Chapter 64: Do You Want It Too?

"What do you mean?" Old Mrs. Gu glared viciously at Gu Lingling. "It’s a shame your dead mother didn’t take you with her, leaving this troublemaker to disturb the peace of the Gu Family."

"Enough." Gu Chunhai’s face darkened. "Mom, back then you said it was for my sister-in-law to take good care of Lingling."

"But these years, how have you taken care of her?" Gu Chunhai raised his hand to stop Wang Meili, who was about to argue, "From now on, I’ll contribute part of my salary to the household."

In the past, Gu Chunhai used to hand over his entire salary every month.

"What did you say?" Old Mrs. Gu shouted, "Are you planning to stop supporting your old mother?"

"I never said I wouldn’t support you." Gu Chunhai pinched the bridge of his nose. "Where did my salary go in the past? I don’t want to pursue it, Mom. Do you really want us to settle the accounts from the past?"

"Do you want to?"

The last question was directed at Wang Meili.

Wang Meili, of course, didn’t want to. With Gu Chunhai’s high salary, a large part had secretly gone to her own family, and some was saved for Gu Haojun to get married.

If Gu Chunhai investigated, he would surely find out the kind of life Gu Lingling had been living at home all these years.

"Mom, a big man like Chunhai can’t be without some money on him, right?" Wang Meili supported Old Mrs. Gu and whispered something in her ear, which made Old Mrs. Gu nod in agreement.

To Wang Meili, as long as Gu Chunhai stopped fussing about the idea of moving out with Gu Lingling, a little less housekeeping money each month wasn’t a big deal.

As for Gu Lingling, there would be times when Gu Chunhai couldn’t attend to everything. She didn’t believe she couldn’t handle a little girl.

Gu Lingling could tell from Wang Meili’s gaze what she was plotting.

But she wasn’t afraid.

The house next door belonged to the old village chief. If Wang Meili dared to hit her, she’d run to the village chief’s house.

Now that things were already torn, there was no need to preserve any dignity for her.

Besides, if it really came to a fight, who would win or lose was not certain.

"Fine, you get five yuan a month, and the rest comes back," Old Mrs. Gu said stiffly.

"Ten yuan a month is enough for the household," Gu Chunhai said, pulling Gu Lingling into her room. "Lingling doesn’t need to return her old clothes to Juanzi, but I’ll use this year’s cloth coupons to make new clothes for Lingling."

"Also, starting today, Gu Juan won’t get any pocket money until the end of the year because of that can of food earlier."

"Huh? Why? I don’t want that." Gu Juan stomped and cried, "I’ll return her clothes, I didn’t even eat the canned food, why do I have to compensate?"

"What do you think?" Gu Chunhai stood under the eaves watching Gu Juan cry and make a fuss.

He couldn’t understand why he used to think this child was so sensible and well-behaved.

"Dad has already applied at the factory, in a few days I’ll be transferred to run within the province, so I won’t be gone for long stretches anymore." Inside the house, Gu Chunhai sat by the kang and spoke to Gu Lingling.

"Yes, you’ve already mentioned this," Gu Lingling nodded.

Even if Gu Chunhai continued long-distance trips like before, she could tear things up with Wang Meili, and she’d be capable of protecting herself.

"Alright, in the future if you suffer any grievances, remember to tell Dad," Gu Chunhai wanted to ruffle his daughter’s hair, but he stopped, recalling his past actions, and let his hand drop in disappointment.

"Dad, thank you." Before his hand fell, it was caught by Gu Lingling, "You must take care of yourself, and I will protect myself too."

Placing his large hand on her head, Gu Lingling smiled sweetly.

"Yes, let’s all take care of ourselves."

Gu Chunhai was slightly choked with emotion.