Being acquainted with the Xi Family, having capable adoptive parents, and having the Song Family as a supportive god-relative behind them, that child will not need the Xiao Family’s help even if they face any situation in the future.
Moreover, from a moral standpoint, since the Xiao Family chose not to recognize the child for the sake of their reputation, it’s destined that they have no right to appear in the child’s life.
Sighing deeply, Father Xiao felt deeply ashamed for his eldest grandson who was lost outside, but he couldn’t let emotions rule him. Therefore, the only thing he could do was to ensure Feng Lu and the Xiao Family wouldn’t cause trouble for that child.
As for the old folks in the Feng Family, he would find time to have a proper chat with them to make sure Feng Lu wouldn’t make a fuss about the child’s background.
To prevent a good child from being harmed and labeled as an illegitimate child by her.
"Dad is right." Xiao Jin chuckled bitterly: "Not to mention rade Luo is an outstanding scientific researcher, rade Kang Li alone is a nationally renowned athlete, a professor at Shuimu University, and also the goddaughter of our Song Family. If we talk about connections, our family might not be able to match that."
After a brief pause, Xiao Jin adjusted his emotions and said, "I’ll handle the money issue."
Father Xiao: "It’s twenty thousand, not two thousand. Even if you can produce it, how will you manage in the future?"
"I have savings."
Having worked for more than ten years, he had saved up some money.
"How will you explain it to Little Shen?"
Father Xiao’s attitude was clear; he did not approve of Xiao Jin using his own money.
"Economically we are separate." To avoid Father Xiao’s misunderstanding, Xiao Jin explained, "She proposed it before we got married."
"How do you manage household expenses and the children’s education costs?" Father Xiao found it unbelievable and felt a little dissatisfied with Shen Yun, his eldest daughter-in-law. He just listened to Xiao Jin say, "She hardly es home once a year, each time just for a few days. I cover this part of the living expenses..."
After waiting to hear more and with no response, Father Xiao asked, "Why didn’t you continue?"
Xiao Jin pressed his lips and said, "As for the education costs for the children, we split it equally." In reality, there was no such thing as splitting. All the household expenses were covered by him, and Shen Yun just occasionally bought something for the house depending on her mood.
Regarding this, he had no meaningful objection, as supporting the family is traditionally the man’s responsibility.
Moreover, two of the three children in the family were his blood. As a father, it was his duty and obligation to raise his own children, and he would not get twisted over this matter.
Of course, as a stepfather, he also had the responsibility and obligation to support Jian, but after graduating from elementary school, Jian was taken abroad by his biological father for studies.
In other words, he didn’t spend much on his stepson Jian’s education.
"Is your relationship with Little Shen so distant? Or is it that she hasn’t invested her heart in your family at all?"
Father Xiao truly couldn’t understand the dynamic between his eldest son and his wife.
Financial independence, splitting the children’s education costs, what kind of situation is this?
"Dad, I’m not young anymore. I know what I’m doing. Besides, I believe there’s nothing wrong with financial independence between spouses." Xiao Jin smiled and quietly looked at him. Mrs. Xiao was silent for a moment, then said, "Do whatever you want. If you really want to spend money, just give five thousand; the rest will e from the family."
Xiao Jin hesitated, "This... Isn’t there only one son in the family? Wouldn’t spending fifteen thousand at once to solve my problem make my brother Xiao Shen overthink it?"
Seemingly understanding what he was thinking, Father Xiao’s face darkened, "You’re overthinking it. The second child doesn’t have as much burden as you do, and moreover, the second child also has an ine."
"How about... How about I consider it as borrowing from the family, and when I have more on my hands, I will pay it back." Ever since transferring to work in North City, Xiao Jin’s salary and benefits were good, but no matter how good, he could only make around eighty yuan a month. Even if he didn’t eat or drink for a month, the most he could make in a year was a thousand yuan.
There were salary raises, but before the 1980s, each raise was at most ten yuan. Up until now, his monthly salary was about a hundred yuan.
After expenses, the annual ine was clear as day.
Therefore, no matter how much savings he actually had, Xiao Jin knew that even if he didn’t mention it, the old man could roughly estimate.
Understanding this, Xiao Jin naturally wouldn’t be pretentious when Father Xiao offered assistance.
But he would keep his word and pay back the money borrowed from the family to avoid any future conflict between brothers.
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