Chapter 131 Qin's Mother Died

“No matter what people outside say, we shouldn’t take those words to heart,” Zhu Meng said. “When others say those things, they just want us to take them to heart and prevent us from living a happy and carefree life.”

“If you don’t mind, then it’s fine,” said Zhu’s mother. “You must not tell Li’an that Gu Qian has changed her household registration and has already left the capital.”

“I know,” Zhu Meng said. “Li’an didn’t tell me at first, but he told me later.”

Qin Li'an dared not tell Zhu Meng a word. They were husband and wife, and couples shouldn't hide too much from each other. He needed to clarify things to avoid any misunderstandings. Zhu Meng was quite satisfied with this aspect of Qin Li'an's approach. If he hadn't said anything, she would have asked him.

Zhu Meng wasn't the petty type. Gu Qian already had a boyfriend, so why should Zhu Meng bother arguing with her? It was Qin Li'an's fault to begin with, and if Zhu Meng continued to hold a grudge, it would make her seem petty. Zhu Meng didn't want Qin Li'an to think she was out of her mind.

Some things should be let go of; otherwise, you'll only make your life harder.

“If he doesn’t tell me about this, someone else will eventually,” Zhu Meng said. “Mom, don’t worry, Qin Li’an wouldn’t dare to do anything reckless behind my back.”

“His grandmother wants a great-grandchild,” said Zhu’s mother.

“She’s a great-granddaughter, not a great-granddaughter,” Zhu Meng said. “If I give birth again, then I’ll keep waiting.”

Zhu Meng would never allow Qin Li'an to go find other women; Zhu Meng is not someone who cannot speak.

“If Qin Li’an does nothing this time, it’s fine,” Zhu Meng said. “He’s atoning for his sins, Mom. Just know that and don’t think about anything else. Other people’s opinions are their own business, we can’t control that, we can only control ourselves.”

The Gu family is still trying to find out about Gu Qian's house. Gu's father wants to kick out the tenants and move in himself. He is Gu Qian's biological father, so what if Gu Qian doesn't agree? Gu's father even tried to bribe the police station to tell him.

With so many people at the police station, there are bound to be a few who can't resist temptation.

After some time, Gu's father actually found Gu Qian's house, but it was inhabited by an even more ferocious person. He was a big guy, and looked particularly menacing.

"What is it?" The man came out holding a kitchen knife.

"You've mistaken the door for yours," Mr. Gu quickly said.

Those men were so fierce and strong that Gu's father was afraid something would happen, so he had no choice but to go back.

The Gu family are all bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong.

People knew things couldn't go as they thought; they wanted to contact Gu Qian, but they didn't know how to contact her.

Gu Qian's future mother-in-law isn't stupid; she's already thought things through. They can't just leave the house empty; they need to find people who can keep things in check. Those people are rather fierce, but they're also loyal. Having them live there is the most suitable option, and it'll save the Gu family from constantly causing trouble.

Ordinary people really can't deal with the Gu family; the Gu family is too good at being shameless.

Qin Zihang and Zhang Xiaohu are both seniors in college. Fatty's wife had already confirmed with Zhang Xiaohu that he had decided not to take the postgraduate entrance exam. If Zhang Xiaohu wants to take the exam later, he can do so after graduating from university; it's not that he can't.

There are relevant job opportunities in Nancheng, and Zhang Xiaohu could take the exam for the Nancheng judicial authorities. However, there will be many applicants, but very few positions are available; it's not a guaranteed pass just because you come.

Even so, Fatty Sister still called Zhang Xiaohu to tell him about this matter and see if he wanted to come back and take the test.

It's worth noting that working within the system is quite good, and retirement is stable.

"Mom, I don't plan to take the exam," Zhang Xiaohu said. "I still want to stay in the capital. I don't feel comfortable in the south."

"Alright, you can try your luck in the capital for now. If it doesn't work out, you can come back and take the exam again," said the plump woman. "They hire every year, it's not like they don't. You can come back anytime you want. Are you already looking for jobs?"

“Yes, some companies are recruiting at the school,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “There are quite a few companies, but… we still have to see which one we can apply to. It’s not like we can just go to any company.”

