"Bullshit rules! It's just because she's making exorbitant demands! Sister-in-law, there's a limit to asking for an exorbitant price!" Su Qiqi's face was flushed with anger, she couldn't help but curse out.
Upon hearing this, Chen Shujuan immediately stood up to reprimand Su Qiqi: "Qiqi, how dare you speak about your sister-in-law like this? She is your elder. Can't you restrain yourself in front of outsiders?"
Seeing her mother, Su Qiqi felt extremely distressed, "Mom, Muchen also works for others, he is not some big boss. You ask for a million at once, where is he supposed to get a million from?"
"In a first-tier city like Dragon City, a million dowry isn't excessive." Chen Shujuan explained.
Supported by Chen Shujuan, Lin Hui chimed in: "Exactly, Qiqi, your parents raised you. They just want to get back a little something from you. You cannot be ungrateful and abandon your family after marriage."
Su Qiqi clenched her fists, holding back her anger.
She knew it, with these family members present, this dinner would definitely not be pleasant.
"Muchen only earns so much money every month, and he also has a mortgage. Where is he going to get a million for you?"
Not to mention Jin Lin's tuition fee, this was something she didn't want to mention, nor did she plan to tell them about it.
Upon hearing the mention of a mortgage, Lin Hui sneered, "The amount of the dowry shows how much a man values you, Qiqi. I'm doing this for your own good."
Su Qiqi wanted to argue further, but Jin Muchen once again held her hand, indicating her not to get agitated.
"Since my sister-in-law has said so much, then I am obliged to give the million. But I wonder if I could pay it in installments since a million is a large amount which I can't pay all at once."
If he was going to pretend, he might as well do it convincingly, Jin Muchen thought to himself.
However, as he looked into Lin Hui's eyes, there was a subtle coldness flickering in his deep gaze.
Lin Hui didn't notice it and crossed her arms, looking down on Jin Muchen as she said, "Brother-in-law, since when has dowry been paid in installments? Do you think this is like buying a house or a car? Are we supposed to give you a zero down payment?"
"What if the neighbors find out? How would our parents save face?"
Hearing about the zero down payment, Chen Shujuan's face fell.
She often square dances at the base of their apartment building, where the neighbors constantly praise how wonderful her son-in-law is.
If they found out that her son-in-law wanted to pay the dowry in installments, where would she hide her face in shame?
Thinking about this, Chen Shujuan slammed the table in anger, "Muchen, Qiqi has always been my responsibility. We provided for her food, living, and schooling. This dowry shouldn't be reduced by a single penny."
"Mom, you're selling your daughter!" Su Qiqi could no longer hold back and, freeing herself from Jin Muchen's grasp, she stood up abruptly.
Chen Shujuan, not willing to lose, stood up and pointed at Su Qiqi, scolding, "What do you know? Because of you, your brother's business partners have pulled out and are asking for compensation. Shouldn't you take responsibility for this?"
Su Qiqi wanted to speak, but her words stuck in her throat.
She felt tremendous pain.
Earlier on, she thought that now that she was finally getting married, no matter what, her parents would bless her.
But from beginning to end, they haven't said a word of blessing. All they're doing is talking about money.
"Since we can't agree on the dowry, let's end it here for today. As for my brother's business partners, I will personally apologize to them. This has nothing to do with Muchen."
Without further ado, Su Qiqi pulled Jin Muchen by his hand and started moving towards the exit.
Jin Muchen had been treating all of this as a drama, so when he heard that this had nothing to do with him, it tugged something within.
Clearly, he was feeling vulnerable, but at a time like this, this woman was worried about him.
"Stop!" Chen Shujuan once again slammed the table in anger. The wine cup on the table rolled down to the ground, shattering into pieces.
"Su Qiqi, are you trying to rebel?"
Su Qiqi didn't turn her head but her trembling voice said, "Mom, if you still consider me your daughter, then stop being swayed by others, stop colluding with others to make a mockery of your own daughter."
Chen Shujuan was stunned and didn't immediately react.
It was Lin Hui who understood; she shrieked, "Su Qiqi, how have I wronged you that you are belittling me in this way? Su Xingchen, I can't stand staying in this home anymore!"
Hearing Lin Hui's outcry, Su Xingchen hurriedly appeased, "Wife, don't! Su Qiqi, apologize to your sister-in-law immediately, otherwise I won't spare you!"
Jin Muchen, hearing this, had his laughter gradually fade and a coldness replaced it.
Even though he and Su Qiqi didn't have any feelings for each other, they were legally husband and wife. How could he sit by while his wife was being bullied?
He turned around, staring at Su Xingchen and said coldly, "That's your sister, how could you not spare her?"
The oppressive feeling he released made Su Xingchen and others feel extremely suffocated.
Su Xingchen avoided Jin Muchen's gaze and inexplicably felt afraid.
But he still said: "What? You... you want to fight?"
Jin Muchen disdainfully turned his gaze, looked at Su Tiancheng, who had been silent all along and politely said, "Mom and Dad, I must discuss the dowry matter with my family, we'll give you a reply as soon as possible. Let's end it here for today, we have to go back."
"Leaving just like that?" Su Xingchen was somewhat unwilling to accept it.
They didn't touch their chopsticks, didn't eat their food, and even the poured wine was untouched.
Seeing this, Su Tiancheng was feeling bitter in his heart.
All day long, he had been observing Jin Muchen and found that this young man was not only well-mannered but also neither arrogant nor hot-headed, and managed to hold his own.
If this evening's matter were to happen to someone else, it would have probably turned into a heated argument. But he didn't let that happen, he actually defended Su Qiqi at every turn.
In this day and age, it was rare to find a young person who could do this.
Su Tiancheng had always felt this family owed Su Qiqi too much. If he didn't speak up now, he would be failing his duties as a father.
"Have you all said enough?"
No one expected Su Tiancheng, who had been silent all along, to suddenly shout.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
Su Tiancheng refilled two cups of wine and passed one to Jin Muchen.
"Muchen, once you drink this cup of wine, we'll be a family."
Having said this, he drained his cup, completely ignoring the peculiar looks sent by Chen Shujuan and the others.
He used to be a high-ranking official, and his judgment of character was very accurate.
This son-in-law carried an air of grandeur around him, and he was sure to prove himself successful in the future.
Jin Muchen's lips lifted slightly, he too drained the glass of wine that his father-in-law had handed over.
"Good!" Su Tiancheng exclaimed, then said, "Since you and Qiqi have got the certificate, you are now officially a family. As for the matter of the dowry, the amount is not important, what counts is the intention. Let's say 88,000."
"What?" Chen Shujuan was momentarily stunned before shouting in anger, "You old hag, you must be drunk. Do you even realize what you're saying? What can you do with 88,000 dollars in Dragon City? We are marrying off our daughter not doing charity, it's not your place to speak!"
Chen Shujuan, as usual, was completely unfazed by the presence of Jin Muchen, and never gave any consideration to Su Tiancheng's dignity.