Su Beibei’s eyes blazed as she looked up at her parents. “Am I supposed to marry that idiot? Just because his family is rich and gave a high dowry? Have you even thought about what kind of person he is? What kind of life I’ll have after marrying him? You didn’t even ask me before selling me off! Do you expect me to report to you in advance?”
Outside the Su family courtyard, the onlookers exchanged sharp glances. Lin Ying could hear Aunt Zhao mutter, “I really didn’t expect Team Leader Su to be this kind of person. He can even marry his daughter to an idiot.”
Su Zhiqiang’s face turned crimson with anger. Not only was the man Su Beibei was refusing the one he had chosen for her, but worse, his daughter was outright defying him.
“Would your parents ever harm you? Do you know how rich the Li family is? If you marry into their family, you won’t have to work for the rest of your life. Isn’t that great? Besides, although Li Shao was a little confused when he had that high fever as a child, he can live a normal life now. He’s innocent, naïve—you’ll be able to coax him easily, won’t you?”
Chen Xiuqin chimed in, her voice heavy with insistence. “Beibei, why don’t you understand? The Li family is sincere. They said they’ll give you the ‘three turns and one sound’ , plus a 200 yuan dowry, and they’ll even arrange a job for your brother. Isn’t that a great deal? If you marry into their family, you’ll live in luxury. People will envy you! Why don’t you understand?”
Hearing the dowry mentioned, the neighbors outside gasped. Lin Ying could catch snippets of their comments. “So much money! A single item like the ‘three turns and one sound’ costs over a hundred yuan! Almost a thousand in total, and they’re even giving a job! No wonder Su’s parents agreed. I would too if I were them.”
“How long would it take to save all this? Even if the Li family is rich, they won’t find it easy. If Su Beibei really marries in, she’ll probably have a lot of hard times ahead.”
But Su Beibei’s laugh cut through the murmurs. The thought of her parents selling her off for a few hundred yuan and a job was laughable. Did they really think the old society’s ways still applied?
“That’s an idiot! Don’t you understand what an idiot is? If he weren’t mentally unstable, would the Li family need to spend so much money to buy a wife? You want to sell me? No way! This is the new era—not the old society! Freedom of love, freedom of marriage! Don’t even think about arranging my marriage!”
Su Zhiqiang noticed the small crowd outside. His face darkened with shame. He lowered his voice slightly, trying to regain control: “Don’t speak so harshly. Who wants to sell their daughter? I genuinely think the Li family is good. We’re just introducing them to you. If you don’t agree, just tell us. Do you think we can force you?”
Chen Xiuqin added, trying to sound reasonable: “That’s right, that’s right. Your father is just discussing it. Why are you so angry? It’s already hot in the summer; what if you get a sore throat?”
Then her voice hardened, mixing scolding with genuine concern. “And you’re not right either! You got a marriage certificate with someone without saying a word! Who is he? Where does he live? How many people are in his family? What’s their situation? No job? We, as your parents, didn’t even know! You kept it from us so well—now you tell us after the fact. How could your father and I not worry? He hasn’t even come home once! Can’t we even see who you married? Is this a respectable family? We’re only trying to protect you from regret!”
The onlookers shifted again, murmuring their approval of Chen Xiuqin’s point. “You can’t just marry anyone. Xiuqin’s right.”
“Exactly! You have to be careful with your daughter. She’s so young and got married like that? Something must be wrong.”
“Could she have been run off with some pretty boy?”
“If she were normal, she’d at least visit her future in-laws first.”
“If my daughter grew up like Su Beibei, I’d break her legs before letting her get married.”
Lin Ying could feel the collective disapproval of the crowd. Adults saw the scene only from the parents’ perspective. Su Beibei’s resistance made her the disobedient child. Her choice of husband—someone her parents didn’t know—was seen as reckless.
But in truth, Su Beibei’s choice wasn’t wrong. Her parents had treated her poorly, even trying to sell her to a man unfit for her. Staying silent would have ruined her future.
“I’ll tell you now. His name is Zhong Xu. He has a job, a house, and a family of five. He’s already given me the betrothal gifts, and I’ve already agreed. We’ve registered our marriage, so you’ve saved on a dowry. Isn’t that perfect? You always say, ‘A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup,’ right? I’m that water now. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
Su Beibei had been careful. She couldn’t let any gifts from Zhong Xu fall into the hands of Su Guangyao [her younger brother], so she never mentioned the specifics or his address.
