Two hours after Shi Jiahu passed away, members of the Shi family returned one after another.
God knows how shocked they were when they received Xiao Wu's call; their father had passed away in his sleep, turning their birthday banquet into a funeral parlor.
What's even more infuriating is that this honest Xiao Wu has another idea. Before they even returned, he took on the main responsibility himself.
Mother Jiang Yu has not arrived yet, nor has her eldest sister Shi Heyue.
Shi Hehuai looked at his brothers with a somber expression and said, "Big brothers, you're finally back. I've almost finished arranging Father's funeral. When the guests arrive, you'll have to help me entertain them."
Shi Hehuai wiped away tears as he spoke, but in reality, he was overjoyed. He had never felt so happy in the past thirty years.
The menthol balm on his fingers was a sign that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to cry or control his smugness if he didn't apply some.
He was in charge of all this, and his older brothers must be furious.
But so what? Fate has other plans!
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. We will naturally do our best to cooperate with Dad's funeral arrangements."
The eldest brother, Shi Heming, suppressed his anger and spoke calmly, even patting Shi Hehuai's shoulder lightly.
Shi Hehuai immediately sensed Shi Heming's dissatisfaction. In the past, he certainly wouldn't have dared to do this, but things were different now.
So he put his arm around Shi Heming's shoulder and said with a smile, "Big brother, now that Dad is gone, we brothers will still have to walk forward side by side."
In the past, he would only lower his head and act like a grandson when faced with his brother's discipline, but he won't do that anymore.
The brothers could all see the changes in Shi and Huai.
They had all seen their eldest brother's probing, and the brothers were all deep in thought.
I thought to myself, the fifth brother is so confident, and he was the only one by his father's side when his father passed away. Could it be that his father gave him some kind of special privilege?
Thinking about this probably makes everyone's expression a little unpleasant.
The second brother, Shi Ping, spoke calmly: "Big brother, we should go see Dad."
Let's put the younger brother's power struggle aside for now.
"Go."
Shi Hehuai wiped away his tears and said sadly.
The birthday banquet was transformed into a funeral hall in just a few hours, and without any mishaps.
The decorations were still red and festive, but the addition of white flowers and yellow banners turned what should have been a joyous occasion into a funeral hall.
The brothers were all looking closely, originally trying to find fault with Shi and Huai, but unexpectedly, the cut felt quite good.
Everything was appropriate and there was nothing abrupt.
When the brothers looked at Shi and Huai again, their expressions became complicated.
The eldest brother thought to himself: This fifth brother usually puts on a good act; he's hiding his true abilities.
The second brother thought to himself: Damn, if Xiao Wu has this ability, why would he hide a chicken feather?
The third brother thought to himself: Why doesn't Xiao Wu seem like Xiao Wu anymore?
The fourth brother thought to himself: "I know what Xiao Wu is going to say the moment he lifts his leg. He's not smart enough to do these things. There must be a master behind him guiding him!"
Unable to find the problem, the brothers went to the back and saw Blind Lin and his group.
Lin the Blind was wearing a Taoist robe and looked very powerful.
Su Tiantian was also wearing a Taoist robe, and she looked extraordinary.
The brothers exchanged glances, understanding the situation while also harboring some doubts.
Shi Heping asked, "Xiao Wu, where did you find this master? How did you find him so quickly?"
It's almost as if it was all planned in preparation for his father's death, making it hard not to suspect that he was behind it.
Shi Heping looked at Shi Hehuai with a suspicious gaze.
The others had similar thoughts.
Shi Hehuai stopped reciting the script, feeling no fear at all. He calmly replied, "Second Brother, it seems to be the will of Heaven. They came to visit before Father passed away. After Father passed away, I received his instructions to find them. They will perform a ritual for Father and send him to the Pure Land."
He knew what these people suspected.
Unfortunately, he didn't do that.
Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he couldn't pin the blame for something he didn't do.
This is destiny.
Shi and Huai's open and honest demeanor dispelled any suspicion among the brothers.
Shi Heming nodded to Blind Lin and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Daoist Master. Is it convenient for us to see our father now?"
Blind Lin nodded: "Please, everyone."
The Shi brothers went around to the back to see the remains of Shi Jiahu.
Shi Jiahu lay quietly in the unsealed coffin, which was made on-site by the manor workers using wooden furniture at Lin Xiazi's request. After all, a good coffin wouldn't be delivered so quickly; the body would only be placed inside when the burial took place.
The black paint had dried.
The Shi family teapot still maintains a serene expression.
There was nothing unusual about the exposed hands, feet, and face.
After reading it, the brothers all understood: their father had indeed passed away in his sleep.
The last person to see him was Xiao Wu, and no one knows what his father told him.
The brothers felt uneasy at the thought that Xiao Wu might have a will outlining the distribution of his estate.
It is said that emperors love their eldest sons and common people love their youngest sons. Does that mean that no matter how outstanding they are, they are not as good as the ordinary fifth brother?
"My father passed away on his birthday, peacefully in his sleep, without any illness or pain. This is a happy death. When he was alive, he often taught us to support each other. We are brothers, and in the future, we will work together to expand and strengthen the Shi family business and go further together!"
Shi Heming looked at his younger brothers and spoke solemnly.
He looked at Shi Hehuai as he spoke, a warning not to be too arrogant and smug.
Even if he receives preferential treatment from his father, he shouldn't get too cocky.
There's no way he could shake them off.
Shi Heping chimed in, "Yes, we are brothers who are as close as blood. No one in the world is closer to us. We came from the same mother's womb and grew up drinking the same milk. They say that brothers fight tigers together and fathers and sons fight together. We must work together to make our business bigger and stronger."
The third and fourth brothers nodded in agreement: "Yes."
Shi Hehuai nodded with tears in his eyes: "Eldest brother and second brother are right."
Shi Hehuai naturally understood what his eldest brother meant, but he wouldn't hold it against his brothers now.
Once he has complete control of the Shi family, he will have the final say in everything, and we can do whatever we want depending on his mood.
The brothers went out arm in arm.
Other details in the house need to be checked again to prevent mistakes.
Another hour later, Jiang Yu returned.
She was wearing a black cheongsam with a white jade flower pinned to her chest, and her hair was styled in a bun without any other jewelry.
As soon as she got back, she called her brothers together.
"Mom, Dad's gone, please take care of yourself. You still have us!"
Shi Hehuai knelt on the ground, leaning against Jiang Yu's knees, and asked with tears in his eyes.
Jiang Yu's expression was solemn. She said calmly, "You don't need to worry about me. I know what I'm doing. You brothers just need to take care of his funeral arrangements together."
"You're all born of the same mother, so always remember: put brotherhood first, then interests second!"
Jiang Yu looked at her sons, her solemn expression tinged with a hint of affection.
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