How I Tamed My Wolfish Husband Back in 80s-Chapter 298 - 300: Mighty Expansion_1

Old Mr. Xue: "..." Is this not showing off? Three thousand yuan is not a small amount! "If only Sufen were half like you. She has a stipend and scholarships, yet she’s never brought a penny home all year."

Li Qiao didn’t make any comments; Xue Sufen’s lifestyle was quite lavish.

The food at the school cafeteria was delicious, but Xue Sufen would often say it was awful and frequently went out to order dishes instead.

The plates of food in the north were large, and she wouldn’t finish her meal nor take it to go. Several classmates had seen this, and those who couldn’t stand it criticized her for being wasteful, only to be scolded by her in return.

Food was one aspect, but her spending was even more extravagant.

One dress could cost as much as ten days’ worth of her stipend, and she often changed her watches; no amount of money could withstand such expenses.

Old Mrs. Qin used to speak up for Sufen when Old Mr. Xue criticized her, but ever since Sufen had a conflict with Li Qiao, made unreasonable arguments, blamed her granddaughter-in-law, and demanded her punishment, she didn’t want to mention her anymore. "It’s also because you spoil her too much. Qiaoqiao is frugal. She saves her stipend each time she gets it. When she earns from translations or receives payment for papers, she saves it right away." That boy Jin is just the opposite, always buying things, like a woman.

Laying aside others, when it comes to buying clothes for the granddaughter-in-law, sometimes she really couldn’t stand to watch.

How much can one person wear?

Why buy so many?

Moreover, many were just fashionable without quality. If it weren’t for Qiaoqiao’s fair skin, beauty, and good temperament, those clothes would make her look like a country bumpkin.

She hasn’t bought anything recently, firstly because she was short on money, and secondly, probably because her wardrobe couldn’t fit anymore.

If it comes to moving to a new house, and he has some money on hand, I bet he will start buying again.

Old Mr. Xue felt uneasy, "How can someone else’s daughter be so sensible? My own is really infuriating: ’Qiaoqiao is truly sensible.’

Li Qiao smiled and said, "Mainly because I don’t have that much free time to go shopping."

This semester, although I haven’t taken on any book translation projects, I did accept quite a few small ones and wrote two papers. Plus, I’m taking accounting courses with Qin Jin.

I’m just too busy.

The two parted ways at the entrance of the family compound.

Li Qiao, holding the passbook, went to the nearby post office to schedule a withdrawal amount, and after finishing, went home to help Old Mrs. Qin cut fabric.

The two of them divided the work and collaborated, doubling their efficiency.

Old Mrs. Qin asked, "Qiaoqiao, aren’t you going back to your hometown?"

Li Qiao: "I will. I’ve already promised Director Xun. Jin sent telegrams to Fugui and Li Jianguo. I’ll leave when they get here. You should stay, just like you did back home, find a few people to sew, and you can do quality control."

Old Mrs. Qin had the same idea. "Later, I’ll let Jin send you off."

"No need, when the time comes, I’ll buy a soft sleeper ticket. The environment is better than in hard sleeper compartments, without all sorts of random people, and it’s quite safe."

Old Mrs. Qin paused for a moment, then said, "If Jin transfers his household registration, he’ll have to go back home, right?" Your granddaughter-in-law is beautiful; I really can’t rest easy with her traveling alone.

"We’ll see tomorrow," said Li Qiao.

"What do you think is a fair amount to pay for labor?"

"We could do piecework. For garments with more processes, like dresses, perhaps two or three cents apiece? For smaller skirts, one or two cents, and for mid-length skirts, two cents? Or maybe we should raise the rates a bit?" suggested Li Qiao.

Old Mrs. Qin: "That’s a good idea; piece rate means the more you work, the more you get; it gives people motivation."

.....

In the evening, Qin Jin brought back two tickets, one for a sewing machine, and one for an overlock machine. "I’ll go buy them tomorrow afternoon when I’m off."

