Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 260 A Pie Falling from the Sky, Human Relationships
“Hongbing, the children are all here. There are some things you'd better not say.”

Just as Li Hongbing was saying those things, Li Hongmei quickly spoke up to stop him from continuing.

Even if Li Hongbing didn't say it, Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo knew that Li Hongbing had his own connections to help their family when he was well-fed at home, but they never inquired about it.

Although Zhao Jianjun, Zhao Qingwan, and Li Jianwu are sensible, they are still young and have no concept of many things, nor do they know the importance of things. Li Hongmei was obviously afraid that they would accidentally let slip what they heard today, which would cause trouble for Li Hongbing.

Seeing this, Li Hongbing didn't say anything more.

Actually, he didn't want to reveal his real secret, nor could he. He just wanted Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo to know that he had connections so they would feel at ease accepting his help.

Based on Li Hongbing's understanding of Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo, they certainly wouldn't inquire about or dig deeper into these matters.

After meal.

Zhao Jianjun and Zhao Qingwan took Li Jianwu out to play with plenty of energy, while Chen's mother chatted with Li Hongbing and Zhao Weiguo for a while before taking Chen Jiwen, who was full and asleep, back home first.

“Sister, brother-in-law, neither of you asked before, and I didn’t say anything either, but I think you probably already know that I have my own connections and can get affordable grain…”

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's words, before he could finish speaking, Li Hongmei couldn't help but interrupt him and asked with a serious expression, "Hongbing, tell me the truth, are you sure it's affordable grain?"

"Sis, why would I lie to you?"

Li Hongbing knew that Li Hongmei didn't believe this explanation, but he still calmly asked her the same question.

"Li Hongbing, don't think I don't know what's going on outside. Do you think your sister is some ignorant child who doesn't take responsibility for the family?"

Seeing Li Hongbing's attitude, Li Hongmei was somewhat angry and said irritably, "Grain is more precious than gold during famine years. Nowadays, the price of a pound of grain coupons is several times higher than that of a pound of grain in a grain store. On the black market, a pound of grain is almost two yuan, and you still can't buy it."

Even if you were the head chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant, where would you get so much grain, especially at a reasonable price? Are you kidding me?

Li Hongmei was angry because she felt that Li Hongbing was spending his own money to subsidize and help their family.

If it were someone else, Li Hongmei might not have thought this way, but Li Hongbing was an exception.

When she got married, Li Hongbing practically emptied his entire savings to prepare her dowry, including the savings that Li Fushun had left for him and his siblings.

After Zhao Jianjun and Zhao Qingwan were born, Li Hongbing, as their uncle, sent them many nice things.

Even though Li Hongbing only took two or three years to go from an apprentice at Fengzeyuan to a head chef in the kitchen, becoming a first-class cook with a monthly salary and subsidies of over 100 yuan, and was fully capable of doing so, Li Hongmei still felt that her younger brother Li Hongbing had done too much for her.

In the entire city of Beijing, whose younger brother could achieve this level?

If it's not unique, there are at least a handful.

I can't pay it back!

Normally, siblings shouldn't "care" about these things, as it can easily create distance, but this situation is truly different.

It was precisely because of Li Hongbing's past behavior and his "criminal record" that Li Hongmei felt that the grain, meat, and other things that Li Hongbing had given her before were things he had secretly bought at high prices in the pigeon market or the black market and then shared with her at a fair price.

At first, it was given away for free, but Li Hongbing and Zhao Weiguo insisted on paying, so Li Hongbing had no choice but to reluctantly accept the cost price.

It is indeed the cost price, or even lower.

Because when Li Hongbing bought these things, tickets weren't required.

As for the money, Li Hongbing would return it to them in another form, or spend it on Zhao Jianjun and Zhao Qingwan, such as buying or making clothes for them, or buying them various kinds of food.

The reason he accepted money from Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo was simply to make them accept his help.

"Sis, do you think I'm stupid? Who would do a losing business?"

Seeing Li Hongmei's angry expression, Li Hongbing helplessly shrugged.

