Chapter 48
There was no need to guess this time. Just by looking at Xia Daming's expression, one could tell that Wu Jinfeng must be at their house and had eaten New Year's Eve dinner with them.
I just don't know what the noise just now was about. If Wu Jinfeng came to find Xia Qinghai voluntarily, why did she deliberately make some noise when Xia Qingtang approached the shed?
Seeing that Xia Daming was indeed terrified, Xia Qingtang smiled and continued, "Being able to eat is a good thing. My appetite has also increased. I eat two large bowls of rice for every meal at my husband's house, and I also have snacks on weekdays, so I am gaining weight. Anyway, your family is not short of food, so you can afford to feed me even if I eat more. Dad was very thin before, so he should eat more now to keep healthy. People who do hard work need to eat more."
Xia Daming suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. He forced a smile in his panic and said, "Yes, we can eat a lot now. Your mother hasn't given money to her parents in the past few months, so our life is much better now than before. We don't have to worry about eating more."
"Did Zhao Meizhen really fall out with her parents' family?" Xia Qingtang was a little skeptical.
In her previous life, Zhao Meizhen had supported her parents' family for many years. After she married into the Kong family, Zhao Meizhen forced her to help her parents' family a lot. In addition to Xia Qinghai's food and daily necessities, Zhao Meizhen would also send a portion of the things she sent home to her parents' family.
How could she, such a filial daughter, fall out so easily?
"This time, we really had a falling out. It's a long story. As you know, your mother got food poisoning when she went back to her parents' home that time. It was your grandmother's fault. At first, your mother was not very angry, but she kept shirking the responsibility and came to us several times to ask for the medical expenses we had to pay in advance. Your brother said that it was your grandmother who had your mother hospitalized, and the medical expenses should be paid by your grandmother. As a result, your grandmother beat your brother, and your mother got angry. After that, the two sides quarreled for a long time because of this matter. She was in the hospital at the time, and it affected her treatment. Later, after she was discharged from the hospital, she didn't have the strength to go out. Your uncle asked me for medical expenses again, but I ignored him. In the blink of an eye, it's the Chinese New Year, and there is no news from there, and your mother has not returned to her parents' home. In addition, her retirement salary is now given to your brother for safekeeping. Even if she returns to her parents' home, she has no money to subsidize them. Your brother said that your mother is a confused person, so you have to check the money yourself."
"Sure enough, my son is the one who can control her." Xia Qingtang sneered and said, "Then where is your salary, Dad? Did you give it to Xia Qinghai as well?"
Xia Qinghai has indeed inherited the true teachings of Zhao Meizhen. In terms of plundering relatives, the mother and son are exactly the same. The only difference is that Zhao Meizhen still loves her son in her heart, but the son only loves himself.
"I didn't give it to him. I kept the money for myself after you got married. I opened a separate passbook and deposited ten yuan into it every month." Xia Daming whispered, "Dad has let you down over the years. I didn't buy anything for you when you got married. So, I want to save some money for you and give it to you when you have a baby. My waist is getting worse every year, and I may have to retire in a few more years, so I'll save as much as I can. When I retire, I won't be able to save much with that little pension."
Xia Qingtang didn't really believe that Xia Daming would really save money for her, but she still said: "Saving money is a good thing. You need to keep some money with you. In the future, when Xia Qinghai doesn't care about you, you won't live too miserably if you have money on hand."
"Your brother...is not that kind of person..." Xia Daming whispered.
Xia Daming lives in a confused state. He neither understands his wife nor his son. But it doesn't matter. After all, you can be smart for a lifetime, or confused for a lifetime. It's good enough as long as he can live a healthy life.
Xia Qingtang did not respond to his words. As they happened to reach the gate, she said, "We will go back now. Dad, you should go back to eat too. I wish you a happy new year and good health."
"Well, good, good, I wish you good health too." Xia Daming said, "Son-in-law, come back and visit us when you have time."
