"Didn't I leave you a lot? It's only been a short time, and you've spent it all? Do you spend it all on entertainment every day? So fast?!" Huang Wanzhen was furious and spoke without restraint, directly confronting Huang Dongshi, "Don't always act like you're half-buried in the earth. You're only forty, and you're still alive. If you live to eighty, you'll only be halfway through your life. How will you live the rest of your life?"
"Of course I'll provide for your retirement, but with the rate you're spending, how can I possibly afford it? Why don't you find a job after my grandfather dies?"
Huang Wanzhen had a good idea. Mrs. Huang Dong had never earned any money since she was born, and she was spoiled to spend money so lavishly. When she earns her own money in the future, she will know how hard it is to earn money.
"It's not all spent, it's not all spent. Look at your stubborn temper, and you won't let me explain." Mrs. Huang rubbed her brows with a worried look on her face. "There's still less than half left. The main expenses are the rent of the house, and your sister's. The baby in your sister's belly is very delicate, and she needs a bowl of bird's nest every day."
Huang Wanzhen rolled her eyes and said, "Mom, don't blame me for not reminding you. When my sister was young and strong, she couldn't even support herself. When you are old, she will be old too, and she will be even less able to support herself."
"She can't even support herself, let alone you. What will you do if you don't have a penny? Go out and beg on the street?"
"Oh! Your eyes are not cured? The treatment in that foreign hospital is not cheap. I spent so much money, but they didn't cure you. They are so cruel!" Mrs. Huang Dong pointed at Huang Wanzhen's eyes and screamed, as if she saw something scary.
This attracted the attention of everyone in the teahouse. Huang Wanzhen grabbed her hand and pressed it firmly back to Huang Dongshi's side. "I'm sorry, this is my mother's first time in a teahouse. She's not very experienced. Please bear with me." Huang Wanzhen smiled and nodded to everyone around her, repeatedly saying words of apology, "I'm sorry! I'm bothering you."
There were mostly men in the teahouse. When they saw three women coming to drink tea, they were a little surprised but also generous and didn't make a fuss.
"Mom, can you please stop making such a fuss? This isn't our home." Huang Wanzhen had just finished speaking when Mrs. Huang Dong came over and said, "Look at your eyes. Why do you keep rolling them? Can't you control it?"
Huang Wanzhen grinned as if she had a toothache, "It's okay, it's okay, don't worry about me, just take care of yourself first."
"It's just that money, so you should be frugal with it. Otherwise, you can leave it with me and I will give you living expenses every month."
When Mrs. Huang heard what Huang Wanzhen said, she immediately shook her head like a rattle, "No, I will take it myself. I can spend money."
Huang Wanzhen advised earnestly, "Then spend less."
"Don't worry, I can't read and don't know how to withdraw money. If I run out of money, I'll tell you in advance and you can help me get it from the bank." Mrs. Huang nodded, looking like she understood.
Huang Wanzhen corrected her, "That's called a bank, not a money house."
"Okay, as long as you understand, don't keep finding fault with me. I'm old and forgetful." Mrs. Huang had never thought about the future. Her biggest wish now was that her eldest daughter could give her a grandson.
To this end, Huang Dong bought a box of tall incense sticks and lit three every day, praying for the Buddha's blessing. As long as she could have a grandson, she would ask for nothing else and her life would be complete.
Huang Wanzhen felt a headache when she saw her stubborn attitude. After a few thoughts, she said softly, "Mom, you haven't paid me for Xiuqing's matter yet."
"You were the one who asked me to help Zheng Yusang. We had a fight this time because I spent a lot of his money, and he's resentful."
When Mrs. Huang Dong heard this, she was shocked. "Oh my! You silly child, why didn't you tell me earlier? I always said my son-in-law was a good person, so why are you siding with his sister this time? It's because of this."
"Come on, come on, help me find a place. I'll give you the bill. Pay back the money my son-in-law spent and put the blame on me."
"Didn't I say it at the beginning? I'll pay for it, I'll pay for it, and it won't hurt my son-in-law either. Why didn't you ask me for it?"
Huang Wanzhen pretended to be hesitant and said, "Well, there are too many flowers. I'm afraid you'll get angry."
Huang Dong poked Huang Wanzhen's forehead hard. "Silly! You know Mom is rich. Oh! It would be better if you and your sister had the same temperament. She only takes in and never gives out, and you only spend."
"Blame me. Blame me for being old and forgetful. Seriously! This has delayed you." As he spoke, he glanced at Huang Wanzhen's belly with a depressed look, "If it weren't for me, you might have a grandson in your belly."
Huang Dong clasped her hands together and kept bowing in front of her chest, murmuring softly, "Buddha, please don't blame me, Buddha, please don't blame me, give Wanzhen a child..."
Huang Wanzhen: “…”
Huang Wanzhen brought Huang Dongshi to the backyard of Jixiang Hall. Song An and Song Lin were operating sewing machines, while Song Ying was drawing embroidery patterns nearby. When they saw Huang Wanzhen enter the yard, they quickly stood up and called out, "Hello, manager."
Huang Wanzhen nodded in satisfaction, praising Xiuqing in her heart for her good work. "Aunt Song, can I go to your room and tidy up some clothes?"
Song Ying put down his pen, walked to the main hall door, took out a key and handed it out, "Have fun."
Huang Wanzhen smiled and took it, "Thank you, Aunt Song."
After saying that, he turned around and pulled Huang Dongshi towards the door of the east room. After entering the room, Huang Dongshi first took off the knee-length gown over her skirt and unbuttoned her padded jacket. There was an inner pocket on the inside of the jacket, which was sealed with rough thread.
Huang Dongshi pulled the string apart with force, reached into her pocket, fumbled for a while, and took out a list.
"Have you brought your household registration?" Huang Wanzhen took the list, looked at it, and saw that it was 36,000 yuan. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh no! I didn't bring it! Who would bring that with them when they go out?" Mrs. Huang Dong felt in her pocket and looked at Huang Wanzhen and said, "How about you come home with me to get it?"
Huang Wanzhen shook her head. "What time is it? Even if I go back with you to get it, I won't be able to catch it."
"Well, leave the order with me first. Later, when we're both free, go to the bank and withdraw a thousand dollars for me."
Mrs. Huang was dumbfounded. "One thousand yuan? It cost one thousand yuan to redeem Xiuqing?" The voice was so loud that it almost penetrated the backyard and reached the shop in front.
Huang Wanzhen covered Huang Dongshi's mouth with her hand and said, "Mom, please keep your voice down."
"It cost 500 yuan to redeem Xiuqing, but she got sick. I took her to a foreign hospital for more than two months. You know how expensive that hospital is."
Huang Wanzhen was afraid that her story was a lie, but Huang Dongshi didn't believe her, so she swore confidently, "If you don't believe me, I'll take you to the Eight Great Hutongs when I have time. The most popular courtesans there cost thousands of dollars to redeem themselves. Fortunately, Xiuqing didn't have any talent and didn't stand out, otherwise it would have cost even more."
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