Chapter 61: Private Savings and Pocket Money

Tang Wan looped her arm around her mother-in-law's, with her other hand carrying some local specialties brought from home. Despite scolding Jiang Fan along the way, she snatched the bags from him when he tried to help and walked slowly, intentionally or unintentionally waiting for Jiang Fan.

When it was time to get on the car, Tang Wan handed the car keys to the old man, which surprised him. He frowned, recalling how his son had acted when he got off the car and walked. He took the keys and got into the driver's seat, with Jiang Fan sitting in the passenger seat.

The old man drove steadily, but slowly. Jiang Fan frowned and asked, "Why did you suddenly come? Tang Wan said only some things would be sent by the shuttle bus, right?"

"What? Do I need to ask for your opinion before seeing you? Who's the dad here?"

The old man's tone was sharp, seemingly a bit irritated. Jiang Fan grimaced and said softly, "We can't talk. I'm not talking to you! Mom, did you make dumplings for Tang Wan? What did you bring for me? I'm hungry. Give me some."

Xian'er's mom smiled and patted Jiang Fan's head as he turned around, saying gently, "They're all for Wanwan. She likes fillings and sticky food. You're both busy and don't have time to make different kinds of dumplings, so I thought of sending them by the shuttle bus. But I was worried you wouldn't receive them, so I came with your dad."

Jiang Fan shrugged, followed by a grimace. At this moment, the old man driving gritted his teeth and called him a waste. Jiang Fan got angry and shouted at the old man, "Why am I a waste? We can't communicate. Don't talk to me, and I won't talk to you. You, as my dad, can see what kind of person I am. I can't cook tonight. Will you do it?"

"Hmm."

The old man snorted.

Tang Wan in the backseat had been holding her mother-in-law's arm and making a phone call. She was now nestled in her mother-in-law's embrace, acting coy and peeking at the plastic bag in her mother-in-law's hand to see what good food was inside. It seemed she was on the phone with her company, answering carelessly, indicating she wouldn't be going to work for a few days.

When the call ended, Jiang Fan turned to ask his mom what she wanted to eat. His mom smiled and said she wanted to eat at home, and she would cook.

Upon hearing the word "cook," the old man's expression changed. He and Jiang Fan exchanged a look and sighed. At this moment, Tang Wan suddenly volunteered to cook. Jiang Fan and the old man spoke simultaneously, "I'll do it!"

The incident of the burned hairtail fish was still fresh in their minds. Tang Wan also felt a bit embarrassed. She acted coy and shook her mother-in-law's arm while dialing another number.

"Hello, Director Wang, this is Tang Wan. Tomorrow, I want to take my mother-in-law for a full body check-up. Can you help arrange it? Great! I'll call you when I arrive at the hospital tomorrow."

Jiang Fan guided the way, and when they arrived at Huangcheng Garden, the old man asked in confusion why they had moved. Tang Wan immediately got upset and whispered, "Dad, ask Jiang Fan! It's all his fault."

"How can I tell if he doesn't tell me?"

Jiang Fan was currently dancing on the edge of trouble. He knew the old man had noticed his injuries and wouldn't lay a hand on him. So, Jiang Fan wasn't afraid. But if he told him about the divorce, even if Jiang Fan was in a wheelchair today, the old man wouldn't go easy on him.

They opened the door, and his mom entered first, followed by the old man, Tang Wan, and finally Jiang Fan.

Their family status was revealed clearly. Xian'er's mom felt nauseous due to carsickness and went to the bathroom. Tang Wan put down her things and ran to take care of her mother-in-law. This made Jiang Fan feel a bit uneasy. Had this woman changed? Although she had a good relationship with his mom before, how did the divorce make it even better? Why did his mom suddenly send dumplings over?

"Something's definitely going on here!" said the old man, sitting on the sofa and surveying the house in a low voice.

"It's a bit small, cozy, and quite clean. A while ago, Wanwan called your mother to say she was sick, but you didn't come home. Come on! Son, let Dad and you get close."

Standing in front of the tea table, Jiang Fan extended his hands and stepped back two steps, rebutting with a hint of fear in his voice.

"I didn't know she was sick at that time. I only knew after I came home. I still remember your teachings at my wedding. You said it's okay to argue with your wife, but you can't lay a hand on her. She marries you and leaves her birth family. You can't let her suffer. Men have good physical strength, so if you can do more work, do more. You won't die from exhaustion. Don't be too petty. Look at your wife with trusting eyes. Health is the first priority, the relationship between husband and wife is the second, and work is the third."

Jiang Fan explained in a lengthy manner. Tang Wan, who was in the bathroom, listened with surprise and whispered with suspicion.

"Mom, has Dad treated you like this for so many years?"

Upon hearing this question, Jiang Fan's mother, who was washing her hands, showed a hint of happiness on her face. She nodded slightly and then shook her head.

"He should treat me even better than Jiang Fan treats you. We've been married for so many years, and he has never yelled at me."

Tang Wan was curious about her mother and father's story, so she stood beside the sink and asked softly.

"Mom, tell me about it."

Jiang Fan's mother smiled.

"When he was young, his family was very poor, and he didn't go to school. There were three siblings in my family, which was considered a small family at that time. We weren't rich, but I managed to go to high school, and high school education was more valuable at that time than it is now. When we got married, he said he was an uneducated ruffian who didn't understand any principles in life, just that he would make sure his wife wouldn't regret marrying him."

Thinking of the past, Jiang Fan's mother felt much better, and her discomfort from motion sickness reduced significantly.

Life wasn't rich, but she was content. She had a man who loved her and a smart, sensible child. After hearing this, Tang Wan felt a little jealous and whispered.

"Mom, Jiang Fan yelled at me a few days ago."

In the living room, Jiang Fan sat on the sofa farthest from the old man. The old man took a step forward, and Jiang Fan took a step back. Finally, he couldn't even touch the sofa anymore. Jiang Fan stood up, feeling somewhat wronged, and said loudly, "What are you doing?"

The old man stood up, grabbed Jiang Fan's arm, and whispered with gritted teeth.

"Stop yelling."

After speaking, he sneakily took out a small handkerchief wrapped in paper from his pocket and stuffed it into Jiang Fan's pocket, whispering.

"I've been saving some private money without telling your mother. I don't have many expenses at home. It's not easy for you here, and you send all the money you earn back home. A while ago, Wanwan transferred 70,000 yuan to your mother, saying it was earned by you. You silly boy, how much can your mother and I spend at home? Your mother has been saving it for you. Here's some pocket money from Dad."

"Mom! The old man has been saving private money without telling you."

Jiang Fan didn't accept the old man's kindness at all. Instead, he complained to his mother in the bathroom. Upon hearing this, the old man got nervous and immediately regretted it. He lowered his head and gritted his teeth, saying.

"I won't give it to you, little rascal."

After speaking, the old man walked towards the kitchen. Jiang Fan looked at the old man's back with a sly smile and grinned.

"That's right. I'm young, and you're old, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, the old man picked up the chair nearby. At this moment, Jiang Fan's mother came out of the bathroom. Just one look from her made the old man give up on beating Jiang Fan and hand over the private money. Jiang Fan's mother smiled and handed the money to Tang Wan, who didn't hesitate to take it with a smile.

The two men were in the kitchen, and the two women were in the living room.