Rebirth in the 60s: A Path to Counterattack
Chapter 37 - 037. Frugal Brother, Spendthrift Sister?

Chapter 37: 037. Frugal Brother, Spendthrift Sister?

Waited and waited, hoped and hoped, but still no sight of his little sister returning. Liu Shouren regretted his momentary softness in letting Lianshan accompany her for the shopping trip.

Why give the chance to bond, talk about feelings?

Sending the sheep into the tiger’s mouth, really!

It’s frustrating that he’s unfamiliar with this provincial city, afraid that he’d take a wrong turn and not only fail to find them but also worry his little sister. He could only linger at the guesthouse entrance hoping to spot her return as quickly as possible. His heart angrily resolved that once Lianshan returned, he would definitely put on the authoritative air of an elder brother-in-law and give him a thorough scolding. Taking liberties to vanish for half a day just because he was asked to accompany his little sister for a stroll?

Doesn’t he know that his little sister is now pregnant, least able to endure exhausting trips!

Finally, Brother Liu, full of grievances, spotted the unfortunate future brother-in-law with his sister; his thoughts filled entirely with shock and awe, leaving no room for anything else.

"This, this, this, where did you get the bicycle, little sister? And all these things, are they both yours?" Reason told him that such a large item as a bicycle wouldn’t be lent out except to someone utterly trustworthy, and cloth, candy, soap, not only required money but also coupons, while the two large wool blankets strapped on the bike rack were premium goods that needed industrial coupons to buy.

Basically, the whole bike is loaded with things, aside from those few large handkerchiefs and pillow towels, all require coupons!

"Isn’t it so? It’s hard to come to the provincial city, gotta bring something home. I’m about to get married, gotta sorta cover both in-laws and my family. Haha, I spent all our money and coupons. Brother, you won’t blame me, right?" Seeing that her brother’s questioning had drawn the attention of passersby, Shuzhen quickly replied loudly with these words, fearing the provincial city’s residents might have a higher consciousness, more positivity, leading to her brother’s astonishment further reporting them.

Though momentarily stunned, Liu Shouren was no fool! With his sister’s explanation, he immediately frowned with disdain in his voice: "You silly girl don’t know how to budget properly! It took us so long to save up these coupons for you, hoping your life would be easier with some surplus. Yet, you blew it all in one morning.

If you keep failing to budget wisely, don’t come crying home if you lead a poor life in the future!

When a daughter marries, she’s like water thrown out, the family doesn’t expect your filial piety, help, nor be a burden, always visiting... "

"How can that be? Parents said that all sons are debt collectors, daughters are the cherished little coat! Even if they drive you and Second Brother out, they definitely wouldn’t let this precious girl suffer a bit. If you doubt, just yap, I’ll report once I’m home tomorrow. Enough, hurry and lend a hand, put the things in my room. Yes, move the bicycle in too.

Be careful, this is part of my dowry, if a bit of paint is scratched I’ll make you pay for a new one!" Shuzhen arrogantly lifted her chin, vividly portraying the spoiled girl from a doting family, spending extravagantly. Seamlessly contrasting Liu Shouren’s prior complaints, the brother-sister duo animatedly turned Brother Liu’s astonishment into a frugal brother’s grievance about a squanderer sister.

Lianshan was fooled entirely, not to mention the curious passersby!

Seeing Liu Shouren indeed intimidated by the ’spoiled sister’, obediently carrying things into the room. Several passersby feeling there’s no spectacle nor suspicious situation, shook their heads, inwardly lamenting that the Liu family parents are truly confused. Although even leaders say women can hold half the sky, it’s merely a slogan, who truly believes it? Raising sons for old age defense, truly if someday things don’t work out it’ll still be sons. In this era those parents not trading daughter’s marriage for food are good ones, but extortion son for daughter? Certainly two muddleheaded ones! Now when there’s money and food, they kindly call son-in-law’s parents, but later when things don’t work out, look at the long face like Changbai Mountain!

Shuzhen was oblivious that her and her brother’s impromptu words would trigger such imaginings among passersby. After finally getting everything sorted in the room, she quickly poured a glass of water for both her brother and Lianshan. Then she smiled flattering, exaggeratedly praising Liu Shouren with a big thumbs-up: "Worthy of being my brother, astute and clever!"

"Don’t think you can smooth things over with flattery, hurry and confess truthfully. Honesty leads to leniency, resistance to severity. Frankly explain, where did you get the tickets for these scarce goods? Is everything handled neatly, any lingering issues?" Liu Shouren deliberately avoided eye contact, ignoring his sister’s act of cuteness, sternly asking.

Knowing her brother’s underlying doting nature, when it comes to her, he’s a paper tiger easily poked apart. She was calm with that confidence naturally. But Lianshan, unfamiliar with such scenes, thought the elder brother-in-law might be like himself who is as fatherly and brotherly in front of siblings. Protecting fiercely when needed, harsh reprimanding when mistakes made.

Fearing the clever sister would be reprimanded, he hurriedly spoke up intending to take all responsibility. While truthfully today’s events were indeed his fault, hadn’t he felt pity seeing Shuzhen having money but no coupons, receiving sales clerk’s disdain, he wouldn’t have improvised on the spot seeking a conversation with Xue Guohong who seemed pure, easygoing. Without this, naturally there wouldn’t have been subsequent developments.

Lianshan’s words immediately alarmed Shuzhen. Despite Lianshan’s undoubtedly good intentions, fearing Brother might scold her for spending too much, rashly switching coupons imprudently, in Brother’s view, it surely seemed instigation! One trying to assert himself, one mindful of status but dare not resist, what an odd to thwart both instances for Shuzhen.

Held her belly and cried she was hungry, straight up saying she had been wildly shopping all morning without time for eating. Breakfast had already been digested fully, now both she and baby in womb were hungry. Save talk for later, better eat first! Tackling glaring topic diversion made Liu Shouren shook his head and sighed repeatedly, blaming nature that daughters are said unretainable when maturing. Look, not even married yet, elbows fully pivoted outward. After marriage, not sure if she’ll remember her family, two brothers!