518 Thoroughly Disappointed
Zhang Miao happily threw herself into Li Gui’s arms and said sweetly, “Elder sister is asking us how we feel about not having a father.”
Li Gui’s smiley face instantly fell. She did not want Qiao Mei to know too much about this matter. After all, Qiao Mei was the one who provided the money for the “severance payment” back then. She already owed Qiao Mei and Qiao Qiang too much.
Did she have to continue to owe Qiao Mei for this matter?
“Mei Mei… About this, I’m actually…” Li Gui said hesitantly.
“I still want to ask you one last time. Do you really not want to get a divorce?” Qiao Mei asked earnestly.
Li Gui put down the things in her hand and slowly sat down on the brick bed. She was actually more concerned that it would affect the reputations of Qiao Mei and the children. If she did not have children, she would have divorced that bastard long ago.
If she got a divorce now, it would affect the children’s chances of getting married and finding a job in the future. In that case, she might as well endure it for a few more years. At the very least, it would give the children a better future.
“I don’t want a divorce. After the divorce, the people in the village will definitely talk about it. By then, I won’t have a place in the village anymore. The children are still studying now. What if they get bullied in school in the future!” Li Gui said worriedly.
Qiao Mei also knew her difficulties, but it was better to deal with painful things quickly. If she did not get a divorce, she would only feel even more pain.
“You know what the people in our village are like. Everyone knows your difficulties. Even if you get a divorce, no one will say anything. Besides, if you don’t get a divorce now, what about these children in the future?” Qiao Mei said as she held back her anger.
“If I get a divorce, it will be difficult for Zhang Wei and Zhang Chao to find a wife. When that happens, Zhang Qin and Zhang Miao won’t be able to find a good in-law either. It will be really difficult then,” Li Gui said as she wept.
If they did not get a divorce now, Zhang Wei and Zhang Chao would not have the money to get married! No nice girl would be willing to marry into a family where they would suffer!
When nice boys saw such a family situation, they also would not marry Zhang Qin and Zhang Miao. If the girls were lucky enough to have someone come and propose marriage, the Zhang family might even ask for betrothal gifts worth thousands of dollars. Li Gui and the children would not get a single cent in the end and those assholes from the Zhang family would take everything.
“Mei Mei, why don’t you… continue to help your younger siblings…” Li Gui put on a thick skin and said in a low voice.
She really had no choice. If she did not give the Zhang family some money next time, Zhang Wei and Zhang Chao would get beaten up again. Now, there was not even an uninjured spot on Zhang Wei’s back.
Qiao Mei also could not bear to see them suffer, but if Li Gui could not make up her mind to get a divorce, this was a bottomless pit.
No matter how much money Qiao Mei had, it would not be enough to fill up this huge hole.
Since Li Gui was determined not to get a divorce, she did not try to persuade her again. She decided not to fork out any more money to help Li Gui. If Li Gui did not leave the Zhang family, the Zhang family would only become more demanding in the future.
The Zhang family had no limits. If they knew that Qiao Mei was willing to help, there would definitely be no end to it.
“I don’t have any money left. I’ve spent all my money on this trip to the capital. Think of another way. It’s getting late, I’m going back,” Qiao Mei said coldly.
Qiao Mei stood up disappointedly and went to look for Xia Zhe. At this moment, Xia Zhe was already sleeping soundly with his limbs spread out and did not look like his usual disciplined self.
“Wake up…” Qiao Mei reached out and poked Xia Zhe.
Xia Zhe muttered a few words and adjusted himself to a comfortable position before falling asleep again. Qiao Mei sighed resignedly. It seemed that she would have to sleep at Li Gui’s place tonight.
It was not too peaceful at the Zhang family’s house either. When Old Madam Zhang returned home, she felt that her leg seemed to be broken. She kicked up a fuss and insisted on going to the hospital to see a doctor. Although Sun Yan was at home, she did not help with the cleaning and cooking at home. By now, they were all hungry and angry.
“Ow! Hurry up and bring me to the hospital! I’m going to die!” Old Madam Zhang lay on the sofa and shouted.
“If you can walk back on your own, how can there be any problem with you? We can bring you there. Just take out your money and we’ll go,” Zhang Qian said.
People like Zhang Qian and Zhang Cong who had a workplace did not need to spend money if they went to the hospital. Their workplace would reimburse them. Old Madam Zhang did not have a job and had to pay for her own expenses if she went to the hospital to see a doctor.
Zhang Qian did not have any money on hand. He had to set aside a bit of money so that he could still drink and smoke. Moreover, the young widow from the building next door had invited him to her house recently. How would he have the money to pay for the old lady’s medical bills!
He wanted to save some money to get married! He did not want to have to look at that jinx, Li Gui.
