CHAPTER 295: CHAPTER 295: NOT LACKING THAT BIT OF MONEY

Father Song and Mrs. Song, after all these decades together as husband and wife, knew each other as well as they knew themselves. He was very aware that Mrs. Song was just taking a stance at this moment, deep down she was also worried about her family back home, but she felt somewhat shamed by how Wang Qinghua had come to Z City only to rush back afterward.

However, what could be done? They had only arrived in Z City for one day, and already there were discomforts and injuries back home. Their eldest son was caught in the middle and felt like he was nobody, inside and out. How could the elderly couple stay calm and remain?

"Why can’t I just stay in Z City and not go back?" Mrs. Song said, huffing.

Father Song immediately glared at her and scrutinized her for a long time, with tension creeping into the atmosphere of the living room. "I don’t have the energy to deal with you. If you don’t want to go back, then stay; I’m going back by myself tomorrow," Father Song said with a sullen expression and then took Song Chengguang by the hand to wash up after setting down his backpack.

Mrs. Song felt sour over Father Song’s dismissive attitude but held back from lashing out. Aunt Luo stepped in to soothe her at the right moment before heading into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

"Mom, why are you and Dad getting upset with each other? Dad is just a straight shooter; don’t take it to heart," said Song Yuan Yao upon seeing the situation was not looking good. She handed the twin siblings over to Xu Jingjing to watch and then sat next to Mrs. Song to comfort her.

"Who’s upset with him? I just don’t want to go home and face your sister-in-law’s attitude, always feeling wronged no matter what," Mrs. Song grumbled, her voice tinged with hurt. "But I can’t bear not seeing Niuniu, my little girl. Who knows how badly that heartless mother of hers injured her. After all, I raised her from infancy; how could I not ache for her?" Mrs. Song said, her mind drifting to Niuniu back in her hometown.

Originally, she wanted to bring Niuniu along to Z City for a few days, but Wang Qinghua stubbornly refused, claiming it was her daughter and wouldn’t let her mother-in-law take her out and about. Out of spite, she hadn’t brought Niuniu, and now, knowing the child was hurt, she felt it was utterly heartless.

"I know you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart," Song Yuan Yao immediately coaxed, swinging Mrs. Song’s arm to sweet-talk her. "How about this? Don’t hurry back tomorrow. One day won’t make a difference. I’ll find some time tomorrow to take you both to the nearby mall, maybe watch a movie or something. I heard watching movies in a theater is really comfortable. It’s nothing like the occasional screenings we have back in the village!"

"Watch a movie? Why waste money on such nonsense? Everything is so expensive in the city. Even a bottle of soda costs several coins!" Mrs. Song had seen children eagerly buying soda during her phone call back home earlier, several coins trading hands without a second thought.

"Mom, it’s not a big deal about the money," Song Yuan Yao laughed, now used to seeing more money and feeling financially secure, she spoke firmly without showing any signs of backing down. "Mom, it’s your daughter’s first time getting her paycheck. Don’t worry about the money, just let me take care of it!"

"Okay!" Mrs. Song, cheered up by Song Yuan Yao’s persuasion, immediately echoed in agreement, pleased to enjoy her daughter’s filial piety: "I shall enjoy my daughter’s generosity."

After Father Song and Song Chengguang finished washing their hands and cleaning up the evidence of their little snacking misdeed, they returned to the living room. Mrs. Song no longer exhibited her previous defiant attitude, though she still huffed when she saw Father Song, it was clearly different from her stubbornness before.

"Sister Luo, I’ll come help you with dinner," Mrs. Song signaled to her daughter with a look, then stood up and walked toward the kitchen.

"There’s no need, just relax out front," Aunt Luo gently refused.

"No problem, I can’t sit still anyway. My daughter has been craving the tender starch-coated pork slices I make. I’m just about to head back and make them for her; she’s probably thinking about them so much. By the way, where did you put the starch?" Mrs. Song said as she opened the cupboard to look for the ingredients but couldn’t find the starch.

"Here it is!" Aunt Luo immediately produced a box of starch for Mrs. Song: "Your daughter has been missing your tender starch-coated pork slices for some time now. Unfortunately, the ones I make aren’t authentic. We have all kinds of techniques for cooking dishes here, and besides, the kids also miss their own mother’s cooking. Today, you’ll have to show me your technique and teach me a little. That way, when you head back to your hometown, I’ll be able to make some for Yuanyao and the others to satisfy their cravings."

"That would be lovely; the kids owe you a lot for taking care of their meals." Aunt Luo’s efforts to flatter Mrs. Song instantly made her beam with happiness. Mrs. Song felt that hiring someone to cook and take care of the children was a waste of money. With the amount they were spending, she could help cook and take care of the house herself. But considering that she couldn’t stay in City Z for long, the thought of someone else cooking to make their lives easier warmed her toward Aunt Luo even more.

"Actually, tender starch-coated pork slices are quite simple. The key is cutting the meat to the right thinness and making sure it’s properly flavored when you tenderize it with the starch," Mrs. Song enthusiastically began to share her culinary skills with Aunt Luo in the kitchen.

In the living room, Xu Jingjing was taking care of the children, while Song Yuan Yao discussed the plans she had made with Mrs. Song with Father Song, and he nodded in agreement.

Soon, it got dark, and Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuanming came home, arriving just in time for dinner.

At the dinner table, Mrs. Song brought up going back to her hometown, which surprised Xu Xiuxiu. She knew that Father Song and Mrs. Song couldn’t stay long, especially since Wang Qinghua was about to have a baby. But Xu Xiuxiu hadn’t expected them to hurry back so soon. After hearing Mrs. Song complain a bit about the situation, however, Xu Xiuxiu understood.

"Then tomorrow, Yuanyao, could you please take Mom and Dad out? Although City Z is being rebuilt after the disaster, the big shopping malls are fairly intact and have a complete range of facilities. Right now, it’s actually a nice place to visit." Xu Xiuxiu and Song Yuan Yao arranged plans: "I have to run to Soup City tomorrow; there’s a lot to take care of, so I cannot accompany you, elders."

"You go ahead with your work; don’t let us hold you up," Father Song said, unconcerned.

Mrs. Song also nodded in agreement.

After dinner, everyone sat together in the living room to watch the news, which almost exclusively covered the post-disaster reconstruction of City Z. When the news ended, everyone dispersed naturally. Xu Xiuxiu pulled Song Yuan Yao aside to chat for a bit when she was about to head to her room, discussing the next day’s plans for taking the Song Family elders out.

"Tomorrow, take Mom and Dad to buy a couple of outfits, some tonics to bring back, and here’s some money for it. If it’s not enough, let me know, and I’ll reimburse you," Xu Xiuxiu generously handed Song Yuan Yao 500 yuan: "Make sure you don’t lose it."

"Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t spend so much; I have money," Song Yuan Yao said sheepishly, reluctant to accept it.

"Take it! Since I can’t accompany Mom and Dad, consider it me doing my filial duty through you," Xu Xiuxiu gestured for Song Yuan Yao to accept the money.

"Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. In that case, I’ll gratefully accept it," Song Yuan Yao understood that although Xu Xiuxiu was short on funds, she was only short on large amounts, not a few hundred yuan. So, after a little hesitation, she accepted the money. After all, she planned to save her salary for tuition and living expenses, and the thought of spending all her money and then asking her parents for more was something she wouldn’t do.