One hundred yuan? Two hundred yuan? They must have left off ’ten thousand,’ right?

Du Heng himself wasn’t short on money and had many ways to earn it, but receiving money this way was still somewhat beyond his imagination.

Du Heng, who had been feeling pretty worn out, instantly perked up. "Brother, what do you mean?"

Wu Shengnan’s brother tilted his chin up slightly. "Today’s gift list was registered all at once, so the gift money won’t be divided between your family and mine. Our parents feel the same way; they want this money to go to you two."

As he spoke, seeing Du Heng about to say something, Wu Shengnan’s brother reached out and stopped him. "I know you’re not short of money, but hear me out. Take this money. How you and your elder brother divide it is your business. But our thinking is, since you two are married now, you’ll have to handle future family events among relatives, like weddings and funerals, yourselves. You’ll give gifts when appropriate, help out when needed, and manage the affairs of your own household. Whatever amount people gave as gifts today, when they have something going on next time, you return a similar amount. Of course, if you feel you have too much money and it’s burning a hole in your pocket, you can always add a little extra when you reciprocate."

"Alright, that’s settled then. I’ll hand the money over to you. Or do you want to count it?"

Du Heng looked at his brother-in-law, feeling troubled.

He had no idea how to respond to any of what his brother-in-law had said.

Wu Shengnan’s brother just said his piece, laughed heartily, and got up to leave.

Watching his brother-in-law depart, then looking at the black bag and the gift list on the table, Du Heng suddenly found the banquet spread before him much less appealing.

He turned to Wu Shengnan, his brow furrowed, and asked, "What should we do?"

"Just leave it," Wu Shengnan said after a moment’s thought, then turned back to enjoy the delicious food before her.

Du Heng looked at Wu Shengnan helplessly. "It’s so much money. Aren’t you going to offer any opinion?"

"Hmph! You’re the head of the household. You call the shots, so I won’t offer my opinion." Wu Shengnan had found the perfect excuse not to give one.

But her words left Du Heng quite frustrated. "Why should it be all up to me? Shouldn’t we discuss this together?"

However, when he finished speaking and saw Wu Shengnan completely absorbed in her food, his temper subsided.

It wasn’t a huge sum of money, especially compared to his current savings; it really wasn’t that much. However, the way it had come to him left a bad taste in his mouth.

He found his big brother, Du Ping, told him about the situation, and after Du Ping saw the black bag, he too was dumbfounded. But he didn’t dwell on other aspects; instead, he felt they had incurred a huge debt of gratitude this time.

However, after just a few minutes, Du Ping composed himself. "Since Brother Shengnan gave it, just take it. Later, go through the names on the gift list and maintain good relations by reciprocating. Don’t let it seem like we take the money and then don’t acknowledge people."

Du Heng was thoroughly exasperated but resigned. But seeing that no one else seemed to mind, he sighed and decided to let the matter go.

At worst, he would just do as his brother-in-law and his own brother had said: be more diligent in reciprocating favors in the future.

When everyone had left and things at the hotel were settled, Du Heng could finally take Wu Shengnan home. Just then, Liao Yuzhu, who had been waiting patiently, approached him.

"Brother Heng, are you happy about getting married?"

Du Heng reached out and gently poked his little nephew’s chubby cheek. The plump cheek, like a little rubber ball, quivered slightly back and forth as Du Heng playfully teased him.

"I’m happy, yes, but I’m just too exhausted. Right now, all I want is to find a place to sleep."

"Well, your wish will be granted soon enough," Liao Yuzhu teased Du Heng with a grin. "When you get back later, you can legitimately hold your new bride in your arms and sleep."

Du Heng laughed too. "Nothing wrong with that statement! From now on, I’m officially licensed for duty." As he spoke, he couldn’t resist teasing the child again; that chubby little face was incredibly tempting. "By the way, why haven’t you gone home yet? Is something up?"

Liao Yuzhu nodded slightly. "Yes, there’s something I need to tell you."

"Then tell me, what is it?" Du Heng asked casually.

But when it came to actually saying it, Liao Yuzhu hesitated, stammering as if she couldn’t get the words out.

This made Du Heng anxious. "Come on, Yuzhu, just spit it out! Is it that difficult to say? Hurry up and tell me. Given our relationship, there’s nothing that can’t be said, right? Quick, out with it. If you don’t tell me, I’m really going to bed."

After Du Heng urged her a few times, Liao Yuzhu, still holding the child, finally spoke.

"Brother Heng, I used to run wild and knew a lot of young women who weren’t on the right path. Not long ago, one of these friends secretly had a baby. Now her family has found out, and they don’t want the child."

Du Heng scratched his head, somewhat bewildered. He wasn’t sure if Liao Yuzhu hadn’t expressed herself clearly or if his drowsiness was making him slow-witted, as he didn’t quite grasp what she was trying to say. He asked doubtfully, "If they don’t want the child, why not give it to the father? Or send it to a welfare home, or find a family willing to adopt? There are plenty of options, aren’t there? But what I don’t understand is, why are you telling me this? Are you asking me to contact a welfare home or something?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Liao Yuzhu gently bounced the child in her arms and quickly picked up on Du Heng’s line of thought. "After my friend told me, that’s what I thought too. It just so happened that last week I visited Uncle and Auntie’s home. Seeing the state their household was in, I asked them if they would be willing to adopt."