My Beloved Super Fierce Wife
Chapter 496 I’m scared when you’re like this

Chapter 496: 496 I’m scared when you’re like this

Lin Lu burst into a grin that resembled a trumpet flower, gently patting Lin Qingshan’s arm.

He patted so earnestly that Lin Qingshan’s body stiffened.

Sheesh, his dear old dad suddenly putting on such a loving expression really made him jittery.

"Dad, what’s up?!"

I’m scared when you act like this.

Lin Lu, all smiles, pulled him down to sit.

Receiving such affectionate treatment, Lin Qingshan felt his heart thumping wildly.

Then looking at his mother sitting beside him, her face full of love, he felt doubly besieged, a quirkily delightful sensation.

And that wasn’t all; the four youngsters from the family also gathered around, forming a circle around him.

Lin Qingshan: "..."

"Mom, if I did something wrong, just say it. You and dad acting like this scare me."

Upon hearing his not-so-pleasant words, Lin Lu glared.

"What are you saying, you little rascal? Your mom and I cherish you, we just want to sit down and have a chat. What’s with that look on your face?"

Getting a big eye roll from his father made Lin Qingshan’s heart ease a bit.

His expression softened, "...just a chat, huh?"

If it’s just a chat, why make it so spooky?

"About what?" he asked honestly.

Lin Lu inquired about the matter he was curious about, "I heard from Comrade Su that both yours and Tangtang’s articles are going to be turned into a book. When will the book be printed?"

Following his question, Li Xiuli chimed in, "Did Comrade Su say he’d send us the books? Is there any payment for the manuscript?"

The couple took turns inquiring about what concerned them most.

Lin Qingshan wanted to say that his manuscript wasn’t exactly being published, just a brochure.

But thinking his parents wouldn’t understand, he didn’t elaborate and simply said:

"Comrade Su mentioned that he would mail the books to me and Tangtang; by the time they arrive it might be a few months.

There is a payment; my article is calculated at four yuan per thousand words.

My piece is over forty thousand words, so I should receive around one hundred and fifty yuan in hand."

One hundred and fifty was the amount after paying taxes.

Speaking of the manuscript fee, Lin Qingshan couldn’t hide his delight.

He’d been planning to discuss it with the family in the evening, but since his parents asked, he might as well share the good news now.

To let the old folks have their share of joy too.

Li Xiuli had not expected her oldest son’s casual scribbles to earn over a hundred yuan; her face was a picture of shock.

"A hundred and fifty? That’s... that’s just too much." She marveled.

Remembering how she had once frowned upon her eldest son’s writing, Li Xiuli almost pinched the center of her forehead with regret.

It was a good thing Tangtang had supported her elder brother, or else wouldn’t she have sabotaged Qingshan’s opportunity?

Li Xiuli patted her chest, saying with afterthought, "Oh my, God bless, you scared me to death!

Qingshan, from now on, you can use all the notebooks and paper in the house, I won’t say another word.

Just thinking about how I almost deprived you of this opportunity makes my heart race."

It seemed she really had to view things with a developmental perspective like Tangtang said.

She couldn’t always be miserly.

Seeing his mother’s complexion change, Lin Qingshan felt a twinge in his heart.

His mother was purely frightened from suffering hardships; so even though they were becoming successful, they still lived frugally.

Lin Qingshan took out the envelope with the manuscript fee and handed the money to Li Xiuli.

"Mom, you’ve worked hard these years. Us three brothers haven’t been successful, and it’s only now that we rely on our sister to achieve something.

Take this money. Use it for household expenses, save it, or leave it for Zhicheng and the others’ school fees; whatever you prefer..."

A mother’s entire life is dedicated to her children, and if the children are filial, her life is fulfilled.

Li Xiuli didn’t crave her children’s money; she just cherished their thoughtfulness.

Seeing Lin Qingshan’s sincerity, she felt immensely comforted.

She pushed the envelope back to him, her tone firm, "Keep this money for Xinrou."

"Xinrou has suffered over these years. I didn’t provide a decent dowry when you got married.

We have enough with the money you kids contribute every month. You either buy Xinrou something nice with it, like a watch or something. What do you think?"

Watches are pricey but quite useful for someone working in a factory.

Hearing this, Lin Qingshan felt happy for his wife.

Her efforts were being noticed by the family.

However.

Regarding Li Xiuli’s suggestion, he hesitated a bit.

"Let’s save up a bit more for the watch. I’m planning to pay back Tangtang’s money first."

He was referring to the debt they had incurred from Tangtang when getting a job for his wife.

Li Xiuli fell silent.

After some thought, Lin Lu decided, "Tangtang isn’t short of money. Just remember what you owe and pay it back gradually.

If you want to buy a watch for your wife, do you have the ration ticket?"

Without the ticket, all this talk was meaningless.

Lin Qingshan coughed lightly, a bit embarrassed, "...yes, I traded for one with a colleague."

Some time ago, a colleague in the commune wanted to get married. His fiancée didn’t want a watch but preferred a bicycle instead.

That comrade wished to sell his watch ticket for cash to get a new bicycle ticket.

When Lin Qingshan heard about it, he spent all his savings and got some money from his wife to exchange for that watch ticket.

He planned to save up enough money to buy a watch for Xinrou by the end of the year.

He hadn’t expected to earn such a substantial manuscript fee.

Lin Lu gave his eldest son an unexpected look and said, "Well, since you have the ticket, go ahead and buy a watch for your wife first.

As for paying back Tangtang, it’s okay to continue paying monthly; your sister won’t mind."

Their daughter is dear to all three brothers, and even if they didn’t give anything, she wouldn’t hold it against them.

However, they say kindness is rewarded and small grievances can cause disputes over grain.

He didn’t want to see conflicts over money among the younger generation in the family, so he firmly insisted that the close siblings settle accounts clearly.

Li Xiuli was not one of those spiteful mothers-in-law who begrudged their sons showing affection for their daughters-in-law.

She had never suffered at the hands of a mother-in-law and didn’t want her daughters-in-law to suffer from her either.

She would be happy if her sons took good care of their wives.

With a happy family, everything prospers.

After the head of the household spoke his piece, Li Xiuli followed up, "Go ahead and buy it as soon as you can. You’ve never bought Xinrou anything nice; getting her a watch will make her happy too."

After hearing his parents’ words, Lin Qingshan felt an inner warmth, radiating from within.

"Thank you, Dad!"

"And thank you, Mom!" he said, visibly moved.

Having such open-minded parents was his blessing.

Lin Lu and Li Xiuli, feeling awkward with Lin Qingshan’s solemn tone, simultaneously rolled their eyes in a moment of tacit agreement.

"Isn’t this too cheesy?" Li Xiuli teased, pulling Lin Lu toward the house.

After a few steps, her cheerful voice could still be heard.

"Old man, today’s full of good things, come on, let’s go back, I’ll make you a bowl of milk powder to drink."

Lin Lu was both surprised and delighted, "If only I got this treatment every day."

Li Xiuli snorted, "Look at how greedy you are..."

As their voices faded away, Lin Qingshan was left feeling bewildered in the wind.

The four little ones, having just had their fill of meat and with bulging bellies, didn’t hang around wanting milk powder.

Lin Zhicheng, upon hearing that his dad intended to buy his mom a watch, glanced at his wrist where his brother had drawn a watch and let out a sigh.

He looked up at the sky at a 135-degree angle, wistfully saying, "If only I could have a real watch too!"

As he spoke, his small eyes swept over Lin Qingshan, eager to see his reaction.