"Are you planning to look for a job near your house?" the plump woman asked. "Once you graduate, you can take the house back and won't have to rent it out anymore."

"Let's talk about it after we find a job," Zhang Xiaohu said. "I don't know what kind of company I'll be looking for or where it will be located. I'll look around first, and if I find a suitable company, I'll try my luck. If I can get the job, that would be the best thing."

"Will you be able to find a job?" the plump woman asked worriedly.

"Yes, I can." Zhang Xiaohu nodded.

Zhang Wen's job was assigned by the government, so Fatty Sister didn't need to worry about it at all. Now it's Zhang Xiaohu's turn, and he has to find a job himself. Fatty Sister can't help but worry, fearing that Zhang Xiaohu won't be able to find a job and support himself.

"Mom, don't worry," Zhang Xiaohu said. "You bought me a house in the capital. Even without a stable job, I can survive by working as a waiter in a restaurant. I'll find a job, don't worry."

"Okay," said the plump woman. "Do you need someone to help?"

"Who should I ask for help? Zihang's family?" Zhang Xiaohu was speechless. "Forget it. It's best to rely on yourself when looking for a job. It's true that Zihang and I are friends, but it's not good to bother his uncle. Zihang doesn't even work at his uncle's company, so what would I do there? There are so many companies hiring, why should I focus on my friend's uncle's company? It's not like it's our company, and I'm not going to inherit someone else's company in the future."

Some of Zhang Xiaohu's classmates joked with him, saying he could just go to Qin Zihang. Zhang Xiaohu didn't. He knew his family background was far inferior, and some people were just teasing him, wondering if he would offend his good friend. Zhang Xiaohu didn't want to do that. He knew Qin Zihang would directly refuse if he didn't want to, but he felt that doing so would greatly damage their friendship.

Zhang Xiaohu clearly didn't want his friend to worry about his affairs. Qin Zihang himself hadn't troubled his relatives and friends, so why should he bother Qin Zihang? Zhang Xiaohu was self-aware; he saw the power of the Song family, but the Song family wasn't his relative. Even if they were, Zhang Xiaohu wouldn't let them help him. People wouldn't help him for free; he would still owe them favors.

Even if someone were willing to help him for free, Zhang Xiaohu still felt it wasn't right.

"That's not what I meant," said the plump woman. "Why are you so agitated?"

“Some people know that I’m close to Zihang, and they joked that I should go work for Zihang’s uncle’s company, but I didn’t want to,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “Being a person with connections is certainly good, and you might even be able to earn more money. But… I still can’t go and bother them. I’m not the best student in our major; I’m not even in the top ten.”

What right do I have to ask others for help?

An equal exchange is the least likely way to damage the relationship between each other.

It's bad if one side is very weak and needs help from others.

Zhang Xiaohu can't be that kind of person. He needs to find a job himself, so he can hold his head high at work and won't have to listen to people saying he's a nepotism hire, incompetent, and only got there because of Qin Zihang.

Qin Zihang is a very good person, and the more so, the less Zhang Xiaohu should take advantage of him.

“If I can’t find a job, I can go back home,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “I won’t starve to death. Mom, please don’t tell Auntie to help me. I’m all grown up now, I have to find a job myself, I can’t always rely on others. If I always rely on others, my life will be over.”

"Okay, okay, okay, don't worry, Mom knows what she's doing," said the plump woman. "I'll call your aunt and not ask her to arrange a job for you."

"Okay, sure." Zhang Xiaohu nodded.

Song Fenglan didn't pay much attention to Zhang Xiaohu's job search; Qin Zihang was directly admitted to university without taking the entrance exam. After the announcement, no one reported Qin Zihang. Qin Zihang was first in his major, with exceptionally good grades; if he wasn't admitted without taking the entrance exam, who would?

Song Fenglan was not surprised that her son was admitted to university through a special program; it was perfectly normal.

Qin Zihang even specially invited Zhang Xiaohu to a restaurant owned by his uncle, where Qin Zihang didn't have to pay. Song Fenglan also owned shares in the restaurant; Song's second brother was very kind to the Song family.

