Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 59

“Old Lin, do you think the Qin family did it on purpose?”

If it weren’t for the Qin family constantly sighing about how Qin Dong’s university fees drained their savings, Yu Fengqing wouldn’t have worried about Lin Mengting’s tuition, which in turn gave away some clues. These clues were then picked up by the ever-watchful family of Lin’s third uncle!

“And your third brother isn’t any better! If they hadn’t gone to the old man to badmouth us, he wouldn’t have pressured us not to spend all our savings on Mengting’s education! They said it would be better to fund your third brother’s son’s education instead of Mengting, who would eventually marry out. When that son gets into university and gets a government job, he’ll support us! Ha! Have they even thought about it? Your third brother’s sons are all so dull that they needed your help just to get their middle school diplomas. And they still dream of getting into high school and university? Ridiculous! And about being filial? Your third brother and his whole family moved to S City to work, but have they sent any money or gifts to the old man over the years? No! Yet, you still listen to the old man, doing everything he says!”

…

Lin Yimin listened silently, not arguing with Yu Fengqing.

He had been too “filially stupid” for decades, always putting the Lin family first. He never expected his brothers, once grown, married, and with families of their own, to develop such selfish tendencies.

These selfish actions ended up harming his own daughter!

“I figure if Mengting hadn’t gotten a regular student spot, no matter how much I fought, the old man wouldn’t have agreed to let her continue to vocational school! They said Mengting should go to work after middle school to support her younger brothers. Nonsense! Why should my daughter work herself to death for your Lin family? And the idea of adopting one of your third brother’s sons to us to take care of us in the future? As if! I don’t believe it for a second! Given your third brother’s family’s character, what kind of good son could they raise? I’m afraid we’d end up raising a ‘thankless wretch’! Anyway, Lin Yimin, let me be clear. If the old man brings up adoption again and you don’t stand your ground, I’ll pack up and move to S City to take care of Mengting! I’ll rely on her, not the Lin family! Let’s see how you’ll manage without a filial daughter like Mengting!”

…

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Lin Yimin couldn’t remain silent any longer. If he did, his wife and daughter would leave him, leaving him to a lonely and miserable life!

“We’re both government employees. How could we do something so disgraceful? Don’t mention ‘adoption’ again.”

Lin Yimin leaned forward, tapped the ash from his cigarette into an ashtray, and spoke with righteous indignation.

Yu Fengqing sneered inwardly Keep pretending! As if she didn’t know that Lin Yimin, who always prided himself on being an intellectual, secretly looked down on his third brother’s sons for not even managing to get middle school diplomas?

But thanks to his third sister-in-law, who passed on her “headache at the sight of books” genes to all three of her sons, convincing Lin Yimin, the great “filial son,” to abandon the adoption idea wasn’t as hard as it could have been!

“What time is it?”

“Not yet five.” Lin Yimin glanced at his watch and asked, “What are you planning now?”

Yu Fengqing gave him a look that said, “Isn’t it obvious?” and replied, “I’m waiting to call Mengting after she finishes work.”

“Why not call her during work hours? Women always impose their own standards on others.” Lin Yimin leaned back, grabbed a newspaper, and started reading it carefully.

“What do you know? The company Mengting works for has a foreign boss who doesn’t like employees doing personal business during work hours.” Despite her words, Yu Fengqing’s face showed pride. After all, Mengting, with just a vocational school diploma, was working at a foreign company, showing her exceptional abilities and earning the recognition of her leaders, which made her proud!

“I need to tell Mengting that if she sends things again, she should send them to your office to avoid everyone crowding around when I get a package.” Yu Fengqing didn’t want today’s situation to repeat.

Tsk, women!

Lin Yimin smirked but didn’t comment on Yu Fengqing’s “say one thing, mean another” behavior.

Yu Fengqing continued, not needing his response, “At your police station, there are only rough men. They won’t gossip and crowd around like today.”

Of course, even if they did, these items were for women. Would those men dare try them on in public?

…

At 730 PM, after dinner, some housework, and chatting with Wang Qin, Lin Mengting returned to her room and received a call from Yu Fengqing.

“Mengting, I got your package today. How much did you spend?”

Before Mengting could respond, Yu Fengqing, who had been holding back all afternoon, continued, “Mengting, you spend too recklessly. Next time, save your money, okay?”

…

Yu Fengqing went on for nearly half an hour.

Even without seeing it firsthand, Mengting could imagine the chaos at the town government in the morning.

When Yu Fengqing finally paused to drink some water, Mengting explained, “Mom, I didn’t spend much. These things were very cheap.”

“How could that be?!” Yu Fengqing wanted to roll her eyes but restrained herself since Mengting couldn’t see her over the phone. She then said angrily, “Do you think I’m so old and blind that I can’t tell the quality of these items?”

Even though Mengting had cut off the price tags from the clothes and shoes, Yu Fengqing, who had grown up surrounded by fabric, could easily estimate their value.

“I wouldn’t dare fool you!” Mengting chuckled. In her previous life, she often bought things for her mom.

To avoid her mom’s frugal nagging and to keep her ears peaceful, she always understated the price.

For example, she’d say something worth 400 yuan only cost a few dozen.

Back then, it seemed her mom believed her.

But now she realized her mom had probably always known and was just pretending not to. Otherwise, why else would her mom always handle the clothes so carefully?