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“No problem, I’ll just ask for leave from the boss later. Your uncle doesn’t come around often, so I’ll have a good chat with him,” Li Fenglan comforted her daughter quietly.
She quickly poured water for her younger brother and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Her second brother, third brother, and younger sister were all raised by her since they were young. When Wu Zhiqiu went to work, Li Fenglan started taking care of her brothers and sisters at a young age.
When they were little, the brothers relied on their big sister even more than their mother. But people always change! Li Xing’an came here with a purpose and didn’t want to beat around the bush with his older sister.
“Big sister, could you lend me some money?” Manman’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile; she knew this would happen! Grandma was right; the first to reach out for help would surely be the brothers.
“Sure!” Li Fenglan thought her brother was just short on pocket money and took out five yuan from her pocket to give to him. “Here, don’t spend it recklessly. The family isn’t rich, so be considerate of Mom and Dad!” Recently, Li Mancang and Wu Zhiqiu had been busy with their family’s troubles, and Li Fenglan felt sorry seeing her parents frail figures. She hoped her brothers could understand and ease their parents’ burden.
Li Xing’an didn’t take the money Li Fenglan offered. “Big sister, I’m borrowing money to get married; this little bit isn’t enough!”
“Getting married? How come I didn’t hear Mom and Dad mention that!” Li Fenglan asked in surprise. “Mom and Dad don’t care about me anymore; they want to split the family and kick me out!” Li Xing’an forced a smile.
“That’s impossible! Mom and Dad can’t just stop caring about you!” Li Fenglan knew how much their mother cared for the youngest son. In their family, the eldest son was the most favored, and the youngest son came next! If it were her second brother saying this, Li Fenglan would believe it. But for the youngest brother to say so, she couldn’t accept it!
“Really! Mom told me to hand over my wages, or they’ll kick me out!” Li Xing’an complained to his older sister. “Then just hand them over,” Li Fenglan thought it was only natural to give wages.
Li Xing’an nearly choked in disbelief. This silly sister! It was pointless to talk to her! “Please, help me. I grew up on your back! I’m the one closest to you!” Li Xing’an begged to his older sister.
Manman couldn’t hold back anymore. “Uncle, do you know how much my dad sacrificed for you?” Li Fenglan was halfway touched, wanting to give her brother her all, but with Manman’s harsh words, her heart returned to its original state. Mom was right; during the hardest times in her life, only her parents were there to help her! Her daughter stood by her side!
Li Xing’an felt awkward being questioned. He knew this, but he had to pick up He Meina from work every day, so he hadn’t thought to come around much. Anyway, his parents were here, so it didn’t really matter if he came or not.
“I’m sorry, big sister, Manman. I’ve been busy those days, and since Mom and Dad were helping out, there wasn’t much I could do. I didn’t come over in a hurry! In the future, if you need anything, just let me know. I’ll definitely help!” Li Xing’an hurriedly tried to smooth things over to avoid his sister growing distant from him.
Being distant wasn’t a big deal; the most important thing was not to refuse to lend him money! Manman smiled, not saying anything. Li Xing’an saw the sarcasm in the girl’s eyes! He shifted his gaze and continued talking to his sister.
“Big sister, I need eight thousand yuan for the bride price, and the furniture, the three major appliances and a radio, none of them can be missing. Mom and Dad aren’t completely ignoring me, but you know the family situation; Big Brother emptied the family’s savings! I don’t want Mom and Dad to borrow money for me, so I figured I’d borrow from you, big sister. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay you back when I start earning money!” Li Xing’an spoke sweetly, appearing to be considerate of the family.
Manman wasn’t a little girl anymore; her third uncle’s request wouldn’t be less than two thousand yuan! Her father’s total compensation was three thousand yuan, and her third uncle wanted two-thirds of it right away; such nerve.
Li Fenglan looked troubled. “Little brother, I don’t have any money on hand right now!” “Big sister, if you don’t want to help, just say so!” Li Xing’an stared intently at his older sister, his eyes speaking volumes, filled with disappointment.
“I really don’t have any money. I used your brother-in-law’s compensation to buy a house! Now I collect rent, and it will be Manman’s dowry in the future!” Li Fenglan said. “Big sister, you already have such a big house. Why did you buy another one? How much did that house cost?” Li Xing’an, agitated at the news of the missing money, was beside himself.
Li Fenglan was cautious and didn’t mention that her mother helped her buy the house; she didn’t want to cause trouble for her mother. “Three thousand!”
Before Li Fenglan could speak, Manman answered. Li Fenglan glared at her daughter; how could she lie! But she didn’t say anything; she didn’t plan to keep the remaining money anyway, considering it a gift to her parents.
“Big sister, were you scammed? What kind of house costs three thousand yuan! You must have been scammed!” The third son was anxious, jumping around like a monkey. “Scammed? The house is in the alley behind our home; it’s a standalone house with a courtyard. It’s great!” Li Fenglan plainly said.
“It’s not worth three thousand! Besides, you already have a house. Why buy another one? Manman’s just a girl; she’ll get married someday, so what does she need a dowry for!” The third son blurted out his thoughts in his anxiety. Manman’s face darkened. The money her father left her, why couldn’t it be used to buy her a house as a dowry! Li Xing’an realized he had spoken out of turn.
“Big sister, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that Manman is still young; there’s no need to buy a house with all the money! It’s better to keep the money! Can’t that house be returned? Trust me, big sister; don’t buy the house, keep the money in hand!” Li Xing’an nervously said. “It can’t be returned. We’ve already rented out the house, and we’ll move in this weekend!” The sister suppressed her displeasure and explained to her younger brother.
Li Xing’an felt a bolt of lightning strike his head. He had spent days thinking of this plan. He should have come earlier! If he had come earlier, his sister wouldn’t have bought a house, and the money would have been in his pocket!
“Then big sister, how much do you have left? Even a small amount is fine; I’ll try to get the rest from other people,” Li Xing’an wasn’t giving up; his sister must have some savings over the years. Li Fenglan did have some savings, but her mother had taken them a few days ago, saying she needed to buy her a house.
Wu Zhiqiu was worried that these brats would covet her eldest daughter’s money. Her eldest daughter was soft-hearted; her brothers would sweet-talk her into giving them everything. So, except for living expenses, Li Fenglan’s money was kept by her mother!
Li Fenglan didn’t want her younger brother to bother their mother. When her mother took the money, she said it was to prevent her brothers from borrowing it.
“Your brother-in-law’s funeral cost a lot, plus the previous loans from the family. I really don’t have any extra money,” Li Fenglan looked apologetic. If the money were in her hands, she would definitely give her younger brother some. Manman smiled. Her grandma really understood her uncles; she had cut off her mother’s retreat in advance.
“Then big sister, can I borrow your house for my wedding?” Li Xing’an changed his tactics; if he couldn’t get the money, a three-thousand-yuan house was fine! Manman’s smile froze; this little uncle was shameless!
“Little brother, the house is already rented out, and the rent has been collected. I was planning to move Mom and Dad into the new house,” Li Fenglan looked troubled.
“Big sister, how much is the rent? I’ll give you the money! Just rent the house to me!” Li Xing’an asked, convincing his older sister.