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Chapter 39 - Chapter 39: Call Me Brother Yuan

"Hey grandma, what bride price are you asking for?" Bai Xue leisurely stood beside Zhang Yuan, watching Grandma Bai.

"Of course... you brat, worthless girl, of course, I'm asking this educated youth for a bride price! How can he marry a daughter from the Bai Family without giving a bride price? And you're siding with him! Don't forget, you're not married off yet!" Grandma Bai scolded boldly.

"Grandma, we're not even at the stage of discussing marriage yet, and you're already hurrying for a bride price. Even if a bride price were to be given, it wouldn't be to you, but to mom and dad, and it's not even the right time yet! Can we not embarrass ourselves? So many people are watching!" Bai Xue actually wanted to kick this Grandma Bai away, but concerns about reputation stopped her! Like the old lady just said, she doesn't care about her reputation, but her younger siblings would be implicated.

Her reputation was already not great from secretly agreeing to be with Zhang Yuan, she couldn't add the stigma of being unfilial.

"What do you know? Stay out of this! I'm talking to this little educated youth!" Grandma Bai didn't dare scold Zhang Yuan too much because he was from the Capital City, and she was a bit afraid.

"Xiao Xue! Let me talk!" Zhang Yuan pulled Bai Xue behind him and faced Grandma Bai himself.

"Grandma, the day after tomorrow, I will arrange an engagement banquet at Xiao Xue's house, and we'll discuss the bride price clearly then. I'm not prepared now! But I will definitely invite you all then!" Zhang Yuan spoke each word clearly, with his voice slightly raised, so everyone around could hear, "I seriously like Xiao Xue, and I won't let her follow me without clarification, ruining her reputation!"

"Are you serious? The day after tomorrow?" Grandma Bai's eyes lit up, full of calculations.

"Of course I'm serious! I, Zhang Yuan, never speak empty words!"

"Alright! I'll wait then!" Grandma Bai responded cheerfully, "Xiao Xue! It's cold outside, hurry and go home! Don't let Xiao Yuan freeze! Grandma's heading home first!"

With affectionate words, she turned back, pulling Li Guihua along with her.

Fearing if she stayed too long, Zhang Yuan might change his mind.

She had to go home and think about how much was appropriate to ask for the bride price.

Zhang Yuan, this little educated youth, came from the Capital City, so his family is definitely wealthy. Might as well make a high demand, and then there will be money for Ru Ying and Rusheng's school, and they might be able to renovate that leaky house.

Grandma Bai's plan was good, but Bai Xue and Zhang Yuan weren't fools.

"The day after tomorrow, I'll also invite the team leader to come for the engagement toast!" Bai Xue said simply, so Wang Xuehua, who approached just then, was reassured.

"Xiao Xue, I thought you got bullied by your grandma again, so I ran over quickly! With my dad there to support you, no one should bully you!"

"Xuehua! Let me introduce you, my fiancé! Zhang Yuan!" The original Bai Xue and Wang Xuehua were best friends, and Bai Xue particularly liked her personality, so even though she had changed inside, she didn't want to lose this friendship.

"Hello! I'm Wang Xuehua!" Wang Xuehua unreservedly reached out to greet Zhang Yuan.

"Hello!" Zhang Yuan shook hands with Wang Xuehua briefly, saying no more.

The educated youths who watched from start to finish felt that the previously cold and reticent Comrade Zhang Yuan had returned.

"Xiao Xue, when did you start seeing each other? We've only not seen each other for half a month, and you already have a partner!" Wang Xuehua asked mischievously.

"You just caught it at the right time!" Bai Xue replied.

"Is it really that coincidental? I've heard that you're already talking about marriage. Didn't your grandma call in the reform office people? They're still at your house now!"

"That was just my grandma making things up to squeeze out some bride price money. Did you really believe that?" Bai Xue rolled her eyes, "They just left!"

"I didn't really believe it! But also kind of did!"

