Chapter 9: Old Deng, You Can’t be Wiped Out
Even though Lu Mingyang thought so, he didn't voice it out. After all, his maternal grandfather and grandmother were still kind and pleasant towards them. It wasn't a good time to add to the trouble.
Shen Meng's speech had coaxed the two young children into a flood of tears. Suddenly, hearing a noise outside, she abruptly sat up, took out the land deeds, some household bills, and the last bit of money from under the pillow.
"Mingyang, Ming Liang, come here. Mingyang, your mother is sorry. I've failed you and your father's trust. These are our family's land deeds and food coupons, and these fifteen yuan are all the money we have left. You must keep them safe. After I'm gone, you need to take care of your younger brother and sister. I didn't want to leave this mess to burden you, my child, but look at your grandmother and all your uncles and aunts – they're all eyeing what little you boys have. I'm really afraid that if I pass away, you won't be able to survive in the Lu Family. If the Shen Family doesn't want you, you must not stay at the Lu Family's. Even if you have to beg, don't stay here where there's no hope. Jiaxuan, Jiaojiao, please have mercy. Our house has already been taken over by you. Once I'm gone, please let my children have a way to live. I'm begging you!"
Lu Mingyang was called over to the kang bed, and suddenly, a stack of items was thrust into his hands. Then he saw the woman, who had seemed near death's door, sit up and even shakily step down from the kang, seemingly to kneel before their grandmother and uncles and aunts at the door. He was startled and quickly pulled Ming Liang aside to make way for her. He and Ming Liang were still children and could not bear her kneeling. A mother kowtowing to her son was an ominous sign.
"Xiao Meng, what are you doing? Get up! If the sky falls, we have your father to support us. Let's see who dares to bully my grandchildren," snorted Old Lu. "Old Lu Family, you said you would treat my daughter as your own, but then you take the main house's brick and tiled house for your youngest son to live in? Even favoritism should have its limits, don't be utterly heartless."
Liu Sanjin, furious, fell back and began to berate Shen Meng.
"Shen Meng, you little hoof, what nonsense are you babbling about? When did Jiaxuan and Jiaojiao ever seize your main house? Wasn't it agreed they'd just stay there for a while after getting married, to make things a bit more festive? If you were unhappy, you should have spoken up sooner. What kind of act are you putting on now, making it seem like the Lu Family is bullying you alone? Haven't you asked around? In the entire Lu Family Village, who can bully you? Mingyang, Ming Liang, Ming Kai, grandma's dear grandsons, look at the state of your mother. You must speak up for grandma!"
"Exactly, exactly, elder sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Didn't we agree from the start? Just living there temporarily for the new marriage this year. Every month, mother even gives you rent money, two yuan a month. Not to mention in our countryside, even in the big apartment buildings in the Provincial City, it's roughly the same price. You saying seizure now is really unreasonable!"
Lu Jiaxuan was a bit angry, but he was too caught up in retorting to notice the guilty expressions on Liu Sanjin and Zhou Jiaojiao's faces.
"But third son, our Zhenping gives three yuan a month for elderly support, and we haven't shortchanged our parents. And... and it's been half a year, I haven't seen a penny of it! Jiaxuan, who did you give the money to?"
Lu Jiaxuan: "...."
Didn't he just say the money was given by mother? Why is he being asked now? Could there be a problem with his hearing?