Lin Lan said coldly, “Then let them pay it back. Anyway, the old lady has spoiled them both with so much money. One dresses like a bourgeois lady and the other behaves like a feudal society’s eldest young master who either flocks to restaurants or cinemas.”
At this time, even when prices were considered low, the farmers would eat their own crops. To dine in restaurants would take at least 3 or 4 Yuan per meal.
Lin Lan heard from Erwang and Maisui that Han Jinbao ate out at restaurants once every few days and often bought highly-priced items that didn’t require tickets. He would then give them to the ladies around him to please them.
“Comrade Han Qingsong’s own wife and children were stranded at home without enough food, clothing and a proper education, yet you squander his hard-earned money! You are all still on the opposing side of the revolution because this is a corrupt act!”
Han Qingyun echoed on the side, “That’s how it is. The same was said when I went to pursue my education.”
Han Jinyu’s legs softened as she sat on the ground covered in a layer of cold sweat.
Han Yongfang couldn’t bear to cause such a huge trouble like this. He knew that it was not good for the family to make too much trouble, so he opted to give them some leeway. After all, the middle man was Han Qingsong.
“Qingsong’s wife, cut some slack for the sake of this uncle, can you? 3,000 Yuan is indeed a bit too much for them to come up with.”
Lin Lan said, “I listen to uncle’s words. Then, how much do you think those two corrupt brats should return?”
Han Yongfang looked at the list, “How about we take it as the older brother’s willingness to care and provide for his younger siblings, so let’s cut off…” He glanced at the old man and Han Jinyu. These two wanted him to cancel the amount entirely, but he also looked at Lin Lan. The latter’s eyes, in fact, were gleaming under the light.
Han Yongfang continued, “We’ll pardon half of it and leave 1,500 Yuan. How is that?”
“Old Master!” Han Jinyu exclaimed, “Where do we get so much money? I don’t have that!”
She jumped up and placed her watch down on the table at once. It hurt so much that her heart and lungs both ached, “I’ll give you the watch back. It’s more than 150 Yuan and there is still money for coupons.”
Lin Lan raised her eyebrows, “Old goods are not worth that much. At most, this is 100 Yuan only.”
Han Jinyu began to cry loudly, not caring about her sense of grace and dignity at all.
Lin Lan said, “Okay, uncle, I’ll give them some leeway for your sake. You are the backbone of our village and we all believe in you, so if you say that I should cross out half, then it shall be so. They still owe me 1,500 Yuan and I won’t bother with how they divide it as long as the total sum of their amounts is 1,500 Yuan. Bicycles, watches and electronics can be sold to me at second-hand rates as well.”
Han Yongfang nodded, “Such a sensible daughter-in-law.”
He said to Lao Hantou and Han Jinyu, “For goodness sake, don’t spend that amount of money if you don’t have the capabilities to get it back. Hurry and go home, fill in the monetary gaps quickly.”
Lin Lan refused to leave, “Oh right, let’s bring the money and debts here then, so I can have uncle preside over the case for me. I’m worried that if I take this matter home, you might see a woman getting picked on by a group of people.”
Old Man Han had lost his entire life’s worth of dignity.