"You! Whether you believe it or not, it was just now that we confirmed our relationship! I'm heading back now! It's too cold!" Bai Xue said this to Wang Xuehua, then turned to Zhang Yuan.

She was still a bit dazed, coming to this era and her second benefit being engaged to a handsome guy who looked just like her idol. Maybe they could marry and have a bunch of mini idols... wow haha.

Thinking of this, her face turned red, and she stuttered a bit looking at Zhang Yuan's face.

"I'll walk you home, it's almost time for dinner anyway!" Zhang Yuan looked at Bai Xue again with an incredibly indulgent smile.

The onlookers almost had their eyes fall out from staring.

Bai Xue looked at Zhao Hongmei, standing angrily in the courtyard, thinking about how different times were. If it were her time, and someone she liked was getting engaged in front of her to another woman, she'd definitely rush forward to cause a scene, but Zhao Hongmei just stood there red-eyed, staring, doing nothing else.

"Xiao Xue, I'll go tell my dad to let the comrades from the reform office know, since your grandma went this morning to report you for improper relations and accused Comrade Zhang Yuan of ruining your reputation!" Wang Xuehua said.

"The reform office really came?" asked Li Jianshe, who had been standing invisibly at the side.

"Otherwise, how would I know about your business? My dad had me come over to gauge the situation first. Xiao Xue's mom is in postpartum confinement, suddenly bringing those reform office people in would scare Aunt Cuihua!" Wang Xuehua waved her hand, "Alright, I'm heading off first, freezing my feet!"

Then she winked at Bai Xue and ran off.

"That crazy girl..." Bai Xue laughed, Wang Xuehua's personality really suited her.

"Let's head out too!" Zhang Yuan blatantly took Bai Xue's hand and led her out of the courtyard, finally able to do what he had dreamed of doing.

His journey to win his wife went so smoothly, his heart was filled with joy.

Bai Xue didn't pull her hand away, and the two of them walked out hand in hand.

But those hanging around, folding their arms and watching, couldn't stay calm.

"Look at them, so young, holding hands in public, oh my..." a gossiping woman shook her head, "Ruining the reputation of our Fifth Team!"

"Isn't that right! That Bai Ruxue girl is way too casual!" someone agreed from the side.

Only then did Bai Xue realize it was the sixties, not the era where public kissing was no big deal. Unintentionally, she drew more negative attention onto her younger sisters again.

She quickly pulled her hand out of Zhang Yuan's grasp, "Walk properly, why are we holding hands!"

"What's the matter? Everything was fine just now?" Zhang Yuan looked at Bai Xue unsatisfied.

He was holding her slightly cold little hand, feeling overjoyed, and now suddenly it was gone, leaving him feeling a little empty.

"Didn't you hear what those people were saying? Don't let the reputation of my three sisters get spoiled. I'm the one getting married, but they might not find anyone!" Bai Xue joked half seriously.

However, her saying, "I'm the one getting married," delighted Zhang Yuan, and he no longer insisted on holding hands, trying to please her.

"Your sisters are all good-looking and have great personalities, there's no way they won't find anyone! As the future brother-in-law, I'll be responsible for screening their matches!"

Calling himself brother-in-law, Zhang Yuan's own face turned red.

"You're something! Let's go, brother-in-law! I'm freezing here!" Bai Xue walked quickly to create some distance.

"Why are you calling me brother-in-law? You should call me Brother Yuan instead!" Zhang Yuan quickly caught up, giving Bai Xue a doting glance.

"Brother Yuan? No way! Can't say it!" Bai Xue couldn't help getting goosebumps.

"Then how about..."

"Just Zhang Yuan! No other demands! Otherwise, I might call off the engagement!" Bai Xue pretended to be serious.

"Alright, alright! Zhang Yuan it is!" Zhang Yuan conceded.

The two of them played around as they walked home, and Bai Xue felt like she wasn't even cold despite the chilly weather.

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