Chapter 54 Asking for Money
Li Guangming, looking rather naive, handed the things in his hand to Song Lubai and asked blankly, "What are you going to Xinjiang for?"
Song Lubai: "I've signed up to support the border region, and I'll be leaving soon."
"Comrade Li, be more vigilant in the future, and don't be fooled again."
A somewhat embarrassed and disappointed Li Guangming mumbled, "I understand."
Song Lubai smiled and said, "Then we'll meet again someday. Perhaps next time we meet, you'll be married with children, and I might be back with my family visiting relatives."
Li Guangming was so bitter he almost cried.
As Song Lubai turned around, Li Guangming said, "Wait a minute, your sister-in-law Liu Mei and all the people in her family who were arrested have been sent to Xinjiang Province for labor reform."
Song Lubai was genuinely surprised, but didn't take it seriously.
Xinjiang Province is so big, the probability of running into her is not high, and even if she does, she won't be the one who can't hold her head up high.
"I understand, thank you, goodbye."
Li Guangming left dejectedly. Song Lubai looked down at what she was holding, then turned back and said, "Actually, you should really thank those three soldiers and civilians. If it weren't for them, you might be dead."
Li Guangming turned around and said sincerely, "My dad has already thanked you on my behalf, but I just wanted to thank you separately. In any case, I hope everything goes well for you in the future."
Looking into his puppy-like, wet, clear, and sincere eyes, Song Lubai waved her hand, "You too."
She told Li Guangming the whole story, hoping to make him understand that a relationship between them was impossible.
It's best to let go of any feelings he might have for her, since there's no future in it.
Accepting the gift was a way to put an end to the matter, to make him let go of this "gratitude".
To be fair, in the few times they met, Li Guangming gave her a good impression. He wore his heart on his sleeve, seemed simple and easy to understand, and didn't seem like the kind of person who would dare to hit someone.
It's a pity.
Song Lubai has been the focus of attention in the tenement building these past two days; she's being watched wherever she goes.
"Lu Bai, was that young man your boyfriend? What did he give you?"
Song Lubai spoke succinctly, clutching the object in her arms, "It's not a boyfriend/girlfriend. This is a thank-you gift from the person I took to the hospital after the accident."
Back inside, Zhang Cui saw the black leather shoes and red cashmere scarf and disapproved, saying, "Why did you accept his things?"
Zhang Cui now knows that her family can no longer be in-laws with Li Guangming's family.
After all, the two families are separated by the fate of Lin Shuhong's son.
Zhang Cui couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
It's inappropriate to accept gifts now.
Song Lubai snorted, "You don't understand."
Zhang Cui: “…”
Zhang Cui: "You just want to take advantage of me."
Song Lubai nodded seriously: "You're right. After all, no one has ever bought me these things before, so I really cherish them."
These words pierced Zhang Cui's heart once again.
After a while, Zhang Cui said, "Since you insist on leaving, I can't stop you. I'll go and get some yarn these next few days to knit you a sweater."
Besides warm clothes, you also need to prepare some money.
Thinking of money, Zhang Cui subconsciously went back into the house to open the small cabinet where money and tickets were kept.
The small cabinet containing the savings book had been under the bed. Zhang Cui took it out and opened it, but didn't see the savings book inside. She searched the room several times but still couldn't find it. In her anxiety, she called all three children over to ask.
The twins insisted they hadn't touched anything, while Song Lubai confessed that she had only moved the cabinet containing the biscuits in order to find her household registration certificate.
Lin Jianshe whispered, "I saw Dad rummaging through the bed and opening the closet before he went to the county town yesterday noon."
Zhang Cui's face changed instantly.
She locked the cabinet again, gave a few instructions, and then left.
She still had a few hours before her night shift, enough time for her to go see Lin Dahai.
Lin Dahai, who had spent the night in the factory's duty room with the gatekeeper, looked unshaven and haggard after a day's work.
If you look closely, you can still see that Lin Dahai's face is swollen, but compared to the injuries on the three children, Lin Dahai's swelling is particularly hateful in Zhang Cui's eyes.
However, the most important thing at this moment is not settling yesterday's accounts, but finding the whereabouts of the family's bankbook.
If Lin Dahai gives all the money in his savings account to Lin Shuhong, she will have to divorce him.
Lin Dahai thought Zhang Cui had come to settle scores with him. He was already furious, thinking about how Song Lubai had forced him to stay away from home, and now Zhang Cui was going to settle scores with him. His face was as sour as a rock in a cesspool.
The atmosphere was already tense before the couple even spoke.
Lin Dahai's tone was equally forceful: "What are you doing?"
Zhang Cui spread her hands: "Where's the bankbook?"
A hint of guilt flashed across Lin Dahai's eyes.
He instinctively opened his eyes and asked, "What do you need the passbook for?"
Zhang Cui: "Lu Bai is leaving soon, I'll give her some money for her travel expenses."
Lin Dahai protested: "Fine, let's go! Why charge extra for travel expenses? Other people's daughters don't spend as much money as their families. Who spends more than her? She doesn't contribute much to her family, and I have to support her! Where can I complain to her?"
Zhang Cui's temper was about to explode, and she couldn't help but raise her voice, "Don't give me all this nonsense, just tell me, did you withdraw all the money from your savings account and give it to Lin Shuhong?"
“Let me tell you, half of the money in there belongs to me. If you don’t give it to me, I won’t let you get away with this! If my sister finds out, you won’t be able to face anyone at the factory.”
Zhang Cui didn't want to say anything so unpleasant.
But what kind of frustrating days has she been living these past few days because of Lin Shuhong's family affairs?
Feeling guilty, Lin Dahai dared not speak.
Zhang Cui sneered, "Fine, you won't give it to me, huh? If you won't give it to me, then go ask Lin Shuhong for it."
She turned to leave, but Lin Dahai quickly grabbed her and reluctantly pulled out his bankbook from his pocket.
There was originally over five hundred in the savings account, which the couple started saving after they got married.
The expenses for a family of five are considerable. Although the salaries of the two members have increased somewhat over the years, they spend even more, and what they can save is already the limit.
But at this point, there was only one hundred yuan left in the savings account.
Zhang Cui's eyes looked murderous.
"You're something else, Lin Dahai, you really are something else! You think your son is a child!"
Lin Dahai explained, "Liu Mei has been sent to XJ. Shu Hong is going to take the child with her. Can't he settle down there?"
Zhang Cui: "Why don't you give him all the money? What will happen to your two sons in the future? You bastard, I must have been incredibly unlucky to marry such a heartless scoundrel like you! Why do you have the right to control my money without saying a word?"
Lin Dahai glanced at the people passing by and whispered a warning: "Keep your voice down, aren't you embarrassed enough already?"
"What do you mean 'yours' and 'mine'? Why can't I use the family's money? I'm the head of the household."
Unable to bear it any longer, Zhang Cui slapped him.
Under Lin Dahai's incredulous gaze, Zhang Cui, her face flushed with anger, turned and left.
Zhang Cui found Lin Dahai's bicycle under the parking shed in the factory. She said to Lin Dahai, whose face was still turning red and then pale, "Let's get a divorce. Don't come back to that house anymore. Anyway, you don't care about the son I gave birth to. I have half the money for this bicycle. If I ride it away now, you can't make up for my loss."
Feeling guilty, Lin Dahai watched Zhang Cui ride away on her bicycle. He didn't dare to chase after her because he was afraid that Zhang Cui would go crazy and beat him, which would make him even more embarrassed.
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