In fact, when you think about it carefully, you can understand that all of Pei Yong's salaries over the years were taken by Wang Yue. Not to mention how difficult it was to ask for money every time, and when they divorced, he walked away empty-handed without getting a share of the newly divided property.
Wang Yue had a whole family relying on her, so she could be unscrupulous. But Guo Momo didn't, so Pei JianGuo was all talk on the surface but was actually quite afraid of living like his father.
Guo Momo always thought she could easily control Pei JianGuo after marriage, but she didn't know that Pei JianGuo also wanted to control her.
He felt his parents' marriage was a complete failure, and for his to succeed, he had to get to the root of things.
The money was earned by him, so it was only right for him to hold onto it. Only by having control over the finances could Guo Momo continue being so gentle and obedient.
In fact, this line of thinking wasn't wrong at all, because the reason Guo Momo married him was to live a good life.
But Pei JianGuo was too much of a spendthrift, able to earn money but unable to hold onto it. What difference did that make from not earning at all?
Guo Momo was heavily pregnant and worried about their future life and having no place to go after the child was born.
At daybreak, Pei JianGuo took Guo Momo to Pei Elder's place, where the people from the second branch of the family were also present.
Because they still had to go to work, the appropriate time for Jian Guo and Momo's family to visit was set in the early morning.
The room was hot and lively, with only Guo Momo looking somewhat forced in her smile.
Outside, Pei Jing and Pei JianGuo stood together. Pei Jing looked at Pei JianGuo's clothes - they weren't new, probably made just last year.
When Guo Momo first entered, he had specifically looked her up and down. Her clothes didn't seem particularly old either, probably also newly made last year. But with her bulging belly, the entire garment was stretched tightly across her body. She possibly felt it didn't look very nice herself, which was why she wore a padded jacket on the outside.
In March, the mornings and evenings were still a bit cold, so dressing like this didn't seem inappropriate. But the buttons that wouldn't close over her protruding belly were proof that their lives were indeed not easy.
Pei Jing used to feel that Pei JianGuo was still like an immature child, overly protected by his family since young. At least he wasn't bad natured, but now it seemed there wasn't a single redeeming quality about him.
"Uncle, is the Special Forces team with my father's side?" Pei JianGuo looked at Pei Jing's expression, still full of admiration.
"No, the Special Forces team split off into an independent team," Pei Jing shook his head. "How's your life after getting married? You're about to become a father soon, you can't keep being so childish anymore. You have to become a responsible man who loves and protects his wife and children. If you have any difficulties, speak up, don't force yourself to endure it all alone, you understand?"
"I understand. Moh Moh and I are very good, she's not a greedy person either. Now that the housing issue is resolved, my salary is enough for our expenses, don't worry Uncle, I will live properly." Pei JianGuo's serious expression did seem very determined. If Pei Jing hadn't heard about Guo Moh Moh's situation from his wife Zhi Xia yesterday, he probably would have felt very reassured now.
"It's good that you think this way. Isn't a man toiling outside in order to provide a better life for his wife and children? As long as you're determined to live properly, we elders will feel at ease too. Also in terms of money, just barely having enough to spend is not okay. You're about to have a child, you should save up an appropriate amount in preparation too. Save money when you should be saving money, don't you know the old saying, have a rake outside to earn money, and a box at home to manage money. Not earning money is your problem, but earning money and not managing it properly is your wife's problem. To live well, you both need to work hard together and discuss matters, understand?"
After rushing back home yesterday evening feeling angry from making that call to his elder brother, when he talked it over with his wife Zhi Xia, Pei Jing realized his mistake.
Pei JianGuo wasn't someone who didn't listen to advice, but someone who had always caused worry for two generations, with a whole slew of shortcomings. His biggest problem was easily shifting responsibility. After complaining, Pei JianGuo got scolded, but the one still feeling wronged and upset when going back would be Guo Moh Moh. This would easily lead to him trying to do good but achieving the opposite effect.
Otherwise, following his previous approach, he would have beaten Pei JianGuo up long ago. Growing up, he was beaten all the way until adulthood. Back when they lived together, even Wang Yue couldn't stop it, and Pei JianGuo was used to getting beaten too.
Fortunately the two weren't too far apart in age. When Pei JianGuo was little he followed behind Pei Jing all day long, otherwise with the useless things he did, Pei Jing wouldn't have bothered with him at all. Causing worry at such a mature age was already very lame in itself.
