Xu Damao had just returned to the courtyard with his son when he heard a commotion in the front yard. At first, he thought it was Jia Zhangshi throwing a tantrum again, but he didn't expect to hear it was Shazhu shouting.

When they arrived at the Intermediate People's Court, there were already many neighbors watching the commotion. Xu Damao pushed his son over, but his son insisted on staying wherever there were crowds.

"Let me tell you, if we're going to split up, then you have to give me back all the tuition and living expenses I've paid for you over the years," Sha Zhu shouted.

Based on Sha Zhu's shouts and the descriptions from the surrounding neighbors, Xu Damao finally understood that Sha Zhu and He Yushui wanted to separate their family, and He Yushui was the one who proposed it.

He Yushui is now working at a building materials factory, which is not far from her workplace. As a new employee, she is unable to apply for a better dormitory, so she goes home every day.

It's one thing for them to go home, but He Yushui and Sha Zhu are now unwilling to talk to each other. They live separate lives and ignore each other, not acting like a family at all. On the contrary, Sha Zhu often visits the Jia family and sometimes eats together, acting more like a family.

It would have been fine if things had just stayed peaceful like this, but some people weren't willing to accept it.

The Jia family had long hoped that He Yushui would leave the courtyard house and make room for Banggeng in her side room; they had been planning this for a long time. But now that Yushui wasn't leaving, all their hopes were dashed, and they were naturally unhappy.

Last night, Qin Huairu sacrificed her charms again, bewitching Sha Zhu and saying that since He Yushui was going to work, she should move out and live alone instead of continuing to occupy the house.

Although Sha Zhu thought it was very dishonest to drive the rainwater away, he couldn't resist Qin Huairu's temptation and was quickly subdued by her, naturally obeying her every word. Besides, Sha Zhu wasn't stupid; he was thinking that if he could get the rainwater away first, he could find a dormitory or rent a house outside.

After he had completely dealt with Qin Huairu, Sha Zhu thought he could just call Yu Shui back or apologize later. They were siblings, after all; there was no need for grudges to linger overnight. So, Sha Zhu's thought process was different from most people's. You couldn't call him stupid; you could just say his way of thinking was indeed peculiar.

Rainy Day left for work early in the morning, so Sha Zhu didn't have a chance to talk about it. When Qin Huairu got off work in the evening, she couldn't wait to urge Sha Zhu, so he went to Rainy Day's room.

At first, Sha Zhu was indeed very kind. He explained his logic to Yu Shui, but Yu Shui didn't agree. In Yu Shui's eyes, the Jia family were ungrateful wretches, and they would never get back what they had taken from her.

Besides, this house was originally left by He Daqing, so it should be divided equally between them. Why should she be kicked out? The young woman had just started working and didn't have the means to live outside, but she just didn't want to leave.

And so, the brother and sister's voices grew louder and louder, their tone becoming increasingly harsh. Finally, no matter what He Yushui said, Shazhu refused to leave. Left with no other option, Yushui said that if things didn't work out, they would separate.

This single mention of dividing the family property infuriated Sha Zhu. This era had just emerged from feudalism, and people's minds were still filled with feudal remnants. In Sha Zhu's eyes, everything in the family belonged to him; how could there be any talk of dividing the family property?

When a family separates, it means dividing the belongings, normally it's half for each person. But in Sha Zhu's eyes, he's contributed so much to this family, he's the one who raised Yushui. Now that he's grown up, he doesn't acknowledge it anymore and wants to take his things—it's outrageous!

So, the persuasion turned into an argument.

"He Yushui, I'm not trying to be mean, but how dare you, a little girl, take a piece of your brother's stuff? If it weren't for your brother, it's questionable whether you'd even be alive now. How can you be so ungrateful?"

As the one who brought up the issue, Jia Zhangshi quickly joined Sha Zhu's side and began to morally accuse He Yushui.

Her statement resonated with many in the compound. To be honest, Sha Zhu had indeed been very good to He Yushui. As her older brother, he not only supported her through high school but also bought her a bicycle that everyone envied—something few people could do.

Now that He Yushui wants to divide the family property, many of the neighbors in the compound do not agree with her approach and have started to criticize her.

He Yushui, a young girl, was easily embarrassed. Being pointed at and talked about by so many people made her feel like she had done something terribly wrong. She cried her eyes out and didn't dare to lift her head.

Fortunately, Yi Zhonghai arrived late at the crucial moment.

Old Yi had already heard the commotion outside and had asked an older woman about the cause of the matter, but he didn't rush out. Instead, he pondered the potential gains and losses.

Initially, Yi Zhonghai was wholeheartedly helping the Jia family, thinking that Bang Geng could provide for him in his old age, and that Sha Zhu could be a supplement. However, he didn't expect that Qin Huairu seems to be a bit out of control now, often making decisions without consulting him.

Especially recently, the Jia family and Sha Zhu seem to be working together, yet they don't consult Yi Zhonghai on anything at all, which infuriates him and makes him feel abandoned. They used to consult him on everything, but now the two families are bypassing him as a middleman and contacting each other directly, making Yi Zhonghai feel invisible.

If the Jia family were allowed to expand further and gain more benefits, he, as their grandfather, might really lose control of them in the future. Then what would be the point of supporting his parents?

After much deliberation, Yi Zhonghai realized that to ensure his retirement, he couldn't allow the Jia family to become too powerful; he had to control them. Therefore, Yi Zhonghai only arrived when He Yushui had been bullied to a certain extent.

"Alright, Zhu Zi, what can't you two siblings resolve without escalating to the point of dividing the family property? Besides, you're the eldest, can't you always give in to your sister a little?" Yi Zhonghai immediately tried to smooth things over as soon as he arrived.

"Uncle, this family isn't something I wanted to divide; it's He Yushui who wanted to divide it with me. I said I agree to the division, but she has to return all the living expenses and tuition fees I've given her over the years."

"Since we're separating the family, then I'm no longer his brother. Why should I take care of him? Let him go find He Daqing if he dares," Sha Zhu said angrily.

"Uncle, I said the idea of ​​splitting up the family in anger, but my brother is forcing me to leave my room. Isn't he forcing me to die? I just started working, I don't have a dormitory, and I don't have a salary. Where am I supposed to live? What kind of brother is this?"

And with such a big issue like my work, he didn't help at all, and he wouldn't even let others help me. What kind of brother is that?

When He Yushui saw that Yi Zhonghai did not blame her, she poured out all the bitterness in her heart.

The mention of rain instantly shifted the direction of public opinion in the compound. Sending one's sister away from home was indeed not something a family should do. Moreover, this wasn't Sha Zhu's style; it clearly bore the shadow of the Jia family.