Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 348 - 266: Awakening (Part 2)

Lin Lishan looked around to ensure no one was in the room, then whispered: "It’s nothing major. It’s about your grandmother returning the money. Before I came here, she gave me a gift to bring to you. When I was about to leave, she pushed two deposit certificates into my hands without saying much, just mentioning that it was money we had deposited with her.

I didn’t pay it much mind and quickly handed them to your dad before rushing to catch the train home. These past two or three days on the train, the more I thought about the amount, the more it seemed off. I remembered your grandmother indeed gave me two deposit certificates. One is in US dollars belonging to your dad. The other one accounts for the savings I’ve kept with her over the years. The amounts differed significantly. I didn’t take a good look or question her much at the time. Your dad’s deposit certificate is a third less, and my certificate shows only twenty thousand. I was puzzled — how could it be so little after 17 years?

I have a rough idea of the numbers, besides the basic salary, there were bonuses and side income saved with your grandmother, accumulating to about fifty thousand. Last January, I even mentioned to her that once it reached fifty thousand, she should let me know so I could give it to you when you returned to Beijing for high school. She even nodded in agreement back then. Do you think your grandmother made a mistake?"

Zhou Jiao listened and looked silently at her mother. Still hoping for a fortunate oversight? This was done deliberately in the absence of her father, to hand it over to her before she left. How could it be mistaken? Considering her exceptional grandmother, this fitted her perspective. After learning that Zhao Chuan Guang had visited her cousin, she had already lost hope in Mrs. Lin, who raised her cousin single-handedly.

And to think she came from a distinguished family with such a narrow vision. All that money kept with her grandmother, even though her father had received military compensation, she still clung to his deposit certificate. She and her mother are the legal heirs. When she was young, they said it was too early after marriage and childbirth, does it still stay the same, and must the grandmother still hold onto it? If her father hadn’t returned, that money would’ve been embezzled without anyone knowing. Both she and her father knew about the repayment amount, except her mother remained oblivious.

Zhou Jiao saw the worry creasing her mother’s forehead and hurried to comfort her, "Mom, just take it as a way to repay her kindness. Don’t question Grandma anymore; she might just not have enough cash at hand. Let this matter rest. When it comes to the future issues of dividing family assets or money, just watch without saying a word. If they come to you for a large loan, push it to Dad and let them approach him directly.

I guess Grandma either supported her maiden family or our second uncle in the Northwest. Didn’t she even collect the eldest uncle’s salary last time? I estimate there will be further squabbles in the future. Just pretend to forget how much money was left with her.

Our family doesn’t lack money; Dad doesn’t prioritize wealth, so he won’t care. When you go back, don’t bring up this money with Dad, especially not the side incomes you earned. Just pretend you handed it to him in a hurry without notice. Don’t worry about that money; think about the good things. Look, Dad’s back, so what’s money worth? Now our family has wealth and power, it’s just numbers on paper, even if given to you, it remains in a deposit certificate."

Lin Lishan persisted in asking, "Are you sure she didn’t give the wrong certificate or missed one? I still want to ask your grandmother. It doesn’t make sense for my money to supplement your second uncle’s family."

Zhou Jiao had no choice but to be clear. If her mother’s temper flared up, it would make a huge scene. If Mr. Lin knew, he would go to great lengths to gather money. If, by any chance, the matter was leaked, her father’s money could be exposed. The ultimate consequences would still fall on her father.

"When you had the ’full month’, Grandma didn’t give you Dad’s deposit certificate to bring back. It must have been due to a lack of money at the time. So, during the ’full month’ ceremony, she made a show by gifting a complete set of gold and jade items. When Dad returned, why would she still manage the eldest uncle’s salary? Just to accumulate funds. But the money was insufficient, and when you and Dad came to me, she couldn’t repay yet and hoped to wait longer to gather enough. But things took an unexpected turn. When Dad’s past got exposed, you hurried back. So, what could she do then?

She had no choice but to hand it to you. Giving less to her own daughter makes it easier to explain. Regardless, check with the bank to see if there’s been any large deposit to those two certificates lately. Bluntly speaking, if Dad hadn’t returned, Grandma never intended to return the money to us mother and daughter. Does it make sense to you? I am a daughter, married, and from Grandma’s perspective, this money shouldn’t go to me. As for giving it to you, aren’t you her daughter? A mother using her daughter’s money is justified.

So, don’t bother asking again. It’s pointless. To be honest, returning this much money already put us at ease. My dad and I didn’t mention it in front of you to spare you from overthinking. Also, don’t let this issue blow up. If the secret gets out, Dad’s financial status will come under suspicion. Regardless of whether there’s any truth, people will assume the worst. It wouldn’t bode well for Dad. Even if Grandma hasn’t paid back our family, it’s unwise to tell others. After all, she’s your own mother; spreading it will only provoke gossip.

Lin Lishan sorrowfully hugged Zhou Jiao, lamenting, "It’s over. I’ve even boasted to your dad about how capable I am, saying a lot of money was saved with your grandmother. Now I’ve embarrassed myself completely."

Zhou Jiao stifled a chuckle, so that’s why you shouldn’t speak too soon, it leaves an opening, doesn’t it? She could imagine her mother, with her temperament, proudly flaunting it to her dad.

After a while, Lin Lishan abruptly stood up in shock and asked, "Jiao Jiao, do you think your grandmother exchanged your dowry for cash? For this repayment, she didn’t even mention those things. We’ve moved houses, so what couldn’t fit?"

Zhou Jiao couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into laughter; her mom’s reaction speed was too slow. Her dad told her to go back and collect her dowry by year-end, wasn’t it because of these concerns?

"Mom, don’t worry. Perhaps the previous dowry was used elsewhere, but you’ll still retrieve seventy to eighty percent by year-end. If you wait until after the cousins get married, then it’s uncertain. There’s no need to be anxious; if it was repurposed early, it would’ve already been gifted out. What can you do? Now that Dad’s back, Grandma will think twice before reallocating the dowry again. She’s smart and worries you’ll get upset and quarrel. Don’t mind it, property is just an external thing, your sentiments are more valuable than the dowry. If it’s gone, then it’s gone."

Lin Lishan resignedly nodded her head, pondering on what else could be done at this point. However, she planned to ask Mrs. Lin privately when she returned, without getting into a fight, just to inquire to whom her money had gone. At least she needed to ask about the whereabouts of her family’s money.

As for her mom, she felt utterly disappointed. Putting it nicely, she agreed with her ideas, but in private, she’d long spent her savings. What kind of fortune did her Jiao Jiao have to endure Old Zhou Family squandering her possessions, and even her own grandmother misusing her money? Not a single elder genuinely considered the welfare of their children.

She now dreaded facing her husband; even Jiao Jiao had thought of it, how could her husband be any less perceptive? Her mother had put her in an impossible position.