’s no need. The dowry’s already been given.”

Shen Xiuyan added with a smile, “It was the bicycle I bought from you last time.”

The saleswoman’s pupils dilated—he gave a bicycle as a dowry? That was rare even in this small county.

She raised her eyes again to study Su Mingyue’s face.

Just… an ordinary girl. Not particularly stunning.

How’d she manage to get a man to give her a bicycle for a dowry?

Sigh… So envious.

Why didn’t she have a daughter? She’d definitely introduce her. Not married yet, right? There’s still a chance.

The saleswoman wasn’t exactly thinking virtuous thoughts.

But soon she composed herself and complimented again, “Wow, a bicycle for a dowry? You really are something.”

She gave a thumbs-up and turned to Su Mingyue. “Congratulations, little sister. You’ve found someone who really treasures you.”

Su Mingyue smiled, lips pressed together.

“So, what are you buying today? I’ll help you pick something out.”

“Thanks. My mom asked me to buy a gift for her daughter-in-law. Could you help me find something suitable for her age?” Shen Xiuyan replied.

He was fretting about what to get. After seeing all the dazzling things in the city, nothing in this Cooperative seemed worth buying.

The big sister paused to think, then said, “Why not check out the fabrics? We just got some new designs in. Young girls love new clothes, right?”

Shen Xiuyan was intrigued, but Su Mingyue quickly stopped him. “No need, no need. I just bought some fabric recently. My mom hasn’t even finished sewing the clothes yet. Buying more would be too much work for her.”

The saleswoman nodded and continued, “Then you probably shouldn’t give kitchenware either. How about something to eat? We have malted milk powder. City folks drink it all the time—they say it’s good for your health.”

“Hiss—” Su Mingyue sucked in a sharp breath. This lady really dared to say anything.

She was curious about the taste of malted milk powder, but that tiny can cost dozens of yuan. No way was she going to ask for it.

So she glanced around, then pointed. “Brother Shen, that cup looks nice. I don’t have a cup. You can get me that.”

Shen Xiuyan followed her finger. The “pretty” cup she pointed at was just a plain enamel mug.

But even such a simple mug was hard to come by in the countryside—no one wanted to spend extra when a bowl would do just fine.

Shen Xiuyan didn’t question her odd taste. He turned to the saleswoman and smiled, “Please get us one enamel mug.”

“Sure thing! I’ll find you a good one.” She smiled knowingly.

She could tell this girl knew how to run a household. A good match indeed.

After a careful search, she found one without a single flaw. “Here you go. Fifty cents.”

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “Also, could you get us a can of that malted milk powder you mentioned earlier?”

“Of course!” She smiled. Clearly, this young man doted on his fiancée. From the bicycle to the malted milk powder—it all showed his care.

Su Mingyue quickly tried to stop him. “Brother Shen, why buy that? It’s so expensive, and it’s not even food.”

“It’s fine. Don’t be fooled by the size—it lasts a long time.” Shen Xiuyan took her hand and smiled. “Besides, I want to taste it too.”

Silly girl—did she really think he didn’t notice her swallowing hard when the powder was mentioned?

It might not be that nutritious, but as a sweet treat, it wasn’t bad at all.

If it made her happy, it was worth it.

When Su Mingyue heard he wanted to drink it, she immediately fell silent.

If Brother Shen wanted it, no matter how expensive, she’d get it for him. Just one can of malted milk powder—if she had money, she’d buy him ten.

The saleswoman returned with the can. “Here you go. Thirty-eight yuan for the powder, plus fifty cents for the mug. Total: thirty-eight fifty.”

Su Mingyue didn’t even want to speak anymore. Fine. She figured she’d probably never be this rich in her whole life.

Ten cans would be almost four hundred yuan—and she didn’t even have five yuan right now…

Brother Shen sure was expensive to keep.