C7 The Child Is Still Young!

Dowry?

Jiaojiao was stunned.

Isn't the dowry supposed to be given to the bride's family before the wedding? What does it mean to give it directly to the bride afterward? She thought this man was going to hand over his savings, and she got excited for nothing.

But a hundred dollars as a dowry, even if the timing is off, is still quite substantial. Yet, something just feels a bit off.

Jiaojiao, not very interested, stuffed the belated dowry into her pocket. "Let's eat first."

It's already hot in June, so there's no need to eat indoors.

The egg tea and mixed grain pancakes were just placed on the stone roller under the shade of a tree when four kids came running out of the house.

Their clothes seemed to be hand-me-downs; the little girl's pants were rolled up, and one shoulder was exposed. As for the two youngest, they wore white jackets with holes and open-crotch shorts, and neither of them had shoes on.

They reached for the bowls as soon as they got to the stone roller, but Jiaojiao quickly stopped them. "Wash your hands first. You need to wash your hands before eating."

The oldest gave her a hostile look and turned to complain to his dad, "Dad, she won't let us eat."

Pengcheng immediately took the two youngest to wash their hands. "She made the food."

The implication was clear: if she didn't want someone to eat, they wouldn't get any food.

The older child was dumbfounded.

However, the little girl was quick to adapt. Seeing that her brother's approach wasn't working, she immediately turned to her dad. After Zhao Pengcheng finished washing up the two younger ones, she stretched out her little hands and gave him a sweet, winning smile. "Daddy, I washed my hands. I'm being good. Can I eat now?"

The older one was so frustrated he stomped his foot.

Jiaojiao was nearly in stitches watching the scene unfold.

These four kids—well, the two younger ones were still too little to show much personality, but they seemed obedient and a bit timid. Yet, the little girl's behavior was truly remarkable. She had mastered the art of going with the flow.

She was going to be something else when she grew up.

As for the older one, he seemed pretty stubborn. He didn't say a word, but with a sullen face, he refused to wash his hands or move away. He stood by the stone roller, fully expressing his defiance.

When Zhao Pengcheng brought the three younger ones over and saw his eldest son's behavior, his face darkened.

He raised his hand to swat the older boy on the backside.

Jiaojiao was startled and quickly intervened, stopping Zhao Pengcheng. "What are you doing? Can't you just talk it out?"

Zhao Pengcheng tried to shake off Jiaojiao. "If he doesn't want to eat, then let him go hungry!"

Jiaojiao held onto his arm tightly to prevent him from actually hitting the child. "He's still young. What are you saying?"

"Ugh!" The kid spat the last bit of candy onto the ground, glaring fiercely. "I don't need your fake kindness!"

With that, he stomped out of the room.

Jiaojiao watched him run off, then gave Pengcheng a shove. "What are you standing around for? Go find him!"

"Why bother? It's time to eat!" Pengcheng was frustrated too.

He had already discussed with the four kids that since they were too young, he needed someone to take care of them. The three younger ones didn't understand much, so he mainly focused on the eldest, Zhibing.

Zhibing had promised he wouldn't give his stepmom a hard time and would help look after his siblings. Pengcheng believed him, which is why he proposed to Jiaojiao.

But now that she was part of the family, Zhibing had suddenly turned difficult.

Thinking about it made Pengcheng's hand itch with irritation.