Qi Taiguo’s only solution for Chen Shouwang was to talk it over with his wife, and Cheng Su nearly bulged her eyes out of their sockets upon hearing his words.
"Borrow money from loan sharks just to buy a fan?" she asked in astonishment.
This was probably the most absurd thing she had heard since she arrived here, reminding her of the vain girls in her past life who, for the sake of an iPhone, sold their dignity and moral principles.
And weren’t Hualing and Chen Shouwang doing the same?
Although Hualing was unaware, couldn’t Chen Shouwang just come clean about his difficulties instead of doing this? Didn’t he know that loan sharks are untouchable and could cost a person’s life at any moment?
Qi Taiguo felt the same, but now, bringing up such points was useless.
"I want to help him this one time, look, is it possible for you to..." Qi Taiguo was actually somewhat embarrassed; after all, as a man, it was difficult to ask his wife for money. Thinking this, he added, "Forget it, I’ll think of another way!"
"What other way are you thinking? If you ask anyone, isn’t it still borrowing?" Cheng Su went into the room and gave him 170 yuan. "Here, but this will be deducted from your allowance for household expenses; you’ll have to pay it back later!"
Qi Taiguo’s emotions were complex. He said, "Susu, thank you!"
Her profound righteousness and consideration... He had criticized her in the past, and now he was truly eating his own words.
"What’s with thanks between husband and wife? Don’t be so formal," Cheng Su chided him with a glance. "Hey, if Hualing finds out, there will really be a big fuss!"
"It would be better if she knew so she could understand what it means to live within one’s means," Qi Taiguo said coldly.
He had once accused Cheng Su of being vain, but it turned out Hualing was the actual vain one, and despite being a college graduate, she had no understanding of her husband’s struggles.
Cheng Su sighed. "Women are all the same. If someone else has it, of course, they want it too. The desire to keep up with the Joneses is universal."
"But they shouldn’t resort to loan sharks for such trivial material possessions!"
Indeed, but it was also Chen Shouwang’s own foolishness that made him pretend to be wealthy in front of his wife, digging himself into a big hole.
"This should tell you men not to ’puff out your cheeks to look fat.’ If you don’t have it, you don’t have it. Don’t do anything stupid, like getting involved with loan sharks, over some misguided sense of masculinity and so-called self-respect," Cheng Su took the opportunity to warn Qi Taiguo.
Qi Taiguo, who was drinking water, choked at her words and replied sheepishly, "What are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"
"You? Your pride and machismo are stronger than anyone else’s. But let me tell you, anything related to money must be discussed with me. Any problem that can be solved with money isn’t a problem at all. If you keep things from me and secretly borrow from loan sharks or sell blood, like other people do, watch out—I’ll melt you!" Cheng Su glared at him.
Qi Taiguo touched his nose and joked, "I know, I’m definitely not that foolish. Besides, I shouldn’t need to borrow anyone’s money; my wife is a moneymaking genius!"
"You’re too silly," Cheng Su said with pursed lips and a smile. "As long as you’re sensible about it, that’s all that matters. There are things you shouldn’t touch and people you shouldn’t deal with. Once the bottom line is gone, everything is gone."
"Understood!" Qi Taiguo stood to attention. "I’m going to accompany Old Chen to pay back the money. I might be late tonight, so you eat first and don’t wait for me!"
"Okay!"
Qi Taiguo walked to the doorway, then turned back and said to her, "This is their couple’s problem, so it’s better not to mention it to Hualing. Let Old Chen tell her himself to avoid conflict and blame falling on you!"
"I know, I’m not dumb!"
Cheng Su waved her hand, well aware of what could and could not be said, especially to Hualing. Who knows, if she spoke up, Hualing might even accuse her of being like a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken—no good intentions!