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll definitely come back when I have time."
But if he is not free, you can't blame him.
Xia Daming looked around and saw that there was no one nearby, so he took out a red paper package from his pocket and stuffed it into Xie Jinxuan's pocket: "You came to wish me a happy new year, this is a small red envelope, accept it, accept it."
Xie Jinxuan glanced at Xia Qingtang, and when she nodded slightly, he smiled and took the red paper package: "Thank you, Dad. I'll accept it. I'm afraid we won't have time to come on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Let's talk about it during the Dragon Boat Festival."
"You are busy with work, so you don't have to come to see me often. Just be nice to Qingtang." Xia Daming showed a sincere smile this time, "You two should be fine."
"I will, don't worry, Dad. Let's go back then. Goodbye, Dad." Xie Jinxuan put the red paper package in her pocket, then rode her bicycle and left with Xia Qingtang.
After they rode a long way, Xia Daming was still standing there watching them.
Xia Qingtang reached into Xie Jinxuan's trouser pocket, took out the red paper bag, took a look at it, and said, "I gave you two dollars, which is not a small amount."
Two dollars can buy a lot of things now. Xia Qingtang would be very happy if he received a red envelope with ten cents in it when he was in school.
As she said that, she put the red paper package back into Xie Jinxuan's pocket.
He said: "Your father is not a bad person."
"Yes, he is not a bad person, but his personality makes him prone to bad things."
The bicycle turned a corner and rode onto another road. Xia Qingtang said, "Did you hear the noise coming from my shed?"
"I heard someone was inside."
"What on earth did Wu Jinfeng want to do? If she wanted to be discovered, why didn't she speak?"
Xie Jinxuan said casually: "Is it possible that she can't speak?"
Xia Qingtang was shocked: "What are you talking about? Did Xia Qinghai and his mother tie her up and cover her mouth? How dare Xia Qinghai be so bold? Why don't I believe it?"
"It's hard to guess what's going on with them now. Just wait and see what happens on the 16th day of the first lunar month. If Wu Jinfeng goes to work at the factory office normally on the 16th day of the first lunar month, then it means nothing will happen."
Xia Qingtang sighed and said, "Time flies by so fast. Tomorrow is the eighth day of the first lunar month. We have to stay at grandma's house for three days. When we come back, we will have to go back to work... I really want to rest for a few more days."
This kind of talk is very unusual in this era, because people at this time like to go to work and like to contribute to production and construction. They have no complaints even if they have to work three shifts all year round. During the New Year and other holidays, many people will voluntarily apply for overtime or cover for their colleagues.
Even if someone doesn't want to go to work, they can't just say it out loud, because if they do, everyone will look down on them.
But Xie Jinxuan was obviously not one of those people. After listening to Xia Qingtang's words, he smiled and said, "If you want to go to work two days later, you can take a few days off. Generally, when you first start working, there is not much work to do in the office. It will be really busy after about a week. If you don't believe me, you can take a look. You will definitely find that there are colleagues who take leave and don't go back to work until after the 20th day of the first lunar month."
This was his experience. Xia Qingtang thought about it and said, "Forget it. Since I'm not too busy at work, I might as well go to the office and rest. I can read books at home anyway, so I might as well go to the office and read."
The two chatted and laughed all the way. When they returned home, everyone had already had lunch. Xie Chengye and his mother also took Xie Jinyun out to pay New Year's greetings.
Aunt Six asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, my father-in-law asked us to eat there, but we didn't tell him before we went there. The food they cooked was not enough, so we came back." Xie Jinxuan said.
Grandma said, "I guessed you wouldn't eat out. Xiaoliu, hurry up and cook some noodles for them."
There was ready-made noodles at home, and other ingredients were also abundant during the New Year, so Aunt Liu quickly cooked two bowls of noodles and served them.
The noodles were cooked in a soy sauce and lard soup base, but they were also topped with Chinese cabbage and a few slices of bacon. There was also a poached egg in Xia Qingtang's bowl, so it was a pretty good lunch.
