Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten
Chapter 161: Processing Result

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Processing Result

"Dinner’s ready." As soon as Gong Dajiang finished speaking, Gong Tao began to call for dinner.

Zhang Lan peeked at the dishes, "We’re eating just this?"

"There’s not much food left, and with farm work looming, we need to save some for when we have to do hard labor," Gong Tao said bluntly.

"We don’t just have nothing, we’re also in significant debt, so we have to save wherever we can," Gong Tao continued, then bluntly asked, "Dad, we’ve sent so many telegrams, why hasn’t the money been sent over yet?"

"I saw the postman deliver a letter today," Gong Tao added tactfully, not directly saying it was a letter from Gong Zheng.

Naturally, he didn’t want the old lady to tie this matter back to Gong Ruini.

But honestly, Gong Tao was overthinking it. In Zhang Lan’s eyes, she didn’t believe Gong Ruini could read, much less understand a letter their youngest son had written her.

Zhang Lan was secretly angry that even the postman would discuss these matters with her son; it was too much.

"Why is all of this being told to you?" Zhang Lan said with sarcasm.

Gong Dajiang also looked up at Gong Tao. If everything was being discussed with him, then wouldn’t he know everything they were doing here?

Paranoia can be like that, "We rarely get any letters here. I ran into him and just casually asked."

"I thought it was money coming from Gong Tao, in which case mother might need the cart to go to town. Later, I realized it was actually a letter," Gong Tao explained why he had inquired.

That reasoning is perfectly normal; after all, isn’t he in a hurry to buy ginseng and needs money?

Zhang Lan was furious; how could such a brief moment lead to Gong Tao running into the postman? If they hadn’t met, no one would have known about the letter. But now...

Gong Dajiang was also very disappointed that the money hadn’t come, although receiving a letter was also a good thing. It might explain why the money hasn’t arrived, "Is it a letter from Qiangzi?"

Even though he hadn’t asked to see the letter, he certainly would later, so Zhang Lan couldn’t lie about whose letter it was. "It’s a letter from Gong Zheng."

She rattled off the contents of Gong Zheng’s letter, of course, while also hiding the news about Gong Qiang receiving a telegram.

A good position waiting for Gong Zheng to fight for? Gong Dajiang was quietly pleased; after so many years of hard work, he hoped his children would be successful.

He never imagined that even Gong Zheng, who put in the least effort, would have such a good opportunity. Dajiang could hardly be unhappy.

Gong Tao and his wife watched the old couple’s happiness like they were listening to a stranger’s story, something that had nothing to do with them.

Whether Gong Zheng gets promoted or not doesn’t affect them, especially since they already knew this news; they’re just hearing it again now.

Gong Ruini didn’t have time to care about a stranger’s news, even if they were family.

Staring at the bowl of thin gruel in front of her, which was reflective enough to see her own image, Gong Ruini felt like crying. Why hadn’t Gong Dajiang and the others left yet?

If they didn’t leave, she’d have to keep eating meals like this.

Gong Ruwen also felt like crying. If he weren’t occasionally grabbing a bite at the Zhao Family’s, he really wouldn’t know how they got through these days.

Not to mention, his sister had lost so much weight it hurt to look at her.

Luckily, the old man only heard about the youngest son being promoted, not paying more attention to other things, so this matter should have passed.

Before Zhang Lan could even breathe a sigh of relief, Gong Tao asked skeptically, "Did little brother mention receiving the telegram?"

"Did he mention the older brother preparing money?"

"And since little brother is planning to give gifts, where’s the money for buying ginseng?"

Seeing Gong Dajiang’s happy face, it was clear he was delighted his youngest son could be promoted, but where was the promotion gift?

Right now, they couldn’t even afford one ginseng, let alone two. Did they really think getting along well would make someone willing to sell ginseng cheaply just because they had a pleasant conversation?

Everyone around knows that if you want good ginseng, you go to Old Man Yuan. As long as the money’s there, everything is negotiable. It’s a pity the old man still thinks his good character will make someone willing to sell him ginseng.

Such a good mood could be ruined by a conversation like this, and Gong Dajiang’s lips drooped, "Did Gong Zheng have any thoughts on this?"

Stammering, Zhang Lan hesitated, as she didn’t know how to respond. She was spiteful of how Gong Tao kept pressing.

Gong Dajiang couldn’t be more aware that it wasn’t that the telegram hadn’t been received at home, but the money hadn’t been prepared.

"I’ll send a telegram tomorrow, telling them whoever sends the 200 first will get the ginseng," Gong Dajiang finally made this decision.

Originally, there was only one ginseng; whoever got it would upset the other son. Let them choose for themselves. If they can’t bring the money, that’s their own lack of capability.

This move was brilliant. Gong Ruini really wanted to give Gong Dajiang a thumbs-up for not offending anyone.

But would it really not offend anyone? When this telegram gets sent, what would Gong Zheng think?

Would he feel his parents were biased, buying ginseng for his older brother without expecting him to pay, but expecting him to pay?

Even if Gong Qiang didn’t know about this, but what if Gong Zheng sent money to the Northeast, got the ginseng, how would older brother Gong Qiang react?

Gong Qiang hadn’t managed to keep his position, but Gong Zheng was going up, which a stingy person like Gong Qiang couldn’t accept. He’d feel it was Gong Zheng who was screwing him over.

Then the two brothers Zhang Lan favored most would be internally fighting non-stop. Who knows how Gong Dajiang and his wife would choose? It was really something to look forward to.

Zhang Lan was anxious, "We came here to get ginseng for Qiangzi."

"Gong Zheng’s ginseng can wait." No, if the older son doesn’t maintain his position, how could the older son be dejected, especially after she mentioned Qiangzi’s promotion? If there’s a demotion, Zhang Lan really didn’t know if she could face society.

Choosing between the two, she picked Gong Qiang, which was a sensible choice. If she’d picked Gong Zheng, maybe she would’ve seen some success. But in choosing Gong Qiang, she was choosing a ship bound to sink.

Not mentioning Gong Qiang would be better. When Gong Dajiang brought him up, she got furious, "Well, where’s his money then? He thought ginseng didn’t cost money before, but now that it’s clear it does, why hasn’t he paid?"

"If you’re capable, you pay it back yourself."

"Don’t forget, you have Gong Zheng as a son, and now Gong Zheng is also about to be promoted," Gong Dajiang was anxious. If each job were going well, parents could hold their heads high.

The problem is, why is everyone saying it’s time for a promotion all at once, and they all need ginseng? How can they keep up? "There’s only one ginseng; whoever pays gets it."

"Put away your schemes," Gong Dajiang warned Zhang Lan again not to meddle in this affair, otherwise he wouldn’t be polite.

Watching Zhang Lan’s frightened face, Gong Ruini felt incredibly pleased. The ultimate boss, never taking action until necessary but when he did, made Zhang Lan realize who’s boss.

As for why he never acted before, the reason was simple: he had leverage.