CHAPTER 417: CHAPTER 412: IT’S ALREADY SHAMEFUL ENOUGH

As they were discussing, Fang Xiu knocked on the door from outside.

Fang Pingying went to open the door, and Fang Xiu whispered into her ear, "I saw your mother-in-law bringing Hong Lan towards our place, and I have no idea what they’re here for."

"Let’s go and see." Fang Pingying walked to the door, thought for a moment, then turned around and said to Luo Zhiyong, "Zhiyong, Mom and Hong Lan are here. Go and take a look, will you?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiyong’s face changed. He didn’t want to go, but after thinking it over, he still went outside.

As soon as they got into the courtyard, they saw Zhou Yunmei and Luo Honglan walking in from outside.

Zhou Yunmei still looked somewhat displeased, while Luo Honglan cheerfully called out, "Big brother, sister-in-law, Sister Xiu’er, you’re all here."

"Yes." Luo Zhiyong said looking at Luo Honglan, then glanced at Zhou Yunmei with a hard expression, "What are you here for? If you’re here for money, just turn around and go back now. Don’t even open your mouth."

"I..." Zhou Yunmei felt offended as soon as Luo Zhiyong spoke, opening her mouth to argue.

But she was stopped by Luo Honglan, who quickly waved at Luo Zhiyong and Fang Pingying, "No, we’re not here for money. Dad asked Mom to tell you to come home for the wedding feast. After all, it’s your second brother’s marriage today."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiyong’s expression eased slightly, but he said to Luo Honglan, "Hong Lan, go back and tell Dad that I’m busy and won’t make it. Besides, I’ve already made it clear that I have nothing to do with Luo Zhiming. Whether he has a wedding banquet or not, it’s none of my concern."

Luo Honglan then looked at Fang Pingying somewhat uncomfortably, hoping she would persuade Luo Zhiyong.

But before Fang Pingying could speak, Zhou Yunmei coldly addressed Luo Zhiyong, "Are you still upset that I deceived you into sending money back? You’ve already taken back the money, and you nearly messed up Zhiming’s marriage arrangements, yet no one’s blaming you. Who are you showing that long face to?"

Luo Zhiyong looked at Zhou Yunmei for a long time and finally let out a long sigh, coldly asking, "Mom, do you really think what we care about is that money?"

"Otherwise, what?" Zhou Yunmei thought that money was the issue.

"If all we cared about was money, then why, when you said my dad needed US$ 500 for medical treatment, did we give US$ 1000 instead?" Luo Zhiyong retorted, "Do you really think we have so much money that we don’t know what to do with it?"

Zhou Yunmei had no comeback, but she retorted angrily, "If it’s not about money, then why did you force people to return the dowry, and even move out those sewing machines and such?"

"I can’t stand your way of doing things," said Luo Zhiyong as he looked at Zhou Yunmei, speaking very carefully, "First, you know what Zhiming and Xu He have done to me, but you pretend not to know and instead tricked my family’s money to arrange their wedding.

Second, does your Zhiming have so much money he doesn’t know how to spend it? Marrying a wife with a dowry of US$ 500, full count in three turns, flashy with gold and silver, do you think the Luo Family is some wealthy boss?

Besides, if you and Luo Zhiming could really come up with that much money on your own, I would let it go and not bother to ask. But the problem is, not only do you use my family’s money on a regular basis, you’re now wasting our money extravagantly, do you really think the money we earn comes without any effort?"

After a pause, Luo Zhiyong continued, "Third, Mom, even if I don’t say it, you should know that, although our family’s finances are a bit looser now, is it my earnings? Let me tell you the truth, my monthly salary is at most US$ 100. After sending money to you, supporting two kids, and handling family’s social obligations as well as living expenses, dealing with your occasional ruckus in the city, how much do you think I can save a month?

This money is earned by Pingying. I’m a man living off my wife’s earnings, and it’s embarrassing enough. Now you even want the whole family to spend her money, how am I supposed to face Pingying in the future?"

For the first time in the presence of so many people, Luo Zhiyong said so much to Zhou Yunmei and revealed his embarrassment.

His tone was one of unprecedented helplessness, and his expression was one that Zhou Yunmei had never seen before as bleak.

At that moment, Zhou Yunmei did reflect for a brief instant, wondering if she had indeed neglected this son over the years.

"I..." She faltered, not knowing what to say.

Luo Zhiyong gave a faint smile and continued, "If you don’t believe me about these things, you can ask Hong Lan privately. She knows very clearly what our home situation is like, having lived with us."

"The truth is, you’ve gone too far this time," Luo Honglan, with a twinge of sorrow in her nose after hearing Luo Zhiyong’s helpless words, knew others wouldn’t acknowledge it, but she was aware of how hard these years had been for Luo Zhiyong.

Others thought that because he had a good job in the city, he should take care of the family.

In reality, he managed every little family matter with care, but very few in the family recognized his contributions, rather they thought it was only what he should do.

Worse yet, the family were like vampires, constantly sucking his blood, never seeming satisfied.

Luo Honglan felt incredibly indignant for her big brother and couldn’t help but reproach Zhou Yunmei, "That Xu He is no good to start with; she egged second brother on to harm his second sister-in-law and Ruirui last time. You still agreed to let second brother marry her, which was a big mistake. Now, to have their wedding, you went to deceive big brother for money, which is an even bigger mistake. If it were me, I wouldn’t forgive you either."

Although Zhou Yunmei was somewhat moved by this time, being scolded by Luo Honglan in front of everyone was too much for her pride to bear. She fiercely poked Luo Honglan’s forehead and scolded, "You little wretch, did I bring you here to sabotage me or what?"

Luo Zhiyong stopped her, with an air of no desire to continue arguing, "Mom, let it be, stop talking. I know that some things, even if I tried to explain to you again, you wouldn’t understand; or even if you did, you would pretend not to. It’s the same as if I didn’t say anything. I don’t want to talk anymore."

He paused, then added, "From now on, just leave it like this. You live your life at home, we’ll live ours in the city. Unless it’s something very important, don’t come to the city, and we won’t come back home to bother you."

Zhou Yunmei detected the lack of emotion in Luo Zhiyong’s voice and asked anxiously, "What do you mean by that? Are you planning to sever ties with the family?"

"However you want to interpret it," Luo Zhiyong glanced at her indifferently, "but as a son, I will still do my duty. This year, the money I have given you totals not less than US$ 500, so I won’t send you living expenses anymore. After the New Year, I will send money regularly every month. If you or Dad truly feel unwell, call me, and I will come back to see you myself. Let’s not talk any more about it."