Xia Qingtang picked up the chopsticks, cut the poached egg in half, and then put half of it in Xie Jinxuan's bowl.
He smiled and said, "You eat, don't worry about me."
"Let's eat together." Xia Qingtang whispered, "We had good food during the Chinese New Year. I'm not craving this now."
After being away from her parents' home for a few months, Xia Qingtang not only gained some weight, but also really didn't crave meat as much. After all, she could eat meat every week at the Xie family, and she was always included in the eggs. Her grandmother would urge her to make milk powder every day. Even Xie Jinyun, a growing child, didn't eat as well as she did.
Xie Jinxuan then smiled and put half of the egg into her mouth, then said, "It smells so good."
Grandma was sitting at the coffee table reading a letter, looking up at the two of them from time to time. Seeing them giggling while eating, she couldn't help but whisper, "Our Jinxuan and Qingtang have a really good relationship, much sweeter than when I and the old man were young."
Aunt Six also smiled and said, "It's time to be sweet. I see that the young people in the compound are different now. They walk hand in hand on the street, and some even hug each other's waists. Who would dare to do this before. The other day, the neighbor told me that young people nowadays are too bold and not good. I wonder what's wrong with this? If they don't hug each other when they are young, will they hug each other when they are old?"
Grandma couldn't help laughing: "What you said really makes sense. If you really wait until you are old to hug each other, that would be really bad."
After Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan finished their noodles, they went to the kitchen to wash the dishes together, and then sat with their grandmother for a while. Then someone came to pay New Year's greetings.
However, today, there are not many people coming to pay New Year's greetings, but this practice will continue until the 14th day of the first lunar month. Only on the 15th day of the first lunar month will there be really no one coming to the house, so Sixth Aunt and Grandma usually do not go out, and both of them have to stay at home to entertain guests.
Grandpa Xie came out of the study to talk to the guests, and Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan went upstairs to pack their luggage. They would be taking a train before dawn tomorrow morning. They bought hard seats on the way there and hard sleepers on the way back. Because they had informed people in advance, it was easy to buy the tickets this time, and they didn't have to ask their family for help.
Xia Qingtang took out the luggage bag and put the folded clothes and some daily necessities into it. He then took out some red paper, cut it, and wrapped the fifty-cent bills that he had exchanged in advance in the red paper. Then he put them in the interlayer pocket of the bag.
When I go to visit my grandmother this time, I’m afraid I’ll meet children from my relatives’ families, so I have to prepare some red envelopes in advance.
And because the conditions of the Tian family and the Xie family are relatively good, Xie Jinxuan said that they should prepare red envelopes of 50 cents each.
After packing up everything, Xia Qingtang went to the study room opposite to find a novel and sat down to read with Xie Jinxuan.
At night, the two of them went to bed early. At four o'clock in the morning, Aunt Liu got up and made them a simple breakfast. She also packed some snacks for them to eat on the way. Then Xie Chengye drove them to the train station.
Xiao Wan is on vacation during this period. He is also very busy. He worked until the night of New Year's Eve. He sent the old man home before parking the car and going home from get off work.
During the Chinese New Year, the car was parked in front of the Xie family's door. Xie Chengye and Xie Jinxuan actually both knew how to drive, but they didn't want to waste gas coupons when there was nothing else to do, so they only used it now.
The jeep drove to the entrance of the train station, and Xie Chengye said, "Have you all read the telegrams your grandparents sent a few days ago?"
"I've seen it." Xie Jinxuan said.
Mr. Tian sent a telegram a few days ago, saying that the distribution of the inheritance after grandma's death would be publicly announced at home on the tenth day of the first lunar month, so he asked Mother Xie to think about it in advance. If there are any requests, she can ask Xie Jinxuan to bring the message over.
