Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 693 - 568: Hidden Agendas

"Brother, give me one too."

"You should smoke less." Despite saying that, Lin Aiguo still handed over the pack of cigarettes.

Lin Aidang took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a few puffs. Through the smoke, he looked at his elder brother frowning in the night and sighed.

"Brother, you should smoke less too."

"Hmm."

"Dad mentioned something just now that you should really consider. While we have the money, we should buy a better house for Xiao Hui."

Upon hearing this, Lin Aiguo patted his shoulder. "It’s easy to spend money when you’re not the head of the household."

Lin Aidang frowned, having almost forgotten how much his elder brother had spent on various traditional doctors and expensive supplements for Mrs. Lin when she fell ill.

"How much are you short? We can figure out a way to scrape together some funds. We can’t let Victory’s brothers have houses while Xiao Hui misses out."

Lin Aiguo’s expression softened as he smiled, "No need. My wife and I both have salaries, and we have some savings. We can wait a bit longer, it’s not urgent until there’s someone."

"That’s good. I was worried that my sister-in-law might be upset; you should talk to her." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Your sister-in-law isn’t like that."

When Jiang Jiangyu entered the house with her son and daughter, she saw the two brothers chatting and approached them, asking, "Brother, have you eaten yet?"

Lin Aiguo shook his head.

"Take Xuezhen to the kitchen to prepare something. The old man hasn’t eaten yet," Lin Aidang said after seeing his wife and daughter head to the kitchen, then turned to his son, asking, "Why did you get back so late?"

Lin Dingsheng greeted his uncle and replied, "We waited a long time for the bus. My mom also ran into an old friend and chatted for a bit."

"Uncle, I heard that Xiao Hui is doing very well, congratulations."

Lin Aiguo nodded with a smile.

"Xiao Hui is graduating next year, right? It’s a pity he didn’t apply to the military academy. Otherwise, he would have..." Lin Aidang expressed half a sentence with regret.

Lin Aiguo understood the implication and smiled, saying nothing. His son had his own ideas and liked to keep things to himself, which was okay too.

After dinner, Lin Aiguo went to Mrs. Lin’s room and saw her watching him with open eyes.

He quickly stepped to the bedside and sat down, "Mom, remember the acupuncture master Doctor Hu I mentioned last time? This time he cured an elderly person in Sichuan, and once I heard the news, I sent someone over. Don’t worry, we’ll definitely get him to come this time."

Mrs. Lin’s eyes brightened, looking at him expectantly.

Lin Aiguo nodded firmly with a smile.

Mrs. Lin kept blinking her eyes.

This left Lin Aiguo puzzled — what did she mean by this?

"Mom, hold on, I’ll call the maid," Lin Aiguo said as he ran to the door to call the maid.

When the maid came over, he repeated what he’d said previously.

The maid kept looking at Mrs. Lin and noticed her eyes kept shifting to the right. Following the gaze, she saw the box where money was kept and had a sudden realization, blurting out, "Is Mrs. Lin trying to say we shouldn’t hesitate to spend money?"

This time, Mrs. Lin closed her eyes and then opened them to look at them.

Lin Aiguo laughed out loud, "The maid really knows my mom. Mom, rest assured, I’ve already sent the message. We’ll meet Doctor Hu’s conditions as long as he comes over."

The maid chimed in, "Mrs. Lin, you’re truly blessed; you will surely recover."

This was indeed correct. Having suffered a stroke for so many years without developing bedsores was due to the maid’s care, and also thanks to Lin Liyin, the youngest daughter.

Mrs. Lin kept looking towards the door and then at her eldest son...

Lin Aiguo then understood, "Didn’t brother-in-law say a few days ago that little sister just recovered, but her mother-in-law fractured her leg? She’ll come back in a few days; she’ll surely come to see you after her vacation ends."

Standing outside the door, Jiang Jiangyu watched the events unfold, a twinkle in her eye, before lowering her head and walking out.

In the quiet of the night, Jiang Jiangyu nudged her husband in the bedroom, softly asking, "Are you asleep?"

"No, if you have something to say, say it, don’t touch me."

"Stubborn man. Do you think the Doctor Hu that brother mentioned will really come? Is he really that skilled?"

Lin Aidang sighed and said softly, "There’s no doubt he is very skilled, but he has some peculiar habits. He won’t come to Beijing."

"Speak clearly, don’t be half-hearted. Why won’t he come to Beijing? Didn’t we say the conditions are open? It seems mom has placed her hopes on him."

In the dark, Lin Aidang sighed, and after a while said, "It’s said that Doctor Hu is elusive and treats patients based on his mood. My brother holds only a slim hope as well."

Jiang Jiangyu opened her mouth but then closed it again, thinking about the eccentric habits some people have, then pursed her lips, quietly thinking it might be better not to cure so as not to burden the children.

Remembering the conversation she overheard between her two sons that night, she thought of asking her husband, but hesitated for a while and eventually didn’t say a word. If asked how she knew, it would surely implicate her sons.

Putting those thoughts aside, she turned and asked, "What were you talking about with big brother when I came back? You two seemed quite cheerful."

With her reminder, Lin Aidang asked immediately, "How much savings do we have left?"

Jiang Jiangyu nervously clutched the sheets, "Why?"

"You see, big brother’s spent a lot on mom these past few years, and we should contribute some as well."

Jiang Jiangyu refused, "Impossible. Dad and mom’s retirement pensions are quite substantial; how much can big brother spend? Those supplements he buys are mostly brought back by his comrades, and they don’t cost much."

Finished speaking, she clung to her husband’s arm anxiously, "Let me tell you, we bought a courtyard, and we’ve been paying it off. Don’t act on a whim."

"You don’t understand! I know how much big brother has spent. When we came over, Dad gave a significant amount to Victory’s brothers. I think he’s short of cash, so I’m planning to leave some money for the old man before we go back."

"You must be crazy; do you know how much mom has in assets? You better worry about the cost of marrying off our two sons. These are immediate issues, what about the dowry?"

Grumbling, Lin Aidang sat up, leaned against the headboard, and asked in a low voice, "So, what do you mean? Not a penny? Can you really do that? Didn’t you notice sister-in-law not coming over much? You’re busy tidying up the courtyard, and while big brother might have no opinion, you think sister-in-law has none?"

Jiang Jiangyu pulled the sheet over her head, refusing to answer.

"Xiao Yu, don’t forget, the thousand yuan for the courtyard was secretly supplemented by my mom. She said she didn’t have any assets when she gave it to me."

"We’re already in a good place. Mom’s medical treatment is free. If it were your mother, half would be self-funded. Wouldn’t you contribute? Didn’t you transfer a hundred yuan when your big brother was in the hospital the year before last? Isn’t that more than my monthly salary?"

From under the sheet, Jiang Jiangyu’s voice came out, "If mom can support you, she can support big brother too, right? Since that thousand yuan, I’ve never received any money from your mom."

Lin Aidang didn’t want to argue with her; he knew the extra food coupons at home weren’t from his brother. Saying big brother would accept support was unimaginable to him.

"Stop talking nonsense. Calculate how much money we have on hand, and leave half for mom and dad. If you don’t comply, don’t blame me for not handing over my salary."

Jiang Jiangyu laughed loudly in anger, pulled the sheet off, climbed onto him, and bit his mouth hard. Seeing her husband’s brief hesitation followed by holding her tightly, she smiled triumphantly.