However, Li Hongbing was speechless when he heard what Li Hongmei said next.

"Others might not, but you're an exception!"

Li Hongmei's gaze fell on her younger brother, Li Hongbing, and she said with a mix of emotion and helplessness, "Haven't you done enough unprofitable deals?"

Seeing this, Zhao Weiguo chimed in, "Hongbing, your brother-in-law knows you have a high income and your family is wealthier than ours, but your sister and I are both employed and work in a food factory. Although our lives aren't the best we've ever had, we're still better off than many others. You don't need to worry too much about us."

We're family, relatives. Your sister and I are happy to accept your kindness and help, but as your sister and brother-in-law, we can't let you suffer any losses, don't you think?"

Li Hongbing was very upset to hear that even Zhao Weiguo said this.

This is what "reputation" is all about!
Of course.

This is also because Li Hongbing's statement was too "unbelievable".

In famine years, "affordable grain" could only be purchased from grain stores if it was rationed and required ration coupons. The prices on the black market were inflated to exorbitant levels.

But if Li Hongbing didn't say it this way, how could Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo accept it, even though Li Hongbing always forced it on them?

The gifts Li Hongbing sent each month, if Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo were to pay for them at black market prices, even with their combined income, wouldn't be enough to cover the cost.

Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo were naturally aware of these things, but although life was difficult, it hadn't reached the point where they couldn't make ends meet. At worst, they would be more frugal and tighten their belts.

In this day and age, isn't everyone living like this?
"Sister, brother-in-law, let me tell you the truth!"

As soon as Li Hongbing said this, Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo thought he was going to admit that their guess was true, but then they heard Li Hongbing say, "When I was doing freelance work before, I got to know some people and built up some connections and relationships. I can't reveal too much about the specifics, for fear of having a bad influence, but you don't need to doubt me!"

Think about it. If it were really like that, even if Xue Ru and I have a decent combined salary, it wouldn't be enough to fill this hole, not only for your family but also for our own. We can't possibly use Xue Ru's dowry money, can we?
If I didn't have the capacity, even if you were my sister and brother-in-law, I couldn't do this much. So please relax and don't feel any pressure or psychological burden.

As for this secret, I hope you can keep it a secret for me, keep it completely shut, and never tell anyone else, not even Uncle Zhao and the others..."

Li Hongbing really didn't have a good excuse, so he could only give a subtle "hint".

This is practically an explicit indication.

This has always been a society based on personal relationships and social customs.

They might not believe anything else, but they certainly won't doubt this.

Previously, Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo hadn't asked, and Li Hongbing hadn't explained things so clearly.

"Is that really true?" Li Hongmei had already believed most of it, but she still subconsciously asked with doubt.

To be honest, she didn't like to pry into things, but she was afraid that Li Hongbing would make a foolish mistake and suffer too much in order to help them.

“Hongbing, since you say so, then your brother-in-law will believe you this time. But you must remember that we are family, and your sister and I are doing this for your own good.”

After saying that, Zhao Weiguo immediately assured him, "As for what happened today, I will keep it to myself and won't tell anyone, not even my parents. You can rest assured about that."

“Brother-in-law, how could I not trust you? It’s just that, after all… I think you understand without me having to say more, so I have to be careful.”

Li Hongbing smiled and became a "riddler".

At this moment.

Looking at his brother-in-law Li Hongbing, Zhao Weiguo was filled with emotion.

I don't know what kind of good fortune I accumulated in my past life, not only did I marry such a good wife as Li Hongmei, but I also met a brother-in-law as rare as Li Hongbing.

Hearing Li Hongbing and Zhao Weiguo's conversation, Li Hongmei chimed in, "Hongbing, I can guarantee that too."

There's something I'll tell you, sister. I secretly took some of the grain and meat you sent me before and gave it to my parents-in-law, your Uncle Zhao and his family.

However, I didn't say that these were given to me by you; they were money that my husband and I saved by living frugally..."

"Sister, you don't need to tell me about this. Now that the items are in your hands, how you handle them is your own business. It has nothing to do with me anymore."

