Different places vary, and legally, there is no strict regulation either. So it's not illegal for the other party to ask for a billion instead of 1.08 million. Furthermore, such behavior does not constitute fraud, as the criteria for fraud are quite strict. It requires the intent to illegally possess property, involving fabricating facts or concealing the truth. If there is no so-called marriage fraud, then it is impossible to commit the crime of fraud.

However, Qin Mu continued, "You can still get your bride price back. The Marriage Law clearly stipulates that if the parties have not completed marriage registration, they can request the return of the bride price."

This was also a judicial interpretation added by the authorities in response to the increasing number of bride price disputes in recent years. As long as there is no marriage, the bride price paid in advance can be claimed back.

However, Wan Zhongyuan's face turned livid. Clenching his teeth, he said, "But this unfilial son… has already stolen our household registration book and secretly obtained a marriage certificate."

Upon reaching this point, he trembled with anger, glancing fiercely at Wan Feizhang.

Qin Mu: "..."

He couldn't help but look at the sycophantic Wan Feizhang, rather speechless. Many young people nowadays like to pull this kind of stunt. On a whim, they just take the household registration book and go register their marriage. Although marriage is a matter of personal freedom, it should not be so reckless.

After all, marriage is for life, and marriages made in haste often crumble inevitably. The high divorce rate nowadays is partially due to impulsiveness in marriage. To reduce the divorce rate, a divorce cooling-off period has been specifically introduced. In fact, it is marriage that should be approached with more caution compared to divorce. Generally, only those with completely broken relationships and unable to continue being together head down the path of divorce.

"This is going to be a bit difficult. Under the law, there are three scenarios that support the return of the bride price," Qin Mu said, frowning as he continued his analysis. "The first is if the couple hasn't completed their marriage registration."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Wan Feizhang. That path had already been blocked by him.

"The second is where the couple has completed marriage registration but has never lived together."

Wan Zhongyuan paused for a moment.

Looking at his son, he spoke with disappointment, "They have been living together for over a year."

Qin Mu: "..."

This path, too, was blocked.

"The third is where the bride price was given before marriage and caused financial hardship for the payer."

After saying this, he couldn't help but give Wan Zhongyuan a skeptical look. Clearly, this scenario also didn't quite fit Wan Zhongyuan and his family. As the deputy director of a private nursing home, his income was quite substantial. There was no financial hardship. That is to say, all three legal scenarios for returning the bride price were not applicable.

"So I... can't get back the 1.08 million?" Upon hearing this, Wan Zhongyuan's face grew even more sullen. Actually, before consulting Qin Mu, he had specially sought a lawyer skilled in civil litigation. He had inquired about how to handle the case. The response he got was almost exactly the same as Qin Mu's. The three special conditions under the Marriage Law for returning the bride price had all been cleverly circumvented by them.

"You've already gotten your marriage certificate and lived together. Under normal circumstances... even if you didn't pay any more of the bride price, it shouldn't be an issue, right?" Qin Mu raised his eyebrows and asked.

When this topic was brought up, Wan Zhongyuan sighed again. "Although we have the certificate, the other party has disappeared. Their parents keep calling, saying that they will only allow the couple to meet again after the bride price is paid." This was the most helpless aspect for him. But after paying the 1.08 million, the other party demanded more. Fearful of their extortionate demands, he dared not transfer any more money to them.

"Disappeared?" Qin Mu instinctively sensed something amiss but couldn't pinpoint the exact problem.

"I asked a lawyer before, and he said that in such cases, the law doesn't support returning the bride price unless there is a divorce…" Wan Zhongyuan continued, "But even in the case of divorce, we can only ask for a portion of the bride price back." According to the Marriage Law, the bride price is considered a moral and customary betrothal gift, not something illegal. The act of requesting a bride price in marriage is not unlawful either. Now that they already have a marriage certificate, their situation also doesn't meet the conditions for returning the bride price. It can be said that this bride price is certainly not recoverable.

His reaching out to Qin Mu was more like a desperate attempt, clutching at straws. He did not have much hope to begin with.

However, after careful consideration, Qin Mu said earnestly, "If you want the bride price back, this lawsuit is quite winnable."

"Can I really get the bride price back?" Wan Zhongyuan swallowed, his expression brightening. A million is not a small amount of money. To let it go to waste like that was something he surely did not want.

"This bride price was transferred directly to the parents of the other party, right?"

Wan Zhongyuan nodded repeatedly.

Historically, the bride price was always given to the parents of the other party.

Qin Mu continued, "As long as this money is not recognized as a bride price, that's all that's needed."

He was actually quite averse to such extravagant demands for bride prices. The bride price was originally a good custom, representing the tradition of reciprocity. But now, it has gradually become synonymous with selling one's daughter. The discourse of some people online is also quite disgusting. For example, the idea that parents raised their daughter with hard work, so asking for a bride price for their only daughter is rightful. Or that after marrying into another family—serving the husband and in-laws, cleaning the house, doing laundry, and cooking—hundreds of thousands is not too much when it all comes down to it!

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