Old Mrs. Qin was impressed: "You managed to get a ticket for an overlock machine too? Good job." What she’s been worried about these days was serging. Every time she got to the seam, she had to tuck the edge in and then stitch, which was very troublesome. Now it will be much easier.

Li Qiao: "You know about overlock machines?"

Old Mrs. Qin: "I’ve seen them at someone else’s place and even tried using one."

Li Qiao admired Old Mrs. Qin’s knowledge; she seemed to know a lot about many things.

She must have been quite a talented woman in her youth.

Old Mrs. Qin spoke of buying a house.

Qin Jin, "If you think it’s good, then it’s good." Anyway, he couldn’t make the decision, buying it was fine, that house could be used for storage, and this one for living.

The damned landlord wanted to kick him out and take over the fruits of his and his wife’s hard labor, but he would find no such luck.

The day he left would also be the day the house returned to its original state.

....

The next day, Li Qiao took out the money, and together with Old Mrs. Qin, headed to the courtyard house.

Old Mr. Xue had already been waiting there, accompanied by a young man dressed in grass-green attire.

Formalities were exchanged between both parties.

Money was handed over in one hand, the land use certificate and the neighborhood office’s signed and sealed letter of proof for the house sale in the other.

Old Mr. Qin said, "Now we’re even."

The homeowner, delighted with the money, kept agreeing repeatedly, "We’re even, we’re even."

Li Qiao examined the land certificate against the light. The stamp, the embossed seal, everything was there.

Old Mr. Xue, "It’s genuine." He had personally arranged for people to investigate, confirming the house belonged to the owner, and the latter was indeed selling due to a job transfer, likely wanting to buy a bigger one elsewhere.

It seemed the furniture had been moved out.

Li Qiao’s actions being exposed, she laughed awkwardly, "It was a subconscious act, I meant no suspicion."

Old Mr. Xue chuckled, "Even if you doubted, I wouldn’t blame you." It’s good to be cautious.

Li Qiao, embarrassed, couldn’t lift her head, "Eh."

After securing the certificate and the letters, Li Qiao changed the lock on the door.

Once the door was locked, the homeowner left.

Li Qiao and Old Mrs. Qin walked slowly back to the family compound with Sir Xue. As they passed the large gate of the residential area, Sir Xue said, "You should head back."

"Goodbye, Sir Xue."

"Eh."

Sir Xue returned home to find Xue Sufen sucking on an ice pop and watching television, with a large bowl of grapes and a plate of sliced watermelon in front of her.

He was seething with frustration. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Eat, eat, eat, that’s all you know! While Qiaoqiao is relying on her own efforts, she has secured a large courtyard house in Beijing and established her household, how can you still have the appetite for ice pops?"

"Why shouldn’t I? Li Qiao is just dooming herself to a life of toil. The house she bought is also Qin Jin’s. What does she have? If one day Qin Jin kicks her out, she will be left with nothing. I’m different, my family’s conditions are a million times better than hers. I don’t need to save money for a house like her; when I want to buy one, I’ll have suitors to buy."

Old Mr. Xue huffed angrily. How could she be so shamelessly arrogant? "Was Jin hit in the head by a donkey to choose Qiaoqiao? Is her brain not better than yours, Top Scholar?"

Picking either Qin Jin or Li Qiao, he felt they were a million times better than his own Sufen.

He tempered his anger, "Your uncle said that this year you almost lost your 150 scholarship. If you don’t review during the summer vacation, what’s this for? You were much more diligent in high school." Back then, she was so eager to learn. "Now you’re just resting on your laurels. Even Jin is more studious than you; he doesn’t even have a primary school diploma but passed the accounting qualification exam, can carry out basic conversations in English, and is starting to learn driving, studying for the accountant qualification."

Old Mr. Xue grew angrier as he spoke, full of regret that his hopes weren’t being met.

"Have you ever heard him speak English? You would believe such nonsense that Li Qiao brags about, getting an accounting certificate is already his limit." Xue Sufen said with disdain.

Old Mr. Xue, "...." Finding it impossible to get through to her, he walked away.

Xue Sufen pouted. Always boosting others’ morale while squashing her own spirit.

....