"Order whatever you like, it's free," Qin Zihang said.

"Your family is really impressive," Zhang Xiaohu remarked.

"This is nothing. My second uncle's company is huge, involved in multiple fields," Qin Zihang said. "Eat as much as you like."

"Is there some good news?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

"I've been recommended for a combined master's and doctoral program," Qin Zihang said. "Isn't that a happy thing?"

“Isn’t this normal?” Zhang Xiaohu wasn’t surprised at all. “Your grades are so good. Unlike me, I was ranked quite high in high school, but after coming to university, I’ve been at the bottom all the time.”

Zhang Xiaohu was particularly envious of Qin Zihang; Qin Zihang's grades were outstanding. As for himself, Zhang Xiaohu also wanted to work hard to improve his grades. Sometimes, hard work really can't catch up with talent. You still need talent to truly excel.

"What's the big deal?" Qin Zihang said. "Once you find a job with a decent salary, and that salary can gradually increase, you really don't need to worry."

“Yes.” Zhang Xiaohu nodded. “Of course, that’s what I think too. I’m not worried, it’s my mom who is. She called me, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to find a job, and even said that I could go back and take the exam for a related unit. I told my mom that I want to stay in the capital. After seeing the prosperity of the capital, I really have no intention of going back.”

Zhang Xiaohu will try to make a living in the capital, unless he can't make it there anymore, then he'll go back.

“Your mother is doing this for your own good. When the whole family is in the same city, we have more support,” Qin Zihang said. “That way, you won’t have to worry about having no one to help you if something happens.”

“Aren’t you still here?” Zhang Xiaohu asked.

“Me? There’s a big difference between friends and family,” Qin Zihang said. “People say I’m lucky, that my mom is amazing, and that I don’t have to worry so much. They’re right. My classmates who do experiments with me are short on funds and don’t have enough materials. I’m okay, though. I just ask my mom, and she gives me the money directly and can even get me the materials. But my classmates are short on money and have to find ways to raise money to pay for their own experiments. And after paying for their own experiments, they don’t necessarily get that money back.”

"Will it cost a lot out of pocket?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

"That depends on the situation. In most cases, you don't need to pay much out of pocket," Qin Zihang said. "There are certain tricks to studying and doing research. The school has regulations on the consumables, so you can't just use them as you please. Generally, the amount provided by the school is enough, but some people keep failing their experiments, and in some cases, they even want other reagents. Before, I didn't quite understand how difficult this field was, as my mother said, but I know now that I've studied it myself."

Qin Zihang felt he was doing relatively well. "By the way, my family bought a computer."

"A computer?" Zhang Xiaohu asked in surprise.

“Yes, we bought three computers, one for my mom, one for my dad, and one for me,” Qin Zihang said. “My mom said that my dad doesn’t usually do experiments, but he wants to play around with them too. My mom said that computers will become more and more advanced in the future, and we will be able to use some of the software on them. Anyway, I listen to my mom; she would never cheat me.”

You can send emails using a computer, but emails sent online might be blocked or seen by others. But that doesn't matter; who would put important documents online?

“Now, computers are a new industry,” Qin Zihang said. “Studying computers is difficult, and it costs a lot of money in school. Not all majors are cheap, and often we have to learn on our own. Besides the textbooks, I also have to study other things. My teacher, who will be my master’s and doctoral supervisor, has given me a list of books to read. My mother also has books for me to read, and I also read books that my mother edited.”

"A book compiled by your aunt?" Zhang Xiaohu asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Qin Zihang said. “One of our major courses has a textbook that was edited by my mother.”

"My God, I've never heard you mention this before," Zhang Xiaohu said.

“Since you didn’t study our major, I didn’t mention it,” Qin Zihang said. “My mom is very talented, and many people praise her. I’m afraid I’ll be far inferior to her in the future, so I can only try my best.”

Qin Zihang realized that it would be very difficult for him to catch up with his mother. He went to the research institute, where he learned just how powerful his mother was.

When he was little, Qin Zihang always liked to say that his mother was very powerful. Now, Qin Zihang is even more certain that his mother is indeed very powerful.

