```
Jiang's father and mother returned to the hotel without having seen Manman firsthand, but there was no need to say it, just with that kind of family and that kind of mom and aunt.
"Eighty thousand for the dowry, one hundred tables for the banquet," Jiang's mother said, finding it increasingly ridiculous. "Truly a precious daughter, destined to be a rich man's wife, our family honestly cannot afford it."
"Stop talking about it!" Jiang's father was irritated, angry with both his son and himself, for having been blind.
Jiang's mother knew when to stop, but how to reel their son's heart back from Manman was something they needed to discuss with her husband. "I think you should give the military a call, ask their leaders to grant our Yan an early termination of his leave."
That was the only move they could make.
Jiang's father let out a long sigh. That night, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang boarded a plane back to Beijing.