"Just take a look. This time you are going there on behalf of your mother. Your mother has told you everything she wants. You have always been very prudent in doing things, so I won't say much. Just accept whatever they give your mother. Although your mother married far away, I believe your grandmother will not treat her badly. If your two uncles are unhappy about anything, just ignore them. We are far away. When we get on the train back home, who cares what they say?"
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "I will, don't worry, Dad. Mom has already told me these words before, and I have memorized them."
"Then go ahead. Be careful on the road and take good care of Qingtang."
Xia Qingtang said: "Thank you, Dad. Dad, go back and sleep for a while. It's too early to get up, so you must be very sleepy."
The two of them got off the car carrying their luggage bags, and waited until the car drove away before walking hand in hand into the waiting room of the train station.
The weather today was a little different, with a cold wind blowing. The waiting room was drafty and everyone inside was sitting there with their necks hunched.
Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan were dressed warmly, and both wore scarves and gloves, but they were sitting in a windy place, so after a while they stood up and found a place that was slightly sheltered from the wind to wait.
Fortunately, today's train was not delayed and the two of them got on the train smoothly. Since everyone on the train was sleeping quietly, they just took another nap.
At around three o'clock in the afternoon, the train arrived at the station and Tian Feiyang and Xiao Ding drove to pick them up.
Tian Feiyang was much tanned than before, with short hair standing on his head, making him look more energetic.
He was still as talkative as ever, and he also told me the good news that Peng Wei was pregnant.
Xia Qingtang immediately congratulated him: "Really? That's great. Hey, cousin, why didn't you tell me earlier? If you had told me earlier, Jinxuan and I should have prepared some gifts."
"It's still a young month, and your cousin's wife is a little unhappy because she never thought of having a baby so early. But now that the baby is here, she has no choice but to accept it. I'm telling you this because I hope you don't mention it in front of her and just pretend you don't know." Tian Feiyang said.
Xie Jinxuan said: "Sister-in-law is not happy, then is my eldest cousin happy?"
"I'm fine. I'm not that interested in children, otherwise I wouldn't have always followed your cousin's wishes. But in this case, since you're pregnant, I think you should stay." Tian Feiyang said, "What do you two think? Do you plan to have a baby earlier or later?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "We plan to have children later. Qingtang is still very young and she also wants to work hard for a few years."
"Yes, my sister-in-law just went to work in the office, so she must perform well. But I have to remind you that sometimes it is difficult to predict the situation of the child. Even if you have taken all the measures prescribed by the doctor, there are times when the disease may come unexpectedly, so you still have to be mentally prepared in advance."
Xie Jinxuan nodded seriously: "I understand. We will think about this seriously."
We chatted about children along the way and soon arrived at Tian's house.
After not seeing grandma for such a long time, she seemed to be the same as before, no different from the last time they saw each other, and she hadn't become thinner. This made Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang breathe a sigh of relief at the same time - it seemed that no one in the letter had lied, and grandma's condition had not worsened.
But there was indeed no sign of improvement. My grandmother was still often in so much pain that she couldn't sleep, so she always sat in a recliner during the day and often fell asleep while talking to my aunt.
Of course, this was what my aunt told them secretly. My grandmother herself only reported good news and not bad news, and she would not tell anyone anything.
But after Xie Jinxuan and the others came, grandma's spirits improved a lot. On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Tian Feiyang drove and they all went to the park and the zoo. Grandma also took a few photos with Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang, and repeatedly told Tian Feiyang to print more photos.
"Don't worry, grandma. I will definitely print a few more. I will record them after they are done. I guarantee there will be enough for them to put one in each room." Tian Feiyang said exaggeratedly.
Grandma smiled and said, "You are the only one who can talk nonsense. Put one in every room. Who would have that kind of family?"
"Our family will be like that. I plan to put one in every room of our house." Tian Feiyang said with a smile, "Then grandma, you will be able to see Jinxuan's face in any room you walk into, and you will definitely be very happy."
After playing all day, grandma came back home a little tired. She had a simple dinner and went back to the house to sleep.
