Chapter 390| Chapter 391| Chapter 392
Chapter 390: Scumbag Girl
“Let go of me first.”
Gu Tingxiao reluctantly loosened his grip. Sheng Wanyan knew he had to be quite drunk today; otherwise, he would never be this clingy.
Stepping out of the bedroom, she noticed the house was already clean and tidy, the dining table completely cleared. The remaining guests must have helped tidy up before they left. That was the best part about soldiers—they were incredibly efficient and valued cleanliness.
Wanyan mixed a cup of warm honey water and carried it back inside. Gu Tingxiao usually avoided sweet things, but as long as she was the one who made it, he would always drain the cup without a word of complaint.
She watched him finish it, then took the empty cup back to the kitchen to wash it before returning to bed.
When she lay back down, she brushed her hand against his face. His skin was flushing hot, and his breath was heavy and warm. As he leaned in, his hot breath tickled the crook of her neck, prompting her to give him a gentle push.
However, she had vastly underestimated a drunk man’s stubbornness. Thinking his wife was rejecting him, Gu Tingxiao immediately pulled her back. He tangled his arms and legs around her, pinning her to the mattress and leaving her absolutely no room to escape.
“You’re so heavy,” Wanyan complained softly. This man was being more demanding than Yi Yi; once he latched onto her, he refused to let go. She tried to budge his leg, but it felt like a heavy iron pillar pressing down on her, making it hard to catch her breath.
“Wife…” he mumbled. “Be good. I won’t do anything.”
As he held her tightly in his arms, he noticed her feet were freezing. He reached down, tucked them between his thighs, and used his own body heat to warm them up.
Sheng Wanyan let out a contented sigh. It turned out a husband was the ultimate luxury during a brutal winter night.
“Go to sleep, wife…” Gu Tingxiao murmured, gently patting her back as if he were rocking a child to sleep. Wanyan didn’t know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
This man truly was a contradiction—rough around the edges, yet incredibly tender when it came to her. She snuggled deeper into his chest, wrapped her arms around his waist, and drifted off to sleep.
Outside, the moonlight spilled through the window. Inside, the couple slept wrapped in each other’s embrace, while their daughter snoozed soundly in her small crib, a sweet, happy smile resting on her chubby face.
When Wanyan woke up the next morning, the house was empty. Gu Tingxiao had already left for early training.
Exhausted from hosting the night before, she had slept straight through until ten o’clock. Yi Yi was nowhere to be found either, meaning Gu Tingxiao had carried the baby off to the training grounds with him. Because his injuries hadn’t fully healed, he was only supervising the drills, which made it easy for him to look after the little girl at the same time.
Seeing how deeply his wife was sleeping, he had left a quiet note, bundled Yi Yi securely into his arms, and slipped out the door.
It was Yi Yi’s first time seeing so many people training at once. She hid her tiny body inside her father’s heavy military coat, peeking out at the world with only her big, round eyes.
“What’s wrong with you lot? Did yesterday’s drinks drain all your energy today?”
Yi Yi flinched at her father’s booming roar. He’s just talking, why does he have to yell so loudly?
“Sir, no, sir!” the men shouted back.
“If you’ve still got energy, give me another hundred push-ups!”
“Yes, sir!”
“One! Two! Three! Four…”
Watching the fit, muscular soldiers drill in front of her, the little girl’s mouth parted in awe, and a bit of drool began to pool at the corner of her lips.
Noticing her wandering gaze, Gu Tingxiao promptly tucked her head back inside his coat to keep her from catching a cold. Is her own father’s physique not impressive enough? Why is she checking out everyone else?
If she grew up with such a wandering eye, wouldn’t she easily be tricked and led astray by some smooth-talking guy flashing his abs in the future? That simply wouldn’t do. His wife loved his build, so there was no reason his daughter should be easily impressed by anyone else.
After a moment of reflection, Gu Tingxiao adjusted his coat to let her eyes peek out again. On second thought, it’s better if she sees what peak physical fitness looks like now. That way, she won’t be fooled by weaklings who only know how to whisper sweet-nothings.
Gu Tingxiao was using his comrades as an educational tool to the absolute maximum, though it was a bit overwhelming for poor Yi Yi. There were so many men—which one was she supposed to look at? Feeling deeply conflicted, she decided to look at one uncle for a bit, then glance at another, doing her absolute best to treat them all equally.
