CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 453: ASKING FOR MONEY AND REFUSING TO GIVE

The Song family was initially prestigious, and they were never really enthusiastic about Song Wang marrying Qin Xiangmei. They agreed to have the wedding, but it wasn’t grand, and the Qin Family couldn’t save face. None of the Qin Family attended, and it was a direct slap in the face to Qin Guohua and Hu Li. Even the expression on Qin Xiangmei’s face wasn’t good that day. Looking at the empty hotel and the displeased faces of Song’s parents, Qin Tongmei really felt wronged. Even Mr. Sun didn’t come, which only increased the dissatisfaction of the Song family towards their new daughter-in-law.

Qin Xiangmei wore a wedding dress with an elaborately done makeup, but still, there was an air of rusticity about her. Though there weren’t many guests, those present were long-time friends of the Song family and business contacts. Though not openly spoken, behind the scenes, everyone was wondering how the Song family ended up choosing such a bride. You could say she is pretty, but just so-so. Her family background is very average, coming from the village. Even though she attended Jing University, she studied in a less practical Vocal Music department, so it really surprised everyone, including Mr. Sun, that the Song family chose her.

The expressions of the Song family were quite discontent, and Song Wang himself hardly smiled. The forced smiles were extremely awkward. Not to mention Qin Xiangmei, as no one from her own family attended because none were presentable. Qin Xiangyang, a military academy teacher, might have come, but after the slap from Qin Guohua, he probably wouldn’t. Thus, Qin Xiangmei’s wedding felt quite uncomfortable and she blamed all these matters on Qin Xiangnuan.

Had she married from the Siheyuan, it could at least have appeared better. If Qin Xiangyang and Granny Lu were willing to give her ten thousand yuan as dowry, the Song family might not have looked down upon her that much. All of this was Qin Xiangnuan’s fault, her fault entirely. Clenching her teeth, she forced out a wide smile, even though it was almost too strained to see, but she still had to smile.

Qin Xiangnuan, Qin Xiangyang, we’ll see.

Regardless, she had still married into the Song family. From now on, she was one of the Song family, never having to work in her life, always having more than enough money, wearing the best clothes, and eating the finest food.

Song Wang then gave more money to Qin Guohua and Hu Li, asking them to tidy up their home, showing his generosity. Hu Li clutched the money tightly, refusing to let it go.

"Mom, Pengfei and I want to start a small business."

Guan Xiaojie had already set her sights on that money, clearly wanting it.

"What kind of business?" Hu Li’s heart tightened, and her face darkened at once. It was tiresome how they always eyed the money in her hands, the money her son-in-law gave to her as a filial gift, which was intended for her own coffers, to be saved for a significant need. Yet now they talked of business when her son had a secure job, further wasting money?

"Mom, you know," Guan Xiaojie forced a smile, though inside she felt extremely resentful, "Pengfei’s salary is too low. We also need to save some for raising children. So, we thought of starting a small business. You know, Aunt Hua from our village, she does business and even though she just runs a stall outside, her family’s situation is best in the village. I have a cousin who has some connections, able to get a batch of goods, and I want to open a clothing store. The clothes look just like the ones in the store Qin Xiangmei frequents in the Capital City, practically identical, and if sold here, would definitely make a profit."

Hu Li rolled her eyes incessantly, thinking, ’Are you saying my son doesn’t earn enough? Earn it yourself. You do nothing all day but eat – managing to eat two bowls of rice at each meal, and the food you cook is ugly and tastes bad. What bad karma brought this daughter-in-law into our family? Even though she’s from the city, she doesn’t have a decent job. What good is a city residence permit here? She can’t even get land in the village, and now she wants my money to start a business and open a clothing store? Doesn’t she even look at what she’s wearing, and she wants to sell clothes?’

"Mom, what do you think?" Guan Xiaojie, shamelessly after the money in Hu Li’s hands, that was part of the dowry Song Wang gave, and he added more later, almost amounting to tens of thousands of yuan. She had already discussed it all with her cousin, just needing the money to immediately start the shop. Plus, her cousin knew people in the Capital City, and the clothes were made exactly like those from an English store there, one-to-one with the originals, and they looked so nice, she couldn’t believe they wouldn’t sell and make a profit, but the prerequisite was having the capital.

Starting a clothing store would cost at least ten thousand yuan, including stock and rent, but no need to hire extra staff; she could manage the store alone. Her cousin said, selling one piece of clothing would make a profit of at least a few tens of yuan. If she sold over ten pieces a day, that’s hundreds of dollars.

But Hu Li held the money tight and wouldn’t let go. Where else could she find the money to open a clothing store?

One wanted money, and the other was dead set against it, and over money issues, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law didn’t know how many rounds they had gone through. One wanted the money, and the other refused to give. The two women fought countless times, both openly and covertly, until finally, it was Qin Pengfei who got caught in the middle and lost his temper.

"You mom just wants to take that money to her grave," Guan Xiaojie burst out angrily, "Having money, but not giving any to your own son. You’re so useless. I want to open a store and don’t even have the capital. Couldn’t we at least borrow those money?"

Borrow? She said borrow, but borrowing meant never returning it.

Qin Pengfei felt suffocated by the two women’s issues, feeling almost neurotic. He had to endure Guan Xiaojie nagging at work and then Hu Li’s complaints at home. As for the money, not to mention Guan Xiaojie couldn’t get it, even he couldn’t. Hu Li could be reasoned with about anything but money, touching her nerve. Once the money was in her hands, it would stay there until she died, not going to anyone else – not even if her own parents came asking.

Besides, Hu Li also resented her son, whom she had raised single-handedly only to see him marry and forget his own mother, now even eyeing her coffin money. Qin Pengfei also felt guilty; the house was arranged by Qin Xiangmei, and they lived there rent-free. The job was found by Song Wang, not great, but stable, ensuring a monthly salary. The money was undoubtedly given by Qin Xiangmei to Hu Li, and truly, he only knew how to spend without ever giving Hu Li a single penny. He wasn’t shameless; it really wasn’t easy asking for that money.