The others sat in the living room and slowly ate and drank. The aunt prepared several side dishes and also took out some bayberry wine she had made herself and let Xia Qingtang try a glass.
Xia Qingtang thought it tasted good, so he asked in detail about the method of making bayberry wine, planning to learn how to make it himself when he returned home.
Mr. Tian said, "Guoqiang's family will be here tomorrow. You should all pay attention. If Guoqiang makes a scene at home, don't be polite to him."
Tian Guohao looked at Tian Feiyang, and the father and son exchanged glances. He said, "Dad, what do you mean by this? Mom is going to announce her will tomorrow. If she says this now, it must mean that she didn't give Guoqiang enough, otherwise why would he throw a tantrum?"
Mr. Tian said, "I don't know exactly what the will says, but from the tone of your mother, it seems that she didn't leave any benefits for Guoqiang. I'm worried that Guoqiang will not take it seriously, and the whole family will throw a tantrum together, which will affect your mother's health, so I'm telling you in advance."
Tian Guohao nodded, sighed, and said, "Mom... why do you have to do this? Why do you have to announce the will in advance and divide the things among us in advance? It won't be too late to divide the things after she's gone. It's a bit sad to make it like this now, as if Mom doesn't have more days to live."
As he spoke, Tian Guohao's eyes couldn't help but turn red.
My aunt quickly patted his shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Mr. Tian said: "This is your mother's decision. No matter what you think in your heart, I hope you can support her."
"I will, don't worry, Dad. No matter how Mom divides it tomorrow, I have no objection. If Tian Guoqiang wants to make trouble, Feiyang and I will stop him. He hasn't exercised for so many years, how can he be our opponent?"
"Well, don't be too harsh. Guoqiang is still your brother no matter what. A minor injury is fine. It would be ugly if it was too serious."
"Don't worry, Dad. I know what I'm doing."
After Peng Wei finished her meal, she couldn't stand the smell of alcohol, so she sat on the sofa alone.
Xia Qingtang had just finished her meal and said goodbye to the elders. She also took her teacup and sat next to Peng Wei, asking her in a low voice how she was feeling.
Peng Wei smiled bitterly and said, "I'm fine. We dancers usually exercise a lot and are relatively healthy. I'm not pregnant yet and I don't have any symptoms. I just feel a little uncomfortable when I smell alcohol."
"Does your art troupe have a rule that says you can't dance after giving birth?" Xia Qingtang asked curiously.
"That's not the case. There has never been such a rule. But think about it. After giving birth, you have to feed and take care of the baby. If you delay, one or two years will be gone. In our industry, if we don't train for that long, we can't return to the peak. But the baby is already here. If you want me to get rid of it, I'm a little reluctant. According to my original plan, I wanted to jump to 30 years old to have a child, but it's really true that man proposes, God disposes."
Xia Qingtang didn't know how to comfort her and could only sit aside and listen to her complaints. At the same time, he also realized that having children had a huge impact on women, especially women in certain professions. Once they had children, their lives might be completely turned upside down.
After drinking, everyone went to wash up and rest. Xia Qingtang came out of the bathroom and went to the guest room. Then he said to Xie Jinxuan: "Does your grandma have a lot of inheritance to share? Listening to them talking, it seems that they are mobilizing a large number of people and will fight over the inheritance."
She knew that Xie Jinxuan's grandmother was not an ordinary person either, but in this day and age she could still pass on a lot of inheritance to her descendants, which meant she was no ordinary person.
"In fact, there is not much inheritance. Grandma talked to me earlier. Those houses and other things were taken away a long time ago. Most of the things were not kept and were handed over. She had some things that were not taken away, but they were hidden a long time ago. They were probably some gold items, jewelry, and antiques. They were all grandma's dowry. In terms of cash, she gave us more than a thousand yuan before. I guess she doesn't have much money left. Gold is fine, but some jewelry and antiques can't be sold now, and they can't be kept at home as decorations. We can only put them away for the time being."
