974 Perplexed and Smitten 34 (1/2)
”Second Aunt, what you're saying is wrong. When I went to school, the school fees were tens of dollars. Grandma asked you for it but you didn't lend it to her and even said upsetting things to her. Because of that, she even got sick for a few days. You even stopped Second Uncle from helping Grandma with the chores in her field. Such incidents occurred more than a few times. If Second Aunt wants the 20 thousand dollars, I'll go get it. If not, then please leave.”
Second Aunt Fang started bawling in despair all of a sudden and collapsed onto the ground. ”No matter how your Second Uncle and I treated you in the past, didn't your Grandma still raise you up? You're all grown up now and your Grandma is gone as well. We just want a favor from you and you're unwilling to help us out. If your late Grandma were to know about this, would she be able to rest in peace? No matter what, your cousin is also her grandson. As she watches her own grandson go into prison, she'll probably blame you for not helping us out when you have the money.”
Mr. Fang pressed her as well, ”Erlan, just help out your Second Uncle and Second Aunt once. They're really desperate.”
”Erlan, you earn money easily, but your Second Aunt and I need to slog our guts to earn such money in one or two years. Now, we really need the money urgently. You don't have to be afraid that we won't return it to you. We'll write an IOU for you, and Second Uncle will return the money to you once we earn it back.”
Fang Erlan responded, ”How about this, I'll loan the 100 thousand dollars to all of you, but it needs to be clearly written on the IOU that if the money isn't returned within five years, the piece of land you own will be transferred to me.”
”What?!” Second Aunt Fang, who was originally bawling on the ground, sprung up instantly. ”Do you know how much that piece of land is worth now? It's worth at least 170 or 180 thousand dollars. You want us to transfer it to you in exchange for 100 thousand dollars?”
”I said that it's only in case the money isn't returned within five years. One hundred thousand dollars isn't a small amount. Without putting up anything as collateral, I won't loan it to all of you. If you put 100 thousand dollars in the bank for five years, the interest can already amount to as much as ten thousand dollars. If the loan is returned within five years, the land is still yours. I'm doing all of you a huge favor, what's with your attitude, Second Aunt? Are you sure you're here to borrow money or to collect debt from me?”
Without waiting for Second Aunt to speak, Second Uncle Fang replied, ”What Erlan says makes sense. We'll put it up as collateral to you then. If we aren't able to return the money within five years, the land will be yours.”
”Alright then, all of you go back to the village to write out a letter of proof for me. I'll make an agreement on my side as well. Come here to get the money from me tomorrow.” It was Fang Erlan's signal for them to leave.
”We'll go back first, then.” Second Uncle Fang added, ”Brother, Sister-in-law, are you both going back together with us? Or staying here to accompany Erlan for a few days?”
The reason Mrs. Fang had come along was actually to get along well with her daughter, but she had lost such a good opportunity to do so.
Ever since Fang Erlan was young, both mother and daughter had never lived together. With so many years having gone by, the period of time wherein she had needed her mother's love the most had passed as well. She had grown up now and no longer needed it.
However, before Mrs. Fang could answer, Fang Erlan responded, ”My filming is about to end soon, so I'll be very busy these few days. I won't have the time to accompany the two of you. Father, Mother, there's no need to stay over.”
Mr. and Mrs. Fang were instantly embarrassed but could not say anything either. Just like that, the whole family left her room.
Once her room door was closed shut, without even waiting for her to knock on the bathroom door, Yan Ge came out from inside.
”From the moment your family members entered, not a single one of them was concerned about the injury on your face.”
She was actually not bothered much by it. After all, since she was young, only her grandmother cared the most for her. As for her biological parents, they were always indifferent toward her.
After hearing what he said, she suddenly felt quite miserable for no reason. Even her voice turned as dull as her low spirits as she answered him, ”The injury's mild, it's fine.”
He took a glance at her and didn't say anything further, simply remarking, ”Get Xiao Yue to buy a bottle of ointment for you. I'll return to my room.”
”Umm.”
As she watched the door being closed shut, Fang Erlan walked straight to the bedside and leaned over it, closing her eyes.
After regaining her composure, she called Xiao Yue and told her to buy a bottle of ointment for her.