Chapter 89 fig leaf
Wang Cuifen took over the conversation immediately, saying, "My third brother and I haven't finished paying off our debts yet. We can only come up with twenty yuan to tide us over. We really can't afford any more."
As she spoke, Wang Cuifen took out two ten-yuan bills from her pocket, placed them on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and then didn't say another word.
Second Aunt quickly said, "You all know my family's situation. I'm taking medicine now, hoping to improve my health and have a son. We really don't have any money. But sister-in-law, if your family needs any help, just say so, and we'll definitely help if we can."
Grandma Shen said to Jinran, "Nini, go open the cabinet in my and your grandfather's room and take out a package."
Jinran obediently did as she was told.
Grandma Shen took the package from Jinran. After opening it, she took out five ten-yuan bills. Everyone saw that there were only a few cents and coins left in the package, and that was it.
Grandma Shen handed the money to her eldest aunt and said, "This is all we can do to help. Don't think that your father has any connections or that he can get things done by asking around. If your father were really capable, he wouldn't be stuck in this old village. When the leaders come to visit during holidays, it's out of consideration. Don't try to build any connections with them. We can't offer them anything, so why should they help us? You two should figure this out yourselves."
The uncle, his eyes red-rimmed, looked up and demanded, "Father, Mother, are you really abandoning our family? My daughter is going to jail, and if things go wrong, she'll be released. Our family's reputation will be ruined. And that poor Huang Yuanyuan, she's practically our daughter-in-law. But these things..."
Father Shen interjected, "Your family didn't have a good reputation even before this happened. I don't believe you don't know what happened to Shen Qing before. What's wrong? You couldn't climb the social ladder, and now you have no hope of climbing the low-lying branches, so you're making things difficult for your parents? How can you think so highly of yourselves? You make it sound nice that you feel sorry for Shen Yanhong going to jail, but you're just regretting your shattered dreams of promotion and wealth!"
"Are you still afraid of getting blamed by her family? Is this all just a show of loyalty? Isn't that unnecessary? If my child were bedridden, your whole family would be in trouble. You think you can just pretend nothing's wrong? Marrying someone in a vegetative state, who doesn't even need food or fodder, is worry-free, saves money, and preserves your good reputation. If Shen Yanhong takes the blame, maybe the woman's parents, seeing Shen Qing's devotion, will give him a promotion, and your family will be set for life."
The eldest uncle, his face flushed, retorted, "Third brother, what are you talking about? What did I do? Don't think you're so great just because you're a regular employee in the city. I'm your older brother, so watch your mouth."
Mr. Shen rolled his eyes, ultimately refusing to say "I love you" again, but the veil of pretense had been ripped off. Everyone felt somewhat awkward. Besides Mr. Shen, Wang Cuifen, and Jinran, there was also Jinran.
Jinran felt that her father was right; he got straight to the point and grasped the central idea.
If you have ambition, don't try to have your cake and eat it too. It's pointless. Actually, her uncle and Shen Qing are essentially the same kind of people. She doesn't believe that when Shen Qing wanted to marry Huang Yuanyuan, he didn't analyze the pros and cons for her uncle. What are you pretending to be now, playing the victim and good parents?
That's pointless!
In the end, everyone parted on bad terms, but Auntie still took all the money that Grandma Shen and Wang Cuifen had given her.
It costs seventy yuan in total.
Auntie had already thought it through. This money absolutely could not be taken out. Let that brat deal with the trouble she caused herself. This money could be used to buy some dowry for Shen Qing in the future. She didn't have high expectations, as long as he could give birth to a grandson.
As Jinran and her family of three walked home, Jinran praised her father, "Dad, I've discovered that you are truly a wise man who appears foolish."
Father Shen asked in confusion, "What kind of fish?"
Jinran explained, "He's just exceptionally clever. What you just said hit the bullseye. Uncle didn't even have a chance to refute it."
Father Shen proudly raised his head, "It's nothing. I was reluctant to show it before, but now you see, I really step up when needed."
Jinran nodded admiringly.
Wang Cuifen scoffed, "You can't hide your true colors. You're so capable. Today, everyone else disagreed, but you were the only one who spoke up. I've already spent money and offended people. If I had known, I wouldn't have even taken the twenty."
Jinran laughed and said, "That won't do. Our family is one of the hardest working families. If we don't contribute a single cent, people will say we have no family ties. Consider it a loss to avoid disaster."
Wang Cuifen smiled and ruffled Jinran's hair, "What a smart little girl."
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