RYEY -Chapter 473 Li’s Mother in Dilemma

Li Bing had completed all the paperwork. He moved out of the military district family compound, taking everything usable, packing what could be moved, and sending the rest to Jiang Hua’s house.

Jiang Hua felt guilty and let Li Bing and his wife stay in his home. The house wasn’t big, but they had left a room for Meili.

Li Bing wasn’t one to be pretentious. Staying at his father-in-law’s house was certainly better than staying at a guesthouse, but he didn’t neglect Jiang Hua either. He took out a thousand yuan and handed it to him:

“Father-in-law, in a few days I’ll be taking Meili and Chengcheng back home. Take this money—settle whatever debts you have and pay what needs to be paid. It doesn’t feel right to leave things unsettled.”

Jiang Hua looked at the thick stack of bills and felt a warmth in his heart. Right now, what he needed most was money. He owed the military hospital over three hundred yuan, and he had borrowed nearly two hundred from colleagues.

All this debt was weighing him down, making it hard to even stand straight, let alone lift his head. He had even thought about quitting and running away, but he knew that if he really did, he wouldn’t want to stay here either.

But this was a thousand yuan. His monthly salary was forty-eight yuan, which was considered high here. A thousand yuan was equivalent to two years’ income.

“This is too much. I can’t accept it. Besides, Yuan Qin hurt your mother—I’d feel guilty taking this money.”

“Dad, I know Meili has been helping out you and the family recently. She even quit her job for you. Consider this money as Meili giving you your retirement funds in advance.”

Jiang Hua paused, suddenly understanding Li Bing’s meaning. By taking Meili away this time, it was essentially severing ties with him. It made sense—who would maintain contact with a father-in-law who hurt their own mother? Not divorcing Meili was already a blessing from the ancestors.

“Li Bing, I owe your family too much in this life. I’ll never be able to repay it all. If there’s a next life, I’ll be like a beast of burden and repay you properly.”

Li Bing shook his head with a smile. His father-in-law was a good man, but he had been too lenient with Yuan Qin, which was why she had gone down a path of no return.

“Big brother, what are you thinking about? Mom is talking to you.”

Li Le, seeing that his older brother was just smiling without replying, nudged him. The push brought Li Bing back from his memories, and he quickly sat up straight and looked at his mother:

“Mom, my paperwork is all done. I can leave anytime.”

“That’s good. Go home and get things in order. Everything you need is at home, no need to spend extra. By the way, I have five hundred yuan here; take it with you for emergencies.”

Li Bing waved his hand repeatedly. “Mom, no way. I’ve already received so much from my discharge pay; I can’t take your retirement money.”

“Mom, I have an idea, I don’t know if you’d agree, but I want to take Meili and Chengcheng back home, and I’d like to take you with us. I’ll take care of your retirement.”

Mother Li was taken aback. She didn’t want to go back home; she still had to help Cheng Qiao manage the grocery shop. Besides, Li Ming was studying in Chun City—what would happen to him if she left?

“I still won’t go back, but I’m here in Chun City. You can come see me often.”

“Mom, your health can’t endure hard work anymore. Back home, you can bask in the sun, chat with neighbors, feed the chickens, sweep the floor—just some light activity.”

“No, Huanzi and Cheng Qiao’s shop can’t be left unattended. Besides, Ming is still studying in Chun City. I can’t go; what about Ming?”

“Little brother, what do you think?”

Li Bing, seeing he couldn’t convince his mother, turned to Li Huan for help. He knew their mother was always thinking of him and didn’t want to be a burden, but as the eldest son, he had to take responsibility.

Li Huan frowned. If their mother hadn’t been injured, he would have listened to her, letting her go wherever she wanted. But now, with her injured, if anything happened, he wouldn’t even have time to save her.

“Mom, would you like to go back with big brother? If you do, I’ll give you enough retirement money to live to two hundred.”

Mother Li laughed. Two hundred? That’s not a person, that’s an ancient spirit! She didn’t want to become some old immortal; she’d just go chat with her old man when the time came.

“I have money here, and your wife gives me a good salary every month—I’ve never had to worry about food or drink.”

Jiang Meili, who had been silent, was momentarily stunned. Yuan Qin always brainwashed her, saying Mother Li was using her coffin money to raise Cheng Qiao’s child.

As the eldest son’s family, they couldn’t gain a single advantage from Mother Li, which made Yuan Qin feel resentful and insist Meili should always outdo Cheng Qiao. After all, she was the elder sister-in-law.

Jiang Meili shook her head. She and Li Bing were living a happy life together and left the care of their mother-in-law to Cheng Qiao. If the mother-in-law helped Cheng Qiao, that was only right.

Besides, she had learned from Li Bing that Cheng Qiao had brought a substantial dowry into the Li family, so she had no grounds to compare herself to her.

Jiang Meili was relieved she hadn’t fallen out with Cheng Qiao; otherwise, she wouldn’t even have the face to stand here today. Just then, Li Chen shook off her hand and went to ask his grandmother for food because he was hungry.

Naturally, Mother Li felt for her grandson and hurriedly told Lele to bring out the good snacks from the cupboard. Li Chen, being clever, went to find Lele.

Li Le frowned at Jiang Meili, a look of disdain in her eyes. Using her older brother’s salary to help her natal family while letting her brother’s child go hungry—calling her a stepmother would not be too harsh.

Jiang Meili read Lele’s expression and blushed. She was indeed helping her natal family, but what else could she do? Not helping wasn’t an option.

Seeing Meili lower her head, Lele withdrew her look of disdain, took a box of biscuits from the cupboard, and handed it to Li Chen. It wasn’t mealtime yet, but this would tide him over.

Li Chen eagerly accepted the snack box, his little mouth curling into a smile. He had eaten such biscuits as a child, but since his grandmother had her own son, he had never tasted them again.

He also took a can of milk powder, scooped several large spoonfuls into a bowl, mixed it with warm water, and added a small wooden spoon:

“Drink up. Eat fewer biscuits, or you won’t have room for your meal later.”

“Thank you, auntie. I’ll eat ten pieces… no, five.”

Li Chen saw Lele frown and quickly corrected himself, making their mother laugh. He was indeed a little clever.

“Mom, I’ll be leaving in a couple of days. You need to make up your mind quickly.”

Mother Li: “…”

This son was so annoying; her earlier good mood had vanished. Li Huan quickly intervened:

“Big brother, stay a few more days. Lele’s shop is about to open. You should go see it.”

“Alright, I’ll wait until Lele’s shop opens before leaving. Lele, I don’t have much money, but here’s a hundred yuan as a gift. Wishing you success and good health.”