"It can't be sold now, but it will be valuable in the future." Xia Qingtang has watched TV dramas. In the future society, a jar and a coin will be very valuable.
Xie Jinxuan said: "That will take many years. Who knows when antiques will be valuable?"
"I don't think we can wait long. The country has become more open, and the economy can develop as it pleases. In another decade or so, we will definitely be able to exchange money for it."
Xie Jinxuan smiled and pinched her little face, saying, "From what you said, it seems that you really want antiques?"
"I want it, but I'm not eyeing grandma's things. This time when grandma distributed her things, she gave them to your mother and others, not to us. It's just that you mentioned antiques now that I thought of this. What do you think, if we collect antiques from others and hoard them, and keep them for more than ten years, would it be a good deal?" Xia Qingtang sat cross-legged on the bed, looking serious.
She has seen the future society, where having money can lead to a better life, buy a big house, a nice car, and allow children to go to better schools and study abroad.
Therefore, she has plans for her career development, but today's antique incident did remind her that if she stocked up on some good things now, her family would have money to spend even if her career development was not smooth in the future.
Xie Jinxuan also thought about it seriously for a while and said, "This is feasible. We have some extra money now. If we collect a few valuable things, they may come in handy when we are older and need money."
"You agree too, right? Then where should we collect them? In the countryside?" Xia Qingtang's big eyes suddenly lit up.
She didn't know much about collecting antiques, but she had seen in TV dramas that many people go to the countryside to collect junk. A porcelain bowl for feeding chickens might be a very valuable antique, and many people made their fortunes from this.
Xie Jinxuan laughed: "There must be good things in the countryside, but it would be too troublesome to do that, and it would easily arouse the suspicion of the commune. Just leave this matter to me. I know some people, and I can buy it directly from them. However, I also need to learn some knowledge in this area first. Since I want to buy it, I have to buy things that can be easily exchanged for money in the future."
Some of them have been rehabilitated now, but after returning to the city, although they have resumed their jobs, they still have a hard time. If you find such people and ask them to give you a few good things, they will definitely be willing to do so.
Xia Qingtang understood immediately: "Then I'll leave it to you. When you need money later, tell me in advance. I have to go to the bank to withdraw money in advance."
All the money in the house was kept in her name, and she had divided it into time deposits and current deposits. She also kept a few hundred yuan on hand and hid it under the bed in case of emergency.
The two chatted about antiques for a while and then gradually fell asleep.
The next day, everyone got up after 7:00. Everyone looked a little solemn, and my aunt even wore clothes for visiting relatives and friends to look more serious.
After breakfast, the sky outside began to overcast. Tian Feiyang looked outside and said, "It looks like it's going to rain."
Xie Jinxuan also touched the old wound, and Xia Qingtang immediately asked, "Is it starting to hurt again?"
"A little bit, but it's not serious. Don't worry." Xie Jinxuan gently squeezed her hand.
He is young and has a good foundation, so the old injury does not have that much impact on him.
Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, but went to find his aunt and asked her to borrow an empty saline bottle. He filled it with hot water, wrapped it in a towel, and placed it on Xie Jinxuan's old wound to warm it.
Grandma looked at Xia Qingtang lovingly, and she whispered, "Qingtang is so considerate."
"I was very careless. If my cousin hadn't said it was going to rain, I wouldn't have realized it," said Xia Qingtang.
"That's great. Jinxuan is a man, so you don't have to take care of him like a child." Grandma said, "I feel relieved to have you by his side."
We chatted slowly, and at half past nine, Tian Guoqiang and his family arrived.
Because of the unpleasantness they had before, the couple had gloomy faces when they walked in. However, Tian Feilong and Chen Hongyu greeted everyone with a smile, and then sat down aside.
Although it was still the first month of the year, they did not bring any gifts when they came. My aunt muttered something to me, but still made tea for them all.
