Just waking up to someone asking to borrow money—no, more like demanding money—without ever considering paying it back.
"What do you need so much money for?" What was she planning? Huang Man couldn’t help but feel puzzled as she looked at Huang Lina.
"I’m planning to head south for work. I don’t have money for the train ticket," replied Huang Lina succinctly, "No one at home likes me anyway."
Was she really planning to go south for work? Huang Man had thought that Huang Lina would not just sit around at home waiting for death; she would surely find a way to make money.
But she hadn’t expected Huang Lina to move so quickly, "Have you talked to Mom about this?"
It seemed like she had not discussed it with Zhao Mei, and no matter what, Zhao Mei needed to be informed.
"No," Huang Lina shook her head, "I’m worried she won’t agree."
"I see," Huang Man hummed softly, "That won’t do, you can’t just leave without telling Mom."
"After all, it would worry anyone if a person just disappeared all of a sudden."
"You’re taking my money to work down south, and if something goes wrong, I’ll be the one who suffers."
"It’s not that you don’t want to inform Mom, but you don’t want to hand over the wages you’ll earn." Thinking about it made it clear why Huang Lina would avoid Zhao Mei.
"Then you keep your wages, and I get nothing while losing a substantial amount of money."
"And then I would have to complain to Mom about it," Huang Man crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame, staring at Huang Lina.
Huang Lina was so frightened by Huang Man’s gaze that she dared not meet her eyes, "I—I didn’t."
"Whether you did or didn’t is irrelevant to me, I’m fine, I’m about to go study, and I need the money myself."
Huang Man yawned, washed her face, then returned to her room to read.
She had to start teaching Zhao Lei the next day, beginning with high school courses.
Huang Lina glared viciously at Huang Man’s departing figure, absolutely not believing that Huang Man had no money.
But with the other party insisting that she had no money, there was nothing Huang Lina could do; she couldn’t force Huang Man to give her the cash.
After writing for a while, Huang Man got up to prepare for dinner, making sure to lock the door before leaving.
With so many light-fingered people in the house, one had to be careful.
Huang Lina saw Huang Man leave and tried to sneak into her room, only to find that the door was locked.
Looking at the firmly closed door, no problem, she thought she could climb in through the window, but to her surprise, not only was the door locked, even the window was shut tight.
This really infuriated Huang Lina, who began kicking the door, "This is too much!"
No matter how angry she was, the result was the same; she needed to go out to work, and the travel expenses were a big issue.
What to do? Huang Lina was at a loss; without money, she had no way to head south.
It wasn’t long after Huang Man had left the house when she saw Zhao Mei munching on sunflower seeds and chatting with her best friend.
Never enough time for work, yet plenty for gossiping.
As Huang Man passed by, she said, "Mom, Huang Lina just came to me asking for 2,000 yuan for travel expenses."
There was no point in keeping this a secret; Huang Lina was clearly determined to leave, so why cover for her?
Zhao Mei was initially surprised when she heard this, but soon she looked quite pleased, "Did you say your sister plans to go south for work?"
"I don’t know if it’s true, but she asked me for the travel fare. How could I have money to lend her?"
After speaking, Huang Man walked on, and Zhao Mei called after her, "What is this?"
"It’s getting late, I’m going to eat a bowl of noodles upfront."
"Not eating at home?" Zhao Mei still thought that if Huang Man were at home, she’d probably make a meal.
But to her surprise, Huang Man decided to go out to eat, which displeased her quite a bit.
"I only paid the accommodation fee, I don’t have the money for meal fees, considering the money I made before, I spent it all on buying materials, food, and daily necessities."
"When school starts in September, I have to go to university. I have no idea where the tuition and living expenses will come from."
Though those present had a good relationship with Zhao Mei, they were not a monolith internally.
Huang Man had not missed the sour comments they made behind Zhao Mei’s back. After all, as fellow daughters-in-law, Zhao Mei didn’t have to do chores every day, was always gossiping, and had a daughter with good grades—how could other people not be jealous?
Zhao Mei’s expression couldn’t help but turn awkward. "After all, your father’s compensation is supposed to be left for your brother."
"I know, that’s why I never expected it. I always try to earn money actively on my own."
Huang Man nodded in agreement, "After all, it will be your son who supports and cares for you in your old age, not your daughter."
Zhao Mei didn’t see anything wrong with Huang Man’s words. Not only did Zhao Mei have no issue with it, but her close friends also saw no problem.
"Huang Man, it’s best you think . After all, your mom should rely on your brother. When you become successful, don’t forget to help your brother out."
"Right, after all, your brother is your pillar of support."
"Once you are married, you’ll understand the benefit of having your natal family behind you."
Help out Huang Xin? Huang Man laughed as if she heard a big joke, "I’d rather rely on myself than count on Huang Xin."
"Besides, if a man treats me badly, why should I put up with it? Divorce can solve the problem."
"Marital freedom means freedom to marry, freedom to divorce, there’s no need to put up with anything."
"As for helping out my brother, forget it."
"I’ve looked after them since I was young, but they never treated me well. It’s not like they’ll suddenly understand once they grow up."
"The old saying goes well, ’What you are at three is what you will be at eighty.’ They were very rude to me in their teens, only behaving after I physically punished them."
"Auntie, don’t worry, with my fighting skills, no man who’s not blind would pick a fight with me, and I certainly won’t be meek."
"He’ll learn that women are not all weak." Huang Man didn’t forget to flex her arm muscles.
"I’m the most reasonable person you’ll meet; argue with logic, and I’ll respond with reason, but if you want to push me, I am not afraid at all."
Zhao Mei, seeing Huang Man’s arm muscles, suddenly felt uncomfortable all over, restless.
"Mom, you agree, right?" Huang Man, of course, noticed Zhao Mei’s uneasiness.
Zhao Mei didn’t expect Huang Man to call her out specifically and hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes, you’re right."
"So, mom, rest assured, I never expect the so-called natal family to be my support because you are all worthless."
"I still rely on myself. Counting on you? Forget it."
"I’ve spent over a decade proving the so-called natal family is unreliable."
"Only by being strong myself can I better protect myself."
Huang Man didn’t care about the stir her words might cause; after all, once she got into university, the chances of coming back were basically zero.
If possible, she didn’t even want to come back for the Spring Festival. The village gossip about her was even less of a concern.
Those present were stunned by Huang Man’s words, silent for a long time.
Although some of them also knew that the natal family might not be reliable, there were very few who would actually turn their back on their own family.