1088 Flaunt Her Wealth
The glittering crystal beads that were sewn by hand on the clothes were clear and bright, making Qiao Nan sparkle and glitter.
Qiao Zijin’s first thought at seeing such a beautiful dress was it must have cost a lot. Her second thought was that she would have looked even better than Qiao Nan in that dress!
Qiao Zijin, who fixed her gaze on the dress that Qiao Nan wore, almost forgot the reason why she went to great lengths to enter the Zhu family’s residence.
Qiao Zijin might have forgotten, but Qiao Nan still remembered their reason for making the trip. “Dad, we both know very well about our family’s situation. The Zhai family did not look down on me. In fact, all of these clothes and jewelry are prepared by my mother-in-law. Whether the Zhai family values me or not should not be judged based on the bride price. I am more concerned about how they treat me. My mother-in-law treats me like her own daughter. She will give me whatever that Sister Zhai Hua has. Sister Zhai Hua might not have whatever that I have.”
Bride price?
The bride price that the Zhai family provided would definitely end up with Qiao Zijin.
Qiao Nan knew about the customs of receiving bride price from the groom’s family. But like the topic of the dowry, she did not bring it up at all.
“You’re right. Madam Zhai indeed treats you very well.” Qiao Dongliang nodded earnestly. In the past half a year since Qiao Nan was engaged to Zhai Sheng, Miao Jing had already treated Qiao Nan as part of the Zhai family. She could not wait to take care of her and to provide her with all the nutritious food and nice clothes.
It was because of Miao Jing’s attitude toward Qiao Nan that Qiao Dongliang agreed readily to holding the wedding banquet soon after the Lunar New Year.
Qiao Dongliang could tell that the Zhai family loved and cared for Qiao Nan.
The Zhai family had shown their love for her through actions.
“Dad, let’s not talk about the bride price. I will marry Brother Zhai tomorrow. It is not good to bring this up now as well. It will not look good for both families. As for me, you don’t have to worry. I really don’t care about the bride price. I believe that Brother Zhai is true to me.”
After all, Qiao Dongliang said that it was for Qiao Nan’s interests that he broached the subject of the bride price. She could not say harsh words to reject Qiao Dongliang’s suggestion.
Even if her father was muddleheaded, she believed that he was really thinking of her interests when he brought up the topic of bride price.
Unfortunately, there were Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin with her father.
With these two women around, the bride price would fall into their hands and she would not stand to benefit at all.
“Nan Nan, you can’t say this. You are being carried away by love. You are irrational and confused. That’s why you feel that it’s alright to marry Zhai Sheng without any bride price. The bride price is the Zhai family’s respect and recognition for you. It shows that they value you. Nan Nan, you have to listen to Dad. We will not harm you. We want the best for you.”
Qiao Zijin smiled widely, going crazy over the dress that Qiao Nan would be wearing to the toasting ceremony. She walked forward, reaching her hands toward the dress.
Shi Qing narrowed her eyes and slapped Qiao Zijin’s hands away. “This is new. It was tailored not long ago. The fabric might be expensive but it is still within our means. The problem is that the tailor is prized for his skills. All the beads on the dress might not be made from diamonds, but they are pure natural crystal beads. Each bead costs a few dozen yuan. If you touch them and the beads fall off, it would not be easy to find someone to sew them on.”
“How could each bead cost a few dozen yuan?” Qiao Zijin sucked in her breath. “That dress is so expensive!”
A few dozen yuan?
The clothes that she bought cost a few dozen yuan only!
A dress of hers cost as much as a bead on Qiao Nan’s dress. Qiao Zijin felt as if she had been stabbed several times in her heart.
This was not simply a dress. Qiao Nan was draped in silver and gold.
“You know nothing. This is not the most expensive dress. The beads are not of an average price.” Shi Qing rolled her eyes. “Regardless, don’t touch the dress.”
What if she spoiled the dress?
The Qiao family would not be able to pay for it.
At the thought that Qiao Dongliang did not prepare any dowry for Qiao Nan, Shi Qing could not help but dislike the sight of him.
He was a father, yet he did nothing for his daughter. Shi Qing had nothing more to say. Qiao Nan was just plain unlucky.
Qiao Dongliang sensed the unwelcome stare from Shi Qing. He braced himself and pulled Qiao Zijin. “Zijin, stop messing with Nan Nan.”
Qiao Dongliang was a man. But he was just as startled at the price of Qiao Nan’s dress.
“Dad, is there anything else? Tomorrow is the wedding banquet. Brother Zhai will be here to fetch me. I have tried on all the dresses. I want to rest early today as I have to wake up early in the morning.”
Jealousy was biting at Qiao Zijin’s every vital. Qiao Nan felt that it was time to put a stop to her childish antics of flaunting her wealth.
Too far is as bad as not enough.
She only wanted to upset Qiao Zijin and for her to know of the existence of such luxurious goods.
Now that Qiao Zijin knew about all these expensive dresses, she would definitely demand even more from the Chen family when she married Chen Jun.
Qiao Dongliang had no wish to stay any longer. “That’s all. It’s good that you have sorted out your thoughts regarding the bride price. No matter what your decision is, you can rest assured. I will support you.”
All of them stayed in the same quad and it only took about more than ten minutes for Qiao Dongliang to go to the Zhai family’s residence. That was why it would be possible for Qiao Dongliang to ask for the bride price on the day before the wedding. If not, they would not be in time to ask for a bride price at the last minute.
Similarly, if they did not bring up the subject of the bride price, by the time they held the wedding banquet tomorrow, Qiao Dongliang had better not bring up the issue of the bride price in front of the Zhai family ever again.
It would only embarrass both families.
Compared to Qiao Dongliang, who was unable to provide any dowry, it would not look as bad on the Zhai family.
Marriage was between two people and both families should be helping with the wedding preparations. But the Qiao family did not help out at all.
On the day of the wedding, the relatives of the groom and bride would attend the wedding banquet held at the groom’s place. The groom’s family was responsible for the entire wedding.
On the other hand, the bride’s relatives could have an easy time and were able to enjoy food like any other guests.
The bride’s family had it so easy. Everyone would wish to be in such a position.
Qiao Nan understood Qiao Dongliang’s words. She turned to smile at him. “Sure. Dad, you should rest early as well.”
“No. Dad, Nan Nan is insensible. You can’t allow her to mess around…” Qiao Zijin refused to give up. “Nan Nan, you will be getting married tomorrow. You must need a bridesmaid. I am your sister. I can be your bridesmaid. You should have prepared the bridesmaid dress, haven’t you?”