Chapter 162: He Knew This Family Had Fallen Apart

Su Hongjuan knew she couldn't stay inside any longer: "Mom, listen to how you talk, what would I have to hide? Shanling has been following my dad these past few days helping the commune tear down houses — you both know that. He's not here, and as a woman of the household I can't really be of much help."

Ge Pozi held back her anger: "Fine, how much money do you have on hand? Lend it to your elder brother and sister-in-law first to tide them over."

"Mom, the way you put it is interesting — we haven't split the family, where would we get money?"

"Your mom came by a few days ago, and I saw her slip you some money on the side. Look at the times we're in now — don't be so thoughtless."

"You said it yourself, that money was given to me by my mother. Why should I have to hand it over?"

Liu Old Man saw his grandson's forehead drenched in sweat and could no longer stand listening to the conversation in the yard: "Enough. Third's wife, have a look at the situation we're in. Dongzi grew up right under your eyes — as his elder, can't you show a little heart for your nephew?"

Su Hongjuan was nothing like Liu Mother — she had a son to back her up and wasn't afraid of her in-laws making trouble: "I'd love to show him some heart, but I'd have to have the means, wouldn't I? My mother did leave me a few bucks, but yesterday I bought Xiaoman a length of cloth — she's sixteen after all, it's time we started looking at a match for her."

At those words, Liu Old Man couldn't really say any more, but Ge Pozi burst out cursing: "Something this big happens in the family and you don't think about pulling together — all you think about is your own little household. You've got no conscience at all."

"Pull together? How? Back when there were work slots to be had, did any of you spare a thought for our third branch?"

Ge Pozi hadn't expected her third daughter-in-law to grow harder to manage by the day: "Your Liu Lidong is only seven — even if he wanted to, could he manage it?"

"He can't, but can't our Shanling? Did you ever spare a thought for him?"

"Wasn't that the connection your elder brother and sister-in-law pulled?"

"Didn't it still take the family's money to grease the wheels? How is it that Jiandong is your grandson but Shanling isn't your son? You're really biased right down to your armpits. Now you think of us pulling together — when there was something good to be had, why couldn't you think of our third branch then?"

Ge Pozi still wanted to say something, but Liu Old Man held her back: "Enough, say a few words less. I'll go out and borrow the money."

Liu Old Man's heart turned cold as ice — he knew this family had fallen apart.

He didn't dare go anywhere else and went straight to the branch secretary's house: "Third Brother."

The branch secretary, seeing him come, could more or less guess the purpose of his visit: "Old Five's here, come in quick."

Liu Old Man's expression was very grim: "Third Brother, could you lend me thirty yuan?"

The branch secretary hesitated a moment: "Hold on."

He got up and went inside: "Old woman, get me thirty yuan out."

The branch secretary's wife inside had naturally overheard the conversation outside: "Honestly, you — you don't know the situation in his house? When would those thirty yuan ever come back?"

Though she spoke that way, she still took the key she carried and opened the cabinet: "Living a perfectly good life and you have to go stirring up trouble. Now look — the house isn't a house, the people aren't people."

The branch secretary took the money: "Enough, say a few words less."

He didn't think his old wife was wrong, but this was after all someone else's family business — even though they shared the same clan, they couldn't reach too far. They'd given the warning and the man wouldn't listen, so there was nothing to be done.

Coming out the door: "Old Five, here you go."

"Third Brother, thanks. Once I get back on my feet, I'll pay you back."

"All right, go on."

(End of chapter)