If Sheng Wanyan knew that Gu Tingxiao was already cultivating a “player” mentality in their toddler daughter, she would be furious enough to banish him to the guest room for a week!
After scanning the crowd, Yi Yi finally decided that her uncle, Sheng Wanze, had the best build out of the bunch, so she fixed her intense gaze entirely on him.
Sheng Wanze felt his scalp go numb under his niece’s unblinking stare. Why had this little ancestor been brought to the training field? Was she judging his performance? Did she want to come live at his house and be his daughter instead?
Yi Yi studied the men for a long time before ultimately reaching a final conclusion: her own dad still had the best physique of them all. No wonder her mother loved it so much and always sneaked a handful whenever she got the chance.
Unaware of the baby’s inner thoughts, the soldiers drilled significantly harder under the scrutiny of those bright, innocent eyes. Everyone was terrified that the little girl might go home and say something embarrassing about them to her mother. It would be a massive blow to their pride if a toddler looked down on them.
Gu Tingxiao had no idea that these fearless, hardened soldiers were secretly intimidated by a baby. If he knew, he would probably bring her to training every single day. Anyone who slacked off would be used as a bad example for his daughter, and they wouldn’t be able to blame their captain for being ruthless.
Back at the house, Sheng Wanyan got out of bed and found the note left on the table. Knowing Gu Tingxiao had taken Yi Yi with him, she walked into the kitchen, where her breakfast was being kept warm on the stove.
She smiled warmly, washed up, and sat down to eat. Gu Tingxiao had left her two eggs, two sweet potatoes, and a cob of corn. To go with it, she mixed herself a warm mug of malted milk.
With the child out of the house, she finally had some rare alone time. She slipped into her personal space to wander around, stretch her legs, and cook a bowl of river snail rice noodles. It was a personal craving of hers, but because the dish had such a notoriously pungent aroma, she never dared to cook it around the family for fear they would find the smell unbearable. Now that Yi Yi was out, she could indulge freely, brush her teeth, and take a quick shower inside the space afterward without leaving a single trace of the scent behind.
Since the household was fully stocked, she didn’t need to bring any new supplies out into the house. She spent the rest of the morning working on her translation documents inside her space.
For lunch, she pulled out some shredded chicken and fresh meat buns. Knowing Gu Tingxiao had a massive appetite after training, she prepared a very generous portion. She left the food warming in the kitchen, and right around noon, Gu Tingxiao returned with Yi Yi in his arms.
The little girl had been bundled up so securely against his chest that she was actually sweating from the heat. The moment she was unwrapped, she flashed a brilliant, beaming smile at her mother. Sheng Wanyan assumed her daughter was simply happy from a fun morning outdoors, completely unaware that the child was actually delighted by her morning of watching fit men train.
Wanyan quickly prepared a bottle of milk. Exhausted from her busy morning of observation, Yi Yi drank her milk and immediately fell fast asleep.
“Look how happy she is just from going outside,” Wanyan remarked gently as she wiped the baby’s hands and face, applying a layer of facial cream before laying her down on the warm kang bed. “She must get so bored staying cooped up in the house all day.”
“Let’s eat first, wife,” Gu Tingxiao said.
Wanyan followed him out to the dining table. After a hearty lunch, she returned to the bedroom to join her daughter for a afternoon nap.
Midway through the nap, Yi Yi rolled over, instinctively seeking out her mother’s familiar scent. She crawled right onto Sheng Wanyan’s stomach, burying her face in her clothes and gripping the fabric tightly.
Wanyan shifted the little girl onto her chest, gently stroking her back to make her more comfortable. Yi Yi’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink in her sleep. When Gu Tingxiao walked in and playfully pinched her plump cheek, the sleeping baby simply reached up, wrapped her tiny hand around his finger, and refused to let go.
Chapter 391: Going To Take A Family Photo
Gu Tingxiao didn’t dare move a muscle for fear of waking her, so he simply let her sleep while holding onto his finger. Wrapping his arms securely around his wife and daughter, he pulled them close, letting them enjoy their afternoon nap against his furnace-like warmth.
Life gradually settled back into its usual routine. During this period, Sheng Wanyan ended up eating a great deal of rich, celebratory food, as the families in the compound took turns hosting dinner parties.
