Chapter Eighty-Three Belonging

  "How can we not buy it? Don't bully a child." Zhou Muya hastily stepped forward and scolded.

  The round-faced waiter was visibly annoyed: "What's wrong with what I said? One look at you and it's clear you can't afford it. Letting you stay here without throwing you out is already a favor, how dare you be so presumptuous?"

  Song Jie's good temper was also ignited with a thread of anger, why are there such people everywhere, the toad doesn't bite people but offends them, and the good mood for buying gifts was ruined again.

  "Since you can't make decisions, call your manager over." Song Jie didn't bother talking nonsense with this service staff either.

  The round-faced waiter's face turned bright red with anger, he had never seen such a bold little girl before, and his heart felt a hint of fear, he was frozen in place, unable to move or speak.

  A service staff with a small eye next to her came forward to mediate: "Little friend, which one do you want to buy? Let auntie help you pick, okay?" After saying that, she pulled the round-faced service staff aside and stood in her position.

  Don't hit a smiling face with an outstretched hand; Song Jie shouldn't be too bothered either, it's not worth it.

  "Auntie, let me take a look at this jade pendant."

  The little-eyed waiter followed the direction of Song Jie's finger and looked, his eyes froze for a moment, but since he had already spoken, it was naturally not good to take back, so he gritted his teeth and took out the jade pendant along with the box.

  Song Jie pretended not to see her expression, stretched out his hand and pulled the jade pendant on the glass tray in front of him, without the obstruction of the glass, the light became even brighter, he carefully picked up the pendant and examined it. The little-eyed waiter next to him was about to exclaim, but swallowed his words back.

  This jade pendant is even more green than the one I saw earlier, with a very uniform color. It feels cool to the touch, and there's not a single flaw on it. The two mandarin ducks carved on either side are vividly lifelike. Now it's only 199 yuan. What a great value!

  Song Jie nodded in satisfaction and said, "Alright, help me wrap it up. Find two better silver chains to put on. Since it's a gift, make the packaging look nicer."

  "You've bought it." The small-eyed waitress shrieked out loud and was glared at by Song Jie, the rest of her words left unspoken.

  When she came to the counter, Song Jie took out a handful of money from her backpack and handed over more than 200 yuan. Seeing that she really had money, the rest of the service staff were all surprised and whispered to each other in private.

  The round-faced waiter's intestines were all green with anger, now although they don't have to divide into what, but every month still have to look at the performance is good or not? Suddenly pushed out the god of wealth.

  That little-eyed waiter was delighted. Not only did he find a good packaging box, but also tied a flower ribbon on the box and wrapped it in a beautiful paper box, respectfully handing it to Song Jie with both hands.

  Song Jie counted out the change and small bills, without even a glance. She led Zhou Muya out of the store.

  Out of the door. Song Jie only felt that something was wrong, why was Zhou Muya so quiet today? Usually wasn't she chattering away and making a big noise?

  She looked to the side and saw Zhou Muya standing with her fists clenched at her chest, staring at her sparkling eyes. She was so startled that she took a step back before steadying herself: "What are you doing?"

  "Song Jie, I think you're really awesome, I admire you so much. What you just said to your boss was so cool!" Zhou Muya exclaimed.

  Song Jie suddenly felt quite good. The sky was blue, and she said nonchalantly, "Really?"

  "Mmm, yes, extremely so!" Zhou Muya's head almost nodded off.

  Looking at her good friend's admiring eyes, Song Jie's earlier gloom disappeared. The corners of her mouth slightly curled up.

  "Teach me then, how did you just become so bold? I didn't even dare to speak."

  "Want me to teach you? Alright..."

  Two people walked further and further away, their silhouettes stretching out behind them.

  Back home, Song Jie put things in order and waited for a suitable time to give it to her mother.

  Outside, Father Zhao and Mother Zhao were painting the pillars with newly bought red paint, a strong smell of paint, just a few days ago they had just wiped the windows clean, it felt like there was always endless housework to do.

  Song Jie felt a bit bored, so she took out a rag and started wiping the dust in the house. The old cabinet had been there for years, with some stubborn stains that couldn't be wiped clean, which made her feel frustrated.

  She suddenly remembered that she still had magic, why not use it? She always forgot that she had a little something different from others. A "Dust Removal Spell" was cast, and a large area was cleaned up. Looking at the spot on the wall that was swept away, she was speechless. Fortunately, the wall had been painted white a few days ago, otherwise the gray wall would have suddenly turned white, which would have definitely attracted attention.

  Several spells were cast and the house was instantly very clean, with no dust even in the corners of the walls.

  Song Jie nodded secretly, picked up the rag and began to pretend to work, going through the motions.

  Zhao's mother pushed open the door and came in, only to see her own little granddaughter wiping the floor diligently. She was taken aback by how clean the room was.

  "Is all this your doing, Nini?"

