Chapter 99: Lin Lishan’s Heartache

Zhou Jiao saw her wavering and glanced outside before lowering her voice, “It’s fine if you gave gifts to the family at home, but smart people don’t show off their wealth. If you let Little Five’s two brothers-in-law wear those out and people say it’s from us, it’ll leave a bad impression. These military coats are very valuable—not only are they rare, but wearing them will make people talk. Even if they don’t say anything, what about their parents?

A military coat plus wool yarn—that’s already a heavy gift. Just look at the gifts for the baby’s third-day celebration. If we go by county standards, even a jin of wool yarn is a big gift. In the village, wool yarn is as precious as gold. You’ve already given Little Five’s family quite a bit; the situation is different. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it so obvious.”

Zhou Jiao remembered the factory director’s wife wearing a military coat, and her youngest daughter showing off at school, saying they had someone in the army. It gave her a headache. If these five military coats were worn out, it would just give people more to gossip about. If her mother-in-law hadn’t seen the coats, she would never have given them away.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. The leftover fabric can be used to make you some clothes. I saw the material was good this time, so I bought several bolts of woolen fabric. You can make yourself a Lenin suit, make Little Five a coat, and save the rest for later. Also, use some of this fabric to make a few pairs of work pants—the material is sturdy and looks high-end.

That’s how people dress in the big cities now. You should dress up nicely. I say throw out all those patched-up clothes. Next time, I’ll bring you two cashmere coats—just black and brown, none of those bright colors. They don’t suit your temperament.”

Zhou Jiao nodded happily, “We really are mother and daughter—our tastes are the same. Black and brown are easy to match. You must be out of money now, so remember to take your Beijing bankbook back with you.”

Seeing her mother so enthusiastic, Zhou Jiao went along with her. Besides, she really wasn’t used to wearing patched-up, shabby clothes. Maybe in the future, if circumstances forced her, she’d adapt. But right now, she wanted to look her best. Every time she saw herself in the mirror, she couldn’t bear her own sorry state.

“Don’t worry, let your dad buy it. Keep your bankbook. Mom has money, and your grandma has my bankbook too. Take good care of the things I give you—don’t take them out. A woman should have money in her hands, keep it for yourself and spend it slowly. If you want to buy something, just go buy it.

Think about it—even if you don’t work, it’s fine. Renting out the courtyard only brings in 50 yuan a month, which isn’t much, but it’s better than most people’s salaries. What are you worried about? My salary is over a hundred, almost two hundred a month, plus your dad’s. Our family really isn’t short of money.

You’re our only child, so you don’t need to scrimp and save. If I really cared about money, would I have given your aunt such a favor for free? If I was as calculating as you, pinching every penny, I would have rented it to someone else for at least 100 yuan.

Look at yourself in the mirror—your face is sallow and thin, you’re malnourished. This month, you must take good care of yourself. Only if you’re well-nourished will your milk be good for Ping An’s health. And even if you act a little high-profile and cause trouble, your mom can handle it. What are you afraid of?”

Zhou Jiao looked at her, seeing her mother’s “I’m a rich lady” attitude, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Mom, I get it. Once we split from the family, things will be better. Right now, if I wear new clothes every day while their family is still patching theirs, it wouldn’t feel right. Once we’re in the county, I’ll spend as I please. If I can’t make money, at least I know how to spend it!

As for Aunt, don’t keep mentioning the favor you did for her. If you bring it up too much, it’ll hurt the relationship, and even the previous kindness will be wasted. Renting to the government brings in less money, but at least they won’t trash the courtyard. They just go to work there, everyone’s clean, and there’s no mess. Private tenants pay more, but collecting rent is a hassle, and I don’t like having tenants moving in and out, making a mess.”

“Your grandma said the same thing to me. I know what your aunt is like. As long as she doesn’t cheat me or pocket the rent, it’s fine if it’s a little less. Some things, like getting a marriage certificate, she’s the one who can get it done. I won’t mention it again.

I just feel sorry for you, afraid you’ll be too cautious when buying things. Your second uncle’s daughter, Xue Zhen, is the same age as you, but she’s still like a child. Whenever she sees something nice, she finds a way to get it, always asking me for gifts and spending money freely. She’s been scolded by your second uncle several times, but that’s what a seventeen-year-old girl should be like.

But you had to take care of yourself early on, learning to read people’s faces and protect yourself at such a young age. That’s my fault. Otherwise, you’d be like the other girls in the compound, thinking about where to have fun, what’s good to eat, which clothes are pretty, pestering your mom for money. But now, you’re so careful with everything I give you, either afraid I don’t have enough money or that you’re spending too much.

It’s only after suffering that you become so sensible. Why haven’t I gone to see your grandfather? Because I’m angry that he could ask me for money but still be so harsh with you. You’re not motherless—I’ve sent you so many clothes, but your wardrobe is full of patched, faded things.

Every time Xue Zhen asks me for clothes, I buy two sets, just in case you don’t have anything nice. Girls are sensitive and can get self-conscious, so I keep sending things every season. But looking at your wardrobe, I really don’t want to see him. I don’t care what your dad thinks. When he comes back, I’ll ask him why.

I always thought that even if I wasn’t by your side, you’d be a bright, cheerful girl, smiling like the sun. In the countryside, you have a high-ranking grandfather, money, pretty clothes, things even city girls don’t have. You should be carefree, someone everyone admires and envies, someone no one dares to offend. But what did I end up seeing?

My daughter was scolded at our door by some uncultured person, left with nothing but skin and bones, growing up like a weed. And you even had to humble yourself and kowtow to that old man. What right does he have to treat you like this? Didn’t we say more than once that we’d bring you back to Beijing?

But what did he do? Is this what he calls taking good care of my daughter? I don’t dare see him, because I’m afraid I’ll slap him. He can spend my money, use my things—I don’t care. But how can someone go back on their word? Every time I send things, knowing he has another granddaughter, I worry you’ll be bullied if you dress too nicely, so I always include extra. But even then, it’s not enough. Look at how thin you are—are his eyes blind?”

The more Lin Lishan spoke, the more agitated she became, and in the end, she couldn’t hold back her sorrow. She knew she was partly to blame, but Lin Lishan, who had always been so assertive in Beijing, never imagined her daughter would suffer so much in the Zhou family.

If her daughter were in Beijing, who would dare touch her? Who would dare give her attitude? It was only because of Zhou Xiao Zheng that she had to swallow her anger—when had she ever suffered such grievances?"