As for the dowry, when her parents planned to marry her off to a mentally challenged man, they hadn’t thought of giving her anything at all.
“From childhood to now, Mom, you’ve only ever favored my older brother. He always gets the best food first, and the nicest toys. My clothes have been patched and worn for five years, while he always has new ones. You never care how hungry Lingling and I are. If I come home late, you don’t even leave me half a steamed bun. Since you’ve never cared about me, there’s no need to start now!”
Her accusation struck hard. Only a few neighbors murmured in agreement. “It’s true. The eldest is chubby and fair, the others are as skinny as monkeys.”
Seeing that arguing was useless, Su Beibei cut to the point: “I already have the marriage certificate and I’m leaving in a couple of days. If you don’t agree, there’s nothing I can do. Force me, and I’ll go to Director Chen and report you for arranged marriage. Let’s see who Director Chen supports!”
Then, Lin Ying no longer heard Su Beibei’s voice, only Chen Xiuqin scolding, “What are you doing? What are you rummaging through?”
Su Zhiqiang’s voice rose: “Why stop her? She did such a shameless thing. If she wants to leave, let her leave. I’ll pretend I don’t have this daughter.”
Moments later, Lin Ying saw Su Beibei emerge from the house, carrying a tattered cloth bag. It looked heavy, filled mostly with books. She opened it to prove her point: “Everyone can see, I only took my books. Nothing else!”
The neighbors watched intently. Some retreated; others stayed, waiting to see what she would do.
Su Beibei paused, then addressed her father, standing at the doorway. “You said it yourself—you don’t have a daughter like me anymore. From today, all father-daughter ties are severed!”
Su Zhiqiang’s anger flared. He grabbed a broom, ready to chase her, but noticing the onlookers, he set it down. “What are you all looking at? Are you even going to work tomorrow?” With that, he slammed the door.
The crowd slowly dispersed. Yet as Lin Ying returned home, she overheard whispers. “Team Leader Su usually seems amiable. I never expected him to get so angry today, even hit someone.”
“If my daughter did that, I’d hit her too.”
“But did you see Su Beibei? Her arms are so thin. Team Leader Su’s family seems well-off, yet the child is so skinny. No wonder she argued with them.”
Back at home, Su Yulan suddenly recalled something. “Didn’t you say last time that the person Su Beibei married lived in the same courtyard as the one you married? Is he a neighbor?”
Lin Ying nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
Su Yulan’s curiosity sparked. “Just now, Su Beibei said his surname is Zhong. Do you know anything about him? What’s he like? Was what Su Beibei said true?”
Lin Ying replied honestly. “Zhong Xu seems like a good person. Su Beibei has no reason to lie. Mom, remember the last time we went to the department store to pick out bed sheets? I was distracted, but I saw Su Beibei and her man. They were probably looking at watches.”
Su Yulan thought carefully. From what Su Beibei had said, Zhong Xu didn’t seem like a disreputable man. But then, a question lingered in her mind—why hadn’t Su Beibei allowed Zhong Xu to come to the Su family?
Still, she quickly pushed the thought away. This was other people’s business. Every family had its own struggles and secrets. As long as it didn’t involve her own family, why should she concern herself?
After a moment, she instructed Lin Ying, “You’re getting married soon too. Since you live next door to Su Beibei, keep an eye on her. A young woman marrying alone, without her family’s support, is bound to be vulnerable.”
Lin Ying considered this quietly. With Su Beibei’s fighting spirit, she really didn’t need protection. Today, confronting her parents, Su Beibei had acted pitifully only because she wanted to cut her losses and leave quickly. But once she was married and had someone to rely on, she would no longer seem defenseless.
Besides, Lin Ying knew how the Su family was depicted in the story—villainous, with unhappy endings. Su Beibei’s actions were probably what would prevent such a fate.
So, while Su Beibei didn’t need Lin Ying’s help, Lin Ying was happy to befriend her. After all, Su Beibei seemed destined for greatness, and Lin Ying appreciated having an ally.
Having observed the subtle changes in the timeline for two months, Lin Ying was confident. Intervening or not, she had already verified that small actions could influence outcomes—and this was acceptable, safe, and within reason.
Lin Ying nodded. “Mom, I understand.”
