Seeing her mother-in-law frown, she quickly explained, "Mom, first, we haven’t separated the family yet. He has the ability to help out at home, and it’s only right for him to do so. Second, opportunities like this are rare.
If we can buy that house, we’ll have more space to live in. What do you think?"
Mother He snorted coldly, "I see no reason. If you in the second family have the skills, then you buy it. Why involve Jinxuan?"
Second Sister-in-law He replied reluctantly, "Isn’t it true we haven’t split the family yet? He’s working at the Mechanical Factory now, and they allocated him a yard there. The money is just sitting there, why not let the family use it temporarily? Isn’t that okay?"
Mother He threw down the rag in her hand, "You know very well what you’re plotting. Don’t talk about whether he even got that bonus you mentioned—assuming he did, why should he help the family? You only contribute living expenses monthly; you save the rest yourselves. Have I ever said anything?
He’s already grown, and he hasn’t started a family yet. Instead of saying you’d help him, you’re scheming for his money. Such nerve."
Second Sister-in-law He saw her mother-in-law was really upset, "Mom, look at what you’re saying. Can’t the family just borrow that money from him?
Little brother is dating now; won’t we need to free up a room if he gets married?
The kids at home are growing up day by day, and we only have so much space. When they get older, they can’t always squeeze in with the adults, right?"
After hearing her second daughter-in-law’s words, Mother He sighed inwardly, "Even if what you say makes sense, this is a family matter, and it’s not possible to expect him to pay that money."
Second Sister-in-law He felt like she couldn’t make things clear with her mother-in-law, "Mom, how about this: didn’t Dad just ask you to go to the Mechanical Factory to see the third brother? I’ll go with you then, and if you feel awkward, I’ll talk to him about it. What do you think?
The main thing is, many people want the house next door. If we wait too long, it’ll be snatched up, and we’ll only regret it later."
Mother He was somewhat wavering; she neither agreed nor refused.
Second Sister-in-law He was afraid her mother-in-law might say "no" again, so she quickly found an excuse to leave. Yet before she reached the door, she remembered to call out, "Mom, I’ll apply for leave at work this afternoon, and tomorrow I’ll go with you."
At this moment, He Jinxuan, the one they were talking about, had just sent his two nephews to bed. Initially, he wanted to stay in the west room where Yu Xinyan used to live, but he was afraid of people gossiping, so he had the two nephews move there.
He opened the folder and looked at the two certificates for a long time before taking out the two envelopes. Because the case was significant, the bonus was indeed substantial: 800 yuan from the province, 600 yuan from the city, plus the 200 yuan reward previously given by the factory, totaling 1,600 yuan.
Thinking about how this money had been with Yu Xinyan for so long, a smile appeared on his lips.
As for what was on his mind, only he knew.
He took out a metal box from the hidden compartment of the cabinet and put the two money-filled envelopes inside. When he returned to the city someday, he would deposit the money then.
Thinking about the favor he had asked someone to do, he pulled two ten-yuan bills from the box and put them in his pocket before returning the metal box to the hidden compartment—only he knew about this place, and nobody else could find it even if he didn’t say.
After tidying up, he lay on the bed, his thoughts drifting to Yu Xinyan. He wondered how the girl was doing at school today and if she was being bullied.