Luckily Pei Jing's tone was quite good, making Pei JianGuo think his uncle cared about him. Happy to the point he couldn't close his mouth, he responded faster than anyone with promises.
Although Jiang Su didn't get along with Wang Yue, she had always been quite caring towards the younger generation in the family. Moreover, Pei JianGuo grew up before her eyes as a child, calling her Auntie everyday. Naturally she also hoped for the best for them too.
Noticing it the moment she entered the room, she only asked after going outside, "Moh Moh, your belly is quite big now. You have to wear looser clothes when pregnant, you can't wear clothes this tight, it's not good for the child either."
After dividing up the family assets, there weren't many chances left to see each other, so she could only see Guo Moh Moh occasionally when at Pei Elder's place. Thus she didn't notice Guo Moh Moh's situation earlier.
Hearing from Pei JianGuo that his mother-in-law and Second Branch didn't get along well, Guo Moh Moh also didn't dare get too close in front of Jiang Su, even more afraid of revealing their difficulties and becoming a laughing stock. So she said, "Auntie, I'm anxious too. Look, I still have two to three months before giving birth. If I deliberately make looser clothes to wear after birthing, I won't be able to wear them now, that would be such a waste too. So I thought I'd just make do with what I have."
"You're speaking as if two to three months is not a long time, not just a couple days. Still with a big belly, making do like this - how can your body feel comfortable? The child in your belly can't stand it either!" Jiang Su was not petty-minded, speaking straight out, "Go ask your aunt for two pieces of hers. We're family, no need to feel embarrassed about wearing pre-worn hand-me-downs."
Only after finishing speaking did she suddenly react and quietly asked Guo Moh Moh again, "Moh Moh, you don't happen to not have any ration tickets right? Of course, what can you expect from a mother like yours. Even now when your belly is so big she still refuses to acknowledge you all. When you married Jian Guo, he didn't even bring a set of clothes out with him. It's understandable to lack some documents. We didn't hear you all mention it before either so we neglected this issue too. If you're missing anything just come to Auntie, I'll scrounge some tickets for you at my work unit."
Both she and her husband had jobs. Her eldest daughter was in the army and youngest daughter also worked, so they didn't lack ration tickets at all.
Yet Guo Moh Moh not only lacked tickets, she was short on money too! Although not to the extent of having none left like she told Pei JianGuo, but with no income coming in while being heavily pregnant, she didn't dare spend the little money she still had.
Luckily Pei JianGuo promised to split half his wages with her in the future. Her situation should improve a bit.
This was the part that made Guo Moh Moh feel most aggrieved - the elders in the family could all perceive their plight and were willing to help out, yet Pei JianGuo himself just couldn't get over that psychological barrier. It was as if accepting others' help was like accepting charity.
Yet the people helping them weren't strangers, but their own elders in the family. What was there even to split hairs over?
"Thank you Auntie, I'll go borrow a piece from Aunt later. Don't laugh if I say this, but I still have some money on hand that I have to save for when I give birth." She hadn't wanted to bring it up, but she truly felt wronged inside.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Su instantly understood. She patted Guo Moh Moh's hand and laughed, "Don't worry, just let Grandpa pay for the birth expenses. Who allowed the child to be his precious great grandson, he'll be happy even if he has to pay out money."
She said this without any psychological burden at all. Grandpa received a pension every month. He was just an old man who had few personal needs to begin with. What was the point of keeping money rather than spending it on his grandchildren who were in need?
Pei Sheng walked out from the living room to where the two women were and asked, "What are you two ladies chatting so happily about?"
Without hiding anything, Jiang Su intentionally said, "I was just telling her that once this child is born, our family's Grandpa will become a great grandfather. We'll become grandparents too. When the time comes, the childbirth costs will have to be paid by Dad. Can't let this cheapen him, the father."
Pei Lao also laughed out from the living room, looking at the harmonious atmosphere at home, nodded with satisfaction, and joked: "What Dream's mom said makes sense, this grandpa definitely can't get it for nothing. I'll be happy no matter if it's a boy or girl in the future when the money is given."
Afraid that they would feel pressured, Pei Lao added another sentence.
Pei JianGuo was unwilling to accept help from others, but the atmosphere was good right now. Although the child wasn't born yet, it had already proven how welcome it was, so he could only feel happy.
He was just unwilling to ask for help, which didn't mean he didn't want what his elders gave at all.
For example, if grandpa said he was having a hard time and wanted to subsidize him, he definitely wouldn't accept it, but grandpa did this because he loved his great-grandchild, which made Pei JianGuo feel particularly different.
