Chapter 188. Borrowing money
Come to think of it, about the materials collected by Lin Qing He from modern times.
The eggs, pork, and peanut oil were all consumed. They need to be restocked from outside.
But when it comes to rice and flour, there was a lot left.
At that time, she took in fifty packs of rice, what's more, one pack was only 20 jin.
But the rice was not often eaten at home. Flour was the main consumption. So until now, there were still 30 packs of rice left.
Especially after Zhou Qing Bai came back. When he didn't know, she didn't dare to go overboard, even if he didn't think too much. So she didn't take out too much.
She also ordered fifty packets of flour at the time. All of which was the current well-known fine grains. A top-quality flour.
She hadn't finished all it even until now as the family had supplies.
Also, two out of ten days, she made plain flour mantou. No other grains mixed in.
In most cases, she would mix it with bean flour or cornflour.
Eating more coarse grains was good for one's health.
Still, they occasionally ate dumplings and noodles. So the consumption was still a bit fast. Even so, there were still ten packs left.
Ten packs of flour weren't not much. After all, one pack was only 20 jins.
This year, she was allocated some wheat. Third Brother Lin also got 30 jins from his side. It was not a big problem for the whole family to make meat buns.
They had made a lot of meat buns. If they can't finish it, just leave it in the basket. When they want to eat it, just steam it. It was that easy.
From the time the meat was divided, until the New Year's Eve, the family had a good fill of oily juice and goodness.
The pig intestine, pork stomach, and pig head were completely eaten.
Only pork belly, lean meat, and spare ribs were left.
Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin only arrived on New Year's Eve.
This year the couple also visited the countryside. They brought their food rations. On top of that was also a chicken, a basket of eggs, and a net of fishes.
Half of the eggs and the fishes were given to Third Sister-in-law. The rest was left on this side.
Currently, little Su Xun still drank milk. His appetite wasn't small at all. Third Sister-in-law had to breastfeed two alone, which wasn't an easy task.
Little Su Xun was getting bigger now. He can start eating rice mash.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, you have to be prepared this year. My second sister may borrow money." Zhou Xiao Mei told her fourth sister-in-law in private.
Lin Qing He was taken aback: "Borrow what money?"
"My second sister's family got in a big fight with her sisters-in-law. Second Brother-in-law got his head split open by his eldest brother." Zhou Xiao Mei explained.
"Huh?" Lin Qinghe was shocked.
Old Zhou family didn't hear any news, so she asked Zhou Xiao Mei how she knew about it.
Zhou Xiao Mei was a little embarrassed and whispered: "When I went to the hospital to grab some condoms, I happened to run into Second Sister. That's why I know."
Then her second sister told her about their plan of moving out. However, their fund wasn't enough. She asked if she could borrow some?
Zhou Xiao Mei said that she could lend her thirty yuan.
How was 30 yuan enough? After all, her second sister had five children in total and they weren't young at all. It was different from Third Brother Lin. Even if he got four children, they were still young. A dozen or so square meters was enough space to live.
"We'll see how much money she lack at that time. I can lend her a little bit." Lin Qing He didn't comment much.
In fact, her connection with the first two daughters of old Zhou's family was average. They had a better relationship with Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law.
However, between family, they would lend some when the family asks. Her brother had borrowed from them. If they did not lend to this side, it couldn't be justified.
Because of what Zhou Xiao Mei said, Lin Qing He and Zhou Qing Bai didn't have their city trip on the second day of New Year like last year.
They can go tomorrow on the third day of New Year instead. Today, they will stay at home and wait for the two eldest sisters to come to visit as guests.
Zhou Xiao Mei was right. Second Sister wanted to go back to her maternal family to borrow a bit because her in-laws favored the first branch. The two elders would follow the first branch in the future, so the two elders were biased toward the first branch during this fight.
This time Second Sister proposed for the family to split. The two elders' response was 'sure, they can split off. They must still show filial respect in the future.' After the division, they can only get a share of a little grain and a few dozens of yuans. Any more, then it wasn't possible.
Even under these conditions, Second Sister persisted in splitting.
She didn't want to stay in that home at all.
As for filial piety in the future, let her wait and see if she honors these two old people!
Eldest Sister and Second Sister were actually the kinds to be pliable. Unlike the little sister Zhou Xiao Mei. Zhou Xiao Mei was a bit bold.
Since the first two had a bit of someone that can molded as one like/doughy temperament, Lin Qing He didn't like such a goody-two-shoes person that couldn't hold on their own.
Therefore, she kept the contacts to the minimum. Even before this, she and Zhou Qing Bai took the children to play in the city. They simply gave Father Zhou and Mother Zhou the food and the dishes to entertain them at the old Zhou's house.
But this time when Second Sister came back, Lin Qing He saw that she had set her mind. Wow, to be able to force a goody-two-shoes to act like this.
Second Sister came back by herself. None of the others came back.