In the blink of an eye, New Year’s Eve arrived. Tomorrow, they would officially enter the year 1977.
The year 1976 had been a tumultuous one for the nation, marked by heavy monumental shifts—the passing of the great leaders in the Capital, the shattering of the Gang of Four, and the long-awaited end of the ten-year Cultural Revolution. It had also been a year of immense natural trials, from devastating earthquakes and reservoir collapses to severe flooding of the Yellow River.
But tomorrow would mark the beginning of a brand-new dawn.
Sheng Wanyan found herself looking forward to it. She eagerly anticipated the day when the entire country would break into cheers, stepping into a brighter, ever-improving future.
The two families decided to gather for New Year’s Eve dinner today. Father and Mother Sheng couldn’t make the trip down this year, as Mother Sheng had completely used up her vacation time during her previous visit. Because of this, Sheng Wanyan and Pan Yue had already mailed a large care package back to the elders in Chengdu. But before the holidays fully commenced, they planned to make a trip into the city together to take family photos.
“Shall we go get a family portrait taken tomorrow?” Wanyan suggested. “We can bring Grandpa and Grandma along, too.”
She had wanted to take proper photos for a long time and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity. Gu Tingxiao naturally had no objections. It was a wonderful chance to capture a complete family portrait and mail it to Chengdu, giving her parents a beautiful keepsake to look at.
“Alright,” he agreed.
The next day, both Sheng Wanze and Gu Tingxiao arranged to take the day off. They managed to borrow a military vehicle and drove the entire family into the city.
The moment they walked into the photo studio, the photographer recognized Sheng Wanyan and Yi Yi immediately. After all, the mother and daughter were the most exceptionally good-looking people he had ever photographed, not to mention they were incredibly generous customers.
“Master, we’d like to take a family portrait today,” Wanyan greeted him.
“Of course, of course! How would you like to set it up?” the photographer asked warmly.
“We’ll need a few large group photos of the whole family, a few of our individual families of three, and a couple of portraits just for the two elders.”
The photographer nodded enthusiastically. Having run the studio for decades, he understood exactly what she wanted. “Understood. Who would like to go first?”
Fearing that the two elderly folks might feel stiff and self-conscious, Sheng Wanyan decided to start with the large group photo to help them ease into the environment.
It had been years since Grandpa and Grandma Sheng last stood before a camera. They were incredibly nervous, their hands and feet frozen as they struggled to figure out how to pose.
“Let’s have the elders sit on the stools in the center, holding the little ones,” the experienced photographer directed, sensing their anxiety right away and guiding them gently.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng settled into the middle stools, one cradling Hu Zi and the other holding Yi Yi, while the rest of the family lined up behind them.
“Perfect. Now, the two couples stand right behind them, and everyone give me a big smile. Stand up straight and look right into the lens.”
Everyone followed his instructions. Grandpa and Grandma Sheng held the children tightly, their gazes fixed nervously on the camera.
“Smile!”
Everyone beamed—though as for Gu Tingxiao, it was best not to expect too much of a smile from him. Hu Zi and Yi Yi, on the other hand, were having a wonderful time. They looked at the photographer’s props and burst into happy giggles, making the man’s job much easier.
After snapping four or five shots of the entire group, the two elders relaxed significantly, allowing them to take a few photos by themselves.
“Let’s do a few shots sitting down, and then a few standing up while holding hands. Don’t be shy now!” the photographer coached.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng did exactly as they were told. Today, Grandpa Sheng had specially dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit, while Grandma Sheng wore a beautiful new jacket. Both of them looked exceptionally sharp and full of life.
“Yes, beautiful. Perfect!”
After taking five distinct shots of the elders, it was time for the individual families. Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao stepped up first with their daughter.
Little Yi Yi looked completely bewildered as she sat on her father’s lap, staring blankly ahead. When it came to toddlers, adults had absolutely no say over their expressions; showing their faces was achievement enough. Yet, her serious little face looked incredibly endearing, and the photographer expertly captured the raw cuteness.
The moment the little girl turned her head, he swiftly pressed the shutter again. Yi Yi kept reaching for Sheng Wanyan, so Wanyan pulled her into a warm embrace, causing the baby to flash a wide, gummy grin. The photographer seized the fleeting second, immortalizing her radiant smile.
