bookpub Chapter 566 - 432: Wedding Dress Freedom? (Part 2)
Chapter 566 - 432: Wedding Dress Freedom? (Part 2)
This also illustrates that Zhao Heng is a person with inner strength, who basically doesn’t burn out, and this gives people a very reassuring feeling.Nowadays, isn’t it trendy to "first blame others when something happens" or "go crazy directly"?
"That’s the reason why everyone doesn’t want to get married now."
After a pause, Xu Hongdou sighed and said.
This year’s number of marriages hit a record low again, only 7 million-plus couples last year. It sounds like a lot, but it’s a 36-year low.
The post-90s don’t go for marriage, and the post-00s not only don’t marry, they don’t even date. The marriage rate has been declining annually for the past decade, while the divorce rate has soared like a rocket. The more society develops, the fewer young people get married, and more people are choosing not to have children.
Why is it like this?
The birth rate in recent years has dropped to a chilling level, with last year’s birth rate falling below 1. What does this mean?
This means the vast majority of parents are only having one child, not even reaching half the world’s average level.
If this birth rate persists, by the time the post-70s, post-80s, and post-90s generations age, for every person born, five will pass away.
"This is actually easy to understand. From an economic perspective, marriage is essentially a contract, and a family is a company. Marriage is like registering a company, and both spouses are investors, required to invest their time, energy, and emotions. So what’s the return on investment? Clearly, it’s the various services enjoyed in family life, such as emotional value, companionship, etc."
"A company needs costs to operate, and when society can provide more and more equivalent services, there’s no need to settle down and get married. The value of marriage drops significantly. If the input-output ratio becomes lower and lower, people will weigh the pros and cons and prefer to spend their time and energy elsewhere."
Xu Man Ni unexpectedly said, showing she has thought deeply about this matter.
Why, despite being together only for two months, does Xu Man Ni seem so eager to marry Zhao Heng?
She’s entirely unlike her previous self, who showed signs of anti-marriage tendencies.
Because Zhao Heng can give Xu Man Ni everything she wants.
Therefore, it’s not that everyone doesn’t want to get married; it’s just that for most people, the cost-effectiveness of marriage and having children is way too low.
If everyone had a school district apartment in the city center, a vacation villa in the suburbs, and an annual income of several million, everyone would relish the joy of marriage and having children.
"You’re really thinking deeply."
Zhao Heng couldn’t help but smile and say.
Xu Man Ni is not a young girl; Zhao Heng is very clear about this. If she wasn’t sure in her heart already, she wouldn’t think about love and marriage.
In appearance, figure, temperament, family background, job, and education, Xu Man Ni has it all. She can live very well on her own.
If Zhao Heng hadn’t truly satisfied her, why would she want to get married?
Perhaps the emotional bond of a couple who has faced hardships together is more sincere, but for someone like Xu Man Ni, with her family and life, where is there any suffering and hardship?
"Aren’t you guys like this now?"
Xu Man Ni asked in return.
When weighing pros and cons, men and women are the same, and the more excellent the person, the more keenly they weigh these things.
For outstanding men, there are only two kinds of women they can spend a lifetime with: one who has accompanied him through hardships and growth, and another whose conditions are excellent and can assist him.
One provides high emotional value, the other substantial material help. To live a life, especially when tied to another person, one must aim for something, right?
"Most young people today already have a hard enough time surviving; who has the time to think about these things?"
Zhao Heng shook his head slightly, saying that if he were still at the bottom rung as a technician with a meager salary working in an urban village, he wouldn’t dare to think about marriage, not even dating.
Only because now he has a certain status, wealth, and conditions, with no burden from marriage and children, can he consider marriage without any pressure.
"Indeed, there are few who are as successful as you at this age."
Xu Hongdou nodded in great agreement.
"Alright, none of you are doing sociology research, so why think so much? Just do your own thing well."
Xu Man Ni thought for a moment and said.
"But when both sides meet, it should be properly arranged."
After a pause, Xu Man Ni added.
It’s a big deal when parents meet, and first impressions are extremely important, so it must be well arranged.
"It’s nothing much, just having a meal to get to know one another."
Zhao Heng thought very simply.
After visiting Xu Man Ni’s family and meeting her parents, Zhao Heng felt more assured. Xu’s father and mother were satisfied with Zhao Heng, there’s no doubt.
On Zhao Heng’s side, Zhao’s father and mother were equally satisfied with Xu Man Ni as their daughter-in-law.
Since both sides are satisfied, there shouldn’t be any big problems.
"By the way, what are the customs for meeting on your side? So I can prepare."
Xu Man Ni asked Zhao Heng.
"There doesn’t seem to be anything special. First meeting just involves bringing some things and chatting."
Zhao Heng wasn’t usually very attentive to these matters, being a young person of the new era who prefers simplicity.
"How about next weekend then, I’ll find a place."
Xu Man Ni nodded and said, she also doesn’t think there would be any problems, considering both sides are quite satisfied.
"Sis, why do I suddenly feel like envying you guys?"
Xu Hongdou laughed and said.
In her view, Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni may not constantly display their love publicly, but they understand and respect each other, minimize troubles for one another, and care for one another. This is truly harmony between two hearts.
Such affection is truly for growing old together.
Come to think of it, Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni haven’t argued since being together, right?
On one hand, they are very busy; on the other hand, both are too thoughtful to even argue.
"This is how it is living life."
Xu Man Ni said with a smile.
Only feelings that withstand life’s tests are truly indestructible like gold through fire.
Since being with Zhao Heng, what she has received is mostly positive feedback. In this era and world full of overflowing negative energy, finding such a positive, aspirational, and promising partner seems like heaven-sent luck earned through multiple lifetimes of good deeds.
After the late-night snack, the three strolled around and went home.
Returning to the bedroom, Zhao Heng changed casually and lay down to use his phone.
Xu Man Ni was also propped up with a pillow, using her phone.
"Do you think after we’re engaged, we should start calling each other husband and wife?"
Xu Man Ni suddenly asked Zhao Heng.
"The terms husband and wife feel too formal."
Zhao Heng felt calling her wife was somewhat uncomfortable.
Speaking of, Zhao Heng doesn’t have a fixed term of address for Xu Man Ni. Previously, before they were together, he called her sister, but now he calls her sister less, and hasn’t settled on a permanent term.
"If not that, then what should I call you?"
Xu Man Ni said with a smile.
"Otherwise, should I call you Dr. Zhao at home?"
After a pause, Xu Man Ni added.
"That’s fine too, just feels like calling my husband makes me aged twenty years instantly."
Zhao Heng nodded.
"Have you missed me these days while out?"
Xu Man Ni suddenly put down her phone, sat up, and looked at Zhao Heng.
"Huh?"
Seeing Xu Man Ni like this, Zhao Heng knew it was her code.
"What missing, just come over!"
Zhao Heng put down his phone.
"Where’s it gone?"
Zhao Heng looked at the empty bedside drawer and said.
"Ah, I forgot to buy it."
Xu Man Ni suddenly said.