In the evening, Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai had dinner together. After urging Zhao Ping'an and Zhao Xile to do their homework, they went to the study to look at the list of gifts to be presented that day.
When Zhao Yi saw that the monetary gifts from Zhao Lao Er and Zhao Lao San were no different from those from the others, his eyes darkened.
Jiang Bai leaned over to take a look, and pursed his lips after seeing the amount.
She felt that the Zhao family was too perfunctory and heartless. When her two younger brothers got married or had children, Zhao Yi always gave generous gifts. Now that Zhao Yi was holding a banquet, it was one thing for them to not come to help, but they were also reluctant to give money.
Aunt Wang gave more than both of these families.
Not to mention Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao, the two of them didn't even come over. They wouldn't even bother to show up for a quick visit. The two sisters-in-law said that the two old people were sick, but when Jiang Bai mentioned that he would go and see them right away, they refused!
Isn't this just because you have something to hide?
According to Jiang Bai, the Zhao family is really good at playing the victim. They make it sound like the sky is falling when nothing is actually wrong.
Unfortunately, that's life. Positive people earn more and more, while those who play the victim get worse and worse. God can see everyone's situation.
Seeing that Jiang Bai didn't speak, Zhao Yi sighed, closed the ledger, and said, "It's not that I'm short of money, it's just that they really have no conscience."
Jiang Bai still didn't respond.
No matter how much Zhao Yi complains about his family, it's fine. They all share the same surname, Zhao, and blood is thicker than water. Even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected!
As an outsider, if she dared to say a single wrong word about Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao, she would be drowned in spittle.
Zhao Yi looked at Jiang Bai and asked seriously, "Do you know why I was angry at noon?"
Speaking of this, Jiang Bai felt a little guilty, scratched his cheek, and asked, "It's not because of me, is it?"
Zhao Yi was amused by her, then reached out and pinched the soft cheek of the person in front of him, saying, "What does this have to do with you? It's because of your parents."
His expression gradually turned cold, and he said seriously, "You may not know this, but there's a custom in our village where relatives give a family a new iron pot when they move to a new house. It's a symbol that they'll have plenty to eat and drink in the future. The pot is the mouth of the Kitchen God, and it controls the family's fortune."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai immediately understood why he had looked so grumpy back then.
The Zhao family was not large; by the time of Old Master Zhao, only he and his sister survived. His sister married and moved away, and they hadn't been in contact for many years, so the family didn't have any real relatives around them.
After Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai separated their households, Zhao Yi's only remaining relatives were his grandfather and the others. They didn't send any pots or pans, leaving the stove sitting empty. The villagers outwardly envied the house, but behind its back, they would gossip endlessly.
Not to mention the current social trend of "parents are never wrong," the actions of Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao were tantamount to putting Zhao Yi on the hot seat. The bitterness they felt is beyond words.
Zhao Yi couldn't understand why his parents were so biased.
He was doing well, but instead of being proud of him, Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao tried to exploit him. However, Zhao Lao Er and Zhao Lao San received their care and love.
Putting everything else aside, he worked hard supervising the construction for almost a month, and when the house was completed, he was very proud and wanted to share it with his family.
He deliberately threw away the old pot that had become rusty, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao in their new home, but unexpectedly, this was the result.
Seeing his dejected look, Jiang Bai felt a pang of sympathy and comforted him, "My second and third sister-in-laws told me that my parents are sick. They probably didn't think of this when they were bedridden."
Zhao Yi nodded: "My second and third brothers also told me."
Not only did they say it, but the two of them also played the victim, describing the illnesses of Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao as extremely serious.
But when Zhao Yi asked, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
The two of them started stammering.
Zhao Lao Er thought for a moment and said, "We just don't want to delay your important business."
“Nothing is more important than the health of our parents,” Zhao Yi said anxiously upon hearing the news. “I’ll go back and check on them right now.”
Zhao Lao Er and Zhao Lao San exchanged a glance and hurriedly stopped him: "No need, everyone in the village is here. You can start the feast first, and then go home to visit when you have time later."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi understood immediately. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao; otherwise, Second Brother Zhao and Third Brother Zhao wouldn't be so relaxed yet guilty.
Recalling the scene at noon, Zhao Yi added to Jiang Bai, "It's probably not too serious. My second and third brothers didn't take it to heart. The two of them worked together to eat two big plates of braised pork knuckles at noon."
Zhao Yi didn't believe that if something really happened to their parents, his two younger brothers would still be able to eat.
Seeing that his lie had been exposed, Jiang Bai quickly explained, "They've been worried lately too. My second sister-in-law talked to me for a long time at noon. It seems that the milk tea shop business isn't doing very well and they've lost a lot of money."
"Did you say why?" Zhao Yi didn't know anything about the milk tea shop, so he asked with interest.
Jiang Bai shook his head: "She spoke unclearly, and I didn't ask her carefully. I'll have our own people investigate and see what's going on."
Zhao Yi immediately summoned the steward and gave him instructions, adding, "The more detailed the information, the better."
He feared that the Zhao family was still lying.
Seeing that the conversation had already reached this point, Jiang Bai waited for the steward to leave before speaking directly: "My second and third sister-in-laws still want to borrow money from me. They asked for five hundred taels right away, promising to write an IOU. I didn't dare to agree and told them to go home and see what you think."
Upon hearing this number, Zhao Yi frowned: "What do they need so much money for?"
“They say they’re doing business,” Jiang Bai frowned, “but it seems the milk tea shop has lost a lot of money.”
After considering it for a moment, Zhao Yi said, "Five hundred taels is definitely out of the question..."
“Otherwise, give less,” Jiang Bai understood Zhao Yi’s thoughts. “It wouldn’t be appropriate not to give a single penny, especially since Mom and Dad aren’t feeling well right now.”
Regardless of whether the other party is truly unwell, once this message has been conveyed to the outside world, the children must make a certain gesture.
Zhao Yi raised an eyebrow and asked her, "How much do you think is appropriate?"
Jiang Bai didn't respond: "How do you decide?"
Zhao Yi asked, "Isn't ten taels a bit too little?"
"Ten taels?" Jiang Bai's eyes widened.
They asked for five hundred taels, but he cut it all off. Would the Zhao family be happy to accept that?
It would be better not to give at all than to give it to them!
Seeing Jiang Bai's expression, Zhao Yi immediately changed his mind: "Otherwise, I'll give you fifty taels."
Jiang Bai didn't say anything, but nodded slightly. She guessed that the Zhao family initially wanted to borrow about fifty taels of silver, which was just the right amount. Zhao Yi wouldn't say anything more, so the success rate was 100%.
The second son's wife is brainless; she just added a zero.
Seeing Jiang Bai nod, Zhao Yi decided: "I'll give you fifty taels."
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