  Song Jie hastily nodded: "Yes, yes, very clean." Like a small pug, as soon as she saw her family members, she automatically switched to a childish state.

  "It's really quite clean, Nini is very capable, she cleans better than me." Zhao Mu Guang said frankly.

  Song Jie's ears turned red all the way back to the roots, and she said with a self-deprecating smile.

  At home, Zhao Juan was also busy. Today, she and Hu Jianmin went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to register their marriage, from now on they are considered a legitimate couple.

  As soon as Cao Cao arrived, the newlywed couple pushed open the door and walked in. Mrs. Zhao asked repeatedly how things went, and they hastily replied that everything was very smooth.

  Song Jie watched from the side with a sour face, why did she have a mistaken impression of marrying off her daughter? She would absolutely not admit it.

  After getting married, Zhao Juan had to live with her mother-in-law. Hu Jianmin's family conditions were not very good, although the debt was paid off, but the income was not much, after marriage, the two people would have to go through a tight life for a while.

  However, Hu Jianmin is honest and hardworking, knows how to make progress, and Zhao's parents did not make things difficult for them. After all, character is the first consideration, and Hu Jianmin's character is indeed impeccable.

  In the evening, except for Lao Da's family who had moved out, everyone else was together having dinner. After dinner, Zhao Fu gathered everyone together and said he had something to say.

  Madam Zhao went into the inner room and soon came out with a small handkerchief. She opened it in front of everyone, revealing a bundle of money inside.

  "Juan, you're getting married, and for the first time, your parents are giving you a dowry. I know that you and Jianmin, both of your conditions are a bit difficult right now, our family can only take out this much, 2000 yuan, and there's still a little left to give to Zhao Tong when he gets married, don't blame your parents for not being able to give it all to you." Mr. Zhao pushed the money in front of the two of them.

  "Dad and mom, I don't want it. You've worked hard to save money, what will you use if you give it to us?" Zhao Juan and Hu Jianmin both quickly declined, indicating that they couldn't accept it.

  Zhao Tong also took out 5,000 yuan: "Sister, brother-in-law, you know I'm doing business now and making a lot of money. But for now, I can only give you 5,000 yuan. Sister, our store still has your dividend, so let's get the marriage settled at least. This 5,000 yuan is my gift to you, not from the account."

  Zhao Juan was confused by everyone, how did each of them send so much money?

  Song Jie saw the situation and couldn't fall behind, she ran into the house and took out the jade pendant, handing it to Zhao Juan's hand: "Here, mom, this is my new wedding gift for you."

  "Do you have it too? This..." Zhao Juan was flustered by everyone's sudden commotion and didn't know what to do.

  "Take it, Juan. Since it's a gift, we'll take it. We'll give something better to the elders and Zhao Tong in the future. I know everyone is looking at our poor condition and wants to help, but I'm not a stubborn person, I appreciate your kindness. I also know that everyone is doing this for Zhao Juan, not for me. Here, I promise you all, I will be good to Zhao Juan for my whole life, never leaving or abandoning her. A real man's word is as solid as a nail, and I won't go back on it." Hu Jianmin was truly a man of his word, speaking with utmost sincerity.

  Everyone came out like this, also hoping that Hu Jianmin could make a statement. Everyone was very satisfied with his reaction and felt at ease.

  "Mom, I think you should live with Grandma after you get married." Song Jie finally said the words she had been thinking about for a long time.

  "What? No way!!" Zhao Juan suddenly stood up with a "screech", the chair making a sharp, ear-piercing sound.

  "Calm down and listen to what the child has to say," Zhao's father advised.

  "You tell me, what were you thinking? A child doesn't follow her mother, so who does she follow?" As Zhao Juan spoke, she felt a lump in her throat, feeling that her daughter was still estranged from her, how could this be?

  "Mom, don't get excited. Listen to me. I've thought it through carefully. You're newlyweds and it's not good for a small child like me to follow you around. Besides, I still want a little brother. I think I'll wait until I have a little brother and then move in with you both together. For now, let you two have some personal space, and I won't be the third wheel."

  "Kid, what are you talking nonsense?" Zhao Juan was amused, but still disagreed with her words.

  Song Jie was really thinking for a long time, the near fragrance and the far stench, her mother's new marriage, when she arrived at the new home, she must have been grinding in, with her words it would be even more difficult, so it's better to wait until they are stable before talking. Of course, little brother's words were just casual talk, she was afraid of Zhao Juan's tears.

  She had only mentioned this idea to her grandfather before, and he hadn't expressed any opinion.

  As for Zhao Juan's current situation, everything is prioritized with Song Jie, and when the time comes, if there's a conflict or collision, her mother will still take it out on others. Even Hu Jianmin has to be second in line. Since they have a new family now, they should adapt first. The biological mother and daughter can't avoid each other forever, not living together is the best solution for now.

  The old man saw the mother and daughter looking like they were parting with life and death, really couldn't bear to watch, this was a drama, one hammer decided Song Jie's belonging.