Mr. Tian said, "Feiyang, go and ask the political commissar and Lao Tan to come over."
For such a big thing as announcing a will, two important witnesses are definitely needed. The political commissar will definitely come, and Old Tan, who has a good relationship with their family, will also come to be a witness.
Tian Feiyang responded and ran out. Old Man Tian looked at Tian Feilong and Chen Hongyu and said, "Have you two registered your marriage?"
Tian Feilong said: "Not yet, we plan to get the marriage certificate in March."
"Since you haven't registered your marriage, you are still outsiders. Xiao Chen, today's matter is our family affair. Could you please step aside for now?" Mr. Tian said politely.
Chen Hongyu's face flushed immediately, and she stood up quickly: "Get out if you want!"
After saying that, she turned around and walked out, carrying her big leather bag.
Tian Feilong stood up angrily: "Grandpa, what are you doing? We are going to register for marriage soon, is it just a few days away?"
"Yes, it's just a few days! If you are unhappy, you can also leave. Anyway, today I am distributing things to my son and daughter, not to you." Old Master Tian said rudely.
Tian Feilong was so angry that he clenched his fists and then unclenched them, but finally he swallowed his anger and sat down.
He came here today to support Tian Guoqiang, so he can't go out.
When the political commissar and Lao Tan came over, Mr. Tian said, "Today, please ask the political commissar and Lao Tan to help our family be witnesses. The old woman has some things in her hand, which are her dowry. Now that she is still alive and her mind is clear, I want to share them with the children, which can also be regarded as an explanation to ourselves."
It was not the first time that the political commissar helped to be a witness. Upon hearing this, he said, "Don't worry, Lao Tian. I will definitely be a good witness."
Mr. Tian thanked her, took my grandmother's hand, and said softly, "Old lady, go ahead."
Grandma sat next to Grandpa Tian, wearing a thick old cotton coat, a thin blanket covering her legs, and a peaceful smile on her face.
She looked at the younger generations in the room and began to speak. She said, "I originally had a lot of things, but many of them were taken away. Now these are lucky enough to be left. I have long thought about dividing them all among you. I have two sons and a daughter, and it stands to reason that they should be divided equally. But over the years, I have watched the paths you have taken and the things you have done, and I feel that dividing them equally is not advisable. Because some people do not deserve my things."
Everyone else was listening quietly to what grandma said, but Tian Guoqiang and his wife couldn't help but stand up when they heard this.
Tian Guoqiang said, "Mom, what do you mean by that?"
"I haven't finished talking yet, why are you in such a hurry?" Grandma said gently, "Do you think you don't deserve what I have?"
Tian Guoqiang's eyes flickered and he said, "I didn't say that."
"Then sit down and listen to me carefully. If you don't want to listen to me, you can just leave now and I won't give you any of my things." Although grandma's tone was gentle, her words were firm.
Tian Guoqiang swallowed his anger and suppressed his dissatisfaction and said, "I know, Mom, please continue."
Grandma said, "I don't have much time left. I don't know when I will be gone. I'm afraid that after I'm gone, you will quarrel over these things. So it's better to make things clear and divide the things clearly while I'm still alive. I want to make it clear in advance that the things are mine. I can give them to whoever I want to give them to. If I don't give them to someone, it's useless to make a scene. Even if I throw all the things away or donate them to the government, you still have to listen to me. Political Commissar, don't you think this makes sense?"
The political commissar nodded: "That's right, you can give it to whoever you want, and they should listen to you."
When Tian Guoqiang heard this, the couple's expressions became even uglier, but because of what their grandmother had just said, they didn't dare to move and could only sit there and suppress their anger.
Mr. Tian said, "Yes, those are all your things. You can give them to whoever you want. If you don't want to share them with the children, I support you."
"Well, then I'll start dividing the things." Grandma said, taking out a few folded papers from under the coffee table, then unfolding the papers and saying, "All my things are written down here. I asked someone for the format, and wrote them all down in the way of a will, without missing a single thing. I'm running out of energy, so please ask the political commissar to help me read it."
