Chapter 367: Money

He Daqing was frightened by the content that Shazhu narrated.

He had looked forward to He Yushui's work.

As a worker's child at the steel plant, after finishing school, the main job option was the steel plant.

I thought Yushui would get a job at the steel plant as an ordinary worker, but I never imagined that the He family ancestral grave would emit green smoke, and He Yushui works at the police station.

This was his first unexpected thing.

The second unexpected thing.

It is Yushui's education.

According to He Daqing, Yushui would at most scrape by with a junior high diploma.

Good news came from the delivery room.

He was promoted right there.

A college diploma.

This is the highest level of education the He family has achieved to date.

Two matters.

This demonstrated Shazhu's accomplishments.

"Ah!"

He Daqing sighed inwardly.

He lifted his head.

He stared fixedly at Shazhu.

When he first left, Shazhu was still an immature youngster.

In an instant, he grew into a bearded adult.

"Can you tell me about your situation?"

"I am married; my wife is Yu Li, currently unemployed, she is virtuous and family-oriented, handling all household chores inside and out; I have a son named He Weiguo, who is three years old now; in a few months, Weiguo might have a younger brother or sister."

"Do you have any photos?"

In He Daqing's gaze.

Showing a strong hope.

At this moment.

The intergenerational affection is fully manifested in him.

He felt He Daqing's sincerity.

Shazhu could only regretfully direct his disappointment at him.

It's not that he doesn't give.

But he really doesn't have any.

Worried his words might upset He Daqing, Shazhu gave him a very helpless look.

Even though they have been apart for more than ten years.

They are still father and son.

He Daqing understood the meaning hinted at in Shazhu's expression.

"If you return, please mail me a few photos of my grandson, daughter-in-law, and Yushui's son-in-law; I'm old and get emotional easily."

Shazhu's feelings.

It truly cannot be put into words.

He feels a bit disappointed yet also resigned.

He Daqing's words clearly conveyed several points.

Not going back.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked Shazhu to help send photos.

"I understand what you mean."

"Shazhu, you need to understand Dad."

"I know you have difficulties."

He Daqing looked at Shazhu, surprised.

He never thought Shazhu would understand his earlier behavior.

In some people's eyes.

He Daqing is the villain who abandoned his children.

"Some things, not letting you know, are also for your own good. When you go back, tell Yushui, tell Yushui's parents-in-law, say that I, He Daqing, have entrusted my daughter to them with confidence, and they must treat Yushui well; if they dare to mistreat Yushui or make her suffer, I, He Daqing, will risk my life to seek justice from them."

"Rest assured, Yushui's husband is named Liu Jianguo; he dotes on Yushui, and Yushui's parents-in-law also treat her as their own daughter; after marrying in, Yushui will not suffer any grievance."

Shazhu himself doesn't know why he said that.

Perhaps it was to reassure He Daqing.

"I believe you; if you say Yushui won't be bullied, then she won't be."

He Daqing, speaking.

He suddenly rose to his feet.

He pushed the door open and went out.

It seemed he had gone to the adjacent room.

Three or four minutes passed.

He Daqing pushed the door open from outside, holding a small red-cloth bundle, and in front of Shazhu he unfolded it layer by layer.

Inside is money.

All ten‑dollar bills.

Judging by the quantity.

It looks like there are about six or seven hundred.

"Here!"

He Daqing handed the bills in his hand over to Shazhu.

Shazhu glanced at the money.

Then he looked at He Daqing again.

He didn't take it.

"What do you mean?"

"I originally planned to hand it to you in person after a few years, but since you've come, let's just do it today—take it, it's eight hundred dollars altogether."

"I didn't come for money; I came to let you know that Yushui is getting married, the wedding is set for tomorrow, I understand your intention, and I'm heading back now."

Shazhu stepped forward to leave.

He had just taken a step.

His arm was firmly grabbed by He Daqing.

He turned his head.

He forced a smile.

"You don't have to do this; I said before, even without you I could let Yushui marry in grand style and wouldn't let her suffer the slightest injustice."

"You're still resenting me."

Shazhu didn't speak.

This is a matter of two lifetimes.

In the previous life.

If He Daqing hadn't disappeared for good, running off for over twenty years, and if the mailing of money had still been done through Yi Zhonghai, Shazhu probably wouldn't have been brainwashed into a brute who only knows how to speak with his fists.

Everyone says Xu Daming is not a good person.

The Shazhu of the previous life.

Really, is he a good person?

Some of his actions even surpass Xu Daming's in wickedness.

During the New Year, he led Bangeng and the others to extort lucky money from the neighbors, kowtowing and refusing to rise unless given a dollar, and he also pilfered meals from the Yagangchang cafeteria and stole Yan Fugui's bicycle parts.

One after another.

Item by item.

All of them are lacking in virtue.

If He Daqing hadn't run away, or had properly taught Shazhu how to be a person before leaving, Shazhu wouldn't have become a lout who fawns on superiors, flatters leaders and factory bosses, and looks down on the neighbors in the compound.

This lifetime.

If Shazhu didn't have memories of two lives.

He would probably still be walking the old path.

Whether to resent or not.

It really can't be explained in just a sentence or two.

You came all the way to tell me Yushui is getting married, you pull out eight hundred dollars—what does that mean, did you come just for the eight hundred?

Over these years, the junk Shazhu has scavenged from the waste station and secondhand shop is worth several times eight hundred.

"I have no right to resent you; without you, I wouldn't exist. I still say I didn't come to ask you for money." Shazhu changed his tone: "You also have to support your family in Hukou now—four kids, the older ones are at marrying age; even as a stepfather, you ought to lend a hand."

"Zhuzi, take it, we have it at home." Hearing the commotion, the white widow came out from the side, explained the source of the money: "This money your dad saved bit by bit from the day he arrived in Baocheng; whether more or less, it represents the elders' intentions. You just said you don't resent your dad, yet if you refuse this money, it shows you still hold a grudge."

Shazhu looked at the white widow.

He really didn't know what to say.

While he was dazed.

He Daqing shoved the money into Shazhu's hand.

He must have been worried Shazhu would throw the money back at him.

He hurriedly tried to goad Shazhu with words.

"Altogether eight hundred dollars: five hundred is Yushui's dowry, my duty as her father. The remaining three hundred isn't for you—one hundred goes to Yu Li, her in‑laws' gift for her name change. The other two hundred: half is for Weiguo, my gift as his grandfather for his New Year's money, and the other half is for Weiguo's younger brother and sister's birth red envelopes."

That's all I have to say.

What else could Shazhu say?

He took in the money.

He Daqing saw that.

The stone in his heart also fell to the ground.

Because Yushui is getting married tomorrow, Shazhu must catch a train back tonight, and He Daqing specially saw him off to the station.