Qin Huairu's Freedom of Movement

Qin Huairu returned to the room and quietly picked up the soup bowl to continue drinking.

Jia Zhangshi said sarcastically, "How about that? Wasn't I right? You thought you were so respectable. Your cousin and Xu Damao, they're like two peas in a pod!"

Qin Huairu, angered, put down the bowl and got up to leave.

Jia Zhangshi said angrily, "Where are you going now?"

"I'm going to find Lou Xiao'e. Lin Zhen has already gone to work. She left late, so she should still be home."

"You... what are you looking for him for? Dongxu told you before not to associate with his family."

"I'm going to borrow money, not to chat. The children are growing up day by day, and they need money for food and clothing. If I don't find a way, will you go borrow it?"

Jia Zhangshi pursed her lips. She knew in her heart that with her reputation, she wouldn't be able to borrow a dime from anyone in the courtyard.

"Fine... fine, but don't talk too much with Lin Zhen."

"You worrying about that is unnecessary. I'm looking for Lou Xiao'e because she's the only kind person in the entire courtyard, the only one who doesn't mind spending money."

Jia Zhangshi stopped talking, secretly hoping Qin Huairu could borrow some money to support the family.

"Xiao'e, you haven't gone to work yet?"

"Mhm, I'm leaving now. Are you going out, Sister Qin?"

"No, I need to ask you for a favor."

"Ask me? What is it, just say it."

"Well, my family just finished a funeral, and we're really tight on money. I wanted to borrow fifty yuan from you. I'll return it as soon as I get paid from work."

If it were six months ago, Lou Xiao'e would have unhesitatingly given Qin Huairu a few yuan, even if she couldn't afford fifty.

However, because Qin Huairu had previously borrowed money from Lin Zhen, and Jia Zhangshi had called them an adulterous couple, Lou Xiao'e had held a grudge.

No woman who loved her husband wouldn't be jealous.

Lou Xiao'e had outwardly said nothing, but inwardly she had become wary of Qin Huairu.

Moreover, Jia Zhangshi, fearing her daughter-in-law would run off and not remain a widow, was most suspicious of her own husband, Lin Zhen, in the entire courtyard.

If she lent the money, it would likely cause more conflict.

The kind-hearted Lou Xiao'e tactfully refused this time, "Sister Qin, wait until tonight. I'll talk to Lin Zhen, and if the family has extra, he'll send it over to you."

Qin Huairu knew it was hopeless as soon as she heard that.

She thought that Lou Xiao'e, who was usually generous and kind, wouldn't lend money without Lin Zhen's instruction.

It seemed impossible to break through Lou Xiao'e's defenses. To get money from the wealthiest family in the courtyard, she had to approach Lin Zhen directly.

"Then... alright. You talk to Lin Zhen tonight. I'll be going back now."

Seeing Qin Huairu leave with determination and return dejected, Jia Zhangshi knew she had failed again.

"Hmph! Like mother, like daughter. Lou Xiao'e was such a good girl when she first moved into the courtyard, so generous. Now she's as stingy as Lin Zhen. He's the one who corrupted her!"

Qin Huairu sighed, "We can't just rely on Silly Zhu all the time. Recently, the Deaf Old Lady has been very annoyed with me. If our family wants to live comfortably, we still need to approach Lin Zhen. Mom, can you trust me to go borrow money from Lin Zhen?"

Jia Zhangshi glanced at her and said angrily, "Don't even think about it!"

Qin Huairu sighed, "You just can't see it clearly. You're afraid I'll abandon you. Don't you think Lin Zhen would abandon Lou Xiao'e and his four sons to be with me? I'm borrowing money for our family, and also to support you in your old age."

"Hmph! Don't try to sweet-talk me. Dongxu told you before not to associate with Lin Zhen!"

"Mom! I'm supporting you now, not him. He just walked away with a clap of his hands, leaving us five to suffer. If I die in a few days, I'll definitely find him in the underworld to settle the score."