That evening, she checked her card-drawing opportunities. Watching Su Beibei argue with her parents and cut ties with them had been a juicy story. Even without a mission, Lin Ying had gained three draw opportunities.
She had now accumulated nine. Once she reached ten, she planned to use them all. And Su Beibei’s wedding the next day promised another irresistible opportunity for gossip.
Early the next morning, Lin Ying got up and headed to the nearby guesthouse. Back then, there weren’t many hotels, only a single guesthouse nearby, so finding a room was easy.
According to the book, staying at a guesthouse was expensive and meant for short-term use. Young women alone, like Su Beibei, risked gossip, so the marriage had to be quick.
Sure enough, a little later, Lin Ying saw Zhong Xu arrive, pedaling a bicycle decorated with a large red flower, his shirt pocket dusted with confetti. The festive atmosphere was unmistakable.
Su Beibei descended the stairs, her hair half-tied, giving her an air of gentle innocence. Today, she wore a red dress [a traditional color symbolizing luck and happiness in weddings], a silver watch, and small leather shoes.
The bicycle’s basket was crammed with her belongings, along with two small suitcases on the handlebars. She must have hidden them earlier during the argument, now bringing everything she wanted to take.
Laughing freely, Su Beibei climbed onto the back of the bicycle. From this moment on, she would leave her parents behind and embrace her new life.
Lin Ying watched until the pair disappeared from sight. Because she hadn’t witnessed the entire process, she only gained one draw opportunity this time, but it was enough.
Returning home, Lin Ying didn’t immediately draw her cards. Instead, she went to a nearby bathhouse to shower. Seeing her roommates shower and spritz perfume before opening blind boxes had confused her before, but now she understood—it was part of preparing for a better chance at drawing.
After a thorough wash, she felt relaxed and excited. With a click, she initiated a ten-draw.
Experience made her efficient. This time, she drew nine N cards and one R card—all common, nothing special. A small disappointment, but Lin Ying reminded herself that having a cheat code already felt like a gift. Greed could only backfire.
She sorted her cards. The first three were food: three packs of sausages, a dozen iced colas, and ten packs of spicy strips [a popular snack among children, often considered a classic].
Next came clothing: a long autumn coat, made of durable “five-proof” fabric [resistant to water, wind, and wear], and a pair of understated black shoes. They resembled Mary Janes or traditional cloth shoes, but were leather—soft, durable, and made from the fur of the Western Cotton Beast from the border planet Xite [a futuristic, fictional material].
Lin Ying noted the durability of both items, wondering if later generations prized sturdiness over style.
The following four items were miscellaneous: a knot-free wooden comb, a mosquito-repelling bracelet, sharp large scissors, and two large bottles of laundry detergent—practical and long-lasting. The bracelet looked like a simple red thread, but she pinned it on immediately, hoping it would help with the summer mosquitoes.
Than the final card caught her eye—a special card shaped like a trash can with a bag attached. Its name was high-end: Garbage Disposal Unit. It could handle 100% of household garbage and 10% of combat garbage, all usable via the system’s card wallet. Lin Ying realized she could now dispose of items from future generations that didn’t belong in this era, like sanitary napkins she’d previously buried.
This appliance, small yet rare, felt like a treasure. Lin Ying went to bed in high spirits, the joy lingering until the next morning.
But when Su Yulan told her, “I have something to do today. I’ll be late for lunch, so cook it yourself.” Lin Ying froze. Cooking wasn’t her forte. Not completely, at least. She could boil water, cook instant noodles, steam frozen buns, or make scrambled eggs with tomatoes—a recipe her mother had patiently taught her during summer vacations.
“Mom, I can’t cook,” she admitted.
Usually, Lin Ying helped with chores like serving rice, washing dishes, and sweeping, not cooking. But today, Wang Guihua was unwell from the heat, and cooking would be exhausting. So the responsibility fell on her.
Su Yulan was astonished. Cooking seemed natural to her, learned by observation and practice as a child. Now, she realized Lin Ying had never really been taught. With her daughter’s wedding approaching, Su Yulan decided it was time to train her properly.
With Wang Guihua’s guidance, Lin Ying learned to cook rice—steaming it carefully in a large bowl atop a pot, avoiding burning—and soon mastered home-style dishes, pickling vegetables, and curing meats.
