Lin Qingping and Gu Juncheng

Chapter 513 My Money, Your Money

When it was time for dinner, Lin Qingping said with a smile, "I should have treated you, but since you're going home to eat, I'll invite you two another day."

Wu Tianjiao glared at her, her eyes saying: Good heavens, are you making fun of me?

Lin Qingping looked back: I'm not joking, you two are really funny...

Wu Tianjiao pointed at her nose and told her, "You remember this, Xiao Pingzi: First, if you're going to invite him, invite him directly, don't use the word 'they,' he and I aren't in that kind of relationship! Second, I'm going home for dinner, it has nothing to do with him!"

"Okay, okay, I'll remember. I'm sorry, Da Jiao Jiao!" Lin Qingping suppressed a laugh. She only realized now that Wu Tian Jiao really loved calling people "Little XX".

I don't know how to describe it, but that powerful woman suddenly gained another side. She was already a radiant person, but now she has an extra touch of color.

"Let's go, I'll take you back first." Wu Tianjiao stood up.

Expert Shen stood still, looking at her gently. "Jiaojiao, should I go back by myself first, or should I come with you?"

"Can't you just not go?" Wu Tianjiao replied irritably.

Expert Shen wasn't angry. He remained gentle and kind, smiling as he looked at her. "Okay, then I won't go."

"You..." Wu Tian said coquettishly, "If you don't go, my dad will nag me again! Are you trying to get me into trouble?"

Expert Shen chuckled, "Then I'll go myself. I'll go keep Dad company right now..."

Seeing Wu Tianjiao's expression change, he immediately changed his words, "Let's talk to the old man for a while."

Wu Tianjiao snorted coldly, "Let's go."

This "Let's go" was said to Lin Qingping, and Wu Tianjiao escorted the family of three home.

Throughout the journey, Wu Tianjiao did not mention what was going on between her and Expert Shen, and Lin Qingping did not ask either. However, Lin Qingping always felt that if there really was a reason why Wu Tianjiao had to leave, she would not have the attitude she had today.

Well, such private matters are only discussed when Lin Qingping and Wu Tianjiao are alone. This time it will probably be difficult. She will definitely take Zhangzhu with her when she goes out. As long as she takes Zhangzhu with her, Gu Juncheng will have to come along. Otherwise, she won't be able to handle things and take care of the child at the same time.

When she got off the bus, Lin Qingping saw her mother-in-law standing at the gate of Gu Youlian's courtyard looking in this direction. Lin Qingping pretended not to see her and walked beside Gu Juncheng, covering her palm completely.

Liu Fen stood on tiptoe, peering left and right, but couldn't even see the small blanket wrapped around her pearl. She was so anxious that she kept jumping up and down, her eyes filled with the image of her pearl's chubby little hand that had flashed by a few days ago.

"Such chubby little hands, she must be strong. Her future son will definitely be strong too. Why won't she have any more children?" Liu Fen sighed.

Lin Qingping couldn't hear these mutterings anyway.

Ever since Liu Fen arrived, Lin Qingping's family has stopped eating at her older sister's place; they either eat out or cook at home.

Lin Qingping fed Zhangzhu first, changed her into clean clothes, and let Gu Juncheng play with her. She planned to cook some noodles for dinner.

Lin Qingping also said to him, "Are you really not going to go and have dinner with your parents?"

Gu Juncheng was playing with his daughter. Recently, Zhangzhu has become obsessed with listening to him play the harmonica. Whenever he makes a fuss, Zhangzhu will stop playing the harmonica and look around with her big, bright eyes, as if searching for the source of the harmonica sound.

When Lin Qingping asked him a question, he paused his harmonica playing. "Lin Qingping."

"Hmm?" The water boiled, and Lin Qingping put a handful of noodles into the pot.

"Regarding my parents, let me tell you my stance?"

Lin Qingping chuckled. This sounded like a report to a superior. "Go on," she said.

"Lin Qingping, first of all, thank you for bringing Zhangzhu to me. I can't describe the significance of Zhangzhu to me. Therefore, what my parents did to you and Zhangzhu is a mistake that I can never forgive. However, they are my parents, and I have to fulfill my duty as a son because of their kindness." Gu Juncheng always spoke in a very formal and methodical manner, almost like a meeting, and he was even more serious at this moment.

Lin Qingping did not speak.

"Lin Qingping?" A hint of unease flashed in Gu Juncheng's eyes. "Do you mind?"

"It depends on how you fulfill your obligations," Lin Qingping said, stirring the noodles in the pot with her chopsticks.

"When you get older and need care, and if you get sick or have any ailments, I will be responsible. But I promise I won't show up in front of you and make you unhappy."

"Oh..." Lin Qingping asked again, "Then how will you take care of them? Are you suggesting we live separately? They're getting old and need care, where will you be able to take care of them?"

“If I were still on the island at that time, I would apply for another one or borrow one from another brother. If I wasn’t on the island, there’s no need to say anything, it’s much more convenient outside.” Gu Juncheng paused, then added, “There’s just one thing, I might need to ask you for a portion of my salary.”

Lin Qingping turned to look at him, a half-smile on her face, "Just yours, or a portion?"

"Yes. At most one-third."

"I see..." Lin Qingping seemed thoughtful. "Won't people say I'm unfilial? Isn't the purpose of getting a wife to be dutiful to her parents-in-law?"

Isn't this the prevailing view among many people? A daughter-in-law is someone you marry to serve your husband, be filial to your parents, and raise your children.

Gu Juncheng looked puzzled. "Why are you saying I'm unfilial? They raised me, not you. It's my responsibility to be filial."

“Husband and wife are one, inseparable!” Lin Qingping said casually, but she was still shocked. Gu Juncheng actually thought that way? This idea was more advanced than the decades she had lived in her previous life.

“Yes, you can take care of my parents while I’m not home, provided that we get along well and it’s all mutual. After the incident with Zhangzhu, some rifts are probably irreparable.” He pondered.

"Then... what if I'm not willing to take out a third of your salary? We have two children to raise, and we need to plan for their future, which will cost a lot." Lin Qingping finished speaking and glanced at him to see if he was angry.

His brows did indeed furrow slightly.

She thought he was going to argue with her, but to her surprise, he sighed deeply, "Lin Qingping, I still owe you too much."

"what?"

“Zhiyuan, this shouldn’t be your responsibility,” he said. “You can keep my salary; I don’t need to pay you out of pocket.”

"Then what's your plan?" Lin Qingping asked curiously.

"Let's wait a few years, until..." His gaze became distant.

"Gu Juncheng! Have you ever thought that while your salary is our shared property, so is my money too?!" Didn't he realize she was a rich woman?

Without even thinking, he said directly, "Keep your money for yourself."

Lin Qingping: ...

Zhangzhu, however, became impatient, wailing and waving her arms in protest: "The harmonica music has been off for too long!" She even kicked her father in the face.

"Alright, alright, Daddy will play the violin for you."

As dusk fell on the two-story building, the melodious sound of a harmonica rose again, this time playing "Night at the Naval Port".

The night in the naval port was quiet, the waves gently rocking the warships...