Chapter 103: Buying Mountain Goods

Zhou Jiao looked at her mother, who was weeping uncontrollably. She reached out to hold her hand and spoke to her earnestly, “Mom, it’s not that I don’t want to accept your kindness, and I don’t blame you either. I try to put myself in your shoes. If I were you, and Xiao Wu went missing under suspicious circumstances, I’d also leave Ping An with my mother-in-law to keep him safe, while I went out to search for him myself. I understand how much you love Dad.

Maybe others don’t get it, but I do. If something happened to Xiao Wu, my only reason to keep going would be the hope that he’s still alive, still waiting for me to find him. Little Ping An would be safe and well cared for, and once I found his father, our family could be together again, complete. That’s why, as I’ve grown up, I’ve come to understand how hard things have been for you, and I would never blame you.

Besides, everyone has their own personality. Ever since I was a child, I’ve never liked showing off. Even if I’d grown up by your side, I wouldn’t be flashy.

If I were like those kids in the compound, just eating and drinking aimlessly every day, wasting time without any goals—do you think a girl like that would be your daughter? Would she be like you or like Dad?

You and Dad aren’t the type to live without purpose, just eating and drinking, right? So there’s no need to compare me to other girls. There are wild ones in the compound, and there are well-behaved ones too.

You’re my mother, so of course I’ll accept everything you give me. Otherwise, think about it: with my personality, would I accept expensive things like large sums of money, property deeds, or bankbooks? Have you ever seen me accept them cautiously? No! I take what belongs to you and Dad as a matter of course. I’m your only child now—if I don’t accept it, are you going to give it to someone else?

As for me being careful with money because I’m worried you’ll run out, that’s true. Look at how, as soon as you saw me, you gave me a windfall and two property deeds. I’m really afraid you’ll give me everything you have and leave nothing for yourself, relying only on your salary and thinking Dad will take care of you.

If that happened, I’d have to be frugal and not spend the money. That way, if you ever run out, I’d have something set aside for you. The future is unpredictable, and we always need to be prepared. Dad has already given me all the valuable jewelry and property. What if, in the future, you and Dad have more children for me—brothers and sisters?

When they grow up, get married, and start their own families, how much money will that take? By then, you and Dad will be retired. I can’t let you carry such a heavy burden, and I certainly can’t let you suffer.

I’m the eldest daughter, so I have to be filial and take care of you. I also have to look after my younger siblings and make sure they grow up happy, get married, and have children of their own.

If you and Dad put all your money in my hands and I spend it all, what will they do in the future? That’s why I can’t be wasteful. Besides, I don’t like spending money recklessly. As long as we have enough, that’s all that matters—anything extra is just a number. I know you’re not stingy, but I still want to help ease your worries.

That’s just how I am—helping you keep these things safe. As for you, just do whatever you want. Don’t let money control your life. Just be happy with Dad.”

Lin Lishan wiped her tears, listening in a daze. She knew her daughter was thoughtful and always considered things deeply, but she hadn’t expected her to think so far ahead, even worrying about their retirement. It was both funny and touching—her daughter really was a natural worrier.

“You don’t need to worry. What I’ve given you is yours now. What responsibility do your dad and I expect you to take on? You really are a worrier. Even if we do have more kids in the future, we’ll be old by then, and it won’t be several—at most, just one, and that’s only because your dad wants it. I don’t really plan on it.

Besides what I’ve given you, your grandma has also been saving money for me. The money you have now, only the two of us know about. Those bankbooks in Beijing are actually just the rent from your apartment there. It’s not like I’ve given you cash yet, you know?

I’ve saved quite a bit from my job over the years, plus the savings from the two years after I married your dad. All that money is with your grandma. She’s like you—afraid I’ll spend it all, so she’s kept it for me. She said that when your dad comes back this time, she’ll hand it over to him.

So, if you add up what’s at your grandma’s and your dad’s salary that he sends home, plus our own salaries, we have plenty. So just spend what you need to.

Everyone else only knows you have the rent from your apartment and two property deeds—nothing else. I was planning to give you cash when your dad comes back, but not this time. You won’t need much here anyway.”

Zhou Jiao looked at her speechlessly. She really trusts people, but then again, she is my mom. But I don’t trust it—so much money in Grandma’s hands. All those years Dad was gone, the savings he left behind should have been given to us when I got married and started my own family. We should have handled the inheritance ourselves. Now, even with Grandpa Lin and Mom both coming to the Northeast, they didn’t bring it. Are they really waiting for Dad to come back and hand it over? Do they think I’m stupid? Calculating every step. But since this silly woman gave birth to and raised me, I can’t be bothered to argue.

“No need to give me any more. With what I have and Xiao Wu’s private savings, I’ve got over 2,000 yuan in cash—more than enough for us. We don’t even need the Beijing bankbooks.

See, it’s not like I don’t have money. I can’t just flaunt it and let people know we have more money than this whole family combined, right? After we get married and have kids, we already have a plan.

Once we split from the family, my father-in-law will finish building our house here, so we won’t have to spend money on that. Then, when the opportunity comes, we’ll go to school or find jobs. We can buy a courtyard house in the county for less than 1,000 yuan, and the rest—over 1,000 yuan—we’ll save. See? We’re not short on money. So you and Dad should keep your money for yourselves. If I ever run out, I’ll come to you.”

Lin Lishan glared at her. “Save 1,000 yuan, and then you two will keep living like skin and bones, with Ping An in patched-up clothes? Is that your plan? Now that I’m here, I won’t allow you to live like that. Take care of yourself and Ping An. Buy whatever you want—we have money. You know, that last time at the Friendship Store, your 1,000 yuan was gone in one trip. I spent those 600 yuan in foreign exchange certificates, and I didn’t even enjoy it. I had to weigh the prices for ages before buying anything.”

Zhou Jiao grinned and nodded. “That’s why, when you said you wanted to buy me a cashmere coat, I said yes—because I know my mom isn’t short on money. The 50 yuan monthly rent is higher than a worker’s salary, so I’m not short on money either. Let’s spend it. Since you said all the cash is with Grandma, I’m relieved. If I see something I want, I’ll buy it.”

Lin Lishan nodded approvingly. “That’s the right attitude. When your dad comes back and gives you money, don’t be silly and say you already have enough. Don’t tell your dad about the money from abroad—that means you don’t have any. The Beijing rent bankbooks can’t be accessed here, so that’s also as good as not having any. So right now, you only have a little private money with Xiao Wu and what you spent on the house—so you’re not rich. Whatever we give you, just take it. If you don’t spend it, save it. If my daughter Lin Lishan ever lacks money, that would be a joke.”

“Rich Mom, I’m so poor, really poor—so poor that all I have is money.”

Zhou Jiao teased her, but inside, she sighed. Isn’t it obvious? Why doesn’t she think a little deeper? Her own mother has two sons and two daughters. Oh well, I’ll just have to look out for her more in the future. Maybe I’m just being too suspicious of her good intentions."