Brian Chapman agreed with his father. With their older son still at home, Phoebe Thorne was bound to return. 'A child is what keeps a woman tethered, after all!'
Mr. Chapman smiled, gratified. "That's the spirit. Go to the Huxleys' place and tell them I sent you to borrow twenty yuan. Once you've had a full meal, go and get Phoebe."
"You think Mr. Huxley will lend it to me?" Brian Chapman asked doubtfully.
These days, neighbors and relatives went out of their way to avoid him, not even bothering with a simple greeting.
"He will. Just tell him I sent you," Mr. Chapman said with a sigh.
Brian Chapman forced himself to get his act together and went to borrow the money. To his surprise, while Mr. Huxley was clearly displeased, he still lent him the twenty yuan. However, the moment Brian stepped out, the Huxleys shut the door, making it clear he was unwelcome.
They also made it clear this was the last time. If he came to borrow money again, they would drop all pretenses.