"That's me. I'm just a nobody compared to those people." Qin Zihang gestured. "I still have to keep working hard. So you don't have to worry about your grades. There are top performers in every profession. Even if we can't be the top performers, we can still be the backbone of the team."

“Don’t try to comfort me, I know my situation,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “I’m already very lucky, much luckier than my brother. My brother has been a primary school teacher his whole life, and his job is quite stable. But I don’t want to be a primary school teacher. I want to break out of my comfort zone, I want to try my luck, and I want to see more of the world.”

“Then let’s give it our all,” Qin Zihang said. “If we run into any problems, you said I’ll be here. I can’t do much else, but I can lend you some money.”

Qin Zihang didn't suggest that Zhang Xiaohu work at Song Erge's company. He knew to keep public and private matters separate, and he also knew it wouldn't be appropriate for Zhang Xiaohu to go there. Zhang Xiaohu should establish himself in the capital based on his own abilities. Even if Zhang Xiaohu became very successful in the future, Qin Zihang would never regret not introducing him to Song Erge's company. Everyone who wants to grow into a great person has to go through a lot of hardships.

After dinner, Qin Zihang and Zhang Xiaohu left separately; Zhang Xiaohu went to school, and Qin Zihang went home.

Back home, Qin Zihang reported the situation to Song Fenglan.

“Little Tiger is preparing to look for a job; he still has no intention of pursuing a master’s degree,” Qin Zihang said. “Mom, it’s good that Little Tiger is going to work.”

“It’s not bad,” Song Fenglan said. “You asked him again?”

"Didn't I get recommended for a combined master's and doctoral program? Let's treat him to a meal and celebrate together," Qin Zihang said.

"Are you happy?" Song Fenglan asked.

"Happy, of course I'm happy," Qin Zihang said. "It's just that I'm thinking about how big the gap is between people."

"Oh?" Song Fenglan raised an eyebrow.

"Luckily, you are my mother," Qin Zihang said.

It wasn't that Qin Zihang looked down on Fatty Sister-in-law, but if he had to choose between Song Fenglan and Fatty Sister-in-law, he would definitely choose Song Fenglan as his mother. Song Fenglan was incredibly capable, and some of her students were equally accomplished. Ding Wenbo stayed at Capital University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, while others went on to become teachers at other universities or researchers at research institutes.

With such a mother, Qin Zihang can avoid many detours.

“I’m much more relaxed than just compared to Brother Xiaohu, and compared to everyone else in our major,” Qin Zihang said. “Although people might say I’m your son, I don’t think it matters. I am your son, and any benefits I can get are thanks to you.”

Qin Zihang did not live in his mother's shadow; he was happy and proud of his mother.

"As for Brother Xiaohu, his academic performance in university was indeed a bit poor, but at least he will graduate smoothly," Qin Zihang said. "As long as he can get his graduation certificate and degree certificate, he can stay in the capital to work and find a job on his own. He hasn't found a job yet, but he will soon."

“Of course,” Song Fenglan said. “He has his own path to walk, and you will walk different paths. You have both grown up now, unlike before when you went to elementary school together and attended classes together.”

"Hmm." Qin Zihang nodded. "I wonder what kind of job he'll find."

"Just wait and see," Song Fenglan said. "Xiao Hu is trying so hard to stay in the capital, and his family even bought him a house. He has it easier than many other people."

Qin Zihang is doing better than Zhang Xiaohu, and Zhang Xiaohu is doing better than many others.

Song Fenglan doesn't worry about these people's future; they all have a bright future ahead of them.

After Gao Xiuxiu sent her eldest daughter to high school, the expenses were high, but her grades were still poor. Now that she's about to enter her senior year, her daughter's grades remain terrible. Gao Xiuxiu can only hope that her eldest daughter can attend a junior college in the future, but some private junior colleges have high tuition fees.

Gao Xiuxiu had thought it through. Her eldest daughter would go to a junior college, and her second daughter wouldn't need to continue her studies after graduating from junior high school. Anyway, attending a vocational school now might not be useful, and the government wouldn't assign jobs. Attending a vocational school would be a waste of time, so it would be better for her second daughter to start working early.

