41: Chapter 41 Running Out of Money 41: Chapter 41 Running Out of Money “Mom, do you really think this girl is one to just accept her fate?
If you want to stay here, then just stay quietly.
Don’t stir up any trouble I can’t clean up for you!” Bai Xue Mei had witnessed An Hao’s mettle and wasn’t confident enough to provoke her.
Seeing her own daughter was an obstacle she couldn’t overcome, the old lady temporarily abandoned the idea, but the thought lingered in her mind.
After talking for most of the night, Bai Xue Mei was sick and tired of her family’s incessant problems and really didn’t want to hear any more of it.
So, she began arranging accommodations.
Nephew Bai Yufeng and brother Bai Jianshe would share a room with An Ping, sister-in-law Niu Cuihua and the old lady would stay with Bai Yanjiao, and An Hao still had a room to herself.
They stayed for several days, until the New Year had passed.
In these days, because Bai Xue Mei’s relatives were visiting, and with the addition of New Year, the dining table always featured white buns or dumplings, eggs and meat; during the festivities Bai Jianshe clamored for alcohol, and Bai Xue Mei watched her money slipping away.
After staying for a full half month, Bai Xue Mei had almost halved her money.
From the original fifty yuan, only thirty-five yuan remained, and the thought of An Hao and An Ping’s imminent school expenses sent a chill through her.
For each of them, just the lunch coupons for a term cost fifteen yuan, meaning only five yuan was left to spend.
If she spent any more, she might not save a single penny, and An Shuchao would undoubtedly get mad at her.
She really didn’t want to use her own secret stash of money.
Bai Xue Mei hinted several times to the old lady that they should go back first, but she was indifferent.
When she brought it up with her sister-in-law, her sister-in-law would start crying, saying she wanted to go talk to the matchmaker at the door, making Bai Xue Mei feel quite powerless.
After all, these people couldn’t be beaten or scolded, nor did she have the heart to do either, which left her in pain from frustration.
Seeing that it was almost time for lunch, Bai Xue Mei lay in bed, not wanting to get up and cook at all.
“Mom, why aren’t you up cooking yet?
I’m so hungry!” Bai Yanjiao came back from playing with her friends outside and saw Bai Xue Mei lying on the bed, so she urged her to cook.
“Let’s not talk about that,” Bai Xue Mei turned over and sat up, pointing towards the north room’s west corner, “Your uncle’s family is staying here doing nothing but eating!
We’re running out of money, what am I supposed to use to cook?”
Bai Yanjiao knew the household had spent quite a bit recently, but they couldn’t just drive her uncle’s family away.
She too was worried for Bai Xue Mei and suddenly had an idea when she thought of An Hao reading in the east room, her eyes lighting up, “Mom, ask An Hao to buy groceries and cook.
Last time she saved five yuan from selling things, she must have kept it this time too.
With the 15th approaching, if you speak to uncle’s family after that, they won’t have much to say.”
“Can she handle it?” Bai Xue Mei murmured doubtfully.
Can’t you just tell Old An that you’re not feeling well?
Then the responsibility naturally falls on An Hao,” Bai Yanjiao confidently suggested.
Bai Xue Mei was half-convinced but decided to give her daughter’s idea a try.
When An Shuchao came back from playing chess under the stage at the village entrance, Bai Xue Mei told him she wasn’t feeling well and probably couldn’t cook today.