“Excellent! Let’s have the other family of three step up.” He adjusted the framing. “You two can stand, each holding one of the child’s hands.”
Since Hu Zi was older and practically bouncing with energy, the photographer arranged a fresh, lively pose for them. Sheng Wanze smoothed down his military uniform and held Hu Zi’s hand on one side, while Pan Yue held the other. With his plump, cheerful cheeks, Hu Zi looked wonderfully festive.
“Perfect, all done.”
As the photographer finished up, Gu Tingxiao gently steered Sheng Wanyan back toward the camera backdrop.
“Master, could you please take a few extra photos of just my wife and me?”
The request caught the photographer off guard. After all, this man had maintained a singular, unreadable expression throughout the entire session. Yet, the photographer was a man of the world; he had lived long enough to notice that the captain’s eyes had barely wandered from his wife the entire morning. Though cold on the exterior, his deep devotion to his wife was plain to see.
“Certainly, certainly,” the photographer smiled.
Sheng Wanyan hadn’t expected Gu Tingxiao to ask for couple portraits. The last time they had taken photos together without a baby was for their marriage certificate. Wanyan happened to be wearing a beautiful skirt today, while Gu Tingxiao stood tall in his sharp military uniform. No matter how they posed, they made a strikingly handsome couple.
“Look over here at the lens!” the photographer called out, specifically targeting Gu Tingxiao. Can this guy please look at the actual camera?!
Hearing the prompt, Gu Tingxiao finally shifted his gaze forward. The photographer quickly snapped two shots, but by the time he went for the third, the captain’s eyes had already locked back onto his wife. Amused by the displays of affection, the photographer simply chuckled and snapped a few more candid shots.
Seeing them take couple photos, Sheng Wanze and Pan Yue felt inspired and stepped up to take a few romantic portraits together as well.
“Are you in a rush to get the prints?” the photographer asked as they gathered their things.
Sheng Wanyan nodded. She wanted to mail the family photos back to Chengdu as quickly as possible so her parents could have them in hand for the New Year. “Yes, Master, we need them quite urgently.”
“If you need them rushed, there’s a small express fee, but you can come back to pick them up in two hours.”
Wanyan readily agreed to the extra charge. The fee was a small price to pay to ensure her parents received a piece of home to ease their longing.
Since trips to the city were rare, they decided to utilize the two-hour wait to stock up at the supply and marketing cooperative. With the New Year right around the corner, it was the perfect time to buy holiday goods.
Sheng Wanyan headed straight for the cosmetics counter to buy a few jars of vanishing cream, as her supply at home had completely run out. She also picked out a bolt of soft fabric. Yi Yi’s diapers needed a completely fresh batch, otherwise the harsh winter friction would easily cause a diaper rash on her delicate skin.
Realizing the two elders also needed sturdy new winter footwear, Sheng Wanze stepped away to purchase a few pairs of quality shoes for them.
As for everything else, they were already well-provided for. The heavy winter coats they purchased last year were still in pristine condition, eliminating the need for new adult clothing. Their main focus remained on the children, especially since toddlers grew at an astonishing rate.
The clothes Gu’s mother routinely mailed from the capital would become snug after just a few months. Because Mother Gu didn’t know Yi Yi’s exact measurements, she always erred on the side of caution and sent larger sizes. Yet, Yi Yi grew much faster than other infants her age, quickly developing long arms and legs that required larger undergarments every two months.
The selection at the supply and marketing cooperative was fairly limited, and Yi Yi showed zero interest in the household goods. Her eyes were glued entirely to the toy shelf. To prevent her from forming a spoiled habit, Sheng Wanyan firmly limited her purchase to just two small items, refusing to indulge her further.
Chapter 392: 1977 Is Coming — Part 1
Yi Yi looked as if she were about to burst into tears, but she already knew better than to challenge her mother’s authority, so she had no choice but to accept it and stay obedient.
Sheng Wanyan found the whole display quite amusing. At such a young age, the little girl was already so adept at reading people’s expressions. Who knew what she would be like when she grew up?
Gu Tingxiao didn’t step in to indulge his daughter either. In moments like this, he always maintained a united front with his wife.
