Chapter 248 The Only Way Out
But his voice was unusually clear and firm: "I've said it before, whoever gets into university, I'll support them! This isn't favoritism, it's a promise! This money is for tuition, for the children's education! It's not for you to fight over and squander! Nobody can even think about it! Even if you tie me up or beat me up, this money will only be spent on the right things!"
All the men in the room immediately fixed their gazes on Shen Cuifen.
Her whole body tensed up, as if she were nailed to the spot by countless cold gazes, unable to move. Her nails dug into the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white, and her cuffs were already wrinkled. She didn't even dare to breathe loudly, her chest rising and falling slightly, afraid that if she took a heavy breath, she would become the target of everyone's criticism.
Zhou Jianguo sneered, his voice like ice shards hitting the ground, chilling to the bone: "I've worked hard for three years for this five hundred yuan, and I even lost my wife! That girl dumped me because she thought I had no future! You say I don't deserve to spend money? So you're going to use it to send her to college? A girl from another family, raised on charity from many families? What makes you think she deserves it? Just because she knows a few words? Has she read a few books?"
Zhou Liguo's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his knuckles turned white, the veins on his arms bulged, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if a volcano that had been suppressed for many years was finally erupting: "You told me to go out and work, and I worked twelve hours a day in a shady factory, eating spoiled food, sleeping on the floor, and almost had my arm crushed by a machine! I risked my life to come back, covered in injuries, and I didn't even have money for medical treatment! And you, you won't even leave me a hot meal, and you make me sleep in the kitchen at night! And now you have the nerve to stuff money into other people's pockets?"
Zhou Anguo waved his fat hand wildly in the air, wishing he could immediately grab the money and drool was practically dripping from his mouth. But the village chief was still sitting inside, looking serious. He could only wail, his voice both pitiful and comical: "This money is mine! I've always listened to you since I was little, and I've never left home! I'm the most filial! It should be mine! Why should she get it? What is she? A bastard that nobody wants!"
Zhou Xiuli hid behind Zhou Nuli, clutching his sleeve tightly. Her small body trembled slightly, and tears streamed down her face as she pleaded softly, "Big brother, say something! You've always been the most decisive and reasonable! Please say something for us! Don't let Mother give all the money to others... Our family has already had enough..."
Zhou raised his voice, straining to the top, almost using all his strength to drown out the arguing in the room, and yelled at Zhao Lin, "We're barely making ends meet! We're struggling to make ends meet every day, and everything costs money, from firewood to oil and salt! Even if she gets into a top middle school, we can't afford it! How much will the textbook fees, tuition, and boarding fees add up? This three hundred yuan should be used to help with household expenses!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Lin's anger flared up, and his face flushed red.
She suddenly grabbed the three hundred yuan bills on the table, her hand trembling slightly, but without hesitation she stuffed them directly into the pocket of her coarse cloth trousers, her movements swift and decisive, carrying an undeniable stubbornness.
She was panting, her eyes wide, her voice hoarse yet clear: "This money is what I saved up, penny by penny, by getting up before dawn to fry dough sticks! In the dead of winter, I had to get up before dawn to heat the oil, my hands would be red from the cold, and oil splattering on my arms would leave burns! Who helped me carry that heavy iron pot? Who helped me carry that bamboo basket full of dough at four in the morning? Who stood at the stall for me all day? No one! Not a single one!"
She straightened her back, her gaze sharp as a knife, staring directly at the village chief's slightly tired face. Her tone was calm yet unyielding, neither loud nor weak, as she firmly stated, "Village chief, shouldn't I be the one to decide who gets to spend the money I earn? I've supported this family for over a decade, never asking for charity from anyone, nor owing anyone any favors."
Yun Zhonglei remained leaning against the old wooden chair in the corner, arms crossed, coldly observing the chaotic family feud.
His expression was indifferent, his eyes revealing a hint of disdain and annoyance.
Suddenly, he raised his right hand and tapped the rough edge of the table lightly and rhythmically with his fingertips, making a soft "tap, tap, tap" sound, as if reminding everyone to be quiet, or as if warning everyone not to cause any more trouble.
He said coldly, "I'm here to deal with Zhou Liguo's affairs, not to divide up your family's assets! If you want to argue, go outside and do it. Don't waste my time."
His tone shifted abruptly, his gaze suddenly locking onto Zhao Lin, his tone becoming sharp and accusatory: "Don't interrupt! Nobody's asking you how hard it is to fry dough sticks. I'm asking—how are you going to handle Zhou Liguo's unauthorized departure from home? Has the organization said anything? As a family member, are you taking any responsibility? Answer me!"
Zhou Liguo, who had been keeping his head down and remaining silent, suddenly raised his face, his eyes filled with a complex mix of anger and weariness.
He cleared his throat and surprisingly spoke up. Although his voice wasn't loud, it was exceptionally clear in the noisy room: "Give me the money, and I'll rent a place to live on my own. I don't need your help, and I don't need to listen to this nonsense anymore."
Zhou Anguo immediately frowned and objected, slamming his hand on the table: "No way! I can't give you this money!"
Zhou Jianguo shook his head, his brows furrowed, and muttered under his breath, "Third brother, what are you trying to do? What can you do with money in your hands? What if you squander it all again?"
Even Zhou Nuli, who is usually timid and submissive, was unusually assertive at this moment, waving his hands repeatedly, "No, no, this idea is too absurd!"
Zhao Lin felt a pang of sadness as he watched his sons arguing back and forth.
She sighed softly, her tone calm yet tinged with helplessness and heartache: "The three of you all have orchards, the fruit trees bear fruit every year, the harvest gets better year by year, and you finally have hope for the future. But what about Cuifen? She has nothing. No fields, no land, she can't even afford a decent piece of clothing. She finally got into school, this is her way out! If this money is given to you, how will she study? How will she survive in the future?"
"orchard?"
Zhou Liguo suddenly turned his head, his eyes wide open, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Anguo and Zhou Jianguo like knives, finally landing on Zhou Nuli's face, and questioning him word by word, "You lot... behind my back, you divided up all my land? You planted my land, harvested my fruit, and didn't even say a word? You didn't even inform me? Do you think I'm dead?"
Zhou Jianguo rolled his eyes and snorted impatiently, "Who hasn't just come back? I've only been back from working out of town for a few days. I have a ton of things to take care of at home, how can I have time to write to you and report expenses every day? Besides, the fruit trees are growing in the ground, with green branches and leaves bearing fruit, how can you not see them? It's your own fault for not coming back for years, who can you blame?"
Zhou Liguo's face turned ashen from those words, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
But unexpectedly, he suddenly suppressed his anger, slowly crossed his arms, his shoulders slightly slumped, and his tone became calm, even carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Fine, since you've already eaten the fruit, then take the orchard too. I won't argue."
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