CHAPTER 1363: CHAPTER 1363 YOU WEIGH AND HANDLE IT

Luo Qiao patted her cousin’s hand. "I don’t really have a good solution either. Logically speaking, it’s not impossible for close brothers to borrow money to buy a house. But your two sisters-in-law are not easy to deal with. Second, borrowing this much money for a down payment—are they keeping their own money stashed away, or do they only have just a little saved up? This needs to be clarified."

If they clearly have money but refuse to spend it and instead borrow from you, then this doesn’t make sense. But if they genuinely don’t have money and still want to buy a house, even if you lend them money for the down payment, what about the rest of the payments? Will they borrow again from others, or come back to you? You really have to think through this."

Luo Jialin fell into deep thought. What her cousin said made sense. It seemed this was something she and her husband needed to discuss with her in-laws, since this wasn’t a trivial matter.

Once Luo Jialin made up her mind, Luo Qiao asked her, "Did you tell your in-laws about the fact that you hold shares in the handbag factory?"

Luo Jialin shook her head. "No, I haven’t said anything to my in-laws."

Luo Qiao stood up and said, "I think you should ask your husband if he mentioned it to them. If he did, you’re likely in for some drama."

Luo Qiao guessed that her cousin’s husband, Zheng Zhiyuan, must have mentioned it to his family; otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for them to immediately request a loan of thirty thousand yuan. Whether the loan could be repaid, or when it would be repaid, would all be up in the air.

Luo Jialin couldn’t sit still anymore. "I’m going downstairs to find my husband."

Luo Qiao wanted to stop her, but her cousin was determined to go and verify things, and she didn’t pause for a moment.

Forget it, this confrontation would happen sooner or later anyway.

She had probably said too much today, but since it was her cousin, she couldn’t just brush her off.

Still, during the New Year, she really worried that her cousin and her husband might get into a fight, which would spoil the mood. She quickly stood up and followed her downstairs.

By the time she caught up with them at the front door, she overheard her cousin’s husband apologizing: "Jialin, I’m sorry. I got too drunk that day, and foolishly let slip the fact that you hold shares."

"It’s all my fault. Don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll go back to the textile factory and explain it to them clearly. They know how much my salary is. If they want a loan, it’ll be one thousand yuan per household—no more than that."

"I’m practically becoming a freeloader now; there’s no way I’ll use your money to play the good guy. That day I really let myself be swayed by their sweet talk and ended up losing my sense of direction. What I said under the influence of alcohol doesn’t count. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."

Luo Jialin said, "It’s not that I lack compassion. Them asking for a loan to buy a house—it’s only natural. But this is clearly taking advantage."

"I know. I’ll go deal with it tomorrow. Don’t be mad anymore. It’s all my fault for failing to control my mouth, which made them ask for an outrageous amount."

"Alright. I’ll set the limit here—maximum three thousand yuan per household, no more. You figure it out."

Seeing that the couple didn’t seem upset anymore, Luo Qiao turned around and went back to the courtyard.

There she saw Lu Yichen standing under the veranda, smiling at her.

She walked closer. "What are you laughing at?"

Lu Yichen said softly, "I’m laughing at you. Let me guess, your cousin must’ve told you about her family matters. You gave her advice but worried that the couple might argue, so you went over to eavesdrop. Am I right?"

Luo Qiao touched her nose. "You really are something. Read the situation, but don’t point it out—you know how embarrassing it can be for others."

Lu Yichen reached out and pinched Luo Qiao’s cheek. "Qiao Bao, you’re just too adorable."

Just as Luo Qiao slapped his hand away, Luo Jialin and her husband returned to the courtyard.

In a low voice, Zheng Zhiyuan said to Luo Jialin, "Honey, don’t mention this to your older brothers, otherwise I’m afraid I won’t even get to sit at the table tonight."

These words made Luo Jialin burst out laughing, and she wasn’t as angry anymore.

Inside the living room, the family was handing out red envelopes to the children. First came Luo’s Elderly Couple, followed by Song Shiya from the eldest branch, and then Gu Qianru.

Luo Haotian stood beside Gu Qianru, feeling delighted. Finally, this year there was a female head of the household handing out red envelopes to the younger generation. This feeling was truly wonderful.

When Luo Qiao walked in, she saw the kids holding handfuls of red envelopes, while her own kids ran up to her, asking her to keep theirs for safekeeping.

Luo Qiao said, "Put them in the little bags you brought yourselves. When we get home, you can save them yourselves—Mom doesn’t want to mix them up."

The kids all ran off to find their bags, and watching them scurry around put a big smile on her face.

Gu Qianru walked over. "Qiaoqiao, come back to the family housing complex on the fifth day of the New Year. I’ve already mentioned it to your brother and sister-in-law; bring the kids along so we can all spend some lively time together and make your dad happy."

Luo Qiao put her arm around Gu Qianru’s shoulder. "Alright, Mom, we’ll do as you say."

Gu Qianru felt emotional, patting Luo Qiao’s hand and smiling radiantly.

Not far away, Luo Haotian and Lu Yichen exchanged a glance, both of them wearing smiles and feeling very content inside.