Substitute Driver's Notes

Chapter 73 They won't even give me 5 yuan

Just as Li Wei was about to leave in utter disappointment, the Shen family members came running out upon hearing the commotion. Shen Yueru grabbed him first, her voice pleading and her face upturned with a hint of coquetry: "Brother Wei, I won't let you go."

Mr. Shen followed closely behind and came out very politely: "Master Li has helped Yue Ru so much, we should at least have a simple meal together."

Mrs. Shen was the last to come out, forcing a smile: "Yes, Chef Li, how about trying my cooking tonight?"

After eating Shen Yueru's cooking, Li Wei thought that Shen's mother's suggestion was good, as it was a little better than going back to eat cold steamed buns and pickled vegetables.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Li Wei reluctantly sat down and chatted with Mr. Shen over tea.

Shen's mother took her daughter out of the house and told them that she was going to buy some groceries to prepare dinner.

Despite the casual conversation, Mr. Shen seemed like a different person when he sat down again. He kept asking Li Wei questions, and when Li Wei mentioned that his family was harmonious, his children were obedient, and he was currently driving a long-distance truck, his expression changed several times. When Li Wei asked him what kind of work he did, he was vague and changed the subject with a few laughs.

"Cunning and shrewd," Li Wei thought to himself, feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward. His honest way of dealing with people made it too easy for others to see through him.

When asked about his future plans, Li Wei laughed and said, "I don't have many plans. The old folks always say that if you're not rich by thirty, you're not wealthy by forty. I'm over thirty and still not rich, so I can only honestly work hard to earn money and support my family!"

"Oh? Don't you want to start your own business?"

Li Wei shook his head and sighed, "I'm not young anymore. I have no knowledge, no connections, and no funds. I have no intention of starting a business."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Shen's father's eyes: "If you had the funds, do you have any business plans?"

"Funding?" Li Wei looked at Shen's father suspiciously. "You're providing the funding?"

Mr. Shen nodded gently: "I have some spare cash. If the project is suitable, I can consider it."

Li Wei laughed and said, "You don't know your son-in-law is short of money, do you? Telling me this? Heh!"

Mr. Shen looked outside to make sure the mother and daughter were far away before he sighed and said in a low voice, "I never thought she would make the right choice. That boy had ulterior motives for getting close to Yue Ru. Do you think I couldn't see that?"

But this girl was spoiled by her parents. She threatened to kill herself if they disagreed, believing that love was everything. I had no choice but to compromise, but I told her that marriage was fine, but I would not give her a single penny more, and she would have to live a hard life with her husband.

Cut off her money, live a mundane life for a while, and let her know, amidst the ordinary daily grind, that love is unreliable.

Sure enough, after only a few months without money, that kid showed his true colors and came to me to borrow money. Borrow money? Ha! Does he think I'm stupid? Do you think I'd let him go on a lavish lifestyle of drinking, gambling, and whoring? He thinks he can get rich overnight by deceiving my daughter?

Yueru was angry with me and gave up her original lifestyle, intending to support herself through her own efforts, thinking that the two of us could live a good life by working hard together.

That bastard couldn't get the money himself, so he sent Yue Ru back to me to borrow it. But that girl is too proud to come back and beg me.

The two of them started arguing, and then the girl was hit. I knew about it but didn't intervene.

People have to suffer a bit to grow. I'm just waiting for the girl to realize her mistake and come back to apologize.

But I really have to thank you, otherwise Yueru might have really been in trouble this time.

Then I will use my connections to make this bastard who dared to hurt my daughter pay the price.

Okay, you're awesome, you're the boss, everything about your daughter is under your control.

But I don't agree with your methods. You don't approve of the marriage and then ignore it? Your daughter was beaten so badly and you didn't stand up for her? Are you waiting for her to suddenly realize her mistake?

If it were me, I would have torn that kid to pieces and stewed him long ago, and none of this mess would have happened.

Your daughter almost got buried alive, what good is your current arrogance?

But what does this have to do with me? I just want to know if they'll skip paying the 20 yuan for the accommodation after I've had dinner.

Wait, there's also the fare of ten yuan, breakfast of four yuan, and phone bills—I'm on roaming, so it adds up to almost fifty yuan!

Mr. Shen seemed to be very impressive and was bragging to me. Would it be impolite for me to suddenly ask for money?

Sigh! I was too embarrassed to ask. No wonder my eyelids have been twitching so much lately; it turns out I'm going to lose money!

Li Wei was absent-minded and distracted, paying no attention to what Shen's father later mentioned about risk investment control, life planning, and how to manage finances, and giving only perfunctory replies.

Shen's father realized that Li Wei wasn't interested in discussing future plans with him. (Mainly because he didn't understand.)

So the topic shifted, and we started talking about the recent Israeli-Palestinian situation, the EU's anti-dumping measures on leather shoe exports, the impact of countries abolishing state taxes on farmers, and the Olympic mascots—we discussed these topics in great detail.

"Speaking of this?" Li Wei also chimed in, expressing concern for George W. Bush regarding the Iraq War, criticizing Putin's domineering attitude, and believing that if the US were to fight him, both sides would suffer heavy losses, and China would become the world's number one power.

Just as they were chatting enthusiastically, Shen Yueru and her daughter returned. Seeing the two of them having a great time, they went straight to the kitchen, and in the blink of an eye, a concerto of pots and pans filled the kitchen.

After a long, rambling conversation, the two stopped when Shen Yueru called out sweetly that the meal was ready. Shen's father stood up and politely invited Li Wei to the dining room.

Seeing the lavish spread of over a dozen dishes on the table, Li Wei immediately realized he couldn't ask for money. This meal alone would have cost over a hundred yuan to prepare, and there was even a bottle of high-end liquor just by looking at the bottle. He sighed helplessly, "You're too kind. How could I possibly accept such an expense!"

Father Shen laughed and said, "What's there to be embarrassed about, considering you saved Yueru? Is Yueru's life not worth a little food and drink?"

"Hehe, your young lady is priceless, so I won't be polite."

"Don't be shy, make yourself at home."

You said it, didn't you? Don't regret it!

After sitting down, I realized that they were different from my hometown. The whole family sat down, unlike back home where women don't sit at the table and have to wait for the men to finish eating. Here, the whole family was involved in the meal.

After waiting for Mr. Shen to pick up his wine glass and exchange a few polite words, Li Wei took a sip, following local custom. It was good wine, but the alcohol content was a bit low, and a bottle was a bit small.

Never mind, this wine is expensive, I'll just treat it as a way to soothe my throat.

Shen Yueru stayed by Li Wei's side, gently serving him food and pouring him wine. Shen's parents communicated in their dialect, and Shen Yueru listened attentively with an unchanged expression, occasionally saying a few words.

Gradually, Li Wei found it boring and couldn't understand what they were talking about, so he couldn't join in the conversation at all.

Being treated like a guest, yet unable to eat to one's heart's content, one can only make do.

The meal was unpleasant, and he didn't drink enough. After barely finishing his meal, Li Wei put down his chopsticks when he saw that it was almost time. "Thank you for your hospitality. It's getting late. You all should have a good chat. I should go back now."

"Girl, listen to your parents. Remember what Brother Wei said: parents would never harm their own children. They are only saying things for your own good."

Well, he's bound to be obligated to those who give him money, and Brother Wei still has his pride. But have you forgotten something? You won't even give me fifty yuan?