Chapter 5 — Disillusion

12 I nodded: "Okay. Wearing a wedding dress is inconvenient, I'll go change into a dress and pour some wine and then we'll go make some paper." My father immediately jumped out and shouted angrily: "Lin Tieu Vu! I raised you like this, why are you destroying yourself like that?" “Do you want to make your parents angry to death to be satisfied?!” Tran Kieu frowned, just about to open his mouth. I spoke first: "Dad, don't you have to let her actually jump from the building to make you feel satisfied?" "She just said she would compensate for the bride price and five coins. Since people have made concessions, we should take a step back." "This is just a misunderstanding. You and Tran Kieu have been in love with each other for three years. If you can't overcome this little turbulence, then won't you be able to get married for the rest of your life?" My father was so angry that he was shaking, one hand pointed straight at me, the other held his chest: "You... you... I don't think there is a daughter like you!" Tran Kieu coldly snorted: "If you don't accept Tieu Vu, then Tieu Vu doesn't need your father's kindness like that. Don't come to our wedding anymore, go away!" “You guys don't deserve to be at our wedding!” My mother supported my father and said angrily: "Tieu Vu, your father has high blood pressure, you still dare to tease him like that, is that your filial piety?" Tran Kieu's father stepped forward and pretended to conciliate: "What's so hot about the in-laws?" "Tieu Kieu, although your parents-in-law say that there is no need to spy, when they see that we are simply organized, they turn to blame the bride price, which is also difficult to understand. But after all, they are elders, so don't accept it." "Let's help you and your wife go back to your room to rest. If anything happens, you'll say that we, the Tran family, don't know how to be human." Tran Kieu nodded reluctantly: "Okay, I'll listen to whatever you say." I watched father and son coordinate harmoniously, a few sentences turned my parents into money-grubbing people. Looking at their black and white faces, I couldn't help but feel nauseous and almost vomited on the spot. But luckily my parents were finally able to get out of this place. Tran Kieu called the photographer over, raised his head and said arrogantly: "My wife and I are about to register our marriage, we don't have time anymore. You guys quickly refund my money." The photographer was stunned, but still politely said: "What does the marriage registration have to do with making me pay?" Tran Kieu coldly snorted and angrily shouted: "What kind of growth did this wooden head of yours have? I just said I wouldn't hold a wedding anymore, didn't you listen?" "If the wedding doesn't take place, of course you have to give me my money back!" 13 Although I had seen through the true face of Tran Kieu's family, he once again made me "expand" my perception. Initially the plan was to take outdoor wedding photos at the park, then register the marriage, and then hold the wedding. But with the recent chaos, the outdoor shooting time was pushed back, and the wedding was not late. Tran Kieu is the type of person who just forced me, and now forces the wedding service to refund! The photographer heard Tran Kieu's absurd words and could no longer hold the smile on his face. "Mr. Tran, we prepared the wedding on time, without delaying any of your progress. If you don't use it, you can't blame it on us and get your money back." Tran Kieu's mother snorted coldly: "You all saw it just now, my daughter-in-law doesn't listen and doesn't deserve such a good wedding. Of course that money must be returned to us!" I and Mong Mong looked at each other, found a place to sit on the sofa, preparing to watch Tran Kieu's family quarrel with the wedding organizer. Anyway, the longer I delay going to the Civil Affairs Department, the happier I feel. The photographer clearly understood the Tran family's appearance, but only dared to smile wryly: "I'm just a hired employee, I have to ask the boss about refunds." Tran Kieu's mother didn't know what to be embarrassed about, saying as if it was a matter of course: "Didn't you hear what my son said? We have to go register the marriage, we don't have time to find your boss. Quickly transfer the money back, if you want to claim it later, ask your boss!" Even though the worker was a service worker, he still refused to back down: "Sorry, I can't do that." "If you don't hold the wedding anymore, then my work will be finished. I'll go first." Tran Kieu's mother stopped and angrily scolded: "You're so good, aren't you? I went to buy things at the shopping center, and people like you did all the returns, no one ever told me to call the boss to pay!" "I didn't use it for my wedding, why didn't I refund it? Do you believe I'll sue you guys for forcing it to sell?" The photographer coldly said: "It's not you who sues, it's me who sues." Having said that, he took out his phone to call the police. Tran Kieu's father immediately interjected: "It's just too much! You even dare to sue us! Do you think we're easily bullied?" Understanding the meaning, Tran Kieu's mother immediately rushed forward and snatched the phone. The worker did not dare to push Tran Kieu's mother, he just held the phone tightly, the two sides struggled. I coldly observed, silently counting down the time, it seemed like it was time. As if by fate, the room door was opened by hotel staff. 14 Several people wearing police uniforms entered with my parents. Mong Mong saw this and immediately held out the stack of bride price money: "Comrade police, all the fake money is here." "The Tran family used fake money as a bride price and also taught others how to buy it. The people here filmed the entire process." The police took the money, checked it, and said sternly: "Take it all to the station." When Tran Kieu saw the police, he froze and his face turned pale. His parents still didn't understand what was going on, so they quickly shouted: "Comrade police, today is my child's wedding, where are you taking us?" “We are honest citizens, what excuse do you have to arrest us?” The policeman held up fake money: "Buying, selling, and using fake money, do I still need to explain more?" Tran Kieu's mother still tried to reason bluntly: "I have to buy fake money with real money. Is this also illegal?" "Tieu Kieu, say something! Didn't you say it was economical? Quickly explain to the police!" Tran Kieu pushed her mother away, screaming: "Mom, shut up! I don't know about you guys buying fake money, don't drag me in!" I looked at him, even though I had guessed it before, but I didn't expect it to be his true intention. His parents are nearly sixty, how could there be a ring to buy fake money? Tran Kieu himself - a university student - clearly understood that this was an illegal act and still did it intentionally. The police looked at him, shook his head, and coldly ordered: "Take it away!" The surrounding relatives started to riot: "I didn't buy it, don't arrest me!" “I'm just curious, I don't intend to actually buy it, don't get the wrong person!” The police's voice was cold: "Whether they were arrested by mistake or not, we will know when the investigation is completed." After going to the police station and watching the entire video, the relatives asked Buying fake money was severely warned, a commitment was written and then released. I left the station and gave lucky money to the photographer and makeup artist. The photographer who reminded me very kindly, and the makeup artist who was unfairly bullied by me, both deserve to be thanked. The next day, my parents and Mong Mong boarded the high-speed train to go home. This place, I will never return. After this incident, my parents' views also changed. Now they just want me to be healthy and happy, and it's okay if I don't get married. Two months later, the court called me. The verdict for the Tran family has come to fruition. Tran Kieu is a frequent buyer of counterfeit money. Over the past years, he has bought more than 100,000 yuan, mainly spending it in small restaurants without cameras and local markets... When he got married, he bought 150,000 fake money at once to make bride gifts and lucky money... He was prosecuted for buying, storing and using fake money and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of 480,000. His parents were prosecuted for possession, use and cover-up, each sentenced to 3 years in prison, fined 90,000 and 70,000 respectively. The court checked their bank accounts, found there wasn't enough money, and ordered their houses to be auctioned off to make up for the fine. After listening, there was not a single ripple in my heart. Because at that time I was busy helping Mong Mong make wedding fans. Last year, the person she liked posted a photo "declaring his love" to... his older sister. After that, they went from being in a student relationship to now, finally becoming a couple. As for me, although my parents don't urge me to get married anymore, I still believe in love and sincerity.