The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 25: If You Don’t Want It, Give It Back to Me!

Chapter 25: If You Don’t Want It, Give It Back to Me!

Xu Rongchang, however, was like a cornered beast provoked into a rage. He violently shook off her hand and roared in frustration, “A solution? Where am I supposed to find a solution for you right now?”

His bloodshot eyes swept across the empty room.

“Look at this house! Bare walls, not a decent item to be found even for a gift!”

“We don’t even know if we can survive ourselves! Where would we get spare money to bribe those people? If she doesn’t want to go to the countryside and has no job, then the only option is to get married!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu Rongchang seemed to have stumbled upon a brilliant idea. His eyes suddenly lit up: “That’s right! Marriage!”

He slapped his thigh, the anguish on his face instantly replaced by a sickening excitement. “If you get married, we can even get a sum of bride price money in return!”

He turned to Lin Jiaoyan, his voice rising with enthusiasm. “That way, your mother and I can live a little better! At least we won’t starve to death!”

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of this plan. A smile even crept onto his face. “I’ll go ask around right now and see if there’s anyone nearby willing to take a wife. The more bride price money, the better!”

“Who cares if he’s old or young, lame or blind? As long as he pays, it’s fine!”

“No!”

Xu Jingjing shrieked, her voice as piercing as a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

She scrambled out of Lin Jiaoyan’s embrace, stumbling and crawling to Xu Rongchang’s feet, clutching his legs desperately.

“Dad! I… I’ll go to the countryside! I’m willing to go to the countryside!” she cried out.

She knew all too well—given Xu Rongchang’s current state, where he recognized no kinship and was obsessed with money, if he really made her marry for bride price money, who knew what kind of man he would find for her!

Would he be missing an arm or a leg? Or old enough to be her grandfather? As long as the price was high, Xu Rongchang wouldn’t even blink!

That kind of fate would be a hundred times worse than going to the countryside!

Xu Rongchang, however, looked somewhat disappointed. “You really want to go to the countryside? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to?”

He stared at Xu Jingjing, his gaze like a starving wolf that had found its prey.

A bone-chilling cold surged from the soles of her feet, instantly engulfing Xu Jingjing’s entire body.

She bit her lower lip hard, tasting blood, and the hatred for Xu Rongchang in her heart grew wildly like weeds.

This was the man she had called “Dad” for so many years!

This was the man she had even changed her surname for, just to please him!

As soon as trouble struck the family, he immediately showed his true colors, without a shred of affection!

Years of father-daughter bond, in his eyes, were probably not even worth a few banknotes!

She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. Her voice still carried a sob, but there was a resigned calmness to it now. “Dad… since I… I’ve decided to go to the countryside, I’ll need to prepare some things.”

She lifted her tear-streaked face, pleading as she looked at him. “I only have… a few sets of clothes to change into, not even a proper quilt. When I get to the farm, with the bitter cold, without these things, I’m afraid… I’m afraid I won’t make it through the winter. Could you… could you give me a little money?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Rongchang’s brows immediately furrowed into a deep knot, and the last trace of excitement vanished from his face.

He irritably shook off Xu Jingjing’s hand. “Money? Where would I get money?”

He pointed at the empty surroundings, his voice filled with venom: That little bastard Xu Xiangsi has cleared out the entire house! Didn’t leave a single cent for us!

Besides, even if there was money, that’s our survival fund—your mother’s and mine! If we give it all to you, how are we supposed to survive? By drinking the northwest wind?

Xu Jingjing’s heart sank bit by bit, as if plunging into an icy abyss.

In despair, she turned her gaze to Lin Jiaoyan.

Mom… she choked out, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

Lin Jiaoyan trembled under her gaze, immediately flustered and avoiding eye contact.

Jingjing… she stammered, her voice barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz, My money… I’ve long given all my money to your father…

She lowered her head, picking at the hem of her clothes, her voice growing softer: Mom really… has nothing left in hand… not a single cent…

All strength seemed to drain from Xu Jingjing’s body.

Yet, the instinct for survival made her grasp at the last straw before complete darkness descended.

She lifted her head, bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Xu Rongchang, her voice hoarse: Dad… I beg you…

I really… really can’t go without bedding and a change of clothes…

Just… just a little… enough to get me through the beginning…

Xu Rongchang’s brows furrowed so deeply they could crush a fly, his face overflowing with irritation.

He stared at Xu Jingjing for a long moment, his gaze assessing her like a discarded old object.

Finally, with great reluctance, he fumbled in his inner pocket for what felt like an eternity.

He pulled out two crumpled one-yuan bills.

That’s… that’s all there is, he said stiffly, thrusting the money toward Xu Jingjing.

Xu Jingjing reached out her hand. The two yuan landed lightly in her palm yet felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Two yuan.

Her heart felt instantly submerged in ice water, chilled to the core from inside out.

What could this money buy? A towel? Half a pound of cotton?

Seeing her remain motionless, Xu Rongchang glared impatiently: What? Think it’s too little? If you don’t want it, give it back!

He snorted and launched into his usual spiel: You’ve worked in the countryside before.

Once you’re sent down, be diligent and earn more Work points, save up some money.

Then won’t you have whatever you want?

Xu Jingjing found these words both absurd and laughable.

Saving money in the countryside? That’s harder than climbing to the sky! She knew this better than anyone!

Seeing her silent, Xu Rongchang assumed she was convinced, or perhaps remembered something else, and softened his tone: If you’re unwilling to endure this hardship, there’s only one other path. Get married!

Xu Jingjing shuddered violently, biting her lower lip until it hurt.

What more could she say?

What more could she do?

I… I understand, she murmured, her voice filled with humiliation and restraint.

She put away the two yuan as if storing away a heavy burden of despair.

In the following days, Xu Jingjing seemed like a different person.

She no longer cried or pleaded.

She began rushing around everywhere, visiting all her former classmates and friends.

She didn’t dare tell the truth—about the emptied home, about being forced to the countryside.

With reddened eyes, she fabricated an excuse: I… I gave all my allowance to my sister Xu Xiangsi, and she… she ran off with some scoundrel, taking all the money with her.

I didn’t dare tell my parents… I’m afraid they’d beat me to death…

Could you… could you lend me some money to tide me over? Next month, when I get my allowance, I’ll pay you back right away!