Chapter 85: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child -16

Inside the house, Brigade Leader Su was clutching tightly onto Shen Xiuyan’s arm, as if letting go would allow him to escape.

At the same time, Liu Yanyun was staring at the bicycle in front of her, clicking her tongue in disbelief.

She muttered in a daze, “He really bought it…”

Even though they had just talked about it this morning, it still felt completely unreal to her…

Looking at the bicycle, she couldn’t help but pinch herself again.

“Ouch~ that hurts~” Brigade Leader Su cried out. “Why are you pinching me, woman?”

Oh, it hurts. So it’s not a dream.

She grinned at Brigade Leader Su, and he immediately fell silent, swallowing all his grievances.

Shen Xiuyan couldn’t help smiling at their interaction. He had never seen such a lively version of his father-in-law before—sure enough, having a daughter married off brought real changes.

“Alright, Dad, Mom, let’s head inside and talk.”

Brigade Leader Su looked at him, stunned. Go inside? Just like that?

How could he say it so casually? Was he really planning to just leave that bike sitting in the courtyard??

This kid had nerves of steel. What if someone knocked it over or scratched it?

What kind of family treated a bicycle like this?

Maybe Brigade Leader Su’s stare was too intense—Shen Xiuyan rubbed his nose awkwardly.

Fine. What looked like an ordinary bike to him was clearly a priceless treasure to his father-in-law.

He understood. After all, the man hadn’t seen many fine things in his life.

But they still had to go inside. He wasn’t going to spend his life guarding a bike.

He took the lead without looking back at his father-in-law.

Brigade Leader Su sighed. This hopeless kid… Luckily, he’d be living with them from now on. The family really couldn’t manage without him.

He cautiously pushed the bicycle and followed Shen Xiuyan into the house, looking like a valet wheeling in a guest’s prized possession.

Inside, Su Mingyue also stared at the bike in amazement, touching it here and poking it there, her eyes shining.

A bicycle!

So pretty.

Shen Xiuyan chuckled and pulled her down to sit. “No rush. We’ll leave it here with you for now—you can play with it all you want.”

Then he untied the cloth bundle strapped to the bike’s back seat, placed it on the table, and pulled out twenty yuan from his pocket, pushing it over as well.

“These are all part of the betrothal gift. Dad, Mom, I hope it’s not too little. I’ll make sure Mingyue lives a better life from now on.”

Brigade Leader Su: “…”

Liu Yanyun: “…”

How did Shen Xiuyan dare say something like that? What kind of life had he been living before this?

Too little?

How could it be too little?

What—were they crazy?

“It’s not too little. Not at all,” Brigade Leader Su coughed, interrupting Shen Xiuyan before he could say anything more. If he kept going, even as his father-in-law, Brigade Leader Su would have no choice but to smack him.

“That’s good,” Shen Xiuyan sighed in relief. “Mom, I bought extra fabric—enough for you and Mingyue to each make two outfits. And take the money, too.”

Then, thinking he shouldn’t play favorites, he slipped off his wristwatch and handed it over. “Dad, this is for you.”

Brigade Leader Su took it reflexively, then looked puzzled.

His round eyes blinked with confusion. “What are you giving me this for?”

Shen Xiuyan smiled. “Isn’t this part of the bride price? Please wear it—it’s yours.”

Brigade Leader Su: “…”

His brain stalled for a second. When he recovered, he looked at Shen Xiuyan like he was looking at a fool.

Was this kid okay in the head?

First of all, the bride price was meant for the bride’s family, sure—but only shameless or uncaring parents would actually keep it. Most would return it to the newlyweds after the wedding to help them start their new life.

Second of all—this was a watch! Not some cheap trinket worth three to five yuan. Even a basic one cost over a hundred. And now he wanted his father-in-law to wear it?

Son, are you thinking straight?

He tried to explain again, patiently, but Shen Xiuyan just smiled and said, “It’s the least I can do. You raised Mingyue all these years—what’s one watch? I’ll definitely buy you better ones in the future. Besides, this is a men’s watch—Mingyue can’t wear it. It makes more sense for you to have it.”

Brigade Leader Su’s mouth twitched. So all the reasoning he just gave—Shen Xiuyan had ignored it completely.

He cleared his throat, gathering his resolve. “Then just keep it yourself. We already agreed the bride price didn’t need to include a watch.”

Please, just take it back and stop testing my patience and principles with this watch.

Shen Xiuyan spread his hands. “You have to take it. If you don’t, then I’d be just like that unreliable guy from the Qi family. How is it any different from him taking his watch back?”

Brigade Leader Su glared at him. “How is it not different? You still gave us a bicycle. And even if we don’t count the bike, you still gave a full bride price. That Qi family girl didn’t get a single cent in the end. How is this the same?”

Shen Xiuyan rubbed his nose—he really didn’t know how to argue back.

His father-in-law clearly liked the watch. So why not just take it without fuss?

If he could win over his father-in-law with one watch, then it was worth it. No question.

Brigade Leader Su was practically waving the watch under Shen Xiuyan’s nose, but the man wouldn’t budge—dead set on nonviolent resistance.

In the end, he sighed, defeated. “Alright, I’ll just hold onto it for now. If you ever want it back, come to me—I’ll give it to you.”

“There we go.” Shen Xiuyan beamed. “But you have to wear it, not stash it away. The guy who sold it to me said if you don’t wear it regularly, it’ll rust.”

Rust? Brigade Leader Su was doubtful—but Shen Xiuyan looked serious.

So he quickly strapped it onto his wrist, as if it might rust in the next minute.

And you know what? It fit perfectly—like it was custom-made just for him.

“Alright, I’m wearing it now. Happy?”

“Very, Dad. Looks great, Dad.” Shen Xiuyan finished dealing with Brigade Leader Su and turned to find his lovely wife.

Su Mingyue was absolutely delighted with the new fabric. No woman doesn’t like looking good—even if she was dark-skinned, she still liked pretty things.

When she saw Brother Shen walk over, she jumped up excitedly. “Brother Shen, the floral print on this fabric is so pretty!”

Shen Xiuyan gently patted her head. “If you like it, I’ll buy you even better ones in the future.”

“Brother Shen, you’re the best!”

Brigade Leader Su sat on a chair, lost in thought as he looked at the watch on his wrist.

Then he glanced at Shen Xiuyan, who was holding up fabric against his daughter to see how it looked.

He didn’t know what the two of them were saying, but their faces were lit up like blooming flowers.

Brigade Leader Su sighed again as he stared at his daughter.

How did she manage to charm Shen Xiuyan like this? That educated youth from the city must have seen all kinds of beautiful women—yet he treated her so well.

Even her parents were basking in the glow of his affection—major glow, at that.

Could it be his daughter was some reincarnated Daji, born to enchant men?

But no matter how he looked at her… she just didn’t have that vibe.

——————

Daji was a legendary consort of the last Shang dynasty king, known for her beauty and cruelty. In myth, she was possessed by a nine-tailed fox spirit and blamed for corrupting the king and causing the dynasty’s fall. Calling someone the “reincarnation of Daji” implies they are dangerously beautiful and bring destruction.