The wicked sister-in-law is in charge; meals include fish and shrimp.

Chapter 360 Where the Money Lies, Where Love Lies

Within two days, Song Youqing received a letter from Li Yunwan, which was delivered to Qingzhou County by express messenger.

When he saw Li Yunwan's letter telling him that Song Tingwan was with a man named Wen Zizhou, his breath caught in his throat, and he immediately called the butler:

"Get ready, I'm heading to Shanquan Town right away!"

When Song Chengguan returned from school, he saw the steward hurriedly packing things up and asked what was going on. He learned that Song Youqing was going to pick up Song Tingwan and the others.

"Dad! Can I go?"

He ran into the house and asked Song Youqing, who seemed a little nervous and embarrassed.

This is the first time he has ever made a request on his own initiative, and he doesn't know if his father will agree.

Song Youqing looked at her son with slight surprise, thinking that he and Song Tingwan had such a good relationship, and he must miss him terribly after not seeing each other for so long.

He pointed to the things in Song Chengguan's arms and said, "Take all the books with you; you can read them if you get bored on the road."

His son is smart and sensible, so he doesn't usually have to put in much effort. Of course, he would grant such a small request.

He had almost cleaned up the mess that Meng Jichang had made, and left the rest to the housekeeper.

Song Chengguan was overjoyed and ran off to organize the books.

This was the first time he had ever traveled so far from home, and he brought everything he could want with him, the most important of which was the hairpin he wanted to give to Song Tingwan.

That was bought with the pocket money that Song Youqing rewarded him with after he got first place in the test.

Before long, everything was ready, and the father and son boarded the carriage and set off for Shanquan Town.

Along the way, Song Chengguan was filled with the joy of seeing his sister soon, and he would occasionally lift the curtain to look at everything unfamiliar on the road outside.

Looking at his son's anxious expression, Song Youqing was filled with emotion.

When the child was born, he was worried that his eldest daughter, Song Tingwan, would bully him, but he never expected that the two children would get along so well.

Wen Zizhou was unaware that his future father-in-law was already on his way, and at that moment he was begging Xie He to give him the money.

"Mother, please give me that money. I really won't spend it recklessly."

He jumped around in front of Xie He, making Xie He's head spin.

Wen Muchuan threw a wad of pig feed at him, saying, "What are you wandering around for? That's for your future household expenses when you get married."

"Don't even think about spending it recklessly!"

In the past, Wen Zizhou had also swindled money from them to do all sorts of shady things.

Now that life's gotten better, they're starting to misbehave again?

Wen Zizhou plopped down in a chair angrily. "Can't you at least give me half?"

"If I didn't have something to coax him into giving me his daughter, who would feel comfortable entrusting her to me for nothing?"

"I don't want to make Tingwan feel wronged either."

He spoke his last words very softly, but Xie He, who was next to him, heard them clearly.

Her expression suddenly shifted from sunny to cloudy. She coughed twice, sat down next to Wen Zizhou, and asked with a serious face, "Can you swear you didn't lie to me?"

She looked at Wen Zizhou with suspicion, finding it hard to believe that her third son, who was usually clueless about matters of love and sex, could think of such a thing.

Wen Zizhou quickly sat up straight and swore to the heavens, "I don't think I lied to Mom, I just wanted her to listen to the late part of the night."

He overheard his younger sister and fourth brother saying, "A young woman needs her partner to have some money in her hands to feel secure."

He didn't understand it before, but now he thinks it makes perfect sense. He only has a little bit of pocket money, and he still has to ask his mother for the bulk of it.

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes and the unusual seriousness on his face, Xie He smiled.

"You're right to think that way."

She turned and walked back into the house, saying, "I'll give you some more; I don't even want your half."

No matter what, Song Tingwan was the daughter of a wealthy man, and she had been spoiled by a life of luxury since childhood.

They should give more so that others won't feel they're looking down on the girl.

Wen Zizhou grabbed the box containing the silver notes and shoved it into Song Tingwan's hands. "Open it and take a look. These are my lifeblood!"

He looked heartbroken, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

Song Tingwan stared blankly at the box for a long time before finally opening it after Wen Zizhou urged her twice.

The thick stack of silver notes inside made Song Tingwan's brow furrow.

Having spent time with Wen Zizhou, she knew that this man loved money the most. Why would he suddenly give her so much?

She closed the lid as if to return the box, but Wen Zizhou jumped back several steps. "My sister said that where the money is, that's where love is."

"Don't refuse, I wouldn't give this to just anyone."

He was telling the truth; back when he worked at the restaurant, girls would come to him every few days.

He knew perfectly well whether she was after him or his money.

There weren't as many women after Song Tingwan arrived, but that didn't stop shameless guys from throwing themselves at her; there were still some yesterday.

However, when Song Tingwan suddenly grabbed his hand to assert her ownership, he felt a sweet warmth in his heart.

Song Tingwan withdrew her hand, hugged the box to her chest, and smiled happily.

The main thing is what he said; any girl would probably be happy to hear that.

"Then come to me when you need to spend the money; I'll just keep it for you."

As she saw Wen Zizhou approaching her, she said, "I won't charge you interest, okay?"

How could Wen Zizhou dare to say no? He nodded vigorously and then took out a plain hairpin from his sleeve and clumsily put it in her hair.

Song Tingwan blinked, and he sighed, seemingly a little helpless, "You don't usually like wearing these things, so I just bought a plain one."

He looked at the girl's hairstyle and a look of regret crossed his face. "This is too plain. I should have bought something more fancy."

Song Tingwan grabbed his arm and used one hand to rub her head:

"I like anything you give me."

The two sat there chatting casually, while Wen Muchuan and Xie He watched from upstairs, their mouths agape.

"This third brother still has some of my youthful charm; he's finally reliable for once."

When he met Xie He, Xie He's family was relatively well-off.

Back then, it was considered good that his father didn't love him and his mother didn't stop him.

What could he offer Xie He? He could only earn a single copper coin and hand it over to her to show her his sincerity.

I feel ashamed that I have suffered so much after following him.

Moved by the sight, he suddenly grabbed Xie He's hand and said, "Old woman, actually, I hid some secret money under that pot of peonies for our daughter."

"I already knew: a silver ingot, two taels of loose silver, and a fifty-tael silver note."

Xie He got up and quietly backed away, afraid of making any noise that might disturb the two children downstairs.

Wen Muchuan quickly followed, chasing after her and asking, "Then why didn't you take it?"

"Aren't you angry?"

He scratched his head. In the past, his wife would get very angry if he hid even a copper coin. What was going on now?

Xie He stretched her slightly weak legs, glanced at him, and said, "You think that's for yourself? You're saving it for your daughter, aren't you?"

How could she not understand the person she had shared a bed with for decades?

This man loved his daughter most of all; every penny he had secretly saved in the past was spent on his youngest daughter.

That must still be the case now; he probably felt guilty towards his youngest daughter when he fell into the water.