Chapter 152: So I’m leaving?

Gu Zhenhua’s words struck a chord with Lin Xiangnan.

“That’s right. Spending money is also a skill.”

Lin Xiangnan looked proud. She was very familiar with this, having been a big spender since she was a child.

But she didn’t call it spending money now, she called it investment. The antiques she bought would all increase in value tenfold in the future, she couldn’t lose even if she wanted to.

Hearing Lin Xiangnan boast, Gu Zhenhua also praised her, “You’re the best at spending money in our family. You can spend the family’s money however you want.”

“I knew you were the best to me.” Lin Xiangnan gave him a big smile.

Hu Meili lowered her head and secretly pouted. It seemed like Lin Xiangnan only remembered Gu Zhenhua’s kindness and disliked her nagging as a mother.

She didn’t know who she was trying to please.

But Hu Meili also secretly rejoiced in her heart. Thankfully, Gu Zhenhua had this temperament, otherwise, with Lin Xiangnan’s lavish spending, it would be difficult for anyone to live with her.

Who would have thought that the Gu family could produce someone like Gu Zhenhua. It was truly a case of “bad bamboo producing good shoots.”

Gu Zhenjun, who grew up in the same family, also agreed with his third brother’s statement and said happily, “I’ll also find a wife who can spend money like my sister-in-law, just like my third brother. I’ll earn money, and she’ll spend it, perfect.”

Hearing Gu Zhenjun say this, Hu Meili’s hand holding the chopsticks paused, searching for girls of a similar age in her relatives’ families.

“Your idea is good, Xiaojun. You won’t lack wives when you grow up.” Hu Meili couldn’t help but say, “What kind of girl do you like, Xiaojun? Tell Auntie, Auntie will keep an eye out for you. Good girls are in high demand nowadays.”

Hu Meili’s words silenced Gu Zhenjun, turning his face red. He hadn’t even dated, and being teased by Hu Meili like this, he couldn’t handle it.

“Hey~ you kid, what’s there to be embarrassed about.” Seeing Gu Zhenjun’s shy look, Hu Meili became even more excited.

“Mom, Xiaojun is still young, only 14 years old, why are you in such a hurry?” Lin Xiangnan couldn’t help but defend him. At this age, it was clearly too early for romance.

Thinking that Gu Zhenjun hadn’t yet passed the stage of going to the countryside, and his job wasn’t settled yet, Hu Meili couldn’t help but sigh with regret.

As an elder, she couldn’t help but worry.

After spending time together, Hu Meili couldn’t help but worry about Gu Zhenjun. After dinner, she privately asked Lin Xiangnan, “What are Gu Zhenhua’s plans for Xiaojun? Will he find him a job, or let him join the army? Or will he just let him go to the countryside?”

“Gu Zhenhua’s intention is to let him join the army in two years.” Lin Xiangnan calmly replied, “Anyway, there are still two years, no rush.”

Hu Meili nodded, carefully looking around, and continued to ask, “Gu Zhenhua was at the dinner table just now, I didn’t ask much. Now he’s not here, tell me the truth, do you really not have any private savings?”

Lin Xiangnan had an absurd amount of private savings, but she wasn’t going to confess.

She spread her hands, expressing her helplessness, “No money.”

“I’m not borrowing money from you. Don’t try to hide anything from me.” Hu Meili didn’t believe her.

“Mom, you calculate it yourself. The family’s monthly food expenses, plus the two children’s milk powder, the new clothes I buy every month, the little things I buy… a hundred yuan is just enough to cover it.”

Lin Xiangnan said with a smile, “You also eat the things I buy, don’t you? I thought you knew.”

With her spending habits, if she said the family had savings, Gu Zhenhua wouldn’t be happy, he would be scared.

“Know what? You’re full of it.” Hu Meili felt a surge of anger.

Back then, her monthly salary was over thirty yuan, and she could raise three children and still save a bit of money every year.

Now, Lin Xiangnan and her husband earn over a hundred yuan a month, and they spend it all.

“They say daughters are like their mothers? You haven’t learned any of my good qualities?” Hu Meili asked through gritted teeth.

Lin Xiangnan secretly glanced at Hu Meili, she couldn’t see any good qualities, but she dared not say it.

“Mom, don’t worry. We have the unit to take care of us in case of sickness or death, and we can also advance our salary in case of emergencies. Gu Zhenhua and I both have good salaries, even if we borrow money for something, we can repay it quickly, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t know what’s the use of buying all those fancy junk. You spend dozens of yuan on a painting to hang on the wall, what’s the point?” Hu Meili scolded, “Starting tomorrow, no more buying these junk. Also, cut down on the family’s food expenses, eat a little less, it won’t hurt. And your new clothes, don’t buy any more for now, you already have enough clothes.”

Hu Meili came to the family compound and lived a comfortable life with Lin Xiangnan, eating and drinking well.

Now that she discovered the family had no money, the first thing she thought of was to save money. Even if her own living standard was a little lower, it didn’t matter. She just wanted Lin Xiangnan to save some money.

Fearing that Hu Meili would get angry, Lin Xiangnan didn’t argue with her, and said very honestly, “Okay, I’ll listen to Mom.”

But while she said this, she didn’t change her actions at all.

The next day, she bought ten pounds of pork belly and ribs.

Under Hu Meili’s scrutinizing gaze, Lin Xiangnan explained, “It’s almost New Year, let’s marinate some cured meat and cured ribs. For New Year’s Eve dinner.”

“How much is it per pound?”

“Mom, you’re the one who buys vegetables, why are you asking me? Isn’t it eight cents per pound?” Lin Xiangnan tried to avoid the question with a laugh.

“That’s the price with coupons. I’m asking how much you bought it for.” Hu Meili continued to ask.

Lin Xiangnan could only give the market price, “It cost fifteen yuan in total.”

“Half a month’s salary, not enough for you to eat one meal?”

“Mom, don’t talk nonsense, this meat will last for a long time. Besides, that’s your half a month’s salary, Gu Zhenhua’s salary is still very generous.” Lin Xiangnan said with a smile, “I bought meat today, I won’t buy any for the next few days.”

She didn’t buy meat back home the next day, but she went to the city with Aunt Hua, arm in arm, and had lunch at a state-owned restaurant.

When Lin Xiangnan returned home, Hu Meili asked softly, “Xiao Nan, have I been too strict with you?”

“No, no.” Lin Xiangnan felt a little chill in her heart, quickly shook her head, and then flattered her, “I like it when Mom is strict with me.”

“I just feel like I’ve been too strict.” Hu Meili said coolly, “Xiaojun and I handle all the housework for you, you just give birth to a child, you don’t care about raising the child at all.”

“I came because I was afraid you were too busy at work and it would be inconvenient to take care of the child. Look, you’re not working now, it’s convenient to take care of the child. I’ll buy a ticket to go back to my hometown in a few days, I haven’t been back for half a year, I miss my grandpa and grandma too.”

Hearing this sudden bad news, Lin Xiangnan’s heart ached so much she couldn’t breathe, “Mom~ I can’t live without you~ Mom~ Don’t leave~ Mom~”