After eating and drinking their fill, everyone slumped down in their chairs contentedly, stroking their bulging stomachs and reminiscing about the meal.
Today's meal was a rare and luxurious delicacy for them. Everyone ate more than usual, and Tang Le even drank up the last bit of the soup.
The introverted Tang Le blushed when he thought about eating more than others at other people's houses. He was really embarrassed, but he was also not very good at eating.
I didn’t know how to explain this to Lin Mo, so I could only secretly count the remaining eggs at home so that I could send them to the Lin family tomorrow.
"Brother Tang Le, this is what I want you to do. There's no elders at home, and Xiao Wu and I can't stay at the construction site all the time. I can only ask you to take care of it."
While everyone was sitting in the yard digesting their food, Lin Mo briefly told Tang Le what he had asked him to do.
His request was very simple, which was to ask Tang Le to help watch over the place, and secondly, to help lead the people in the village. After all, there are many different kinds of people, and the village chief cannot guarantee that all the people he chooses are diligent and hardworking. With so many people, if some of them are dishonest and there is no one to lead them, then others will follow suit and learn bad habits.
The other task is to target the family living in the old Lin family house. Dividing the family does not mean severing ties. Lin Mo really cannot do anything too drastic at the moment, so it is most appropriate for an outsider like Tang Le to come forward.
The plan Lin Mo gave was also simple. From now on, Tang Le would be in charge of serving meals and distributing dishes. If Uncle Lin and his family wanted to eat at the construction site, they would have to work with the workers. If they didn't work, Tang Le could just drive them away.
Morally and logically, there is nothing wrong with this operation. If Old Lady Lin and the others make a fuss, they will be in the wrong, and Mr. Lin Mo can take the opportunity to find a way to put the issue of breaking up the engagement on the agenda.
"Don't worry, Sanlang, it would be more appropriate for outsiders like us to handle this matter. Starting tomorrow, I promise that your uncle's family will not come to ask for money again."
Tang Le said this solemnly. He had long been disgusted with Uncle Lin's family going to the construction site, but after all, they were the blood relatives of Lin Mo and his brothers.
Every day, he was furious when he saw Uncle Lin coming over to eat and drink for free at mealtime, especially that family who relied on their status as elders to criticize and belittle Brother Sheng. Sometimes they complained about the big pot of rice with little meat and strong taste, and sometimes they said that Lin Sheng was just wasting money.
According to them, Lin Sheng should fire all the uncles and aunts who cook, give them all the money for food, and then their family will be responsible for this big pot meal.
He couldn't help but recall the time a few years ago when their family hired someone to renovate the house. That person was truly shameless and unrivaled in the world.
According to the people who went there from the village, they had never had a full meal. The only food the Lin family gave them was two steamed buns made with mixed vegetables and coarse grains. They were small and hard, and could only be swallowed with a few sips of water. Even so, the old lady of the Lin family still felt that what they gave was too much.
The more Tang Le thought about it, the more horrified he felt. He immediately added, "Sanlang, after your grandfather passed away, your grandmother's temper has become even more domineering. If she makes a scene tomorrow, I can be tough on her. Is that okay?"
When the old man of the Lin family was still alive, someone could control Mrs. Lin's temper. Now that the old man is gone, if there is a quarrel tomorrow, there will be some friction.
He was still a little worried that he might hurt Old Mrs. Lin if he wasn't careful.
Lin Mo's eyes flashed with cruelty, and he sneered, "Brother Tang Le, just go ahead and do it. If she makes trouble, just kick her out. It doesn't matter if there are bumps or bruises. As for my uncle and the others, there are so many men on the construction site. If they really come to force, just beat them up."
"What do you mean?" Tang Le was not stupid either, and immediately thought of Lin Mo's implicit meaning.
Lin Mo pulled the corner of his mouth and chuckled, "You have ignored us all these years. Apart from the name of kinship, in reality, we are no different from enemies. In this case, we should cut off our relationship as soon as possible."
Tang Le was stunned for a moment, and looked at Lin Mo in surprise. The dusk gradually darkened, and the grayish-white tint on the horizon also dissipated. In the darkness, Tang Le could not see the expression on Lin Mo's face at this moment, and could only feel a biting chill.
He opened his mouth, then nodded seriously and said, "Sanlang, since you are so courageous, I will naturally do my best to help you. However, since ancient times, severing ties with one's family has been considered a great act of filial piety. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I still hope you can be cautious."
Since ancient times, "filial piety" has been more important than anything else. When the older generation passes away, it is understandable to divide the family. However, this kind of division only separates the younger generation's small family, that is, lets the brothers live separately. Everyone is still on the same family tree, and they are considered one family even after death.
But breaking off ties is different. Breaking off ties means setting up one's own family. To put it bluntly, if the ties are broken off, Lin Mo and the others don't want to have the surname Lin anymore, they can choose another surname of their own. In other words, they will no longer have any connection with the Lin family and will completely sever ties. They will no longer have to give the little food offering to Old Lady Lin every year.
But no matter what, breaking off a relationship is considered extremely shameful by everyone. Most ordinary people stubbornly believe that there are no elders who make mistakes, only disobedient younger generations.
Therefore, since ancient times, there have been very few cases of severing family ties. Even if there were, most of them were younger generations who were burdened with stigma and bullying. Most people could not stand the gossip of the villagers and chose to leave their hometown and settle down elsewhere.
If they don't have a valid reason, the Lin brothers will have to bear the label of being unfilial, suffer contempt and insults, and may even leave Maolin Village and settle down somewhere else.
Thinking of this, Tang Le couldn't help but secretly turn his head to look at Lin Sheng, who was pacing back and forth in the yard to digest his food. His frown could kill a mosquito. If Lin Sheng left the village, would he ever see him again?
Lin Mo didn't notice Tang Le's distraction, and just said to himself: "Don't worry, Brother Tang, I know what I'm doing. I won't act rashly without complete preparation and confidence. Let's not talk about this for now. As long as you know what I mean, that's all."
Tang Le nodded solemnly, and the two chatted briefly for a few more words. Seeing that it was almost dark, Lin Mo said goodbye to Tang Le.
At this time, Lin Wu just happened to send Tiedan, who was too hungry to walk, back home.
A busy and fulfilling day passed like this. Lin Mo turned around and saw Lin Sheng and Su Mu collecting the clothes that were hung out to dry while chatting with smiles on their faces. He couldn't help but laugh too.
Although it has been a busy time, life at home has been getting better and better, and everyone's complexion has become more rosy. Seeing this, no matter how hard or tired he is, Lin Mo feels satisfied.
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