Lin Qing He lent fifty yuan to her and said, "When Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law move out, you can come and find Qing Bai. He can help you see if there are any bricks available."
Second Sister agreed.
She didn't go back to her maternal to sent down reinforcement this time as she didn't want to make the matter big. The adults didn't care, but there were five children to consider.
She planned to build a brick house this time when she moved out and let her in-laws and the others know that she wasn't without a maternal family's support. Even if she didn't get much money divide to her, her family had it!
Otherwise, there was no need to come back to borrow so much money.
This time Zhou Xiao Mei lent her thirty. Lin Qing He lent fifty. Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law both lent twenty yuans. Third Sister-in-law lent ten yuans. Eldest Sister also lent ten yuans. Her conditions were also so-so, so to be able to lend ten yuan was pretty good.
Mother Zhou must have given her some too. As for how much, no one asked.
In fact, Mother Zhou didn't give much. She just lent 20 yuan, which had to be repaid. It wasn't given.
Mother Zhou frankly expressed that she and Father Zhou wanted to save the money as a retirement fund. When in fact, they planned to keep it for Da Wa and brothers' marriage in the future.
Even when Lin Qing He said there was no need. Still, the had saved the money to be used in the future, so they weren't in a hurry, right?
The older generations were so precautionary. They dislike the thought of having wine today, so drink it all today.
But after getting so much money, it still wasn't enough. It was great that her maternal family can lend so much.
For the rest, she had to go to borrow from those she had a good relationship within her village
But at this time, it goes to show how great it was to have a good social connection in the village. If there was something really urgent, the neighbors will still look at the character to give support.
Come to think of it, about the materials collected by Lin Qing He from modern times.
The eggs, pork, and peanut oil were all consumed. They need to be restocked from outside.
But when it comes to rice and flour, there was a lot left.
At that time, she took in fifty packs of rice, what's more, one pack was only 20 jin.
But the rice was not often eaten at home. Flour was the main consumption. So until now, there were still 30 packs of rice left.
Especially after Zhou Qing Bai came back. When he didn't know, she didn't dare to go overboard, even if he didn't think too much. So she didn't take out too much.
She also ordered fifty packets of flour at the time. All of which was the current well-known fine grains. A top-quality flour.
She hadn't finished all it even until now as the family had supplies.
Also, two out of ten days, she made plain flour mantou. No other grains mixed in.
In most cases, she would mix it with bean flour or cornflour.
Eating more coarse grains was good for one's health.
Still, they occasionally ate dumplings and noodles. So the consumption was still a bit fast. Even so, there were still ten packs left.
Ten packs of flour weren't not much. After all, one pack was only 20 jins.
This year, she was allocated some wheat. Third Brother Lin also got 30 jins from his side. It was not a big problem for the whole family to make meat buns.
They had made a lot of meat buns. If they can't finish it, just leave it in the basket. When they want to eat it, just steam it. It was that easy.
From the time the meat was divided, until the New Year's Eve, the family had a good fill of oily juice and goodness.
The pig intestine, pork stomach, and pig head were completely eaten.
Only pork belly, lean meat, and spare ribs were left.
Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin only arrived on New Year's Eve.
This year the couple also visited the countryside. They brought their food rations. On top of that was also a chicken, a basket of eggs, and a net of fishes.
Half of the eggs and the fishes were given to Third Sister-in-law. The rest was left on this side.
Currently, little Su Xun still drank milk. His appetite wasn't small at all. Third Sister-in-law had to breastfeed two alone, which wasn't an easy task.
Little Su Xun was getting bigger now. He can start eating rice mash.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, you have to be prepared this year. My second sister may borrow money." Zhou Xiao Mei told her fourth sister-in-law in private.
Lin Qing He was taken aback: "Borrow what money?"
"My second sister's family got in a big fight with her sisters-in-law. Second Brother-in-law got his head split open by his eldest brother." Zhou Xiao Mei explained.
"Huh?" Lin Qinghe was shocked.
Old Zhou family didn't hear any news, so she asked Zhou Xiao Mei how she knew about it.
Zhou Xiao Mei was a little embarrassed and whispered: "When I went to the hospital to grab some condoms, I happened to run into Second Sister. That's why I know."
Then her second sister told her about their plan of moving out. However, their fund wasn't enough. She asked if she could borrow some?
Zhou Xiao Mei said that she could lend her thirty yuan.
How was 30 yuan enough? After all, her second sister had five children in total and they weren't young at all. It was different from Third Brother Lin. Even if he got four children, they were still young. A dozen or so square meters was enough space to live.
"We'll see how much money she lack at that time. I can lend her a little bit." Lin Qing He didn't comment much.
In fact, her connection with the first two daughters of old Zhou's family was average. They had a better relationship with Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law.
However, between family, they would lend some when the family asks. Her brother had borrowed from them. If they did not lend to this side, it couldn't be justified.
