Chapter 22: No Matter What You Do, It's Wrong

Feng Lan's anger boiled over. Gritting her teeth, she sneered, "What's the point of your sharp tongue? You'll be married off in two years. It's like spilled water—once it's out, it's gone. Oh, I forgot, if you've really done that ugly thing, it's still unclear whether you'll even get married!"

Su Yun, unable to tolerate the insult about her daughter, threw a hot pancake at Feng Lan, hitting her hand and making her wince in pain.

"You can criticize me, but you can't talk about my daughter!" Su Yun said coldly. "Feng Lan, if you dare to spew more nonsense, I swear I'll tear your mouth apart today!"

Feng Lan, seeing the fierce determination in Su Yun's eyes, looked as if she had been drenched in dye. Though clearly furious, she said nothing more. She picked up a few of the largest pancakes, snorted coldly, and walked away.

Mr. and Mrs. Qin came over for breakfast, their faces long and their moods sour. It was unclear how much they had witnessed, but their displeasure was palpable.

Qin Ju recalled that as a child, seeing her grandfather with such a stern expression always made her uneasy, making her feel as if she had done something wrong.

But now, she felt no such anxiety. She realized that once someone has formed a fixed opinion about you, everything you do will be deemed wrong.

Old Master Qin didn't like the second son, and since his daughter-in-law hadn't borne a son, he had always considered the two girls a disappointment. Thus, no matter what the family did, it would always be seen as wrong.

Even if Qin Zhonghui and his wife sent most of their earnings every year, it would still be perceived as insufficient.

Qin Ju understood now that trying to win over such a person was futile. Since a stone wouldn't warm up just by covering it, she decided to stop trying to change their minds.

She observed Mr. Qin's stern face and thought about how, in her previous life, despite not splitting the family, the old couple's money had eventually been taken by her uncle's family. The couple's laziness and lack of financial acumen had led them to rely on others.

In her previous life, the couple had raised Xiao Tao poorly, leading to his eventual crime and imprisonment. Feng Lan had come to Qin Ju in tears, seeking help.

Things were rotten from the core, and no amount of explanation could fix them. The elders' status made them untouchable, complicating any attempts to address the issues.

So, Qin Ju resolved that this life would be different. Their family would distance themselves early from such troubles.

A token amount of money might be given to show filial piety, but genuine support from them was unnecessary.

The mood was heavy in the Qin family due to the ongoing family division. After lunch, Qin Bo, the eldest brother, returned alone.

His wife, Sun Li, didn't come at all. They had already divided their share before, and Sun Li had little regard for the Qin family's assets.

Though Sun Li had only one daughter, she never felt inferior to Mr. and Mrs. Qin. Her wealth gave her confidence.

Even Feng Lan, known for her gossip, never dared to criticize her sister-in-law directly. Instead, she flattered Sun Li every time she visited, praising her clothes, skin, and youthful appearance.

Sun Li, though dismissive of Feng Lan's laziness, enjoyed the flattery. After all, who doesn't appreciate kind words?

Qin Bogang, looking a bit dusty from his bicycle ride, explained that Sun Li was busy with work and couldn't come. He then frowned and asked, "Dad, why are we dividing the family?"

Qin Bogang had his own thoughts. Though separated, he knew the third son was unreliable. With the second son at home, he felt assured that his parents would be well cared for.

After all, the second son and his wife were hardworking and diligent. They wouldn't let their parents suffer, so why was there a need to split the family when everything seemed fine?

Old Master Qin had a stern expression, while Qin Jiqun, smoking a cigarette, remarked, "It's just the second brother making a fuss. I don't know who's been influencing him."

Qin Zhonghui responded indifferently, "Old Third, what do you mean by that?"

"I didn't say anything," Qin Bogang retorted.

Qin Bo then noticed the cloth wrapped around his second brother's hand and asked, "Second brother, what happened to your hand?"

Qin Zhonghui calmly explained the injury and the need for 1,000 yuan to see a doctor.

Qin Bogang finally understood. The issue was that his father didn't want to spend the 1,000 yuan, which had upset the second brother, leading him to propose the family division.

Determined to resolve the conflict, Qin Bogang said, "Second brother, if you're going to the county town for treatment, why not come to me instead? I know someone who might be able to help you without costing as much."

"Maybe," Qin Zhonghui said noncommittally. To him, this was no longer just about 1,000 yuan—it was more about his deep disappointment.

Qin Bogang became anxious, but no matter what he said, the family was set on dividing the assets. Even the patriarch of the Qin family was called in.

According to seniority, the clan leader was Mr. Qin's uncle. Though over 80 years old, he was more vigorous than Mr. Qin.

The clan leader cleared his throat and said, "If you've decided to divide the family, then tell me how you plan to do it. I'm here to witness."

Times had changed. Even as the patriarch, his role was limited to being a witness.

Old Master Qin laid out all the family's real estate and properties, listing them one by one. He crossed out those that had belonged to the old family for a long time.

Finally, Mr. Qin declared, "The family now has a total of 8,000 yuan in savings. If the second son's family wants a share, they can only receive 1,000 yuan."

Qin Ju frowned. This seemed quite unfair.

But Qin Zhonghui and Su Yun remained silent; they had anticipated this outcome.

Aside from the land allocated to them according to their household registration, there wasn't much cash to claim.

Mr. Qin continued, "There are three houses in the family. Each of the three brothers should get one. The house I live in now belongs to the eldest brother, the tiled house in the front yard to the third brother, and the mud house at the east end of the village to the second brother's family."

The mud house was barely habitable, leaking everywhere.

So, while the division seemed logical, it was far from fair.

Qin Zhonghui then spoke up, "I agree with this division, but when the big tiled house in the front yard was built, I paid 5,000 yuan. You should reimburse me for that."

Qin Jiqun's eyes widened. "Second brother, how could you do this! You're taking advantage of the situation! Where can I get 5,000 yuan to give you? Dad, look at what my second brother is doing!"

Mr. Qin's face grew cold. "What do you mean, second brother?"

Qin Zhonghui's expression was full of sadness as he continued, "You only gave me 1,000 yuan from that amount, but have you forgotten how much I've given you over the years whenever I came back from work?"

Su Yun added, "The total is 3,800 yuan."

Mr. Qin's face darkened.

Qin Zhonghui went on, "When the children were with you, I expected you'd take good care of them. But they came back pale and thin, and Xiao Shi was often bullied. One year, Xiao Tao even pushed her into the river, and she nearly drowned..."

(End of this chapter)