Chapter 5: The Wedding Date Moved Forward

The next day, the first thing Ji Sisi did after waking up was to check her system panel after performing her daily check-in.

[Host: Ji Sisi.]
[Age: 18.]
[Points: 12.]
[Storage: Resurrection Pill.]

Before she could interact with the system, Ji Sisi was startled by the commotion downstairs. Stepping out to investigate, she saw that Gu Yu had kept his word and brought his mother to the Ji residence to propose marriage.

Ji Sisi was curious. Was Mother Gu truly the "malicious old woman" described by Ji Manrou, the heroine of the era novel—a sharp-tongued, mean-spirited woman who was impossible to get along with?

Gu Yu had originally been the ideal son-in-law selected by Ji Liguo and Zhu Jiahui, though the status of the Gu and Ji families was inherently unequal. Following the recent string of frustrating events, Ji Liguo and Zhu Jiahui were currently forced to keep a low profile. Regardless of everything else, getting both weddings arranged was their top priority to overcome the Ji family's current crisis.

Previously, they had intended to marry off their beloved second daughter to the Gu family, so they had asked for a standard dowry, wanting to maintain good relations and ensure their daughter wouldn't have a difficult life. Now, however, it was the turn of that wretch Ji Sisi, and Zhu Jiahui had no intention of letting her off easily.

She insisted firmly, "The bride price is one thousand yuan. Not a single cent less."

"This—" Mother Gu hesitated. Wasn't this an exorbitant demand? Even the daughter of a county official in the residential compound had only received a bride price of five hundred. Furthermore, had it not been for her son's request last night, Mother Gu’s preferred choice for a daughter-in-law would have been the Ji family's second daughter. Without even considering their education—one barely finishing junior high while the other was truly accomplished—it was clear who was the better match. Having been persuaded by her son to propose to the eldest daughter, whom she didn't favor, Mother Gu was already displeased; she hadn't expected the Ji family to pull a stunt like this.

At this moment, Ji Sisi spoke up: "Mom, if the Gu family pays a one-thousand-yuan bride price, how much of a dowry is our family planning to provide?"

"What dowry? We’ve raised you all these years; shouldn't that bride price be kept by the family?" Zhu Jiahui glared at Ji Sisi, cursing her as an ungrateful wretch in her heart.

Ji Sisi lowered her head, feigning embarrassment as she whispered, "So, you want a high bride price, but you don't intend to let me take a single cent with me?"

This single sentence silenced Ji Liguo and Zhu Jiahui. In this residential compound, it was standard for bride prices and dowries to be equivalent when children married. That was what respectable people did; otherwise, as Zhu Jiahui suggested, it was nothing more than selling one's daughter—a practice looked down upon by everyone. Not only did Zhu Jiahui’s face turn ashen, unable to save face, but Ji Liguo could no longer hide behind his wife.

Putting on the airs of a patriarch, he lashed out at Ji Sisi: "Do you have no respect for elders? How can you speak to your mother like that?"

Gu Yu stepped forward, shielding Ji Sisi behind him, and addressed the Ji parents: "Uncle, Auntie, I won't say too much, but you understand the principle that those below follow the example of those above, don't you?"

Dressed in his green military uniform, Gu Yu looked dashing and heroic, his handsome features stirring one's heart. As Ji Sisi found herself momentarily infatuated, Gu Yu glanced back at her, thinking this little girl was truly quite interesting. He had come to propose early this morning not only to take responsibility for yesterday's events, but because he had originally viewed marriage as a life task where the partner didn't matter. This girl, however, was different—she was fascinating.

When the upright Gu Yu stood before Ji Liguo and Zhu Jiahui, his mere presence exerted immense pressure on them. The Ji family’s current predicament required the help of the Dong family, and they desperately needed money, partly to vent their own frustrations. The couple had mutually agreed to marry Ji Sisi off to the Gu family and double the bride price, yet they dared not openly offend the Gu family.

"If the bride price is one thousand, then the dowry should also be one thousand, which I will take with me," Ji Sisi stated clearly.

"You're insane!" Zhu Jiahui naturally disagreed, instinctively raising her hand to discipline the disobedient wretch.

"Auntie Ji," Gu Yu said, grabbing her arm firmly. "I will pay the one thousand yuan, but after Ji Sisi marries me, she will have nothing more to do with your family."

Zhu Jiahui was still reluctant; even if the girl was married, she should still be finding ways to provide benefits for her natal family and her younger brother. But Gu Yu’s grip was strong, and, feeling unreconciled, she looked to her husband for help. Ji Liguo quickly calculated in his mind: he would agree for now just to get his hands on the thousand yuan. If they needed anything later, they could always go to her; they were, after all, her parents. Surely she couldn't disobey her parents' wishes?

Thus, both sides "happily" reached an agreement, and the Gu and Ji families formed an alliance through marriage.

The Gu family would pay a thousand-yuan bride price, and from that moment on, Ji Sisi would have no further connection to the Ji family. Having received the answer she wanted, Zhu Jiahui did not forget to add, "Actually, Sisi is a good girl, even if her education isn't as good as Manrou's. But she's diligent; she does all the laundry, cooking, and chores in the house."

Hearing this, Mother Gu felt a sense of contempt for the Ji family and, conversely, a bit more pity for her future daughter-in-law. So, with so many people in the house, they had been using this girl as an unpaid servant?

Mother Gu replied, "Sisi is indeed a good girl; everyone in our family likes her. In that case, I hope we can set the wedding date soon."

"No problem, the wedding date is easily arranged. You tell us what day works for your family."

"Fine. We will register the marriage in three days, then hold a banquet to invite the people in the compound."

This was something Gu Yu had already discussed with his family before leaving. Given what had happened, Ji Sisi’s life in the Ji household would not be easy. Since they were going to marry anyway, it was better to bring her into their home sooner.

Ji Liguo was beaming with joy now that the other party had agreed to the one-thousand-yuan bride price; he no longer cared about anything else. Not only Ji Sisi, but even Ji Manrou was stunned. Why was the wedding date moved up so much? Gu Yu didn't look like someone about to die in three days. This development, completely different from what she remembered in her past life, made Ji Manrou feel a flicker of hesitation.

Immediately, she comforted herself: regardless, the bride-swap had been successful. As long as she married Dong Tengfei, she would be a pampered wealthy lady for the rest of her life!

In truth, Ji Sisi didn't care much for that thousand yuan, and she suspected that even if the Ji family received it, they wouldn't be able to hold onto it. She was desperate to leave the Ji family and wanted to avoid further contact with the brainless heroine of the book, so she listened obediently while the elders discussed the wedding date.

In reality, Ji Sisi was multitasking, communicating with her check-in system: "System, system, I have 12 points now. Can I find a place to check in? What kind of rewards will I get from different check-in locations?"