Erniu is about to take the high school entrance exam, but Gao Xiuxiu doesn't pay much attention to her.

Gao Xiuxiu even considered sending Erniu to Fang Xudong's younger brother's house during the winter vacation so that Erniu could experience some hardship. After Gao Xiuxiu brought this up with Fang Xudong, he refused.

“You all treat Da Niu well, Er Niu has already noticed it, and you still want Song Er Niu to go back to her hometown?” Fang Xudong felt that his wife’s idea was terrible.

“Wasn’t that all for her?” Gao Xiuxiu said. “She’s always making a fuss, acting like we’re not treating her well. She has food and clothes here, and she lives well. What more could she want? She’s always comparing herself to her sister. Her sister is going to have a son-in-law marry into the family, and she’s going to get married. But having a son-in-law isn’t that easy. Her sister will have to take care of us in our old age. There are so many problems.”

Gao Xiuxiu believed that the second daughter should not compete with the eldest daughter, and the second daughter should give way.

“It’s just her bad luck that she’s not a boy,” Gao Xiuxiu said. “If she were a boy, she wouldn’t have to face this situation.”

“Whether she’s a boy or a girl, she’s our biological daughter,” Fang Xudong said. “What you’re doing is so unfair. If you can’t let her go to my brother’s place, then let her stay in the city. You can scare her a little, but you can’t actually send her there.”

“Even if we send her there, it’s only for winter break,” Gao Xiuxiu said. “You and your mother sent so much money back home, can’t Erniu go stay there for one winter break?”

“It’s not a matter of sending money or not, it’s that Erniu isn’t suitable to go there,” Fang Xudong said. “Either Da Niu and Erniu go together, or neither of them goes and they stay in the city. They’re old enough that they don’t need much care. Even if you’re not home, they can still get something to eat.”

“I think you only value Erniu,” Gao Xiuxiu said. “Daniu will be living with us in the future, while Erniu will be married off.”

Gao Xiuxiu emphasized again that she hoped Fang Xudong would share her attitude. How could Fang Xudong possibly treat Erniu the same way? It wasn't that Fang Xudong didn't value Da Niu, but he felt that having a son-in-law marry into the family wasn't necessarily a good thing. When Da Niu grew up, it would still be up to her; if Da Niu didn't want to, Fang Xudong couldn't force her.

However, it wasn't appropriate to say this in front of Gao Xiuxiu right now, as Fang Xudong didn't want to make things worse for the family.

Gao Xiuxiu was undoubtedly biased; everyone in the neighborhood could see it. Gao Xiuxiu always spoke highly of Da Niu, saying that Da Niu knew how to get her water, while Er Niu didn't care whether she was thirsty or not.

The neighbors all knew that Gao Xiuxiu doted on Da Niu so much that everything Da Niu did was right, while everything Er Niu, who wasn't favored, did was wrong.

Erniu will have to rely on herself; her father can't do much about it.

Zhang Xiaohu will come home for the Chinese New Year. After he graduates from university, he'll have to work and might not be able to come back then; he'll probably have to stay in the capital. In the future, if the holiday is too short, Zhang Xiaohu might not have time to come back.

Fatty Sister was overjoyed to see Zhang Xiaohu. To avoid upsetting him, she didn't dare ask him if he had found a job, but Zhang Chenghai asked him more questions.

"I haven't found a job yet, I'm waiting for the spring recruitment season," Zhang Xiaohu said.

"Didn't you look for a job?" Zhang Chenghai frowned.

“I went to look for jobs, but none of them were suitable,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “I didn’t go because there were no suitable jobs. I’m waiting for the spring recruitment season, when some companies come to schools. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just have to go out and find a job myself. Dad, don’t worry, I can find a job.”

"Don't end up asking Zihang for help when you can't find a job," Zhang Chenghai said.

“No, that’s impossible,” Zhang Xiaohu quickly said. “Dad, I understand what you mean. I’m getting old and can’t always ask others for help. I have to support myself.”

Zhang Xiaohu is not a three-year-old child; he is not unaware of this.

