What he hated the most was this. In the past, Wang Yue would always complain about her difficult life and her father not coming home in order to deduct money from Old Pei. To avoid trouble, Old Pei did not stint on making up for it.
Guo Momo's heart skipped a beat instantly, "I didn't go looking for my dad. Besides, you and grandpa, uncle and aunt have been very good to me. Just like the fried dough sticks given to me today, I didn't ask for them. It was grandpa feeling sorry for me being pregnant. I thought it was out of kindness of the elderly. How could I not accept it? If you feel I shouldn't have taken them, then I won't take them next time. Don't be angry, okay? You're scaring me when you're like this..."
Last year, she had mentioned not having enough warm clothes. But both of them were in need while there were only so many ration tickets. And he was unwilling to accept help from his elders, so he could only take care of himself first since he had to go to work.
Old Pei JianGuo had this kind of personality - incompetent and suspicious. She just wanted him to ask grandpa to borrow some ration tickets. Even if he had to exchange them with other tickets, he would still be unhappy and retorted by questioning if she was becoming greedy. This made her not dare to ask anymore.
Fortunately aunt noticed her embarrassment and gave her two thick garments. Otherwise she wouldn't know how to get through the winter.
It was inevitable for both men and women to change before and after marriage.
It was him who said he liked her before marriage and was generous with words and gentle in speech. Only then did she feel she struck gold and said yes. But after getting married, she realised he was selfish and incompetent.
As for Guo Momo, before marriage she only wanted to change her circumstances through marriage. After marriage, she also wanted to live well with him and cared about him in every possible way.
Even in this state now, she was thinking that the embarrassment was only temporary. Because both of them were essentially chased out by their families and had no savings. That was why lives were so difficult. In fact, apart from making clothes which required ration tickets, Old Pei JianGuo wouldn't be stingy with what he had towards her.
With his salary, if they persevered for two years and prepared all necessities, life would be better with the excess money saved up.
That was why Guo Momo was willing to coax him.
Old Pei JianGuo also realised his tone was too harsh. He settled his emotions and said, "Momo, I know you've been wronged these days. My salary isn't low and is enough for our spending. The main issue is with the ration tickets which are too tight. I'm not blaming you either. I just feel that given our circumstances, we should be more self-reliant. You wouldn't want others to look down on us too, right? So there's no need to ask others, don't you think?"
Guo Momo really didn't understand what was he unhappy about. And weren't her relatives his relatives too?
He always acted as though he valued his family, but his actions clearly differentiated his so-called relatives.
Guo Momo knew clearly no one loved her, otherwise she would've asked her family for help long ago.
"I really didn't say anything to my dad. Believe me, JianGuo. Besides, I can't even contact my dad!" Guo Momo usually didn't mind lacking in food and clothing. After all, she had lived like this since young.
But now she had a big belly, and was already feeling wronged. Yet he repeatedly suspected her over such minor matters and exaggerated them. Of course she would feel sad too, right?
She started wondering if her initial choice was right, and that his contrasting attitude before and after marriage made her feel uneasy.
Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, Old Pei JianGuo softened and coaxed her, "I'm not suspecting you. Since you say so, I believe you. I'm just very curious who knows about our family matters that could contact my father to gossip?"
Guo Momo sat there silently. Fortunately she had already eaten a bowl of chicken soup stewed by Zhang's wife at Old Pei's place before coming home. So she wasn't too hungry yet.
Old Pei JianGuo waited for a while but she still didn't speak. Seeing her less than happy expression, he quickly changed the subject, "It's already dark out. Let's not cook anymore. I'll bring you out to eat something and supplement yours and our baby's nutrients too."
After all it was his fault to suspect her. Bringing her out for a good meal would help mend things, at least that was what Old Pei JianGuo thought.
But unexpectedly, Guo Momo placed a hand on her belly, "My tummy suddenly twitched and feels a little uncomfortable now. I don't feel like eating either. Otherwise you can fix something simple for yourself."
"Why does your tummy feel uncomfortable? Do we need to see a doctor?" Only then did Old Pei JianGuo grow anxious.
"I asked aunt. She said it's normal as my belly grows bigger for the baby inside to move more, indicating that he's strong and healthy." She simply did not feel like eating out. Anyway she wasn't that hungry.
He had a good salary but before marriage, she thought at the very least his individual income was higher than her parents. It should be enough for the both of them to live on, at the very least. But she overlooked Old Pei JianGuo's extravagance.
Her family survived because everyone was frugal. They could go years without making new clothes, and meals were enough to not starve.
But Old Pei JianGuo was used to his comfortable life and would go to the state-run restaurant every few days. At times it would be to accompany her, and she got to eat well at least so she wasn't as annoyed. But every month, there would be at least two times he went with his friends. Each time, it would cost at least three to five yuan. So with some calculations, his salary was far from enough.
"As long as you're feeling alright now." Old Pei JianGuo could finally breathe easy. After all it was his first child and he valued it greatly. "You don't feel like eating out. Then nevermind. I'll head out myself for something simple. Need me to buy something back for you?"
How could he cook anything himself?
Since he was little with Zhang's wife and mother around, the only thing he helped out with was in the vegetable garden with grandpa's instructions, and even then he often skipped helping out and lazed around.
"It's so late already, it's far to go out now. Don't go. I'll cook some glutinous rice balls for you, okay?" Guo Momo was speechless. She initially thought with his salary, if they saved a bit, they could at least save half of it each month. But reality gave her a harsh slap instead.
Far from saving anything, they would end up with negative savings if not for her persuasion.
"But your tummy felt uncomfortable just now?" Old Pei JianGuo could never grasp the crucial point of problems.
"I'm feeling better now. I don't want you going out, I'd be scared home alone." Guo Momo knew he was easily swayed when coaxed.
As expected, his face revealed a smile instantly, "Alright alright, then I won't go out. I'll stay home with you."
Guo Momo took the chance to say, "JianGuo, I don't oppose you not asking dad or grandpa for money. But we have to be frugal with our lives from now in order for it to work. See how my belly grows bigger by the day? Giving birth and raising our child would cost money too, it's not the same as just us two.
"You're right, we have to be more frugal." The reasoning did make sense to him but he just couldn't shake off bad habits. Nor keep it up for long.
Hence, Guo Momo added, "Why not let me manage your salary then? The bit I have left won't last buying groceries and whatnot daily. It's inconvenient to always ask you for it."
Old Pei JianGuo thought for a moment, "How about this - in future, I'll give you half my salary. You know me being a man, occasional socialising is hard to avoid. It won't do to not have some money in hand."
"Okay, whatever you say." Guo Momo rolled her eyes secretly. Who was it again who just agreed to be frugal?
Half was still better than nothing.
She really doubted herself now why she would find Old Pei JianGuo naive and easy to cheat before marriage.
Indeed before marriage he was generous and still passable after. Just that his grasp on money was exceedingly firm.
