C7 His Hope Was Dashed

"Hey, brat, I'm already at your door. Aren't you going to let me in to rest and have some water?" Soong Yan's face was stern, and she felt like giving her daughter a piece of her mind. She had raised her daughter with so much effort, hoping to get a decent dowry when she got married, but now it seemed like all her hopes were dashed.

Wooh Yueyue unlocked the door with her fingerprint, and Wooh Jiabao immediately pushed past her to get inside first, with Soong Yan eagerly following. Yueyue closed the door with a sigh, took off her shoes, and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge and placed them on the coffee table. "Drink your water and then leave, please."

She really didn't want to hear any more about marrying someone like Zhang Aquan. Her life was hers to control, and no one, not even her own mother, had the right to force her into marriage.

Wooh Jiabao unscrewed the cap and took a few sips of water, glancing around the room. He couldn't resist trying to persuade Yueyue again. "Sis, this apartment you're renting is way too small, and the amenities are outdated. If you marry Zhang Aquan, I'm sure he'd buy you a big house in the city."

"Wooh Jiabao, shut up!"

Yueyue had enough. "If you mention that man's name again, do you want to see if I won't punch you?"

Jiabao shrank back on the sofa, deciding to keep quiet. Yueyue had taken Taekwondo lessons, and if it came down to it, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against his sister.

Soong Yan sighed in frustration, taking a few sips of water to calm herself before pulling Yueyue aside to question her. "Let's not talk about that Zhang guy for now. Tell me, who is the man you're marrying? What does his family do? If he has a car and a house and is willing to give $50,000 as a wedding gift, I might accept it."

Jiabao thought his mom made a good point. As long as his sister's husband was willing to pay the wedding gift, who he was didn't matter. He quickly changed his tone, speaking in a more flattering manner, "Sis, does your fiancé's family have money?"

Yueyue was fed up. Just hearing these questions gave her a headache. Money, money, money—it's all they ever talked about. No one cared if she was exhausted from work or how her health was holding up!

Since they were young, she and her sister had been taught by their parents to support their brother. She was always obedient, giving up the best food and toys for him. For years, most of her salary had gone to support the family, and the house back home had been renovated. Her parents could live comfortably on their own salaries now. She had done her best to repay her parents for raising her.

But now, her parents and brother wanted to sell her off in the name of marriage, and that was something she could not tolerate.

All the resentment and anger Yueyue had been holding in finally erupted. Her eyes red with emotion, she shouted, "Mom, let me be honest with you. My husband and I had a simple marriage. We didn't have a wedding, and we didn't announce it to anyone."

"You and your brother won't get a single cent of a dowry! From now on, don't expect any money from me. I'm going to start looking out for myself, so stop trying to bleed me dry!"

Soong Yan was already furious, and hearing this made her explode. She flipped the coffee table and screamed hysterically, "You ungrateful brat! Your dad and I worked so hard to raise you and put you through school. Now you just decide to get married, and you’re talking about a 'bare-bones wedding'? Does that mean the groom doesn't spend a dime? How can you do this to your dad and me?"

Wooh Jiabao's hopes were dashed, and his face turned sour. "Sis, where's your husband? Mom, Dad, and I need to meet him. How can he marry you without spending a cent? He doesn’t respect you, and I refuse to acknowledge him as my brother-in-law. Sis, you should divorce him!"

"Exactly! If that man won't pay for a proper wedding and bring you home with dignity, then divorce him! Don’t let him get away with this for nothing."

Soong Yan was set on her eldest daughter marrying a wealthy man and couldn't accept the idea of a simple wedding.

Yueyue looked at her mom and brother's ugly expressions and smirked coldly. She said decisively, "Mom, Jiabao, let me tell you one more time: I decide my own marriage, and none of you have a say in it! If you keep pushing, I won't come home again. I’m even willing to cut ties if I have to!"

"What did you just say, you little brat? You want to cut ties with me?" Soong Yan raised her hand to hit Wooh Yueyue, but Yueyue dodged.

"Just leave. I don't want to see you anymore." Yueyue pushed Soong Yan and Wooh Jiabao out of the house and slammed the door shut.