On her way back from the shop, Yan Xixi was deep in thought. Suddenly, a very real problem occurred to her: Would it be so troubleso if I married Wan Donglin? Betrothal gifts, dowry... how should those be calculated? As she thought, she chuckled. What dowry do I have? I myself am the best dowry.
Wan Donglin was already ho when she arrived. Seeing her, he imdiately called out, "Xixi, co here."
She ran over and sat down beside him.
"Where have you been today?"
"I went to inspect the shops."
Inspect the shops! I made it sound so official, as if I were actually working hard.
"Guess what? I have a lovely gift for you."
She widened her eyes. He held out a very exquisite box. He opened it, revealing a car key.
She cheered, "Donglin, is this for ?"
"Didn’t I tell you before I wanted to get you a car? Do you like it?"
"I love it!"
But then she looked puzzled. "Is my rcedes completely wrecked?"
"The damage is severe, and it will take so ti to repair. Even then, it won’t look as good as it did before. Forget it, Xixi. You need a car to drive in the anti."
She held the car keys, overjoyed. Then she rembered Xu Xiaoya’s words: "Marriage is pointless. It only lowers your quality of life." But has it been the opposite for ? Has my quality of life significantly improved after getting together with Donglin?
She told Wan Donglin about ng Li taking leave earlier that day. "Donglin," she asked, "why do you think so many n are stingy? Why are they so afraid of won taking even the slightest advantage of them?"
"Silly girl, do you know what this is called?"
"What?"
"It’s called ’taking advantage of familiarity.’"
"What does that an?"
"You don’t even know what ’taking advantage of familiarity’ ans? People usually prefer to go to acquaintances when they need sothing. But haven’t you experienced this? When you go to soone you know to buy sothing, or for a small business deal, you often end up with a price higher than the market rate. On top of that, you’re too embarrassed to haggle. If you do, the friendship might be ruined, and you can’t bring yourself to do it because you don’t want to lose face..."
That was true, she thought. So, as people say: familiarity breeds exploitation.
"n are the sa," Wan Donglin continued. "When they’re looking for a mistress or a prostitute, they’re willing to pay, no matter how high the cost. But when it cos to their wives, it’s a different story. A wife is expected to bear his children, do all the household chores, cook, do laundry, take care of his parents, handle all the relatives, and look after the children’s every need... Yet, he might not thank you even once. Why? Because you’re his wife, and aren’t these just the things a wife is supposed to do?"
Yan Xixi fell silent. He’s right.
Countless won leave the hos they grew up in, hos they are accustod to, and marry into a new family. As strangers, they must integrate into an entirely different social circle, including their husband, parents-in-law, and perhaps even younger brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law. That family is already a complete unit. When you step in, you have to adapt all over again. You endure conflicts with your mother-in-law, manage household affairs, go through ten months of pregnancy, and scrimp and save with him to afford a house, a car, and the children. You put up with him coming ho exhausted from work, sprawling on the sofa with unwashed feet and snoring loudly... The best food and drink are always for him first, then the children. And even then, you likely have to hold down a job to help with the family expenses, because he often can’t support the family on his own inco. Gradually, you lose your youthful bloom. But will he give you every penny he earns? Will he comfort you and help wash your feet when you’re on your period? Will he surprise you with that gift you’ve coveted for so long but couldn’t bring yourself to buy? Will he promise to never have an affair and remain faithful to you? Will he ever express gratitude for everything you do?
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