NOVPUB
Chapter 506: Chapter 506: The Game, It’s Me.
Looking at how Zhang Lijuan, who used to be chubby, had become so thin and dark, with hollows under her eyes, Si Boyi’s heart ached. "Lijuan, I’ve let you down," he said.
Zhang Lijuan replied, "As long as you care for me, I don’t feel wronged."
Zhang Lijuan was confident that she could once again make a good living by selling milk tea. It was just that Si Boyi, being old-fashioned, was against the idea because he felt like he was stealing Tong Yao’s business.
Zhang Lijuan, however, believed that as long as they didn’t sell at the high school gate, they weren’t really stealing business. The couple had argued about this for a long time, but now that Si Boyi had come around, Zhang Lijuan finally felt relieved.
"Ding-a-ling-a-ling..."
The phone in the hall suddenly rang, which puzzled Si Boyi. "Who could be calling so late at night?" he wondered.
Zhang Lijuan urged him, "Go answer the phone quickly! The ringing might wake up the baby."
At her suggestion, Si Boyi hurriedly went out and answered the phone. After saying a short "hello," a very familiar voice came through.
"Boyi, it’s me."
"Big brother?" Boyi exclaimed with excitement. It had been nearly half a year since Si Chen moved abroad, and this was the first time he had called. "Big brother, how are you doing over there?"
"You all don’t need to worry about me, I am doing well," Si Chen replied in a low voice. "How’s everything at home?"
Si Boyi knew that Si Chen was asking about Lin Fengying. He didn’t want Chen to worry, but he knew certain things were necessary to share with his elder brother.
"Big brother, Xiaohui will get married soon, with a man who sells pork in town. If she decides to marry him, I won’t interfere. They plan to get married next month, and I don’t want to attend her wedding... I-I’m thinking about contributing some money each month and asking Lijuan’s mother to help look after our mom. Lijuan and I plan to move to the city to live."
Si Boyi was afraid Si Chen would disapprove of this plan. Holding the phone in his hand tightly, he felt so aggrieved that he was on the verge of tears.
Recently, he had been so stressed he felt like he was going mad. His mother was behaving like a lunatic, making life miserable for both him and Lijuan for no reason.
This couldn’t go on any longer, or Lijuan and he wouldn’t be able to live their lives.
Even if not for him, he had to consider Lijuan and the child she was carrying.
Si Chen was silent for a moment, then asked, "Moving to the city is good. Do you have enough money?"
"Brother, don’t worry, I have enough money. You should take care of yourself out there," Boyi replied, choked with emotion. He was overjoyed that Chen had not objected to him moving to the city. He felt so emotional that his eyes welled up with tears, and his voice choked up.
At the moment, he was the only adult male at home, the backbone of the family that mustn’t collapse. However, in front of Chen, he felt like a child again, with someone to rely on.
Noticing his wavering voice, Chen softened a bit, "I had a friend send you 200 yuan, use it first."
"Brother, you’re strapped for cash abroad, no need to send us money. We’re pretty stable at home, and you should take care of yourself." Boyi knew it wasn’t easy being overseas on your own.
Chen said gently, "Home is not just your responsibility, it’s mine too. Lijuan’s mother should be compensated for taking care of her. Pay what needs to be paid, don’t delay anyone’s money."
Listening to Chen’s words, Boyi stopped arguing. He added, "Brother, our mother is becoming more and more temperamental, causing problems every so often. Lijuan and I are honestly finding it a little hard to cope, which is why we’re asking Lijuan’s mother to help. I know this is quite unfilial, but there’s nothing we can do."
Boyi never said this out loud, but just seeing Lin Fengying in her current state made him believe that she was getting her just deserts.
Nor did he want to see Xiaohui, because just seeing her would remind him of Si Weimin’s horrible face.
"Just find someone to care for her, I will be sending money home regularly," Si Chen said, his tone devoid of any emotion when it came to Lin Fengying.
Feeling relieved, Boyi suddenly remembered something else. He hesitated for a second before saying, "Brother, Tong Yao is back."
"I know."
Upon hearing Tong Yao’s name, his tone softened a few notches.
Boyi was surprised, "Brother, how did you know that from abroad? Do you still keep in touch with Tong Yao?"
Boyi was slightly hopeful. Could it be possible for his brother to get back together with Tong Yao?
After all, his brother and Tong Yao were forced to divorce initially. If they could remarry, that would be wonderful.
Chen swiftly changed the subject, "Where is she living now?"
"She is staying at the village head’s house." Boyi allowed Chen to derail the topic. "Brother, uncle Gu passed away, that’s why Tong Yao came back. He’ll be buried tomorrow."
Chen raised an eyebrow, "How did he die?"
Boyi sighed, "He has had a chronic disease, which worsened over the last two years. He kept it a secret so he wouldn’t worry Hongwei. His condition worsened in the last few days, and I think seeing Hongwei gave him some peace, so he let go and passed away this morning."
Having grown up together, Boyi genuinely felt sorry for Gu Hongwei. After all, he had an elder brother, while Hongwei had no relatives left by his side.
Si Chen was silent for a while before saying, "Take care of Tong Yao."
Boyi readily agreed without a second thought. After hanging up the phone and turning around, he saw Zhang Lijuan standing behind him. He said excitedly, "That was a call from Big Brother."
"What did big brother say?" Seeing Boyi so happy, Lijuan felt that there must be some good news.
Boyi, worried Fengying might hear, took Lijuan back into their room. "I think there’s a chance big brother and Tong Yao can reconcile. Big brother even asked me to take care of Tong Yao during the call. He must still have Tong Yao in his heart."
"Isn’t that obvious?" Lijuan said, "If big brother didn’t care about Tong Yao, then he wouldn’t have left everything behind in the first place."
Boyi nodded in agreement, and then added, "Big brother also said he’s sent us 200 yuan."
Lijuan had been meaning to ask about this. After all, Fengying was not just their responsibility, Chen too had an obligation to provide for Fengying’s old age. Hearing that Chen had sent money, she felt relieved.
It was fine if he wasn’t there, as long as the money was sent. They were in need of money now, after all.
Seeing Lijuan’s mood improved, Boyi continued, "Big brother said he’ll send us money regularly from now on. But I think we shouldn’t let big brother send too much money. After all, it’s not easy for him abroad."
"Once we start making money again, I don’t want to rely on big brother’s money either." Seeing the time, Lijuan urged him, "That’s talk for later. You should go to Hongwei’s house now! Everyone in the village is there, it’s not good if you’re missing. I’ll go over to chat with Tong Yao tomorrow."
It was the custom in the village. When someone passed away, the whole village would lend a helping hand. If you didn’t lend a hand when others needed it, then nobody would come to your aid when you needed it. It was give and take, and this was something Lijuan understood well.
