Fang Pingying glanced indifferently at Luo Cuilan upon hearing her words and remained silent. Luo Zhiyong merely frowned and glanced at Luo Cuilan. However, Luo Honglan immediately became anxious upon hearing this and pulled on Luo Dashan, asking, "What’s going on, Dad? Why do you keep eating sweet potatoes at home, it’s not like there’s nothing else to eat." Luo Dashan smiled and patted Luo Honglan’s hand, "Don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense. It’s just one meal a day, having it for breakfast, what’s wrong with that?" "What, I heard from Mom that this year they had a hard time because they were paying off debts for my second brother. They almost had no money left for food," Luo Cuilan added, and she specifically glanced at Fang Pingying before adding, "It’s thanks to you folks living comfortably in the city, leaving your parents behind without care, how could you bear it." Then, she looked at Luo Zhiyong and said, "Especially you, big brother. Doesn’t your wife own a shop in the provincial city and earn quite a bit of money? How could you be so heartless, practically wishing your parents would starve." "Luo Cuilan, shut your mouth." Luo Zhiyong wasn’t a fool, he knew perfectly well that the words Luo Cuilan said upon entering were purposeful, and now seeing her gradually steering the conversation in this direction, he looked at her with extreme displeasure and scolded her, "Are you trying to disgrace our family, or are you just looking for a fight? Don’t you have anything else to do?" "Yes, big sister, stop talking nonsense. The sister-in-law sends money home every month, and these past two months I was the one who helped send it," Luo Honglan couldn’t help but speak out in defense. "Eight yuan a month?" Luo Cuilan scoffed with disdain, "That’s probably not even enough to buy you a piece of clothing." Until Luo Cuilan directly called her out, Fang Pingying had not planned to respond, but now that she had, Fang Pingying couldn’t keep calm and remain silent. She looked at Luo Cuilan with a mocking smile, "Cuilan, do you think I’m easy to bully? I send back eight yuan a month, is that not enough for our parents to eat and drink at home? How much do you use a month for food expenses at the Zhang family?" "At least ten to twenty yuan," Luo Cuilan exaggerated heavily. In fact, the living conditions at the Zhang family were far worse than at the Luo family. Fang Pingying knew well about her exaggerating thoughts, listening to her speak, she simply smiled dismissively and pointed out her vulnerability, "Since the Zhang family is so generous, why is it that they can’t even spare money for hosting a banquet?" Luo Cuilan’s face changed immediately upon hearing this, seething with anger inside, but stammered for an excuse, "Wha-, what do you mean sparing, I came back today precisely to discuss this matter with you." Fang Pingying scoffed with sarcasm, looking at her, "Then please tell us, what are the Zhang family’s plans?" In fact, Fang Pingying had already written off the Zhang family, not counting on Luo Cuilan at all, definitely not willing to spend a lot of money on hosting another banquet. Bluntly put, the Zhang family was just taking advantage of the fact that Luo Cuilan was in such a situation, besides marrying Zhang Jianguo, she probably couldn’t find anyone else willing to marry her, so why bother spending money and effort. Speaking of hosting a banquet, Luo Cuilan found it difficult to bring up, but as the New Year was approaching, if they didn’t host it, it might indeed be spared. During this time, she was living with the Zhang family and knew firsthand how stingy the Zhang family was. When they talked about inviting relatives, they just meant having a meal for immediate family members. She was unwilling to accept this, so she came back wanting to discuss with her family to help her negotiate with the Zhang family, but because of her previous actions, she was already unable to speak out. Especially since Luo Zhiyong hardly interacted with her after her arrival, and Luo Dashan was not good with words, she didn’t even know who to turn to for support. Thus, she gritted her teeth in secret, planning to act first and report later, initially telling the family about inviting relatives and then striving for more when Zhou Yunmei and others negotiated with the Zhang family. So, she steeled herself and said aloud, "Zhang Jianguo’s parents suggest not inviting villagers, just inviting relatives from both sides, and have a small banquet, just five or six tables. After all, making it bigger would just tire people out and wouldn’t gain much anyway." What difference does it make from not hosting a banquet? But Luo Dashan couldn’t make the decision and didn’t agree, he just told Luo Cuilan, "Let’s wait for your mom to return and see what she says." Luo Cuilan looked around and not seeing Zhou Yunmei, asked aloud, "Where’s mom, where did she go?" "She went to the hospital with Fang Xiu and Zhiming." "Is it because the two of them can’t have children?" Luo Cuilan and Fang Xiu now had deep grudges, and her tone was full of schadenfreude when she spoke. "Stop talking nonsense." Luo Dashan gave her a glance, "Just stay at home today, and wait for your mom to come back to discuss your matter." Luo Cuilan nodded and then mentioned she had been staying at home these past few days because she was getting married. According to the rural customs, she wouldn’t return to the Zhang family and would stay at home. She said her belongings were in the yard and called Luo Honglan to help her pack. Fang Pingying, seeing how Luo Cuilan called Luo Honglan over, figured out her plan. She definitely knew that Luo Honglan had returned from working outside and had money, and sure enough, she must be thinking of borrowing money. That naïve girl Luo Honglan would certainly fall for it, but fortunately, Fang Pingying had anticipated this. On her way back, she had Luo Honglan leave the money meant for Luo Cuilan’s marriage-related purchases with Luo Zhiyong, instructing him to keep a good eye on it. If Luo Honglan asked for money, he must clarify what for. If it really was for buying Luo Cuilan’s dowry or something, it should also be Luo Zhiyong accompanying her and giving it in front of the whole family, at least then some affection would be maintained. If everything was lent to Luo Cuilan, that would be no different from directly giving it away, and not to mention expecting Luo Cuilan to repay it would be foolish, especially since she still hadn’t returned the money she borrowed for her abortion last time. Sure enough, as Fang Pingying expected. While Luo Cuilan and her sister said they were packing up in the room, Fang Pingying went back to her own room to tidy up. She remembered that while sorting Luo Zhiyong’s clothes before, he had a couple of relatively nice sweaters. She planned to find those, unravel them, and then knit a couple of those woolen shoes she had made for Luo Dashan the last time. She had just seen Luo Dashan still wearing those thin canvas shoes in this cold weather and asked him why he wasn’t wearing those woolen shoes, he said he would wear them over the New Year. Fang Pingying thought about knitting him a few more pairs, hoping he would be willing to wear them. Besides, she and Luo Zhiyong weren’t worried about money to buy clothes anymore. The clothes they had before weren’t being worn much now, so she might as well take apart the old ones while she was bored. Seeing her rummaging through things, Luo Zhiyong asked her, "Wife, what are you doing? Tell me what you’re looking for, I’ll help you find it." Fang Pingying thought for a moment, remembered that she had placed the temporarily unworn clothes on top of the cupboard, and instructed Luo Zhiyong, "Get that sack from the top of the cupboard down for me..." While the two were talking, Luo Honglan’s knock came from outside, "Big brother, sister-in-law, are you in there?" As soon as Luo Honglan entered, without saying much else, she asked Fang Pingying, "Sister-in-law, the money I mentioned last time for buying big sister’s dowry, where is it?" "It’s with your big brother." Fang Pingying pointed at Luo Zhiyong, but inwardly shook her head, sure enough it’s like she guessed, no sooner had the sister returned than Luo Cuilan couldn’t wait to borrow money. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote, recommend tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)