The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 21: Resolutely Determined to Marry

Wang Zhaodi displayed an unprecedented determination regarding her marriage.

After the last incident, she knew there was no place for her in the Wang Family.

She had nothing but herself, so how could she demand anything from others?

She was satisfied with Zhu Zicheng’s looks and job. Now, stepping into the household and being in charge was such a great opportunity, she was eager to seize it.

After Zhu Zicheng left, Wang Zhaodi immediately went to find Li Yinfeng.

"What?" Li Yinfeng was startled, "You don’t want anything, not even a wedding? Are you out of your mind? I don’t agree."

"Second Aunt, I’ve made up my mind." Wang Zhaodi looked at her resolutely, "I am not after anything, just that he has now split from his family, and once I marry him, I’ll be in charge. I won’t have to live under anyone’s thumb anymore."

"You..." Li Yinfeng immediately understood her meaning, and she instantly felt heartbroken, "Oh, it’s truly tragic, my poor child..."

Li Yinfeng wailed, "Elder sister, open your eyes and see what is happening."

"Second Aunt, I know you’re concerned for me." Seeing Li Yinfeng’s endless tears, Wang Zhaodi felt sad but tried to persuade her, "Zicheng told me he could likely secure a permanent position this year. Not wanting anything now and going through hardships together with him, isn’t it better than borrowing money for a bride price and wristwatch? Rather than borrowing money that we would still have to repay, why not forsake those apparent trappings? Isn’t it better for the two of us to live a solid life together?"

Li Yinfeng, hearing this, quietly withdrew her tears and became slightly excited, "Can he really make it permanent, is this news reliable?"

"Zicheng is resourceful, I trust him." Wang Zhaodi added, reminding, "Second Aunt, since this isn’t finalized, don’t spread the word. This opportunity for a permanent position is highly coveted. If it weren’t for Zicheng’s own connections that he established early, even the news of this opportunity wouldn’t be out. We can’t let the secret slip, otherwise someone else might interfere, ruining everything."

"I won’t say a word to anyone." Li Yinfeng quickly promised, looking fondly at Wang Zhaodi, "Ah, Zhaodi has grown up now and has a plan; this is very good, Second Aunt can rest assured."

"Second Aunt..." Wang Zhaodi felt touched, having been taken care of by this aunt all these years, "Thank you for looking after me all these years."

"Silly girl, no need to be polite with Second Aunt." Li Yinfeng felt settled, thinking this nephew-in-law had potential, and it was best to keep this relationship strong. Having come this far, she felt she had to make some gesture, "Since you’ve made your decision, Second Aunt supports you. I don’t have much to offer, but I’ve prepared a piece of fabric for you to make a new dress. A wedding is a festive occasion, so you should start with something new."

Actually, the fabric was saved for her daughter Zhang Hongfang, who at seventeen was at the right age to be looking for a spouse. With time too tight, she had to use it now and would buy more for her daughter on her next trip to town.

She hadn’t expected Wang Zhaodi to be in such a rush, planning to register the marriage the next day, so she needed to get the new dress made quickly, "No more talking, I need to have Sister-in-law Tang Mei get the dress finished quickly, not sure if there’s enough time."

In the village, only Wang Baoxing’s sister-in-law Zhao Qinfen and the Zhang family’s new daughter-in-law this year, Tang Mei, had sewing machines.

Watching Li Yinfeng leave in haste, Wang Zhaodi couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Convincing the most difficult Second Aunt was done; she only needed to inform the others.

The relatives, upon hearing Wang Zhaodi’s decision, were silent for a moment but didn’t say much more. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

That evening, after the Wang Family had dinner, Wang Zhaodi spoke to Wang Baoxing about it.

Wang Miaomiao, upon hearing the events, couldn’t help but marvel at the drama, noting the recurring issue of the bride price and the watch, just with different people making the demands.

However, things were different now; Wang Zhaodi had not secretly gone to the Zhu Family but had officially informed them about registering the marriage the next day.

Wang Baoxing felt a pang of sadness, the emotion of an old father; Wang Zhaodi was his first child, once eagerly awaited and loved, but as time passed, well...

"Wait a moment." Wang Baoxing went to his room and returned with something to hand to her, "This was your mother’s keepsake; keep it as a memento."

Wang Zhaodi looked at the item wrapped in black cloth, curiously opening it to find a silver bracelet, turned black due to long unworn.

An antique... Wang Miaomiao noticed the bracelet was engraved with dragon and phoenix patterns and kindly suggested, "Clean it with toothpaste, and it’ll shine."

Wang Zhaodi, with complex feelings, wrapped the bracelet back up and put it away.

"Papa is powerless to give you a proper dowry. Live a good life from now on."

"Alright." Wang Zhaodi responded softly, saying no more.

Everyone remained silent, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

"Oh, everyone is here? You all know about Zhaodi’s matter?" Li Dalong’s wife Zhang Hexiang came over, her voice slightly mocking, "We heard about Zhaodi’s engagement. Poor thing, having to provide everything for herself after marriage. How will you manage? I tidied up at home and brought these items as a wedding contribution."

Zhang Hexiang placed things on the table: a new tea jar, two towels, set inside an enamel basin, "Zhaodi, don’t mind the few items. These are all new. Anything more, and your uncle couldn’t have provided."

Actually, only the two towels were found at the bottom of her chest, while the tea jar and enamel basin were taken from her two daughters-in-law’s dowries under pressure.

"Thank you, Aunt." Wang Zhaodi wouldn’t disdain them. Her new home was lacking everything, and she gratefully thanked her with a genuine smile. She knew this aunt was stingy, so bringing these items was a surprise.

Afterward, people gradually came with items: a piece of fabric, a few shoe soles, a hot water bottle... all things useful daily. Li Sanfu brought over a new comforter, and Zhou Fengjuan, who had previously said she wouldn’t be involved, reluctantly contributed a quilt cover. Alas, after all, she was a cousin-niece; not giving anything would cause gossip.

Even Zhao Qinfen, who was at odds with Liu Yulan, brought thirty red eggs. The eggs were still warm, the dye barely dried, clearly just cooked.

As they say, in Shanghuang Village, Li and Wang families make up most of the community. The previous incident hadn’t faded, and everyone knew Wang Baoxing wouldn’t provide a dowry. Once someone started bringing unused new items from home as gifts, word spread quickly, making even less-connected relatives feel they had to bring something. Actually, some hadn’t interacted for ages.

Indeed, numbers bring strength; pooling together, what they assembled was almost comparable to a typical dowry.