Li Hongbing was neither surprised nor angry about Li Hongmei's confession; in fact, he had expected it.

Li Hongmei is no longer alone; she is not only Zhao Weiguo's wife but also Zhao's daughter-in-law. With her own family doing well, she cannot allow her elders to struggle.

If that's the case, then Li Hongmei wouldn't be the Li Hongmei that Li Hongbing knew.

Therefore, this portion was actually included in the food that Li Hongbing provided to Li Hongmei each month.

Li Hongmei herself knew her limits and couldn't give too much. After all, elders were important, but she also had two children, Zhao Jianjun and Zhao Qingwan, at home. She obviously couldn't do something foolish like sacrificing her own children for the sake of her elders.

Moreover, to put it bluntly, Li Hongbing, her younger brother, holds a much more important place in Li Hongmei's heart than her parents-in-law.

If she gives too much grain to her husband's family every month, it could easily arouse suspicion and expose her younger brother, Li Hongbing, causing him unnecessary trouble. She would feel guilty for the rest of her life if she did that.

"Just don't blame me!"

Faced with Li Hongbing's tolerant attitude, Li Hongmei, who had been keeping the matter a secret, felt both touched and guilty, and also relieved.

Li Hongmei's willingness to confess this matter was like finally lifting a huge weight off her shoulders.

"Sister, brother-in-law, now that we've talked things out today, please feel free to tell me if you need anything in the future. And when I bring you things in the future, please don't act like strangers."

Looking at Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo, who had been convinced by him and no longer had any other worries or thoughts, Li Hongbing felt that what happened today was not such a bad thing after all.

Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo, the older sister and brother-in-law, are both too conscientious and considerate of him, which makes it difficult for him to send anything over.

If they were even a little more selfish and greedy, this problem wouldn't have occurred.

But if that were the case, Li Hongbing might not have been so eager to treat them so well.

Li Hongbing would never get too close to selfish and insatiable people, even if they were related by blood.

People can be quite contradictory at times.

“That’s no problem, but you can’t hide it from me. Even if you have connections, these things definitely won’t come for free. Even if they’re really cheap, you’ll still have some extra expenses. You have to count me and your brother-in-law’s share, or I won’t agree.”

With her worries gone, Li Hongmei smiled again and said the following words.

"That's right!"

Hearing this, Zhao Weiguo, who was standing beside him, did not object. Instead, he nodded emphatically and said solemnly to Li Hongbing, "Hongbing, the combined salary of your sister and me is definitely not as much as yours and Xueru's, but since we have benefited from it, we should also do our part to help you share the burden."

Li Hongbing was taken aback by the successive statements from Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo, but he quickly came to his senses.

Obvious.

They believed that Li Hongbing's way of obtaining grain required the regular "maintenance" of connections and relationships, which inevitably cost money, and they wanted to help share that cost.

It's not surprising at all that Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo would have such thoughts.

After all, in many people's minds, there are no free lunches.

For every gain, there must be a sacrifice.

Only those who constantly dream of getting something for nothing would take such a windfall for granted.

"Sure! But it's really just a matter of cooking a few meals for people. When the New Year comes around, you can bring me a bottle of good wine."

Faced with Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo's request, Li Hongbing did not refuse outright in an attempt to show his magnanimity and selflessness, but instead agreed with a smile.

Doing so will reduce the psychological pressure on Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo, and relieve them of so much burden.

It's just a bottle of good wine; for Li Hongmei and Zhao Weiguo, it's really not a big deal.

as predicted.

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's words, Zhao Weiguo immediately smiled with relief and said on the spot:
"One bottle isn't enough. Your brother-in-law will get you two more bottles later, and then we can have a good drink together."

Hearing her husband say this, Li Hongmei didn't say anything more, and naturally wouldn't spoil the mood by saying anything like drinking is bad.

In this day and age, a man's ability to drink is considered a skill.

Of course.

The exception is the scoundrel who drinks all day and does nothing of importance.

(End of this chapter)