During this time, the Shao and Lin families also met to discuss the wedding. At a state-run restaurant, Su Yulan, wanting to avoid embarrassing Lin Ying, wore her best attire.
Shao Hongfeng approved of Lin Ying as a daughter-in-law, particularly after learning of her magazine publication. Initially, Li Lianhua had very high standards for her daughter-in-law, demanding this and that, feeling that her son, a college graduate and doctor, had excellent family background and career prospects, and deserved a particularly good girl.
However, because Shao Mingyuan found everything unacceptable, and even refused to meet her in person, Li Lianhua had to gradually lower her standards.
In the end, she even felt that as long as someone was from the city and had some education, it didn’t matter whether their family was well-off or not. Her family was well-off, and most families couldn’t compare. She insisted on finding someone of equal social standing, but who knew when that would take?
Li Lianhua thought Lin Ying was quite pretty and a good match for Shao Mingyuan. She was a high school graduate, from the city, and her parents and brother all had jobs, which met her requirements.
Moreover, Li Lianhua was very satisfied that her daughter-in-law was educated; this was already a pleasant surprise. Therefore, when meeting the Su family, she didn’t deliberately make things difficult; in fact, her attitude was quite good, and she and Su Yulan even addressed each other as sisters.
A week later, Lin Ying’s wedding arrived. That morning, Su Yulan woke her early and styled her hair with an ebony hairpin [a traditional decorative hair accessory].
Lin Ying’s hair, once yellowish, had become black and shiny with proper nutrition. Su Yulan swept her bangs to one side, revealing a smooth forehead, then pinned a small red flower—about three centimeters wide—into her hair. The adornment was delicate, joyful, and perfectly suited to the wedding.
Even a small touch of cosmetics—a simple eyebrow pencil and lipstick borrowed in advance—made Lin Ying feel beautiful, marking the start of her new life.
Lin Ying’s eyebrows were naturally thick, and with a little brushing, they curved gracefully, resembling the soft, elegant eyebrows of later generations. Her lips, pale rose-pink without any makeup, brightened instantly with a touch of lipstick, making her skin appear even whiter and more radiant, giving her an air of gentle freshness.
For her wedding attire, Lin Ying wore a crisp white shirt paired with a red pleated skirt [red symbolizing joy and good luck in weddings]. Su Yulan had originally planned a red jacket, but seeing how warm the day was, she wisely swapped it for the lighter skirt. On her feet were the black leather shoes Lin Ying had won in a recent card draw, simple yet elegant.
Everyone who saw Lin Ying that morning couldn’t help but compliment her, remarking on her natural beauty.
While Su Yulan and Wang Guihua headed to the front to begin cooking, Lin Ying remained seated at home. Though the Lin family didn’t host a grand feast, they had set up two tables in the yard for close friends from the factory, along with Su Youfu and Wang Guihua’s acquaintances. Aunt Zhou helped with cooking, as the family was short-handed.
Originally, Lin Siqing and Su Yulan had intended to accompany Lin Ying to the Shao family’s house so the two families could prepare and enjoy the meal together. But since the families had met a few days prior, it was unnecessary. With the Su family having added extra tables for guests, Lin Siqing and Su Yulan took on the role of hosts, meaning they couldn’t go with Lin Ying that day.
Around ten-thirty, almost eleven, Shao Mingyuan arrived on his bicycle, followed by five young men riding bicycles as well. They carried gifts for Lin Ying’s family—wine, meat, and her dowry—ready for the ceremony.
Shao Mingyuan was neatly dressed in a white shirt, black trousers, and polished leather shoes. His hair was tidy, and his clothes clearly well-pressed in preparation.
The wedding procession went smoothly. The Su family didn’t make things difficult, only sending Lin Qiu, a young girl, to block the door. Shao Mingyuan easily bribed her with two chocolates, and the door opened.
He carefully lifted Lin Ying and placed her on the back of his bicycle. Though Shao Mingyuan looked thin, his body was all muscle, and even through two layers of fabric, Lin Ying felt the warmth radiating from him, making her cheeks tingle.
Fortunately, he quickly settled her onto the bicycle seat, which he had thoughtfully padded with a cushion to make the ride comfortable. Lin Ying couldn’t help but admire his attentiveness.
The entourage loaded the Lin family’s gifts onto the bicycles, and together they rode toward the Shao family’s home. The sight of multiple bicycles in a wedding procession was unusual and drew the attention of passersby. Lin Ying blushed, realizing how many people were watching them.
