“Eldest Brother is right. Ever since Dad passed away, you’ve completely changed, not caring at all whether we live or die. It’s nothing but hitting and scolding. If this continues, our Zhang Family will surely become the laughingstock of the entire Family Courtyard.”
Once the two expressed their stance, Zhao Yanli and Wang Yulan exchanged glances and remained Silent.
Zhao Meijuan was immediately displeased; they had kindly delivered the news, only to end up being neither here nor there.
“Zhang Jianshe, look at what you’ve done. Now look, we’re caught in the middle.”
When the Third Brother heard this, his face turned black with anger.
“Eldest Brother, what do you mean? You were the one who told me to keep an eye on Mom and report any slight disturbance to you immediately. Now you want me to take all the blame alone?”
“When did I tell you to keep an eye on Mom? I meant that because of Dad, Mom received quite a Stimulate, and I asked you to look after her a bit more and notify me immediately if anything bad happened. Can you stop misinterpreting my good intentions?”
Zhang Jianguo took off his glasses, pulled out a Handkerchief from his pocket to wipe them, and placed them back on the bridge of his nose.
“Parents worked hard to raise the six of us siblings; it is right for us children to show filial piety.”
The Third Brother pointed at Zhang Jianguo, his nose so angry it looked Skewed,
“You, Zhang Jianguo, are trying to sell me out, aren't you? Do you think you’re some good person? Everyone knows you’ve always been eyeing Dad’s Solatium, wanting a piece of the pie.
You were the one who told me to watch Mom, afraid she would squander Dad’s Solatium, so you could step in and stop it in time. What are you pretending to be now, a big shot?”
Zhang Jianguo Looking at the furious Third Brother, veins throbbing on his forehead,
“You dense Bear cub, my good intentions are twisted like this by you? I always told you to read more, but you never would. Now you can’t even understand plain human speech.”
“Exactly, reading more would benefit you.” The Second Brother strongly agreed.
“Don’t try that trick on me. I may have little education, but I’m not stupid, so I understand what you mean, right?”
The Third Brother snorted, then rolled his eyes at the Second Brother.
“Second Brother, what right do you have to lecture me? Based on you being a troublemaker and a repeating failure? If teachers hadn't given up on you, you’d still be in the first grade as an adult.”
Second Brother: “……”
Li Xiangqin sat on the Chair, Watching the group expose each other’s pasts, leisurely drinking water to moisten her throat. Scolding and hitting were physically demanding jobs, and her palms were still numb.
Later, she needed to prepare a small wooden board for herself, specifically for giving those Bear cubs slaps on the cheek.
After arguing for A moment, the group turned around and realized their Mom was leisurely Watching them fight amongst themselves. Especially the way she was Looking at them—how to put it—gave one the Feeling of wanting to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
“Look at you brothers, you all clearly care about Mom, yet you’re competing so fiercely. What is there to say about this?”
Zhao Meijuan covered her mouth and smiled, pulling the Third Brother to stand quietly behind her.
She was utterly sick to her stomach inside. Eldest Brother and Second Brother would finish their fight, dust themselves off, and leave, while she and her husband still had to make a Living under the Mother-in-law’s watchful eye. Wasn't this deliberately inviting trouble?
The awkwardness broken, Zhang Yanli chimed in with agreement,
“Third Sister-in-law is right. We are all one family; even if bones break, the flesh is still connected. Which household doesn't have pots and pans clanging?”
Wang Yulan looked at their spineless appearance, pursed her lips, and silently distanced herself from them.
Mom was right; the Zhang Family was just a bunch of petty commoners.
Li Xiangqin looked at them and placed the porcelain jar on the table. “What, not arguing anymore?”
“Mom, it was all a Misunderstanding. What is there to argue about?” The Eldest Brother adjusted his glasses, his tone calm, as if he hadn't been the one arguing red-faced just moments ago.
Truly worthy of being an educated person; he had composure, his expression management was on point.
The other two managed stiff smiles, feeling uncomfortable from being Watched, and immediately stared down at their own feet.
“Then shall we continue settling scores?”
“Mom, look what you’re saying. Settle what? We won’t argue about anything. We will listen to whatever you arrange; no one has an objection.”
Zhang Jianguo smiled gently. He finally understood: Mom was being autocratic now, and they had no way to interfere.
If they handled one thing wrong, they would end up like this—getting nothing while attracting trouble.
It wasn't worth it.
Although the others were inwardly unconvinced, they sensibly nodded their heads.
Li Xiangqin leaned back in her Chair and raised a hand to smooth her hair.
“Since none of you have objections, let’s discuss my plan.”
Under their expectant gazes, Li Xiangqin cleared her throat.
“They say a large tree branches out, and many people separate into different households. You three are all married with your own Small family. From now on, you will live separately.”
The group collectively froze. Mom wanted to divide the household?
“Mom, what kind of joke are you making?”
“I am serious. Since everyone is here today, I will state my thoughts. Eldest Brother is the first child and the most promising.
You are a university student and have Welfare Housing assigned by your unit; both your and your Wife’s Jobs are respectable. From your marriage until now, Mom hasn't held you back; we’ve helped as much as we could. Therefore, you must set an example and be a good Eldest Brother.
This house is Welfare Housing from the Machinery Factory. After I die, the four of you will divide the property equally. During this time, if anyone encounters difficulties, you can come back to live here.
As for Fourth Child and Fifth Child, I will prepare corresponding Dowries for them later, so they won't fight over this house.
But the prerequisite is that as long as Fourth Child and Fifth Child are not married, they will always have the right to reside in this house, and no one can force them out.”
With many people and little substance, these sons and their Wives were not easy to deal with, and Fourth Child and Fifth Child were no match for them.
Instead of fighting bitterly over this house, it was better to compensate them with something else.
When the others heard this, they exchanged glances and didn't refuse. Zhang Jianguo adjusted his glasses.
“Mom, what you’re saying suddenly makes me feel sentimental... Rest assured, even though Dad is gone, we will take care of you until the end of your Life.”
“Stop with that talk. Your Dad has only been gone a few days, and how many times have you caused trouble? If we separate early, everyone will be at ease.”
Li Xiangqin gave him a look.
“Fifth Child and Lao Liu haven't reached adulthood yet. They will need money for schooling, Jobs, getting married, and marrying off in the future. Therefore, none of you should even think about touching your Dad’s Solatium; I will save that money as education funds.”
As soon as this was said, Zhang Yanli was immediately dissatisfied.
“Dad’s Solatium belongs to all six of us siblings. Why should it only be spent on Fifth Child and Lao Liu?”
“You don’t know anything. Half of the Old Man’s Solatium belongs to me, and the other half belongs to the six of you.
But Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother are already adults; we’ve spent what should be spent and what shouldn't. Fourth Child took over her Dad’s Job, so the Solatium isn't hers either.
Eldest Brother, tell your Wife to her face how much your Dad sacrificed for you over the years. Do I need to list it out for you one by one?”
“Mom, I am the Eldest Brother. I will listen to whatever you say.”
Zhang Jianguo smiled gently, then turned and glared at his Wife.
“Shut up. Whatever Mom decides is not for you to interrupt.”
Li Xiangqin glanced at the others. “What about you?”