QTIMP -Chapter 40 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 40)

So it was better to inform the family in advance, giving Qin’s parents time to prepare. As for what they needed to prepare—just like Qin Lao San had said—at the very least, they would need to provide 200 yuan and some ration coupons.

“It’s good to give them a heads-up. They’ve only just managed to save a few months’ salary, and it’ll probably get tricked away by my second brother. After all, his wife is pregnant. These past few days she’s been whispering in my mom’s ear non-stop. Back when my sister-in-law was pregnant, the whole family tightened their belts to support her.”

Qin Bei poked at the stove fire until it burned brighter, then filled the kettle and set it on top.

Si Qiu was sorting through the things he had brought back this time. “Then your parents must be having a hard time. They should probably be thankful your third brother doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

Qin Bei stood up, took the items from her hands, and began cooking.

“There’s no helping it. It’s all because of the foundation they laid before. Back then, they favored my eldest brother. When the old man realized the eldest couldn’t be relied on, he suddenly started talking about fairness. Since they want fairness, I’ll gladly give it to them. Otherwise, later on they’ll just say, ‘You’re the one who didn’t want it.’”

Watching his skilled knife work, Si Qiu felt deeply satisfied. After half a year, their way of getting along had more or less settled into a rhythm.

When Qin Bei wasn’t out driving, he cooked. Before leaving on trips, he would prepare some long-lasting foods. When those were finished, Si Qiu would eat at the state-run restaurant—just to change the flavor.

Of course, this level of spending was something most families simply couldn’t afford. But Si Qiu could earn money herself, and with supplies from her survival system, it wasn’t a problem.

Qin Bei fully understood her obsession with food. Whenever he traveled to other cities, the first thing he did was search for local delicacies.

As for the expenses, he believed he could afford to support her. What did other people’s opinions have to do with him? Even before they were together, she had lived like this.

Now that they were together, if he couldn’t let her eat what she wanted, how incompetent would that make him? Every time he thought of this, he put even more effort into managing his black-market business.

Because he drove freight trucks, he brought back plenty of goods. Previously he had supplied the black market. Since he had once saved the leader there, they were already familiar with each other. Now, he was basically part of the operation.

“Then should I go visit your family before the New Year?” Si Qiu asked, nibbling on dried persimmons as she followed behind Qin Bei, occasionally feeding him a bite.

“You should. They’ll need to give you a red envelope then. Eat a little less—the dishes are almost ready. If you keep eating, you won’t have room for dinner.”

Qin Bei lifted the lid to check the soup. Steam wrapped in fragrance drifted out. Si Qiu couldn’t resist taking a deep sniff and quickly placed the dried persimmon back into the fruit basket.

“Alright. You pick a time, and I’ll go.”

Two days later, Si Qiu visited the Qin family. Afterwards, Old Master Qin asked Director Li to act as matchmaker and discuss the matter between the two young people.

Si Qiu was very familiar with Director Li, so she tactfully explained their thoughts. With Director Li mediating, the Qin couple truly brought out 200 yuan and some cloth and cotton ration coupons.

As for the job issue, they additionally provided a radio coupon as compensation.

Regarding the wedding, Si Qiu directly suggested keeping everything simple. Qin’s parents were delighted—and inwardly relieved.

The elderly couple hesitated before finally asking, “Are you planning to hold the wedding in the tube apartment building?”

Si Qiu shook her head. “I added some money and exchanged my unit in the tube building with one of Qin Bei’s brothers for his small courtyard house.”

The other three Qin brothers gasped. A trace of jealousy flashed in their eyes as they looked at Qin Bei. Meanwhile, the elderly Qin couple no longer felt the least bit pained about the 200 yuan.

That New Year, the Qin family experienced mixed emotions.

After the holiday, Si Qiu declined Mother Qin’s offer to help tidy the house, but entrusted her with making the bedding. Si Qiu spoke sweetly, coaxing Mother Qin into a cheerful mood.

The two of them slowly began arranging their little home—various pieces of furniture, a bicycle, a radio, thermoses, pots and pans, and more.

The three main rooms in the front house, along with two side rooms on each side, were spacious. They could decorate however they liked.

Once June passed, rumors of forced relocation to the countryside began to circulate faintly. The Feng family grew extremely anxious.

Bang! A palm slammed onto the table with a loud crack.

“I’ve already done everything your father and I are capable of! A textile factory worker may be tired, but the salary is high and it’s respectable. What more are you dissatisfied with? You keep saying we don’t do enough for you. I haven’t even had a job all these years, yet when you wanted one, we still found you one. What exactly are you unhappy about?”

Mother Feng’s chest rose and fell violently with anger.

“Mom, textile factory work is exhausting and dirty. How can I do that? I’m a high school graduate! Why can’t I sit in an office like Si Qiu? Buy me an office job.”

Feng Yu was anxious too. But the textile factory environment truly scared her—she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to endure it.

“I don’t have that ability. Whoever does, go find them! Go or don’t go—if you don’t, then you’ll be sent to the countryside.”

Mother Feng was thoroughly worn down by this daughter. The children’s father was only a minor office director. When they arranged a job for the second child before, they had already used up their connections.

In the current environment, jobs were extremely scarce. There was no way to maneuver things further.

In the end, Feng Yu went to work at the textile factory. Because she delayed for half a day, the job ended up costing an additional 200 yuan.

This infuriated Mother Feng. The eldest son had written home saying he was already dating someone. The second son had also set his sights on a girl. The biggest expenses were just around the corner, yet because of this daughter, one-third of the family’s savings had been spent.

How could she not be upset?

She told her third daughter that from now on, out of her monthly wage of 37.5 yuan, she must hand over 25 yuan to the family—every month until she married and started her own household.

Naturally, Feng Yu was unwilling. But when Mother Feng brought up her dowry—saying that without one, and without family support, she would be mocked by her in-laws—she gritted her teeth and agreed.

With so many matters happening at home lately, none of them knew yet—

Si Qiu was about to get married.