Ninth Grandpa was not like Ninth Grandma, who only knew how to stubbornly argue.
He knew that today’s matter could not simply be brushed aside.
He had to give the brigade—and Third Grandma’s family—an explanation.
He lowered his head, looking both helpless and ashamed.
“Yes, Elder Brother, Fifth Brother, this is my fault. I always left household matters to the old woman, and I never expected something like this to happen. This is my failure in managing the family. I admit my mistake.”
“Third Sister-in-law, please don’t be angry. This is my fault as your younger brother, and it’s also my wife’s fault. Please calm down.”
“How is Yushan now? What did the town doctor say? However much the medical treatment cost, I’ll pay it all… It’s my child, and I failed to teach him properly. I’ll definitely discipline him when I get back. But Yushan absolutely must not suffer any lasting harm. Third Sister-in-law, please rest assured—no matter what, I’ll take responsibility to the end. Even if I have to smash pots and sell everything, I’ll make sure Yushan is treated…”
“I’ll definitely return a healthy grandson to you. What do you think?”
After hearing that long string of words, the surrounding villagers all felt that Ninth Grandpa was at least a reasonable man.
But Third Grandma’s eyes flickered slightly.
On the surface, she also put on a calmer expression.
“I’m not an unreasonable person either. Since you’ve said this much, Old Ninth, then I’m reassured. But I’ll still say the same thing—your family must sincerely give my family an explanation.”
Ninth Grandpa nodded repeatedly.
“Of course, of course. Third Sister-in-law, tell me—how much did Yushan’s treatment cost in total? Don’t worry, whatever you’ve spent, I’ll reimburse it right now. And if Yushan needs to see a doctor again later, I’ll be responsible for that too.”
Hearing this, Ninth Grandma’s expression changed drastically.
Wouldn’t that mean they’d have to support Yushan for the rest of his life?
What if Yushan never fully recovered?
Wouldn’t all that money just be thrown into the sea?
Her heart ached painfully at the thought, and she hated the idea of parting with that money. She opened her mouth to protest—
But Ninth Grandpa turned and glared at her.
“Shut your mouth!”
Seeing how icy his face was, Ninth Grandma shivered.
She knew the old man was truly angry this time.
She didn’t dare say another word and could only lower her head, shooting Lu Shier a vicious glare.
It’s all because of this troublemaker—if not for him, the family wouldn’t have ended up like this.
Lu Shisan’s face went deathly pale as he hid to the side, not daring to make a sound.
Lu Jiudabo (Eldest Uncle of the Ninth branch), Lu Jiu’erbo (Second Uncle), and the others also came out and stood in the courtyard watching, all with tightly furrowed brows.
Especially Lu Jiudabo—his eyes were practically burning with anger.
What did this mean? Was it saying that even his own younger brother had been teaching the kids to scheme against their own family?
Lu Jiusan (Third Uncle) stood with his wife and Fu Bao on the side watching. He glanced at Lu Jiudabo and immediately felt something was wrong from his expression, so he quickly gave his wife, Lu Jiusanshen (Third Aunt), a warning look.
Lu Jiusanshen immediately understood. She hugged Fu Bao and walked over to Lu Jiudabo’s wife, speaking in a low, apologetic voice:
“Honestly, this is all Fu Bao’s fault. The child gets a little something and can’t keep it to herself, always showing off everywhere. I’m sorry, Sister-in-law—I didn’t teach her well.”
Fu Bao’s eyes were red as she lowered her head and said pitifully, “Sorry, Auntie.”
Lu Jiudabo’s wife was originally angry at Fu Bao, but after raising the child for so many years, seeing her like this immediately softened her heart.
Still, she wasn’t foolish.
She understood exactly what Lu Jiusan’s family was doing, but she simply took Fu Bao into her arms and coaxed gently:
“It’s fine, Fu Bao. You’re still small and don’t understand yet. Just remember this lesson next time—Auntie doesn’t blame you.”
Then she looked at Lu Jiusanshen and said:
“But younger sister-in-law, you’re not a child anymore. You should still discipline what needs to be disciplined. Lu Shisan is already that old—he can’t be allowed to go crooked.”
Lu Jiusanshen had just felt relieved, even a little proud—her daughter really was likable. A few words and even the eldest sister-in-law softened.
But now, hearing this, her expression stiffened immediately. She forced an awkward smile, but inside she was displeased.
What was there to be proud of? If her eldest nephew hadn’t happened to be recruited into the army and risen through the ranks, their branch might not even compare!
Lu Jiudabo, however, didn’t respond as gently as his wife.
He only glanced coldly at his third brother and sister-in-law, saying nothing.
But inside, he had already made up his mind: later he would remind his son—even if he cared about his cousin, he couldn’t be limitless about it. Those biscuits and candies… even his own branch didn’t get that much.
At first he didn’t care, but now he felt it was deeply unfair.
Anyone would feel uncomfortable realizing the snacks they gave their niece were being used as tools for scheming against their own family.
Lu Jiuerbo was also resentful, thinking his family was being dragged into this for nothing.
And the others in the branch were all frowning too, each with their own dissatisfaction.
Lu Jiujia (Old Ninth) finally spoke after being urged. He looked embarrassed and said:
“Third sister-in-law, don’t mind her. She’s just confused. How much did Yishan’s medical treatment cost? Tell me the number.”
