Chen Xiuer's gaze swept over the chicken and plump duck on the table, and she said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, Second Aunt, it must have cost you a lot of money to put together such a feast, right?"
A hint of displeasure flashed in Bai Jiye's eyes: "Second Aunt, I'm not trying to be mean, but the fighting outside has been fierce these past two years. Who knows when something might happen? You can't take your land and shops with you. The money you hold in your hands is what truly matters!"
"Why waste this when it's neither a holiday nor a festival?"
The couple regarded all of the Bai family's property as their private property, and were naturally displeased to see the Yuan family's extravagance.
Even if Yuan Shi were a clay Buddha, he would still be angry inside.
The way Bai Jiye fawned over her back then, promising to take care of her in her old age, was completely different from how he is now.
Suppressing her anger, Madam Yuan said, "You know why I called you. Yan'er will be going to Xicheng at the end of the year. I will have to take care of you in my old age. I also know that it is not easy for you two to support your two children in school and Jingye in Xicheng."
“But living off our ancestral property will eventually lead to its depletion, so I’m thinking of taking out some of my savings for my funeral so that we can accumulate some wealth for our family and live comfortably in the future.”
Chen Xiuer and Bai Jiye exchanged a glance. Chen Xiuer said, "We're all family, why bother with all this formalities? When will Second Aunt give us that two thousand silver dollars?"
“I will give it to you as I tell you,” said Madam Yuan. “But I have one condition.”
“You have to write me a contract. After I make money using these two thousand silver dollars in business, I’ll get a share of the profits,” Yuan said.
Bai Jiye's aura suddenly hardened, and he immediately slammed his hand on the table: "Second Madam, you're a woman confined to the inner quarters, eating and living at home. What do you need a share of the profits for? Don't you trust us, husband and wife?"
Madam Yuan was startled by him, clutching her handkerchief. "I... I only have you as my son. You're counting on me to take care of you in your old age. Why would I give you money if you don't believe me?"
"But she's not my biological mother after all? I spent my own money today, and neither of you are happy. I... I just wanted some security."
Bai Jiye doesn't even want to act; is that hers?
The adopted child is his; he is the male heir!
Chen Xiuer pressed his hand down: "Alright, husband, what Second Aunt said makes sense. It's just a contract, if Second Aunt wants it, just write it for her."
She smiled and glanced at Madam Yuan: "Then I'll trouble you, Second Madam, to fetch some paper and pen. Second Madam said we'll write."
"Okay, okay." Madam Yuan quickly got up and ran back to her room to get paper and pen.
"Why are you listening to her? Won't she take advantage of this?" Bai Jiye frowned.
Chen Xiuer tapped his forehead with her finger. "It's just a contract. She's at home. Are you worried she'll take the money away?" Her eyes flickered slightly. "Besides, Second Aunt is as stubborn as a dumpling. How could she possibly think of something like this?"
"Maybe it was that girl Yan'er who instigated it, trying to keep us in check with money so we'd be filial to her."
Bai Jiye frowned, and Chen Xiuer said, "What good would it do to put these two women at ease?"
She analyzed for Bai Jiye: "If we really make it in the Zhong family, we'll benefit. But if the Zhong family doesn't acknowledge this marriage, do you think we're afraid of this mother and daughter?"
Bai Jiye nodded, "Okay, I'll do as you say."
Madam Yuan returned quickly. After the contract was written according to what had been agreed upon, Bai Jiye signed it and said in an unhappy tone, "Now, Second Madam, are you relieved?"
After accepting the contract, Madam Yuan poured wine for the two of them, saying, "Don't be angry. I just want some security for the future."
He then raised a fawning smile and said, "Jiye, this is the finest Shaoxing wine. I bought it especially for you."
Knowing that Chen Xiuer liked sweets, he said, "Xiuer, I asked the maid to bring some rice wine. My daughter and I will drink this."
The couple simply assumed that Yuan was trying to please them, and besides, it would be a waste not to eat such fine wine and food.
"It's a pity that Nianwei and Niantang are both at school." Chen Xiuer felt sorry that her children couldn't get enough to eat.
Although the Bai family is wealthy, their assets are all fixed. Coupled with their high expenses, while they have no shortage of meat, they don't eat lavish meals every day.
The couple didn't waste any food or drinks. During the meal, they talked about Bai Jingye again, and Yuan told Bai Yan to look for him after she went to Xicheng, and to look after each other while they were away...
After a few rounds of drinks, both of them slumped onto the table.
The candlelight flickered, and Bai Yan pushed her wheelchair to the door herself.
"Yan'er!" Madam Yuan stood up from her chair and threw away the wet handkerchief. "What should we do now?" The couple were drinking, but Madam Yuan spilled all the liquid on the handkerchief after drinking.
"Mom, get the key from her." She looked towards Chen Xiuer.
Yuan nodded, took the key that Chen Xiuer was hanging on her waist, and then pushed Bai Yan to the room of Chen Xiuer and her husband.
Her eyes swept across the room and noticed a lighter-colored section of floorboards next to Chen Xiuer's bed. She then instructed Yuan to pry open the floorboards, and sure enough, they found a box inside the room.
Yuan opened the box with a key, inside which were the family fortunes that Bai's father had accumulated.
Holding the deeds to the fields and shops in Fancheng in her hands, Madam Yuan couldn't help but shed tears: "My husband..."
Bai Yan then opened Chen Xiuer's money box and took all the dozens of silver dollars inside.
"Mom, go pack your things. I'll wait for you at the door," Bai Yan said.
"Are you sure you can manage?" Madam Yuan wiped away her tears and glanced at her daughter's wheelchair. "How about I push you outside first?"
“We don’t have much time, you go pack, I can manage.” Bai Yan said, “Mom, don’t pack too many valuables, just take the money.”
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