Fang Qiao refused jokingly: "That won't do."
"So stingy?" Yang Fengxia feigned displeasure: "Can't you even ask your own mother? It's not like I want your money, what are you afraid of?"
"But I'm afraid you'll want money." Fang Qiao's smile faded, revealing her true feelings.
She had politely refused so many times, and any other mother who was even slightly sensible would not have asked again. But she just wouldn't give up, as if she wouldn't stop until she got the specific details of her salary. The implication was clear: she was hoping that she would help her family when she had money.
Fang Qiao could easily have given her any number to get rid of her, but she didn't want to.
She felt it was best to speak her mind to avoid dragging herself into a quagmire from which she couldn't escape.
She spoke frankly: "After all, you're not just my mother. My younger brother isn't married yet, and I have to plan for my own little family."
"What do you mean?" Yang Fengxia's lips drooped instantly. "Are you guarding against me? Fang Qiao, I'm your own mother. I was just curious and asked you a couple of questions about your salary. Is it so hard for you to ask? Besides, I didn't say I wanted yours. Do you have to hurt me like this? Is that how you see me?"
Yes, that's exactly the kind of person you are.
In his past life, he kept saying he was doing it for her own good, but under the guise of doing it for her own good, he forced her to marry someone she didn't want to marry, simply because that person promised to help Fang Lu get a legitimate position.
It's true that I want what's best for her, but it's also true that I want Fang Lu to be better off.
However, the kindness she showed her could be taken back at any time, while the kindness shown to her by the other party was selfless.
Therefore, when the two conflict, she is naturally the one who is sacrificed.
Fang Qiao didn't answer her question directly, but instead lowered her eyes and explained, "I can only say this: Bai Dong's salary is not low, but he is the only one in my family who earns money, yet there are five mouths to feed. Tian Tian and Xiao Jing don't have local household registration, so they have to buy their food rations on the black market, and his monthly salary is just enough to make ends meet."
Yang Fengxia listened to Fang Qiao's explanation again and again, but she still felt that Fang Qiao was just making excuses to fool her. She was both angry and heartbroken.
"In the end, you're still wary of me. They say girls always side with outsiders, and I finally understand that now. Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine, I won't force you. You're married now, you have your own child, it's normal to have selfish motives, and I know what you mean. Back then, when we went to the countryside, you shouldn't have gone. Your sister got married without saying a word, and Mom forced you to go without asking you beforehand. You resent me, so you only went back to your parents' house once in the three months since you came back. I understand, I understand everything."
“I didn’t say that, you said it yourself.” Fang Qiao explained, “No matter what, you are my mother. I will not shirk my filial duty and obligations, but I will not do more than others.”
It would have been better not to say it; saying it only hurt Yang Fengxia more.
She gave a bitter smile, thinking to herself that the resentment in the third son's heart was still there because of what happened in the countryside.
What an obedient child he used to be, and now he's turned out like this.
"Never mind, never mind, I won't say anymore." Yang Fengxia waved her hand and took the items out of the bamboo basket one by one.
Actually, there weren't many things inside: ten eggs, four small triangular rice dumplings, and a hollowed-out wooden rattle for An'an.
"The eggs are for your health, and the zongzi are for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. Your sister-in-law made about ten by hand. She sent a few to her family, and I picked out four more to bring to you. Eat them as soon as possible, don't leave them for too long, they'll spoil quickly in this hot weather."
After putting her things down, Yang Fengxia made a move to leave.
Fang Qiao grabbed her wrist: "Don't go, stay for lunch."
Yang Fengxia burst into tears, saying, "I won't stay. Staying will only annoy people."
"Who said you were annoying? I didn't say that. Don't wrong me." Fang Qiao took out a handkerchief and wiped Yang Fengxia's tears.
Fang Qiao pressed her shoulders and made her sit down on the bench: "Don't leave. You just got here and you're already leaving? Don't let the neighbors see you and gossip."
"It's good that people are gossiping, so they can give their opinion." Yang Fengxia took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears with annoyance: "You didn't directly say I was annoying, but which of your words just now didn't imply that you thought I was annoying?"
"I don't find you annoying, it's just that you keep asking about Bai Dong's salary. Can't I just not tell you?" Fang Qiao said helplessly, "Do you know about my brother-in-law's salary? Are you also going to keep asking my sister about his salary?"
Yang Fengxia was speechless and stammered, "No, no. But your brother-in-law is a neighbor I know very well. I know exactly how much he earns without having to ask."
Fang Qiao: "I haven't asked yet. I suppose you know that it's not right to keep chasing after your daughter to ask about your son-in-law's salary. Why do you keep asking me? You get angry when I don't want to tell you. Is that interesting?"
Yang Fengxia knew that her daughter had seen right through her little scheme, so she snorted and said, "Zhang Jun and Cheng Bodong are not the same. He's just an ordinary factory worker who barely earns enough to support his family. His widowed mother has to help him out from time to time. I don't even care to ask. Cheng Bodong lives in such a nice house and is a director. He must earn more than Zhang Jun."
Fang Qiao chimed in: "So you're expecting me to use my money to support your family, right?"
“Shouldn’t a married daughter who is doing well help out her poor family?” Yang Fengxia stopped pretending and said directly, “Every family goes through this. When I was young, I also helped out your maternal grandparents. Your father even paid half of the dowry for your uncle’s wedding.”
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