Zhang Chenghai was worried that Zhang Xiaohu would become too dependent on Qin Zihang, which wouldn't do. The two weren't blood brothers, but even blood brothers have to keep clear accounts. Some things can't be done too far, you can't always expect others to help you, and you can't make yourself look sloppy.

"Good that you understand," Zhang Chenghai said. "If you stay in the capital, there's nothing we can do to help you. Do you have enough money for living expenses?"

“That’s enough. I saved some money from my previous job,” Zhang Xiaohu said.

"You really haven't considered pursuing a master's degree?" Zhang Chenghai asked.

"Why are you all asking me this?" Zhang Xiaohu found it strange. "I know the difference between Zihang and me. He's first in his major, while I'm last. Zihang was recommended for a combined master's and doctoral program at his university, but I can't. If I want to go to graduate school, I have to take the entrance exam myself, and I'm not even sure I'll get in. When I first entered university, Zihang asked me if I wanted to go to graduate school, and if so, I would have to work hard in university. I worked hard, but I failed some courses."

Zhang Xiaohu was stunned after failing his course; he truly hadn't expected to fail. There was nothing he could do but study hard and try his best not to fail again. Even though he studied elsewhere, he still couldn't keep up with the others in his class.

“So, it’s my own choice not to pursue graduate studies, not that you’re preventing me from doing so,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “I didn’t mean to compare myself to Qin Zihang, and I didn’t think I had to be like him in the future. He has a family tradition of scholarship, but my family doesn’t have that kind of ability.”

“That’s true.” Zhang Chenghai coughed twice. His family really didn’t have this kind of academic background. “Your parents were originally from the countryside, they made a living by toiling in the fields. The fact that you were able to go to university is a stroke of good luck.”

“Absolutely,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “I think I’m very lucky.”

In the capital, Qin's mother's health deteriorated significantly, and just before the New Year, she passed away.

Qin's mother did want to see Zhu Meng give birth to a great-grandchild, but who knew how many years it would be before she could have one? She was only clinging to life to see Zhu Meng have a child. Now that Zhu Meng had a child, and Qin's mother had persevered for so long, she finally...

They couldn't hold on any longer.

Before Qin's mother passed away, she wanted to see Song Fenglan, but Song Fenglan didn't go. Song Fenglan was away on a business trip and couldn't make it back. Qin Zihang, however, went to see his mother, and she spoke to him at length.

At the bedside, Qin's mother said, "Zihang, you should help your brother Li'an more in the future. You are cousins, and you don't have any other brothers. Your cousin can help you in the future."

"..." Qin Zihang didn't say anything; he knew his grandmother was going to say that.

“The past is the past. Your brother Li’an has changed. He’s a good person now,” Qin’s mother said. “Don’t listen to your mother in everything. What your mother says is never right. Your mother just has a problem with Li’an, and she has a problem with us. You’re surnamed Qin, you…”

“I can change my surname to Song,” Qin Zihang said.

Qin's mother opened her eyes wide; she hadn't expected Qin Zihang to say such a thing.

"The son can change his surname at any time," Qin Yizhou added. If having the surname Qin would cause his son a lot of trouble, then his son could change his surname to something else; he doesn't have to have to have the surname Qin.

Qin's mother was naturally unhappy. "Qin Yizhou, do you think you're a live-in son-in-law? You listen to your wife in everything!"

“Fenglan isn’t here. She didn’t mention changing the child’s surname; I said it myself,” Qin Yizhou said.

"You..." Qin's mother almost died on the spot.

Qin's mother felt that her life was about to end and she couldn't hold on any longer, so Qin Yizhou should support her, and so should Qin Zihang.

However, neither Qin Yizhou nor Qin Zihang listened to their mother, which made her feel extremely upset. How did things turn out this way?

Qin's father and elder brother were too embarrassed to tell Qin Yizhou and Qin Zihang to listen to their mother, but Qin Yizhou and Qin Zihang agreed, just in case Qin Li'an really came looking for them in the future.

Although Qin Li'an has corrected his mistakes, no one can guarantee what will happen in the future.

