Cao's mother's hands, gripping the bag, turned even whiter. She walked like a walking corpse. Although they had known this situation for a long time, they still found it hard to accept that it was actually happening in front of them. She had been proud all her life and had competed with Qin's mother from finding a partner to having a son, but now she had been completely defeated.
Cao's father and mother exchanged a glance and saw dejection and a hint of collapse in each other's eyes.
Buzz...
Cao's father's phone suddenly rang.
Incoming call:
[son]
Cao's mother answered the phone: "Hello...son..."
Cao He: "Mom! Happy New Year!"
On the other end of the phone, a child, slightly annoyed by his son's urging, called out, "Grandpa and Grandma! Happy New Year!"
I heard my grandson wishing me a Happy New Year.
Mr. and Mrs. Cao straightened up slightly; at least they had a grandson! Yes! They had a grandson! Qin Jiang, on the other hand, was said to be unmarried and childless, and might not even be able to have a grandson. They couldn't compare to their sons, but they could compare to their grandsons!
Indeed!
The next moment, Cao He said, "Mom and Dad! Did you have a good New Year? Are you in good health?" After a few casual words of concern, he continued without waiting for his parents' reply, "Um... you two don't have enough money for your grandson's milk powder, what do you think..."
Mr. Cao was taken aback: "Didn't Dad just transfer three thousand to you...?"
Cao He: "Isn't the New Year a big expense? We have to buy New Year's goods and new clothes... and your grandson drinks so much formula, we really don't have enough money..."
Cao's father: "Ahem... But Dad doesn't have any money right now..."
Cao He: "No money...how can you be without money? Aren't you two in Songjiang? You haven't done anything?"
Cao's father: "Working? But money's hard to earn..."
Cao He: "What do you mean money is hard to earn? I think you two just haven't been working hard enough. You're both so young, this is the time to make your way in the world, don't waste your precious youth! If one job doesn't pay, why not take on two? That way you'll earn more money..."
"I'm not afraid you two will laugh at me, but the cost of living in Shanghai is high, and my son's income can't keep up. I don't mind if you two don't help me out, but what about your grandson..."
"Do you want him to be inferior to other people's children...?"
"Should we let him be looked down upon?"
"Are we just going to stand by and watch our son get divorced...?"
Cao's father and mother:......
Their faces darkened as they listened to Cao He's words on the phone.
Cao's mother answered the phone: "Son! Don't worry! Mom will find a way to get the money for you right away. I can't let my grandson suffer..."
Cao He: "Hurry up..."
Cao He seemed to hear his wife calling him to cook, so he said, "Mom and Dad! I have to go now, remember to send the money quickly."
Beep beep...
The phone was busy.
From beginning to end, Cao He never truly cared about whether they lived well, how they were doing, or their health; all he cared about was whether they could provide him with money.
This moment:
The two of them, who had just straightened up a little, bent over even more...
Cao's father: "Old woman! Where are we going to get any money? We haven't even paid next month's rent yet... Even if we both go out to collect garbage and do odd jobs every day, we still won't be able to save enough..."
Cao's mother: "Lend me some!"
Cao's father: "Borrow? Borrow from whom? Which of our relatives can lend us money now?" For the past two years, because their son kept asking for money, the two of them had no choice but to ask their relatives for money.
After a while!
Those relatives have completely given up on them. Everyone knows that lending them money is likely to be a one-way street. The couple themselves don't even go back to Lianhua Township anymore. Of course, even if the couple themselves know that they have no ability to repay, they can't bring themselves to ask those relatives for money. In turn, the relatives won't lend them money either, creating a vicious cycle!
.....
Cao's mother turned her gaze to Qin's father and mother.
Cao's father: "This...I...I can't bring myself to say it!"
Cao's mother: "At a time like this, how can I not speak up? My grandson is important! Our pride... is not important."
Cao's father: "Sigh... alright!"
So the two of them turned back halfway and headed straight for Qin's father and mother who had left. They were stopped by several Black Dragons members just a few meters away from Qin's father and mother.
"Old Qin!"
Cao's father spoke.
Qin's father and mother also heard the noise and turned around, only to see Cao's father and mother, their faces showing surprise.
Qin's mother: "Why are you back..."
Qin's father: "Is there something you need?"
Both of them were dumbfounded.
They had just been so certain that Cao's father and mother would never come back, but in the blink of an eye, they were back.
What's going on?
That shouldn't be the case.
Given their temperaments, they won't come back.
Unless there's something I absolutely have to say!
Qin's father hurriedly waved his hand: "No need to block them, they are friends from our hometown."
Several Black Dragon members stepped aside, but their eyes remained fixed on Cao's father and mother. It wasn't that they disliked their attire, but they knew very well that people like Cao's father and mother, who had nothing, were more likely to do something rash.
It's perfectly normal to feel resentment towards the rich!
You might not feel much resentment towards the rich when you see or hear about someone on TV suddenly becoming rich and successful; you might just secretly admire their good fortune. But when someone close to you suddenly becomes rich, it's a completely different story. You'll subconsciously wonder, "Why?"
We were all from the lower class back then, weren't we?
Weren't we all just idiots back then?
You were clearly not as good as me back then.
Why are you giving me the upper hand now?!
Once such a mentality takes hold, it's not unreasonable to do anything extreme.
Cao's father and mother smiled wryly at the wary expressions of the Black Dragon personnel, especially Cao's father, who kept his head down and remained silent.
Cao's mother couldn't bring herself to say it, but out of love for her grandson, she said, "Um... Brother Cao... we... we have something we'd like to ask you..."
Qin's father: "What is it...?"
Cao's mother: "Could you lend me some money...?"
Qin's mother: "How much!"
Cao's mother held up one finger.
Qin's mother: "One hundred thousand? I'll have Old Qin fetch it for you right away?"
Cao's father: "Ten thousand! It's ten thousand! How could we possibly repay a hundred thousand..."
Father Qin: "No problem!"
He took out 20,000 yuan from his bag and handed it to Cao's father. (In 2014, online payment was not yet widespread, so people usually carried cash when they went out. Although Qin's father and mother did not want to carry so much, they could not resist Qin Jiang's insistence. If Qin's father had not stopped them, Qin Jiang would have had the Black Dragon personnel carry hundreds of thousands of yuan in cash with them so that they could spend it as they pleased!)
Mr. Cao stared blankly at the 20,000 yuan handed to him: "Ten thousand will do!"
Qin's father: "Old Cao! I know you would never ask me for money if you weren't in a difficult situation. You can spend the 20,000 yuan. If it's not enough, just tell me."
Cao's father: "Then I'll write you a note..."
Qin's father: "What's the point of writing an IOU? If you want to pay me back, I'll pay you back no matter what. If you don't want to, no IOU will do you any good."
Cao's father: "Thank you..."
He refused to eat with Qin's father, who then turned and left, causing both of them, already stooped, to become even more bent over...
And it can no longer straighten out...