Sheng Wanyan proceeded to buy some melon seeds, walnuts, and assorted pastries, using up all the remaining food coupons in her hand.
“Go buy some meat,” she said, handing the meat coupons and money over to Gu Tingxiao. She asked him to line up at the butcher’s counter while she carried Yi Yi over to look at children’s clothing.
When it came to buying meat at the cooperative, one had to queue up early. Otherwise, those at the back of the line would be left with nothing but scraps and fat.
“Alright,” Gu Tingxiao replied.
Sheng Wanze handed his own meat coupons and money over as well, asking his brother-in-law to purchase their share together. As the younger brother, he had to stay behind to accompany the two respected elders and help the women carry their bags; he couldn’t just leave them to fend for themselves.
Without a single word of complaint, Gu Tingxiao headed off to join the queue. Whatever his wife asked of him, he did.
With the family split up, they agreed to meet back up once Gu Tingxiao finished buying the meat, after which they would return to the photo studio to collect their prints.
The photographer had developed all thirty shots they had taken. Sheng Wanyan and Pan Yue stepped forward to settle the bills for their respective families. Pan Yue naturally covered the cost for the two elders; she was far too sensible to let her married sister-in-law pay for her own grandparents’ photos.
Once they had the prints in hand, they packaged up one of the large family portraits to mail to Chengdu. The remaining four group photos were divided evenly between the two households. There were also individual portraits of Grandpa and Grandma Sheng. Pan Yue gave a set to Sheng Wanyan so she could keep them as a precious keepsake for the future.
Gu Tingxiao squeezed Sheng Wanyan’s hand tightly. He understood exactly why his wife cared so much about these photos. In truth, her desire to bring the two elders into the city for a portrait stemmed from a practical wish to have tangible memories for the years to come. She didn’t want a day to arrive, decades down the road, where she would look back to remember her grandparents and find she had nothing left to look at. The elders were well advanced in years, and as their grandchildren, they couldn’t help but worry.
“Let’s head back,” she murmured.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng happily followed them out. The elderly couple understood the reality of their age better than anyone. Though they didn’t speak of it aloud, they felt deeply touched by how thoughtful and considerate the young people were.
Once they were settled back in the vehicle, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng carefully admired the prints. Their eyes lingered on the large family portrait, utterly reluctant to look away. If only Father and Mother Sheng were here as well; it would be wonderful if they could visit their son and daughter-in-law more often.
“Grandpa, Grandma, when Mom and Dad come to visit next year, we’ll all go down to the studio together again,” Sheng Wanyan promised softly, sensing their longing. “From now on, we’ll take a complete family portrait every single year.”
Hearing her words, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng instantly brightened up, their spirits lifting.
“Good, good! We’ll definitely go again next year.”
“We’ll wait until your parents arrive.”
The two elders returned home full of happy anticipation. They carefully carried their share of the photos into their bedroom and tucked them away, treating them like absolute treasures.
Sheng Wanyan placed her own prints into a specially prepared photo album, which she then locked safely inside her dowry chest.
Little Yi Yi was completely exhausted from the outing. The moment they got home, she eagerly drank her milk and drifted off into a long nap.
Since Gu Tingxiao had the entire day off, Sheng Wanyan was able to hand over childcare duties and focus on her own tasks. With Gu Tingxiao keeping a watchful eye on the sleeping baby, Wanyan sat down in the quiet bedroom and worked on her translation documents with complete peace of mind.
When New Year’s Eve arrived, Sheng Wanyan prepared her family’s contribution to the holiday feast and carried it across the street in a large basket.
Pan Yue had also prepared a lavish spread. Altogether, there were six dishes and one soup—a classic combination meant to welcome good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.
With the holiday finally here, the atmosphere in the house was incredibly festive. The three men, in particular, were in high spirits and poured themselves generous servings of alcohol.
“Xiao Ze, Xiao Gu—with the arrival of the New Year, I want to wish you both the very best,” Grandpa Sheng said, raising his glass to his grandsons-in-law. “May you stay safe, find success in your duties, and enjoy perfect health.”
The two younger men quickly raised their glasses in respect.
“Thank you, Grandpa. We wish you and Grandma robust health as well.”
“May everything go smoothly for you both.”
The three men clinked their glasses and drank. Between soldiers, there was no need for grand, sweeping speeches; as long as the sentiment was sincere, a simple toast was enough.