When Qin Li'an learned about this, he felt extremely embarrassed. Qin Li'an hadn't wanted his mother to say those things, nor had he expected Qin Yizhou and Qin Zihang to take care of him. But his grandmother always disregarded his thoughts and did things her own way.

That evening, Qin Li'an told Zhu Meng about this matter, and Zhu Meng was not very happy.

“Your grandma is on her deathbed, and she still has to make things difficult for you,” Zhu Meng said. “It’s not like we can’t make ends meet. Besides, if we really were in dire straits, you could ask them for help, and they might actually help. But with your grandma doing this, what are people supposed to say?”

"Sigh," Qin Li'an sighed, "Grandma has always been like this."

“Your grandma says the same thing no matter whether you’re good or bad. You haven’t offended anyone, but she’s offended people on your behalf,” Zhu Meng said. “Your aunt is away on a business trip and isn’t in the capital. People don’t know about these things yet, they haven’t even told anyone, but your grandma has already said it.”

Zhu Meng was utterly speechless. Qin's mother was just taking advantage of her impending death to badmouth Song Fenglan. She wanted to create discord between the couple and between mother and son. Zhu Meng disliked Qin's mother; she thought she should just die already, instead of dragging it out like this.

When Qin's mother passed away, the Qin family held a funeral. Song Fenglan went to the capital to attend the funeral.

Qin's mother has few relatives, and when someone comes over, they don't dare to speak ill of Song Fenglan; at most, they'll just gossip behind her back.

"She is so unfilial. Even if her mother-in-law is wrong, and her mother-in-law is about to die, she doesn't know to come back sooner."

"Is this how a daughter-in-law should act? It's outrageous!"

"I think her mother-in-law was angered to death by her. It was because of her bad class background that others opposed the marriage."

...

Song Fenglan wasn't deaf; she heard it and went over immediately.

“Since you don’t want me here, I’ll go back,” Song Fenglan said.

Those people never expected Song Fenglan to be so direct; they thought she would just put on a good show.

Song Fenglan had just returned from a business trip and was exhausted. These people were still saying such things to her; she'd rather go back and rest. There were several other people with her, people who were there to protect her.

When Song Fenglan wanted to leave, no one dared to stop her.

"..." Qin's father didn't know what to say. Why did those people say such nasty things?

Mr. Qin rubbed his temples. He knew he shouldn't have had any expectations of those people; they were all gossipy, much like Mrs. Qin. Fortunately, he didn't usually have much contact with these relatives, and Mr. Qin really didn't want to see them anymore.

Zhu Meng saw Song Fenglan leave just like that, and she didn't dare to say anything more.

Leaving aside Zhu Meng and her ilk, even Qin Yizhou couldn't speak ill of Song Fenglan. Song Fenglan's health was far more important than Qin's mother's funeral, and the fact that she was willing to come at all was already quite generous. Yet those people dared to say such things; they clearly didn't respect Song Fenglan, so naturally, Song Fenglan had no reason to give them face.

Zhu Meng thought Song Fenglan was incredibly cool. That's what capable people are like; they don't need to care about others' opinions, and Song Fenglan can make her own decisions. Even if someone tried to stop Song Fenglan, Qin Yizhou didn't need to intervene; everyone around Song Fenglan prevented them from getting close.

"Your aunt is really amazing," Zhu Meng whispered to Qin Li'an.

"Mm." Qin Li'an nodded.

When Qin Li'an was very young, he didn't think Song Fenglan was that amazing. But now, Qin Li'an knows that Song Fenglan is truly remarkable; many people can't compare to her. Qin Li'an doesn't even dare to compare himself to Qin Zihang, let alone Song Fenglan.

"Your grandmother...sigh..." Zhu Meng had no idea what Qin's mother was thinking before she died. Qin's mother insisted on speaking ill of Song Fenglan. If someone like Song Fenglan really wanted to deal with Qin's mother, it would be a very easy thing. Song Fenglan didn't deal with Qin's mother, so Qin's mother just made things up for herself.

"Grandma is gone." Qin Li'an's eyes were slightly red.

His grandmother is gone, and from now on, no one will protect him like that, and no one will fight for him.

"If it's gone, it's gone," Zhu Meng said. "We've already received enough."

