As for the future.

The two girls weren't worried at all. In this day and age, jobs were guaranteed after graduation, so they probably wouldn't have to worry about anything for the rest of their lives.

This is actually one of the reasons why this family is not very harmonious.

Bang Geng failed to get into university and drifted aimlessly through life, while his two younger sisters became successful one by one.

With Qin Huairu's revelation, all the problems of the Jia family were exposed at once.

"Mom, you don't need to argue with me," Qin Huairu said calmly. "Just tell me how much you want."

"What do you mean how much money..." Jia Zhangshi was stunned for a moment, then realized what was going on.

In an instant, her usually quiet little head started working rapidly.

Yes, if I can't stop her from leaving, I can ask her for something in return.

His eyes darted around, he held out a hand, and blurted out, "Fifty! Every month, every single month, no less!"

"Think it over before you speak."

"Fifty, please!"

"Then I'll have to go to the police station."

"What are you going to the police station for?" Jia Zhangshi was confused. Who goes to the police station to report themselves for having an affair?

Qin Huairu smiled and said, "The painkillers you've been taking are an excessive amount."

Madam Jia's eyes widened as she pointed at Qin Huairu: "You...you you you..."

"He'll be locked up," Qin Huairu added.

"How...how dare you!"

"Mom, I advised you years ago, but you didn't listen. Who can I blame? Twenty a month is more than enough for you."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened again.

Twenty a month, she thought to herself, actually, twenty isn't a small amount.

Although prices rose after the reform and opening up, they didn't actually rise that dramatically in 1979. Twenty yuan was enough for her and Bang Geng to live on.

"Huai Ru, Mom has had a hard time too..."

"You'd better know when to quit while you're ahead." The Qin Huairu of today is not the Qin Huairu of the past.

Just as they were talking, the door was kicked open with a "bang".

Sha Zhu stormed in, and upon seeing Qin Huairu, exclaimed, "Sister Qin, how could you do this?!"

After running away, Bang Geng grew angrier and angrier. Then he thought of his simple-minded uncle. All these years, he had been able to live so comfortably thanks to his uncle. It has to be said, the profession of cook, no matter the era, guarantees a life free from worries about food and clothing.

Sure enough, more than ten years have passed, and he is still just as strong.

"How am I?" Qin Huairu asked He Yuzhu.

"Sister Qin, you..." He Yuzhu's face flushed red, but in the end, she couldn't bear to say a harsh word.

When he heard the news from Banggeng, it was like a bolt from the blue. He couldn't understand why, what was wrong with him!

"Comrade He Yuzhu, this is my business and has nothing to do with you. I clearly rejected you sixteen years ago. No matter how much you pester me, it will only lead to the same result. I hope you can respect yourself."

"Sister Qin, am I really that unattractive to you? Why do you insist on having that pretty boy?" He Yuzhu's face turned pale.

"Heh." Qin Huairu sneered, not intending to answer his question. She looked at Bang Geng: "You're an adult now. I've raised you all this time, so I've done my duty. From now on, you can do whatever you want. I won't interfere."

Then, she turned to her two daughters and said softly, "Let's go."

"Qin..." Madam Jia Zhang wanted to speak.

But Qin Huairu's cold gaze stopped her. She knew that if she really caused any more trouble, she might lose even the twenty yuan.

He Yuzhu stared blankly as Qin Huairu brushed past him, a surge of intense pain making it hard to breathe welling up inside him. He felt like a fish out of water. He wanted to go find Qin Huairu, but he had no reason to. He opened his mouth, glanced at Bang Geng, and for some reason, Bang Geng also seemed repulsive to him at that moment.

Wang Shouren was waiting outside in his car, which wasn't his; it was borrowed.

Qin Huairu came out carrying large and small bags, followed by her two daughters.

She glanced at Wang Shouren, sighed, tossed her bag onto the bus, but didn't get on.

"What's wrong?" Wang Shouren asked softly.

Actually, he had originally wanted to go in with her today, but she refused, saying she wanted to handle it herself.

"I want to walk around by myself. You take the others and go back first. I'll be back later."

Wang Shouren frowned.

"I want to take a walk by myself," Qin Huairu emphasized again.

"Then...where are you going?"

"I want to take a walk by myself." Her tone became more serious.

"Uncle, let's go, Mom's in a bad mood..." Huaihua tugged at Wang Shouren's sleeve.

"Then be careful."

The car drove away from the courtyard house. Qin Huairu stood in front of it, glanced back, and silently headed east. From that moment on, it seemed that things were getting further and further away from Qin Huairu. Perhaps, she would never return to this courtyard house where she had spent most of her life.

The setting sun hung in the sky.

The old man and his wife were about to have dinner.

Then there was a knock on the door.

The three uncles and three aunts exchanged a glance and stood up.

This house has been lived in by the elderly couple for quite some time. Their children have all gone out and started their own careers; they're quite frugal, but the family relationship is still good. They'll buy things for them during holidays. Normally, no one would visit during this time of year.

Open the door.

The old man was stunned for a moment. Before he could even think straight, his mouth started moving: "Oh, what a rare guest! How did you manage to come all this way?"

Sha Zhu stood alone in front of the door, carrying a jug of wine, his face etched with deep sorrow.

"Uncle, I'm here to mooch a meal from you." His voice was low and deep.

"Alright, come in." The third uncle glanced at the wine in his hand. It wasn't anything special, but it was enough for a free meal.

Moreover, these days, his family doesn't lack this kind of food anymore. Over the years, following Wang Shouren, his horizons have broadened and he's become more and more accomplished.

When the third aunt saw Sha Zhu come in, she quietly went to get a set of bowls and chopsticks.

Sha Zhu stared blankly at the bowl and chopsticks that the third aunt had added for him, his nose tingled, and tears welled up in his eyes.

She covered her face, her body convulsing.

When the third uncle saw Sha Zhu's appearance, he couldn't help but sigh and patted Sha Zhu on the back.

No matter how bad this person is, he's someone I've watched grow up since he was a child, and seeing him cry like this now, I can't bear it.

To be honest, this guy hasn't done many truly heinous things, but he's just incredibly shameless and immoral.

"Have a drink..."