With the turning of the year, little Hu Zi was now officially two years old—an age where children were at their absolute cutest. However, at two, Hu Zi had also begun expressing his own opinions with fierce frequency, making his displeasure known whenever things didn’t go his way.
Sometimes, he drove Pan Yue to the absolute brink of frustration. Every single day during his bath, he would stubbornly point out that he was a boy, lecturing his mother that there shouldn’t be physical contact between men and women.
Pan Yue often found herself wanting to give him a good smack. He was still wearing diapers, yet he was already putting on the grand airs of a mature adult right in front of her. He truly was a little handful.
“Grandpa, Grandma, Wanze—there’s something I’d like to discuss with you all,” Pan Yue announced, catching everyone’s attention.
She wanted to return to her work with the military art troupe. Now that Hu Zi was two years old, he no longer required her constant, round-the-clock supervision. Her family wasn’t entirely surprised by the topic; after all, Pan Yue had formally retained her position with the troupe when she took her leave.
“I’m planning to return to the art troupe full-time.”
If Pan Yue went back to work, the daily responsibility of watching Hu Zi would naturally fall on Grandpa and Grandma Sheng. Pan Yue knew full well that managing a toddler would be exhausting for the elderly couple, but if she didn’t seize the opportunity to return now, it would become incredibly difficult to revive her career down the road. She watched her grandparents nervously, anxious that they might object given how high-energy Hu Zi was at this stage.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng exchanged a brief, knowing look. Pan Yue had already outlined this exact career plan back when she was still pregnant. Hearing her bring it up now didn’t shock them in the least; in fact, they accepted the news with genuine warmth.
In these times, securing a stable, good job was incredibly difficult. If Pan Yue resumed her duties, it would significantly ease the family’s financial responsibilities. Besides, Hu Zi was old enough to be taken out to the yard to play, and he was a remarkably well-behaved eater. All things considered, he wasn’t a difficult child to raise.
“Xiaoyue, Hu Zi is two now, and he’s past the toughest baby stage,” Grandma Sheng said reassingly. “If you want to go back to work, you have our full support.”
The moment Grandma Sheng gave her blessing, the tension vanished from Pan Yue’s shoulders. “Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma.”
Even with her return to the troupe, Pan Yue’s schedule would allow her to come home during the lunch hour, meaning she could still shoulder a large portion of the household chores. Grandpa and Grandma Sheng’s main duty would simply be keeping an eye on Hu Zi’s safety during the day.
Little Hu Zi had absolutely no idea his mother was preparing to leave him for work; his entire focus remained blissfully locked onto the delicious meat on his plate.
Meanwhile, Yi Yi was now a year and a half old. Her speech had become noticeably more fluent, and she had turned into an active explorer, poking her nose into every corner of the house out of sheer curiosity.
Whenever she and Hu Zi got together, the noise level tripled. The two toddlers possessed enough destructive energy to practically pull the house down.
There were moments when Sheng Wanyan felt so exasperated she thought her head might split. Her daughter alone could be incredibly trying; she couldn’t even begin to imagine how chaotic it would be if she had a son instead. If she didn’t already have her translation work to keep her occupied, she probably would have run out to find a conventional job just to get a bit of peace and quiet.
She found herself suddenly feeling a slight twinge of envy toward Pan Yue. If Wanyan didn’t already know that the national college entrance examinations were slated to resume in the near future, she likely would have waited until the baby was a bit older before quietly seeking out a steady job of her own. For the first time, she fully understood why mothers in later generations often seemed to love working overtime at the office.
With the happy news of Pan Yue’s career return, the New Year’s Eve celebration grew even more animated.
As night fell, it was time to distribute the traditional red envelopes to the children. Hu Zi was old enough to understand the value of paper money, knowing it could be traded for sweets and toys.
Pan Yue had no intention of confiscating his holiday money right away. She wasn’t worried about him spending it all, because she knew that sooner or later, the boy would tuck the envelopes into some obscure corner of the room and completely forget about them. In the end, she would be the one finding them and tidying up his mess anyway. She wasn’t the type of mother who felt a burning need to control her child’s pocket money; even if she eventually gathered it up for safekeeping, every yuan would be strictly reserved for his own future needs.
