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703words2026-01-26 09:03

My name is Ethan Lewis,26 years old.After graduating from university,I came to New York to work in the software programming industry.
My parents fully supported my choice and spent all their savings to buy me a house and a car in New York.

My girlfriend,Emily Brown,and I are both from Texas.We met on a dating website.She took the initiative to send me a message,and since then,we quickly became familiar with each other.
My girlfriend is the same age as me,but she is very gentle and considerate towards me,different from any girl I've met before.
This made me finally decide that this year,I would visit both of our parents and then get married.
My mother-in-law,who was leaning on a crutch,took my hand and glanced at Emily."Ethan,what do you think of our Emily?"
Emily is beautiful and virtuous.Of course,I'm satisfied to have such a girlfriend."Needless to say,Auntie.Emily is not only beautiful but also very caring.Thanks to your and Uncle's upbringing."
My father-in-law stroked his beard,and the wrinkles on his face formed a smile.He put the wine in his hand on the table.

"Well then,today,the two of us men should have a good drink,and we can just talk about the bride price by the way."
Although Emily's parents looked over seventy years old,it didn't affect their cooking at all.Even my father-in-law flipped the wok a few times.
I just thought they were happy because their daughter was getting married,and I thought in my heart that I couldn't treat Emily's family unfairly when it came to the bride price.
When the meal was ready and we had had a few drinks,Emily's father put down his chopsticks and cleared his throat.

"I heard from Emily that you have both a car and a house in New York,and your annual salary is not low either.We don't have any other requests.We just hope that you can give Emily a sense of security.As long as you add Emily's name to the car and the house,the bride price can be just 200,000 dollars as a formality."
My heart skipped a beat.Although I had expected that the bride price wouldn't be cheap,I didn't expect it to be 200,000 dollars right away.But I still agreed."Of course,Uncle and Auntie.This is all a small matter.Although I'm not old,I will definitely give what I should.I'll transfer the bride price to you after I take Emily to meet my parents."
I thought I had spoken properly,but unexpectedly,the originally harmonious dinner party suddenly fell silent.
Emily's father cleared his throat again."Ethan,it's not that we don't trust you.But even if you go to buy a car,you have to pay a deposit first.How can you drive it home and then pay?"
After hearing this,I was about to argue,but at this moment,Emily pinched my hand hard.Looking at her pitiful eyes,I could only helplessly nod my head and agree to his request.
My mother-in-law,who had been sitting there eating on her own,saw me nod and immediately took out her phone from her pocket,opened the payment code,as if she was afraid that I would go back on my word."Ethan,just scan the code.
Nowadays,with high technology,it's so convenient.You can just transfer 200,000 dollars to me first,and then add Emily's name to the house after you get the marriage certificate."
I didn't expect it to be so soon.In the time it took to have a meal,I was about to pay out 200,000 dollars."This is too soon,isn't it?!"
Emily hugged my arm."We'll get married soon too.My mom just wants to have peace of mind earlier.The money will still be ours in the future."
I sighed and transferred the money.Emily's parents stopped talking to me,and I took the opportunity to go outside to smoke a cigarette and sober up.
As soon as I lit the cigarette,a young man who looked about 20 years old and was dressed very simply walked over."Brother,it's not safe to smoke here.There's alcohol all around."
I turned my head and saw that there were indeed piles of solid alcohol in the corner.Just as I was about to thank him,Emily came out as she saw that I hadn't gone back for a long time.
"Why are you here?Why don't you go in?It's cold outside."
When the young man saw Emily come out,he immediately shouted,"Mom?You're back?"