Because of what Zhou Xiao Mei said, Lin Qing He and Zhou Qing Bai didn't have their city trip on the second day of New Year like last year.
They can go tomorrow on the third day of New Year instead. Today, they will stay at home and wait for the two eldest sisters to come to visit as guests.
Zhou Xiao Mei was right. Second Sister wanted to go back to her maternal family to borrow a bit because her in-laws favored the first branch. The two elders would follow the first branch in the future, so the two elders were biased toward the first branch during this fight.
This time Second Sister proposed for the family to split. The two elders' response was 'sure, they can split off. They must still show filial respect in the future.' After the division, they can only get a share of a little grain and a few dozens of yuans. Any more, then it wasn't possible.
Even under these conditions, Second Sister persisted in splitting.
She didn't want to stay in that home at all.
As for filial piety in the future, let her wait and see if she honors these two old people!
Eldest Sister and Second Sister were actually the kinds to be pliable. Unlike the little sister Zhou Xiao Mei. Zhou Xiao Mei was a bit bold.
Since the first two had a bit of someone that can molded as one like/doughy temperament, Lin Qing He didn't like such a goody-two-shoes person that couldn't hold on their own.
Therefore, she kept the contacts to the minimum. Even before this, she and Zhou Qing Bai took the children to play in the city. They simply gave Father Zhou and Mother Zhou the food and the dishes to entertain them at the old Zhou's house.
But this time when Second Sister came back, Lin Qing He saw that she had set her mind. Wow, to be able to force a goody-two-shoes to act like this.
Second Sister came back by herself. None of the others came back.
Lin Qing He lent fifty yuan to her and said, "When Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law move out, you can come and find Qing Bai. He can help you see if there are any bricks available."
Second Sister agreed.
She didn't go back to her maternal to sent down reinforcement this time as she didn't want to make the matter big. The adults didn't care, but there were five children to consider.
She planned to build a brick house this time when she moved out and let her in-laws and the others know that she wasn't without a maternal family's support. Even if she didn't get much money divide to her, her family had it!
Otherwise, there was no need to come back to borrow so much money.
This time Zhou Xiao Mei lent her thirty. Lin Qing He lent fifty. Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law both lent twenty yuans. Third Sister-in-law lent ten yuans. Eldest Sister also lent ten yuans. Her conditions were also so-so, so to be able to lend ten yuan was pretty good.
Mother Zhou must have given her some too. As for how much, no one asked.
In fact, Mother Zhou didn't give much. She just lent 20 yuan, which had to be repaid. It wasn't given.
Mother Zhou frankly expressed that she and Father Zhou wanted to save the money as a retirement fund. When in fact, they planned to keep it for Da Wa and brothers' marriage in the future.
Even when Lin Qing He said there was no need. Still, the had saved the money to be used in the future, so they weren't in a hurry, right?
The older generations were so precautionary. They dislike the thought of having wine today, so drink it all today.
But after getting so much money, it still wasn't enough. It was great that her maternal family can lend so much.
For the rest, she had to go to borrow from those she had a good relationship within her village
But at this time, it goes to show how great it was to have a good social connection in the village. If there was something really urgent, the neighbors will still look at the character to give support.
ty
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the house would be bigger than Third brother Lin.
Thanks for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteSince the first two had a bit of doughy temperament, Lin Qing He didn't like such a goody-two-shoes person and couldn't hold on their own. -> that couldn't hold
She planned to build a brick house this time when she moved out and let her in-laws and the others know that wasn't without a maternal family's support. -> that it wasn't without or that she wasn't without
Also, within ten days, she only made pure flour mantou with any other grain one or two days. -> grammar is bothering me here
First fight or fist fight?
Her conditions were also so-do, so to be able to lend ten yuan was pretty good. -> so-so
Thanks a million, Dorai_O!
DeleteHow 30 yuan was enough?
ReplyDelete*How was 30 yuan enough?
Fixed! Thanks a million, Anon!
DeleteEveryone gets mad at the grandmother trying to save money but they’ve been through a literal famine and life has been disgustingly hard on them and the real people who went through all of this back then.
ReplyDeleteI think people's problem is the fact that she only thinks about her youngest son and his sons. Not about her other children. Her daughter is literally in need but she only gives 20 and wants it back to give it to other family members she KNOWS have WAY more money (more than everyone combined). So saving isn't the problem. It's the underlying thought process that is actually quite disgusting. I like her a lot but this I can't really accept or justify on her part. If the amount was more or if she just gifted the 20 (one of the 2), I would accept it more. Yes 20 is a lot for them but we all know she has way more. And we also know that if it was her youngest son in need, she would give everything and never want it back. Every parent has a favorite and will subconsciously be more partial to them but to this degree, I can only say she's a really bad mother. And we all would see that if the story revolved around this sister and not the ML. Great mother and grandmother to them, but very partial mother to her and probably her other children
Delete