Chapter 11 The Quarrel
Ye Shenges thoughts, which had conjured countless possibilities, were interrupted by the arguing voices from the earphones.
"What? You're reluctant to spend a little money on me? I see your wings have hardened. Now that you have your own little family, you don't want to care about me, an old woman anymore. It must be that bitch Li Xiumei who's preventing you from giving me money."
"Mom, don't you know our situation? I only get twenty-two yuan a month, and Xiumei can only earn less than ten yuan a month by making paper boxes at home. Xiaolong and Xiaohu are at their growing ages, and we don't have enough food every month. When have I ever bought grain from the black market without sending some to you?"
In reality, Ye Xingguo was quite filial, but with his own family, he naturally wanted to prioritize them.
"Besides, the grain rations allocated to Mom, you and that girl can't possibly finish, even with what I send. But I look at the rice jar and there isn't much left. Where has the grain gone?"
Ye Xingguo's words made Madam Ye feel a bit embarrassed, as her son had directly pointed it out.
"Can't an old woman eat a lot? You're keeping such a close eye on a little bit of grain. I've really raised you for nothing."
"Mom, do you think I'm stupid? That girl is so thin, how much can she eat in a month? Did you send the grain to your maiden family again?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Ye became defiant. What could her son do to her?
"Your cousin's family has many children. If I don't help them out a bit, they'll starve to death in this era. How could I stand by and do nothing? Besides, everything I do is for you. You're the only child we have. If anything happens, we'll need support."
Ye Xingguo laughed, a laugh full of disdain.
"Do I need help from those country bumpkins? It would be good enough if they didn't come to freeload. And even if something happened to me, would they be able to get here in time?"
Ye Xingguo detested his maternal uncle's family. They were like bloodsuckers, clinging on and never letting go. Ye Xingguo was not one to indulge them, and his expression changed immediately.
"Mom, how much money do you have left? I want to buy Xiumei a job. Xiaolong and Xiaohu are growing up, so they don't need to be constantly watched at home anymore. They'll need to save money to get married in the future, so I want Xiumei to earn some money too."
As soon as Madam Ye heard the word "money," she bristled. The money in her hands was for her retirement and to help her maiden family. How could she possibly use it to buy a job for that bitch?
"Where would I get any money? You only give me five yuan a month, and we have to buy various household items. How much can I save?"
"What about my father's compensation? I remember you received 300 yuan then. Did you spend it all? And I remember Dad left behind a chest. There are quite a few good things in there. You can't refuse to help your son when he's in need, can you?"
What followed was a heated argument between the two, which made Ye Shenges head spin. Lying on the bed, she took a sip of well water, which helped a little.
As a result, Madam Ye ate her fill of the meat dinner in a victorious manner, and the noodles Ye Shenge had been waiting for never appeared.
Ye Shenge touched her rumbling stomach. She couldn't hurt her own body for these people. She walked out into the courtyard and saw the locked kitchen door. She cursed the wicked old woman a thousand times in her heart.
Ye Shenge didn't hesitate. She went to Madam Ye's door and knocked, startling the woman who was eating with gusto and almost choking.
"Shengge, what is it? It's dark now, go to sleep quickly."
"Grandma, I haven't eaten all day. Where are the noodles my dad made for me?"
Madam Ye stood up with some anger. When she opened the door, she still wore her standard smile.