"Su Ming!
"If you can't come up with 300,000 yuan today, I'm not marrying you!"
The Jiangzhou Grand Hotel was adorned with festive decorations, brimming with joy and celebration. Today was supposed to be the wedding day of Su Ming and Li Na, who had been in a relationship for two years. However, Li Na's words sent a shockwave through Su Ming and their gathered family and friends.
"Na Na! Haven't we already given the betrothal gifts? You know the 200,000 yuan in gifts nearly wiped out my parents' savings. Where are we supposed to get more money now?"
Su Ming, dressed in a suit and looking handsome, was clearly perplexed. The 200,000 yuan in gifts had been a significant strain on his family, and part of it had even been borrowed from relatives.
"Hmph... Not my problem. If I don't see 300,000 yuan today, you can forget about me getting into your wedding car."
Li Na turned her head away, her face full of displeasure.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law! Please talk some sense into Na Na. We have so many relatives watching us."
Su Ming, at a loss, turned to Li Na's parents for help. However, they remained seated, their expressions unchanged. Li Na's father spoke calmly, "Su Ming, you know Na Na has always been very independent, and we've always supported her."
Su Ming felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he suppressed it, remembering that today was supposed to be a happy occasion.
"Na Na, can you give me some time? Let's get married first today. All our relatives are here; we shouldn't make a scene."
"Give you time? Don't think I don't know what you're planning. If I agree today, you'll find a hundred ways to avoid paying, won't you?"
Li Na looked at Su Ming, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Su Ming fell silent, at a loss for words.
"In-laws, can we discuss the betrothal gifts later? The auspicious time is almost here, and we still need to proceed with the ceremony."
Su Ming's uncle, Su Changgui, stepped forward. But before he could finish, Li Na's mother snapped, "What are you babbling about? Who said we're in-laws? This wedding might not even happen!"
Su Changgui's face darkened, and the rest of the Su family's relatives looked equally grim.
"Hey, Su Ming, stop being such a wimp. Give us a straight answer. Are you going to pay or not?"
Li Chao, Li Na's younger brother, demanded angrily.
Su Ming, holding back his rage, ignored Li Chao and looked at Li Na.
"Na Na, I just want to know why you suddenly want an additional 300,000 yuan in betrothal gifts."
"Fine, if you want to know, I'll tell you. Xiao Chao has a girlfriend, and both sets of parents have met. My parents are very pleased with her. They're asking for 500,000 yuan in betrothal gifts. It's not easy for my parents to raise me, and I plan to use my betrothal gifts to cover Xiao Chao's. Now you know. Today, unless I see 300,000 yuan, there's no wedding."
Hearing this, Su Ming's suppressed anger flared up again. So, this was all about her supporting her brother.
"Li Na, you're being unreasonable!"
Su Ming's best friend, Gao Xiang, couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward.
"Hmph... Unreasonable? Su Ming, let me tell you, there are plenty of people who would pay the 300,000 yuan. Whether this wedding happens or not is up to you!"
Li Na sneered at Gao Xiang, then turned and sat down.
"Hmph... No money, yet you still want to marry a wife?"
Li Chao snorted, sitting down next to Li Na.
"Bastards!"
Gao Xiang clenched his fists, seething with anger. If these weren't his friend's future family, he would have wanted to beat them up.
"Sigh... Xiao Ming, maybe try to find a way. Your uncle has some savings, and I can call your parents to borrow more. Let's get the wedding over with today."
Su Changgui sighed deeply, coming over to Su Ming.
Gao Xiang slowly unclenched his fists and approached, saying, "Ming, I have 100,000 yuan. I just got a loan to open a barbecue shop. You can use it if you need it urgently."
"No! Uncle, that's your retirement money. I can't take it."
"Xiang, I can't take your money either."
Touched by their offers, Su Ming shook his head firmly.
"Xiao Ming, now is not the time to be stubborn," Su Changgui urged, growing anxious.
"Ming, let's just get the wedding over with," Gao Xiang added.
*Ding!*
"The Ultimate Choice System has successfully bound to you!"
"Option 1: Abandon the wedding, rebuke Li Na for her actions, and receive three million yuan in cash as a reward."
"Option 2: Compromise, accept the help from your uncle and friend, and continue with the wedding. The system will automatically unbind."
"Huh?"
Su Ming was taken aback but not overly surprised. He had read enough novels to understand systems. Still, he couldn't believe he had bound a system in such a situation. After confirming the system's presence in his mind, Su Ming felt a wave of relief and released his pent-up anger.
"Uncle, Xiang, thank you, but I'm not going through with this wedding today!"
"What? Xiao Ming, don't be rash!" Su Changgui was shocked.
"Ming!" Gao Xiang was also alarmed. He despised Li Na's family's behavior, but he didn't want his friend to regret it. He knew Su Ming loved Li Na deeply, and she was the only woman he had ever loved.
"Su Ming! What did you say? Say it again if you dare!"
Li Na stood up, shouting at Su Ming.
"Hmph... Didn't hear me? I'll say it again. Li Na, listen carefully. I'm not going through with this wedding today!"
"200,000 yuan in betrothal gifts has already drained my parents' savings, and part of it was borrowed from relatives. Now you want another 300,000? Sorry, I can't provide it. And even if I could, I wouldn't give it to you—or rather, to your brother!"
Su Ming let it all out, showing no mercy.
"Bastard! How dare you! Is this how you love me? You won't even give 300,000 yuan? You liar!"
Li Na screamed hysterically.
"You think my parents' money comes easily? Raising you wasn't easy, but raising me wasn't easy either. Why should I use the betrothal gifts I gave you to pay for your brother's wedding? And what if, on your brother's wedding day, his fiancée asks for more, and she also has a brother to marry? Will you ask me to pay for that too?"
Su Ming vented his frustration, feeling incredibly relieved afterward.
"Su Ming! Do you still want to get married?"
"Go to hell! Whoever wants to get married, go ahead. I'm done for today!"
*Ding!*
"Congratulations, host, you have completed the option. Three million yuan will be delivered to you via courier in ten seconds."
*Ding!* "Please disregard normal logic; the system is omnipotent. Additionally, the source of the funds is guaranteed to be legal. Please use them without worry."
As the system's voice rang out, Su Ming felt a newfound clarity and brightness in the world.