"Pah, pah, pah! Don't talk nonsense. You'll die after me, you can't leave this old woman behind!"

"Then don't control me so strictly. I'm borrowing money for this family. If you're worried about me not supporting you, starting today, I'll save every penny I can and set aside three yuan for your living expenses each month. As long as I'm alive, I won't spend your money on medical care, clothes, or food. You can save it yourself!"

Jia Zhangshi looked suspicious. "Really?"

Qin Huairu immediately got up, went to the inner room, took out 3 yuan, and handed it to Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, I'll give you another three yuan on this day next month. Save it yourself!"

Jia Zhangshi's eyes reddened with emotion. After six or seven years, she felt for the first time that Qin Huairu was truly a member of the Jia family.

"Ai! I... I'll take it. As long as you don't get too close to Lin Zhen, I... I'll pretend not to see."

Qin Huairu smiled and said, "Don't worry, in my eyes, he's not even as good as Silly Zhu."

Jia Zhangshi pouted. "Silly Zhu is an idiot."

After Lin Zhen returned home from work, Lou Xiao'e immediately told him about Qin Huairu borrowing money.

Lin Zhen asked with a smile, "Wife, what do you think? Do you want to lend it?"

Lou Xiao'e thought for a moment. "Technically, our family isn't short of money. If they're really in trouble, it's not a problem to give them money directly, but I'm afraid of getting entangled with the Jia family."

Lin Zhen nodded. "Not just the Jia family, but the entire courtyard. It's right not to lend it. A gentleman helps in times of urgent need, not in times of poverty. Although Qin Huairu is struggling, there are people in the city who are worse off than her. After Jia Dongxu died, her family hasn't had any critical issues. Our family isn't a charity, we can't manage that much. Next time she comes to borrow, just tell her to go to Silly Zhu."

Lou Xiao'e nodded and smiled. "Won't Silly Zhu be miserable, having to support Qin Huairu all the time?"

"You don't know, Silly Zhu enjoys it. He's willing!"

Achoo!

Silly Zhu had just taken out a bottle of wine, but before he could even open the cap, he let out a sneeze.

"It must be that bastard Xu Damao talking about me behind my back again. He's really asking for it!"

"Talking about who? Who's asking for it?"

Qin Huairu lifted the curtain and entered the room. She glanced at Silly Zhu with a mischievous smile.

Silly Zhu slapped his forehead in exasperation, "Hey! Qin Huairu, always coming to collect lunchboxes. I've worked hard all day, can't I even have a drink after work?"

Qin Huairu feigned anger, "Who said you can't drink? Didn't I just bring you some snacks to go with it?"

"Bringing me snacks? Hmph! It's never anything good!"

"Shut up! Can't I even have a drink with you?"

As Qin Huairu spoke, she took out a bag of fried peanuts and placed it on the table.

Silly Zhu laughed when he saw them, "Didn't I fry these the day before yesterday? They were gone after just one meal. Bang Geng must have cleaned them out."

Qin Huairu retorted, "You can't blame Bang Geng when you don't put them away properly after eating them. Look, I brought you some!"

With that, she snatched Silly Zhu's wine glass and downed it in one gulp.

Silly Zhu, startled, quickly waved his hands, "Alright, alright! Sister! My dear sister! If Grandma Jia finds out you're drinking here with me, she'll tear me apart!"

Qin Huairu sighed, lowered her head, and tears welled up. "I have no friends in the courtyard at all. Qin Jingru won't lend me money, and Lou Xiao'e won't either. Things are really tight at home, and my mother-in-law is always giving me a hard time. I... sigh..."

"Oh no! Don't, don't, don't cry! It's not that big of a deal!"

Whenever Silly Zhu saw Qin Huairu cry, he immediately lost his composure.

"Lin Zhen and Xu Damao are really something. What's wrong with lending a little money? They're rich but heartless! Here, take this ten yuan for now. I can't stand to see women cry, especially you!"