The political commissar took the papers, glanced at them briefly, and then began to read the will.
The content of the will was very simple, it was about the division of property. Grandma had a total of 2,100 yuan in savings, and this money was divided equally among Tian Guohao and his two siblings.
There were also a number of various jewellery items. Grandma asked someone to weigh them in advance and divided them roughly according to their value. The jewellery items were also divided roughly into three parts for her three children.
When they were assigned this, no one looked dissatisfied. Second aunt even showed joy on her face, because when she married Tian Guoqiang, she always felt that her family's conditions were much better than the Tian family's. She never expected that her mother-in-law actually hid so many good things and never mentioned them.
She held Tian Guoqiang's hand with a smile on her face, and Tian Feilong behind her also began to feel complacent, because these things would sooner or later fall into his hands.
The political commissar continued reading and began to read about his grandmother's antique collection of books and other items.
Xia Qingtang was not surprised because he had heard about it from Xie Jinxuan in advance, but as the others listened, their eyes widened.
My grandmother has more than fifty antiques and hundreds of ancient books, all of which are now kept in a safe place. After she passes away, these things will be divided among Tian Guohao and Tian Guoqin.
The will clearly stated that all the ancient books would be given to his daughter Tian Guoqin, while Tian Guohao would get most of the antiques, and the remaining antiques would also belong to Tian Guoqin.
Each antique had a detailed name written on it, and many of them were difficult to recognize when read out. Fortunately, the numbers were clearly written in the will, so they could be distinguished based on the numbers when the time came.
At the end of her will, the grandmother also hoped that her daughter Tian Guoqin would take good care of those ancient books and not waste them.
At this point, the will had been read out. Tian Guohao and his wife were visibly happy. Tian Feiyang and Peng Wei also smiled. Only Xie Jinxuan and Xia Qingtang remained calm.
After the political commissar finished reading, he said, "The reading of the will is over. As a witness, I can sign to certify it."
Tian Guohao quickly took out the paper, pen and ink that he had prepared in advance, and asked the political commissar and Lao Tan to sign and put their fingerprints on it.
While they were busy, Tian Guoqiang stood up suddenly and said loudly, "Mom, are you serious? You don't give me any of the things you have? Forget about my elder brother. After all, it has been my elder brother and his wife who have taken care of you all these years. After you got sick, they have also paid a lot. But what about Tian Guoqin? She married so far away and never took care of you for a day. Why do you give her so many things? Why?"
Grandma said softly, "Of course I am serious. I wrote the will seriously and asked the political commissar and Lao Tan to be witnesses. Isn't this serious enough?"
"You didn't answer my question, why don't I have a share?" Tian Guoqiang took a step forward excitedly.
The second aunt also said angrily: "That's right, why doesn't the second one have one? Why did you give it to your daughter? Has she ever taken care of you for a day?"
"I've said it before, I can give my things to whoever I want. You have no right to question me, let alone ask me for things." Grandma said calmly, "Besides, didn't I give you some things? Seven hundred dollars in cash and so many jewels, aren't they enough for you?"
"Not enough! Why can Tian Guoqin take so many things? What right does she have?" Tian Guoqiang yelled, "I don't accept it! I don't agree! You must give me an explanation today! I don't want those broken books, and I won't take my brother's things, but I want Tian Guoqin's share!"
Seeing that he was too emotional, Tian Feiyang and Xie Jinxuan both stood up and stood between him and the coffee table, fearing that he would attack his grandmother in a fit of excitement.
Grandma was still in a good-humored mood. She said, "The will has been finalized, and now the witnesses have signed it as a testimony. I will not change it. Anyway, I have written down very clearly what you can get. If you want it, take it. If you don't want it, that's fine too. Just ask the political commissar to donate it to the government for us, which will also be a contribution."
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