Third Grandma coldly replied, “Twenty yuan.”
Ninth Grandma immediately exploded, “What?! Twenty yuan? You might as well rob people!”
Third Grandma’s expression turned sharp.
But Lu Jiujia quickly interrupted, “Alright, alright, Third Sister-in-law, I understand. I’ll get the money right away.”
Ninth Grandma still wanted to argue, but Lu Jiujia shot her a glare.
“If you don’t want to live here anymore, go back to your maiden family!”
“Stop embarrassing yourself here!”
Ninth Grandma: “……”
Third Grandma, seeing that Lu Jiujia still knew how to behave properly, finally held back her anger.
The village head (Old Grandpa) also eased his expression and said, after seeing Lu Jiujia bring out the money:
“I’ve already told Dahong to record the work points back properly. But your family can’t do this again in the future.”
“This kind of arrangement is meant for genuinely struggling households. Your family isn’t one of them—you can’t keep taking advantage of the commune.”
Lu Jiujia quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, it’s my fault. I didn’t teach the children well. It won’t happen again.”
Then he handed over the money and said to Third Grandma:
“Please count it. If anything happens to Yishan again in the future, just come to me.”
Third Grandma counted the money and nodded.
“Amount’s correct. This time I’ll let it go. The doctor said the child is fine, just scary-looking because of the blood. But this is the last time—there won’t be a next time.”
Lu Jiujia agreed repeatedly.
Then he turned to Fifth Grandpa with a polite smile:
“Fifth brother, I didn’t even know your Yu Kun had been cutting so much pig grass for my family…”
Fifth Grandpa let out a cold laugh.
“So now it’s my Yu Kun’s fault? When your own kids did this, you didn’t know? Didn’t ask? Now that something went wrong, you’re trying to push it onto my grandson?”
Lu Jiujia quickly waved his hands.
“No, no, Fifth Brother, I don’t blame Yu Kun. It’s my fault—I trusted my wife too much. And I’m getting old too. The households are already separated; I can’t control everything anymore…”
The surrounding onlookers all frowned. That was true—after all, he was a grandfather from a separated household, not the children’s actual parents. Interfering too much really wasn’t appropriate.
Seeing him shamelessly dump all the blame onto his wife and children, Fifth Grandpa inwardly sneered, but he didn’t say anything.
After all, they weren’t his children. He couldn’t be bothered to care!
When Jiu Yeye saw that Fifth Grandpa didn’t refute him, he secretly relaxed a little. What he’d just said wasn’t because he truly wanted to offend Big Brother and Fifth Brother. After all, they were the brigade leader and production team leader—the people who controlled the lifeline of his work points!
Seeing that the matter had been resolved, Great-Grandpa waved his hand. “Alright, everyone go back and rest. Don’t be late for afternoon work.”
With that, he turned and left first, and everyone else gradually dispersed as well.
Third Grandma merely shot Jiu Yeye’s family a cold glance before turning around and leaving with the money.
Watching the whole scene, Lu Yuning felt utterly satisfied!
Who would’ve thought that as soon as everyone left, Jiu Yeye’s expression would immediately darken? He coldly snapped at Grandma Jiu in a low voice, “Why aren’t you getting back inside? Aren’t you embarrassed enough already?!”
After saying that, he turned and went back in first. Grandma Jiu hurriedly shut the gate and followed after him.
Lu Yuning stretched her neck, still wanting to watch, but unfortunately the gate blocked her view. Even though their houses were only separated by a narrow alley, she still couldn’t see what was happening inside.
Still, she vaguely managed to hear a few sentences:
“Look at the mess you caused!”
“How was I supposed to know that widow from Third Brother’s family would be this formidable?”
“If she wasn’t formidable, do you think she could’ve raised two sons by herself and married them off with houses built for them? You think everyone’s a fool like you?”
“…That’s not my fault either! Isn’t it because Second Brother didn’t teach Shier properly?”
“And whose fault is that if not yours for spoiling them?! I already said it before—those things were sent back by Eldest Nephew out of filial piety because he dotes on Fubao. You should at least think about him a little! How can you be this biased?”
“And you two, Second and Third! Do you even act like uncles? How dare you teach a few children to scheme against your own eldest nephew?!”
…
After that, she couldn’t hear clearly anymore. But even with her toes, she could guess that it was probably Lu Jiu Erbo and Lu Jiu Sanshu trying to defend themselves.
Still, Lu Yuning felt that this matter might not necessarily have been instigated by the adults. It was probably the children causing trouble on their own. The adults definitely knew about it, though—they just didn’t care because their own children were secretly benefiting from Eldest Branch.
At worst, once things were exposed, they could simply say the children were ignorant!
If not for Cousin Yushan’s incident this time, the relationships between Jiu Yeye’s sons probably wouldn’t have been affected at all.
After all, they all doted on the female lead Fubao so much. As long as Fubao cried a little and acted spoiled, nothing was ever really a problem.
Thinking this, Lu Yuning let out a faint chuckle, closed the window, lay back down on her little bed, and closed her eyes to sleep.
Father Lu and Mother Lu glanced at her, exchanged smiles, and also lay down to rest.
They still had afternoon work to do. They needed proper rest now, otherwise they wouldn’t have the energy to work later.