Where did the money come from?
Cheng Su thought for a moment, and then told Qi Taiguo in detail how she had raised the funds and took over the restaurant.
When he heard that she had sold her dowry jewelry, Qi Taiguo was completely stunned. Looking at her fingers, indeed, they were bare—the ring his mother had given her during their marriage was gone.
"You sold the ring?" Qi Taiguo frowned.
That ring, it was one he had bought for his mother, and even when giving it to Cheng Su, he had been quite reluctant to part with it. It was only after his father had convinced her several times that she agreed to give it to Cheng Su. It was supposed to be an heirloom, yet she had sold it?
"Yes, the transfer fee was ninety, and I didn’t have enough capital!" Cheng Su carefully glanced at him and said, "And you were not at home, so..." Was he upset now?
"That was something my mom gave to you. Even during tough times, she never sold it..." Qi Taiguo pursed his lips. Seeing Cheng Su looking at him, he said, "Forget it. You should have waited for me to come back."
"The restaurant needed a quick transfer, you went on a mission without a word, and I had no idea when you’d return, I couldn’t wait, so I took emergency measures." Cheng Su hesitated for a moment and continued, "That ring, is it very important to you? If it is, I can go to the store and see if it’s been sold. If not, I’ll buy it back!"
It’s important to me, but isn’t it important to you?
Qi Taiguo’s heart stirred with such a question, but looking at Cheng Su’s expression, where was there any care? He felt a bit dispirited and slightly bitter as he said, "Didn’t you also care a lot about that ring?"
During the wedding ceremony when his mother placed the ring on her, she had been so delighted, but now she had sold it so readily.
So, was her so-called affection merely pretense? Be it objects or people.
Qi Taiguo’s expression darkened.
Cheng Su said, "Once I’ve earned enough money, I could buy back a hundred or even ten times more, and moreover, when I urgently need money, I won’t consider this."
Qi Taiguo didn’t speak.
Cheng Su continued talking about the stash of money he had hidden, making Qi Taiguo’s heart skip a beat and his ears heat up as he stammered, "What stash? I just like to keep it there."
Cheng Su gave him an unbelieving look.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Qi Taiguo said, "If you don’t believe it, forget it!"
Cheng Su said, "When opening the restaurant, I was short on funds, and after calculations, it was your money that solved my pressing needs. But don’t worry, I’ve already replenished it, not a single note is missing from you!"
After her restaurant started making money, she had already replaced the funds she had used.
Yet, Qi Taiguo felt somewhat discontented. She spoke with such clear boundaries, was it necessary?
"I haven’t blamed you for anything, what’s the hurry? Even if you didn’t replenish it, I wouldn’t have said anything. You are my wife, providing for the family is my responsibility," Qi Taiguo said.
Cheng Su laughed lightly, "Is that so? Then I won’t be polite about it anymore!"
"Mhm!"
The two didn’t speak further because they had already arrived at the market, and Cheng Su was too busy to chat idly, heading to the usual vendors she patronized to buy vegetables and meat, quickly filling up the car.
On the ride back, Qi Taiguo conscientiously helped her with the cart. By the time they reached the restaurant, Qiulan had already arrived. She was startled to see Qi Taiguo.
"Why has Commander Qi come as well?" Qiulan was somewhat uneasy in front of Qi Taiguo.
Since they knew each other, Qi Taiguo nodded at her and said, "I just came to take a look."
Cheng Su then said, "Enough talking, let’s hurry up and get ready."
Qiulan quickly agreed and joined Cheng Su. Together, they washed and chopped, bustling about preparing for the lunch crowd.