Chapter 71: Qiao Jianguo’s Strong Survival Instinct

Qiao Jiuwang, unable to contain himself, turned to hit Qiao Jianguo with his smoking pipe.

Qiao Jianguo screamed, “Mom, Mom! Look at Dad! They didn’t invite him to eat, and he’s taking it out on me!”

Lei Honghua, already simmering with anger, stepped forward to protect Qiao Jianguo, baring her teeth at Qiao Jiuwang, “Those ungrateful brats don’t respect you, so why are you taking it out on Jianguo?”

Qiao Jianguo poked his head out from behind Lei Honghua, “Exactly! What does it have to do with me? You should reflect on yourself. Three of your four sons are gone. If you drive me away, I’ll become someone’s son-in-law!”

Qiao Jiuwang was speechless, pointing at Lei Honghua and her son.

Lei Honghua swatted his hand away, “You’re only brave at home! If you were capable, you’d go and make a scene in the north of the village! They sold the house without telling you, and they didn’t invite you to the housewarming party! Are you shameless?”

Qiao Jianguo, initially defiant, raised his voice, “Mom, stop stirring things up!  Are you not done causing trouble? If you want to die, don’t drag me down! You’ve lived long enough; I’m still young! I haven’t even gotten married!”

Lei Honghua was choked, her head spinning. She glared at Qiao Jianguo, “Good-for-nothing! You deserve to be bullied! It’s not our fault; those ungrateful brats don’t respect us!”

Qiao Jianguo panicked. His mother was going to cause more trouble and implicate him.

He practically shrieked, “Stop talking nonsense! You always incite Dad to fight with them. What good has it done you all these years?

My sister and I almost got beaten to death. Are you jealous that I’ll live longer than you, or are you afraid I’ll die after you?

They call you a viper, and I didn’t believe it, but you hurt the older sons, and now you’re targeting me.

Are you shameless? Not only is Dad shameless, but you are too. My sister, brother, and I are all being dragged down by you.”

After scolding Lei Honghua, Qiao Jianguo turned to Qiao Jiuwang. His father was a fool; his mother might manipulate him into making a scene.

“Dad, too! You only listen to women and harm your own sons.

They say disharmony among children is the fault of the parents. The eldest and second sons were doing fine at home; you listened to Mom and drove them away.

I’ve been unlucky because of you two. Just let me leave. You’ve ruined the older sons; now it’s my turn.”

Remembering his humiliation at Qiao Jiangxin’s house, Qiao Jianguo’s voice cracked.

“I’m telling you, don’t think too highly of yourselves.

Mom, stop causing trouble! Look at you! My sister and brother didn’t even come to see you; they’re disgusted by you, and you’re still proud.

You expect them to be filial? If I were them, I wouldn’t just kill you; I’d burn down the house.”

Qiao Jiuwang had been speechless from Lei Honghua and her son.

Now, both parents were being scolded by their son, leaving them breathless. One pounded his chest, the other grabbed his waist.

They both panted heavily.

Qiao Jianguo, oblivious, continued, “Mom, if you cause more trouble and get killed, don’t drag me down. No one will stand up for you. Qiao Fangfang and Qiao Jianhua won’t even look at you. Don’t drive me away too!”

Lei Honghua, furious, beat her thighs and cursed Qiao Jiuwang, “Look at the ungrateful son you raised! There’s not a single good person in the Qiao family!”

Qiao Jiuwang, unable to control himself, threw his smoking pipe at Lei Honghua and kicked Qiao Jianguo’s good leg.

Qiao Jianguo cried out, “Just kill me! Who will take care of you when you’re old?

I’m the only one left. If you ruin me too, maybe I can become a recipient of government welfare.”

Qiao Jiangxin didn’t know that Qiao Jianguo’s actions had prevented a major conflict on the housewarming day.

That evening, after cleaning up, Qiao Jiangxin calculated her expenses.

The house and new belongings had depleted all her savings, including the 210 kuai from selling the house to Qiao Juxing.

Her uncle’s marriage couldn’t be delayed.

In both her lives, her uncle had been devoted to her family.

In her past life, he had risked his life carrying bricks and sand to save her father, damaging his health and causing his early death.

Qiao Jiangxin sincerely hoped her uncle would find someone to care for him, a warm family, a happy life.

This was also what her uncle longed for.

But marriage cost money.  She only thought of the items in Qiao Jiuwang’s hidden stash.

She didn’t plan to touch her grandmother’s two gold bracelets; they were for her uncle and father.

The old silver dollars weren’t worth much.

Qiao Jiangxin set her sights on the two small gold bars.

Money could be earned later, but her uncle’s skin condition and marriage couldn’t wait.

He was 38 this year; he’d be 39 in six months.

The next day, Qiao Jiangxin took a gold bar and went to the county with her uncle.

After several bus rides, they found the largest jewelry store in the county.

The clerk didn’t look down on them because of their clothes and was polite.

“Comrade, the price of our gold jewelry varies depending on the craftsmanship.”

The clerk pointed to the glass counter, “This simple jewelry is 55 kuai per gram.”

She pointed to an intricately crafted phoenix headdress, “This is the most expensive.  It takes the master two months to make one, and it costs 75 kuai per gram.”

Qiao Jiangxin said, “What about buyback?”

The clerk paused, then said, “Comrade, the buyback price is 41.87 kuai.”

Qiao Jiangxin took out the wrapped gold bar and placed it on the counter, “We want to sell it.”

The clerk’s smile became more genuine, and she called the manager.

The manager, a man, took Qiao Jiangxin to test and weigh the gold.

One gold bar was one liang, or 31.25 grams.

At 41.87 kuai per gram, it was 1308.44 kuai.

Leaving the store, Qiao Jiangxin’s bag contained 1013 kuai and two small gold rings (over two grams each).

One ring was for her mother, and the other for her uncle to give to his future wife.

Her mother was timid, and she didn’t know her uncle’s future wife’s character.  The bracelets were better kept hidden to avoid trouble with Qiao Jiuwang.

So she kept her grandmother’s bracelets.