QTIMP -Chapter 56 Character Persona – Lazy (Part 4)

Si Lai’s expression stiffened a little. After a long pause, she finally opened her mouth.

“Um… Qiuqiu, I came out in a hurry and forgot to bring money…”

“Oh, then you can buy it tomorrow!” Si Qiu replied immediately. It was unclear how that unhurried tone of hers managed to cut off Si Lai’s next words so quickly.

Si Lai almost failed to keep her expression steady. She felt like everyone behind the counter was watching her and laughing at her, so she flushed with embarrassment and said, “Qiuqiu, could you maybe cover it for me first? I’m pregnant right now, and it’s not convenient for me to keep running back and forth.”

This time Si Qiu finally looked up. She only glanced at her once, then blinked those bright, watery eyes.

“I don’t have money either. I’ve already spent all my salary. Brother Lu hasn’t come back yet, and the living expenses he’s supposed to give me haven’t been given yet!”

“Ah! Ah! Is… is that so? There’s still a whole week until next month. You’ve already spent your salary?”

Si Lai found it hard to believe.

Si Qiu originally didn’t want to bother explaining—she was too tired—but seeing the stubborn look in Si Lai’s eyes, she still gave a brief explanation.

“Mm. I bought two pairs of small leather shoes in different colors.”

After saying that, she could feel gazes coming from all directions. Those looks carried far too many emotions, but Si Qiu couldn’t be bothered to analyze them.

Si Lai’s emotions were even more complicated.

There was disappointment from not gaining any advantage, satisfaction from seeing Si Qiu without money, and envy when she thought about Si Qiu’s cabinet full of clothes, shoes, bags, skincare cream, and pork.

She also envied the radio, bicycle, and wristwatch in the house.

But those feelings were soon replaced by a sense of superiority.

She wasn’t like the other woman, who only knew how to be lazy and indulge herself every day.

She was saving money. In a couple of years, when the reform and opening-up policies arrived, she would start doing business. She would make big money. She would become the richest person.

A monthly salary of thirty-two yuan was nothing in her eyes.

So she glanced at Si Qiu with a hint of pity.

“Alright then. I didn’t expect you to be so bad at saving money. I’ll come back to buy it in a couple of days when I bring money. Since you don’t have any money left, and who knows how many meal tickets you still have, I’ll cook extra food these next few days and bring you meals every time.”

Her words carried a completely condescending tone.

Si Qiu didn’t really understand where that attitude came from, but she didn’t care much anyway.

However, regarding someone cooking for her, Si Qiu responded a bit more warmly and nodded.

Whatever else could be said about this person, she worked quickly and efficiently, and her cooking skills were quite good.

Lu Hongjun still hadn’t returned yet, but the Lu family parents in the capital had already received the package.

Mother Lu was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Especially her pair of eyes—clear and bright even in middle age, without the slightest trace of dullness. When she looked at someone, it felt as if those eyes might pull you right in.

When she returned today, it was already completely dark outside.

Mainly because there had been an emergency surgery at the hospital that delayed her for some time.

Father Lu quickly came over and took the bag she was carrying.

His facial features were well-defined, with a high nose bridge. He was also a handsome middle-aged man. From this alone, one could see where the Lu brothers inherited their good looks.

Lu Hongqi’s face looked almost exactly like it had been peeled off Father Lu’s face.

“Ms. Wang, you’ve worked hard. Looks like there was a major surgery today?”

Wang Hong spoke while washing her hands.

“Isn’t that the truth? Just before getting off work, a severely injured patient arrived. The surgery delayed things a bit.”

“I’ve already prepared dinner. Let’s eat quickly!”

“By the way, is that package on the coffee table from the eldest son?” Mrs. Lu came into the dining room right after wiping her hands.

“Probably. Don’t worry about him for now, just have some soup first. You keep skipping meals like this; look at you, starving one day and full the next—you’ll ruin your stomach if you keep this up.”

Since his wife hadn’t eaten yet, he didn’t want to bring up those two troublesome sons.

After finishing their meal, the two of them sat on the sofa and started opening the package. Once opened, they set the contents aside and took out the letter inside.

“Si Qiu—this girl may be a bit lazy, but she’s careful and sweet-talking. Look, even when the eldest son is away on a mission, she still thinks of us. That’s far better than a son who forgets his mother after getting married.”

At this, Wang Hong became a bit annoyed. “Now look at the second son’s family. Forget sending us anything—they’d probably rather strip us to the bone and swallow us whole.”

Lu Xianzhong guessed it would be like this but still quickly tried to calm his wife.

“The second son’s family is like that. Besides, didn’t he already send the money? A hundred yuan. Both of them are married now—they can live however they want. We don’t need them to support us or take care of us. By the way, I see these dried goods… should we set some aside to send to grandfather?”

He hurried to change the topic; otherwise, digging up old grievances would have his wife’s anger aimed at him.

Hearing this, Wang Hong’s thoughts were indeed diverted. She shook the letter in her hand and gave him a look.

“Do I even need you to say that? Si Qiu has already sorted everything. The letter says she wrote to her family asking them to help buy some mountain ginseng. If it’s young ginseng, we can use it to brew tea or make nourishing soups. If it’s old ginseng, we’ll save it for emergencies or use it to make medicinal wine. See how thoughtful this girl is? Even if ginseng is cheap over there, it’s still a precious herb. Si Qiu knows how to spend money, so I’ll send her some cash. Don’t let her live too tightly!”

Lu Xianzhong sighed. “Just do it quietly, don’t let the second son’s family know; it’ll bother you otherwise.”

Wang Hong rolled her eyes at him again. “I’m not stupid. I know that. Pack up the things for grandfather properly. Tomorrow, after work, we’ll go over and maybe see if he has any rare stamps. Si Qiu is young and likes rare things. I’ll take the chance to buy some and have them sent to her.”

Old Comrade Lu opened his mouth to say something, but when he met his wife’s gaze, he closed it again. Wang Hong rolled her eyes so much she feared they’d stay like that permanently, glaring at him in disdain.

“Alright, alright, I know. I’ll send some things to the second son’s family too. Si Qiu may seem lazy, but she’s sharp—she would never betray me.”

With that, she got up and went to her room to dig through her things.

Meanwhile, the Si family also received a package. The postman called out at the gate that it was a parcel from the military district. Si Qiu’s mother, Wang Xia, felt her back straighten immediately.

She and Si Shi had arrived at the family together. She had brought two children—a boy and a girl, aged seven and nine. Si Shi had a son, also nine.

Her husband had died while serving in the army, and Si Shi’s wife died during childbirth of their second child. Through introductions, the two had gotten together for over three years, eventually having this little daughter.

Because their relationship was good, they naturally doted on the girl.

The children were not born at the same time, so conflicts were inevitable. When the two sons married, she gave away what belonged to them. Otherwise, if the little daughter wanted to study, even if her sons agreed, the daughters-in-law might object.

When the little daughter married, all the betrothal gifts from the Lu family were taken back. Wang Xia also accompanied her and gave 30 yuan for a waist gift. Because of this, the two eldest daughters-in-law were unwilling.