Upon reaching the Shao household, the ceremony was simple but respectful. Shao Mingyuan led Lin Ying to pay respects at a small shrine to Shao Hongfeng and Li Lianhua, and then the two of them bowed to each other as husband and wife [a traditional gesture of respect and marital acknowledgment].
Afterward, Shao Mingyuan led Lin Ying away. The commotion had taken until nearly one o’clock. “I asked the kitchen to save some food for you,” he said softly. “Let’s eat first, then we’ll toast the guests.” Lin Ying, starving from the morning’s excitement, eagerly nodded.
The meal was lavish: braised pork, four-happiness meatballs [a traditional dish symbolizing joy], steamed sea bass, and chicken stew with mushrooms. The Shao family spared no expense, ensuring Lin Ying’s first meal as a bride was memorable.
After dining, they went out to toast the guests. Lin Ying didn’t know most of the people, so she simply followed Shao Mingyuan’s lead and smiled politely. The wine she sipped was likely just flavored water, faintly smelling of alcohol, but even without drinking, moving between guests in the heat was exhausting. Her face glistened, and she worried her makeup would smudge.
After finishing the rounds, Lin Ying collapsed in the room, completely exhausted.
The Shao family had cleaned up Shao Mingyuan’s old house, replacing the single bed with a double bed. They would be sleeping there that night.
In the afternoon, Lin Ying ate with the entire Shao family. Nothing seemed particularly unusual. However, the two of them felt a little awkward that evening.
Sleeping in the same bed, with the other person breathing next to them , neither slept well, resulting both waking up with dark circles under their eyes the next morning.
Afterward, Shao Mingyuan prepared to move their belongings to the shared courtyard . He had only three days of marraige leave: the first day for the wedding, the second for moving, and the third for accompanying Lin Ying on her homecoming visit. Today was the second day, and he had called two friends, Jinbao and Wen Botao, to help.
Jinbao was tall and muscular,he was Shao Mingyuan’s junior high school friend, while Wen Botao was slightly shorter and thinner, a friend since elementary school. Both greeted Lin Ying warmly, “Hello, sister-in-law,” making her feel shy and unaccustomed to her new role.
Most of Lin Ying’s dowry remained packed, consisting mainly of bedding, clothes, and daily necessities. The four of them loaded everything onto three bicycles. Wen Botao struggled to balance his, almost toppling under the weight.
Finally, Lin Ying volunteered, “I can ride a bicycle and carry some things too.”
Shao Mingyuan looked skeptical. “When did you learn to ride?”
“After you bought me the bicycle, I practiced in the yard. Bicycles are easy to ride; I learned quickly.” Lin Ying smiled. In her previous life, she had ridden bicycles, but this old-fashioned model required using both feet to pedal, not just letting it coast. Once she adjusted, riding was effortless.
Shao Mingyuan nodded, still cautious. “Are you sure you can handle carrying things? Even Wen Botao almost fell.”
“I can carry light things, without a problem,” Lin Ying assured him.
With that, the four rode back to the courtyard, greeted by curious neighbors. An older man at the gate, fanning himself with a palm leaf, asked, “Dr. Shao, back from the wedding? Why so much stuff?”
Shao Mingyuan replied politely, “Yes, Uncle Chen, all my wife’s dowry.”
The neighbors watched the procession with interest. One older woman whispered, “Is that Dr. Shao’s wife? She’s really pretty.” Another agreed, “I wish my son could marry someone like her!”
Soon, Shao Mingyuan led Lin Ying into his house—a vast former prince’s mansion [five-courtyard complex, with the last courtyard now a public park]. They would stay in the innermost eastern room, which had three bedrooms.
The house was large but sparsely furnished. The living room held just two chairs and a low table, the bedroom a bed, wardrobe, and table. The kitchen had only salt, no soy sauce, and the wardrobe contained just a bag of flour. Clearly, Shao Mingyuan hadn’t lived here often.
Jinbao and Wen Botao unloaded Lin Ying’s belongings, placing them neatly in the bedroom and living room. Afterward, Shao Mingyuan suggested, “If you want to build cabinets, I can go with you. There’s not much storage space here.”
Lin Ying nodded. “Okay, let’s go in the afternoon after the homecoming visit tomorrow.”
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