Zhu Meng

They were quite satisfied with the wealth they possessed. If they hadn't received a share of this wealth before Qin's mother passed away, they feared it would have been very difficult for them to receive it later. Qin's father and his associates didn't value Qin Li'an; they valued his younger brother, You Yun, whose mother was still alive. Qin Li'an couldn't compete with her for that.

Qin Zihang followed behind his mother and left. Qin Zihang felt that he had already come and done his part to save face for his grandmother.

More than once, Qin Zihang felt that the Qin family and those so-called relatives had gone too far. His mother worked so hard, finally returning from a business trip, and instead of resting, she had to rush over. And those people were still talking about his mother. Qin Zihang had hardly heard his mother say anything bad about the Qin family; all the Qin family did was constantly criticize his mother.

Damn it, absolutely damn it!

Qin Zihang didn't change his surname, not because he didn't dislike the Qin family, but because changing a surname would involve changing many things. Song Fenglan didn't care whether Qin Zihang changed his surname or not, so he didn't. If Song Fenglan wanted Qin Zihang to change his surname, he would have done so long ago.

Seeing that Qin Zihang had also left, one of Qin's mother's relatives went up to Qin Yizhou and asked, "Aren't you going to say anything?"

"What did I say? Haven't you all said everything?" Qin Yizhou just wanted to roll his eyes.

Qin Yizhou grew up in the Qin family, so he should stay here longer until the end. But his wife and son owed these people nothing, and it was better for them to go back sooner. Sometimes Qin Yizhou felt out of place with the Qin family; none of them treated him like family, and none of them considered his feelings.

Seeing Qin Yizhou's unpleasant expression, some people assumed that Qin Yizhou was dissatisfied with Song Fenglan and Qin Zihang.

"You should really have a talk with your wife, she..."

"You're the one who deserves to be talked about the most!" Qin Yizhou wasn't about to let these people talk. "If you have no shame, don't blame others for not respecting you."

Qin Yizhou rolled his eyes; he couldn't control himself. He thought he'd been giving these people too much face. Why were these rarely seen relatives saying such things in front of him? Did they think he was talking about his wife and children for their sake?

Are they mentally ill?

Qin Yizhou knew the situation and understood his wife and son. If he hadn't been raised by his parents, he wouldn't want to stay here either.

Others went to Brother Qin and asked him to talk to Qin Yizhou, but Brother Qin didn't dare to say anything bad about Song Fenglan and Qin Zihang to Qin Yizhou.

When Qin's mother passed away, Qin's older brother even breathed a sigh of relief. With their mother gone, there would be no one to constantly offend Song Fenglan and Qin Zihang. Qin's older brother truly had no intention of offending Song Fenglan; he had absolutely no desire to do so. He and Song Fenglan weren't competitors, so why should he bother her?

When Qin's mother was still alive, Qin's eldest brother had told her not to say those things. But it was no use. Qin's mother was an elder, and just because she was an elder meant she could disobey the younger generation, she could cause more trouble for herself.

You Yun felt that those relatives were crazy. "You don't need to try to sow discord between me and my sister-in-law. I only see my sister-in-law a few times a year."

Qin's mother's relatives were all similar to her; they all liked to act like elders, and if they felt that their reputation was damaged, they would make others take the lead.

Haha, if these people were really capable, they would have gone up to Song Fenglan and Qin Zihang and said it.

They dare not!

All they do is hide behind others, gossip and point fingers, thinking they're speaking softly. Is that soft? They clearly want Song Fenglan to hear.

That's outrageous!

These people aren't here for a funeral; they're here to hold a denunciation meeting.

"It's getting late, and the New Year is almost here, so you should head back early," You Yun said to them. "Have you bought your tickets back to your hometown? We don't have enough rooms here, so we can't keep you for too long."

Some relatives wanted to stay in the capital and have their children stay with You Yun. You Yun couldn't agree to that. She had finally managed to get through Qin's mother's time; if she let Qin's mother's relatives come over, how would they survive?

“After all, you’re here to attend a funeral banquet, not to freeload, don’t you think?” You Yun said.