"Dad, why are you bringing this up again? Didn't I tell you before? Grandpa and Grandma were already terminally ill and delirious at that time, and they didn't leave any words," Zhou Mingqian said, puzzled. Why did they keep bringing this up?
"Look at you, what's the rush? I'm just asking. By the way, did your grandparents mention anything they left behind before they passed away? You know, not being able to be there for them in their final days is the biggest regret of my life." Back then, Zhou's father had to leave temporarily and couldn't be by their side.
They had been sick for a long time at that time, and the villagers said that they might have to hold on for a while longer, so he went out with peace of mind. Who knew?
Sometimes, Zhou's father felt depressed when he thought about it. At that time, it was always Zhou Mingqian who was taking care of him. When those two old geezers breathed their last, he was the only one there.
Everyone else in the family was out, and no one knew that the accident would happen so quickly.
Even today, some people say that they are not filial.
But who could have known? He had been watching over the place the whole time, and when things seemed to be getting better, he went out to rest assured. Who could have known that things would just turn out so badly?
What frustrated him most was that, whether it was calling for his wife, son, or daughter, none of them were there.
Sometimes, Zhou's father wondered if everything was predetermined.
But Zhou's father felt that he hadn't done anything excessive. After all, hadn't he raised Zhou Mingqian?
He should have paid back what he owed the two old people by now, right?
Moreover, if he hadn't kept it a secret, his whole family would have had a terrible life, let alone become the brigade leader.
“No, Dad, you know our ancestors were poor farmers for eight generations, what would we have left behind?” Zhou Mingqian said seriously.
If Shen Banxia hadn't known that there were six large gold bars hidden in the house, she would have believed his lies.
Zhou's father choked. "Damn it! Those two old bastards, all they know is to pass on their skills to Zhou Mingqian. All those bottles and jars they've collected have almost squandered our family fortune."
However, he still didn't believe that they were completely gone. He had specifically inquired about them. Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, those two old men were experts who appraised valuable items for wealthy families. He just couldn't believe that they didn't have one or two good items in their possession.
Although those things would definitely cause trouble if they were at home now, good things are always good things, and they are definitely valuable.
He believed he had not treated Zhou Mingqian unfairly, so why shouldn't he have it?
He simply couldn't believe that those two old geezers hadn't told Zhou Mingqian.
"Eldest brother, you've learned your grandfather's skills too. Why don't you teach your younger brother and the others? No matter what, it's a skill to make a living."
Zhou Mingqian knew that there was no good banquet. "Dad, you know me. I was only interested in things for three days and only for two. I didn't remember anything. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the nickname 'spendthrift.' Look at all those bottles and jars I bought. If you like any of them, you can take them all," he said generously.
If Shen Banxia hadn't known his background, she definitely would have believed him.
Good heavens, the old man and the old woman left Zhou Mingqian money, and this guy turned around and bought bottles and jars. As for why they are all useless?
That's where Zhou's father comes in. Good heavens, he went straight to the people who used to do appraisal work, spent a lot of money, and well, they were all fakes.
It caused quite a stir in the village at the time. Everyone said that Grandpa and Grandma Zhou were famous for their abilities, but their eldest grandson turned out to be as stupid as a pig.
All the things I found were useless, and I spent a lot of money on them.
Mr. Zhou's face was ashen. Whenever this matter was mentioned, he felt as if the countless mocking voices were ringing in his ears again.
Looking at Zhou Mingqian, she was also annoyed. "Alright, alright, I'll say one thing and you'll have ten to back it up. You look so smart, but you haven't even learned a tenth of what your grandfather and the others have. Tell me, if you had helped take care of the second, third, and fourth brothers back then, would things have turned out like this?"
Zhou Mingqian did not respond.
Although he didn't know why his grandparents favored him so much, and in such an open and aboveboard way, he would never take out the gold bars in the house; they were specially reserved for him by his grandparents.
Seeing that the old man had been probing for a long time without any result, Zhou's mother felt that all her vegetables had been fed to the ungrateful wretch.
"Alright, alright, it's getting dark. You should go back now that you've finished eating."
Shen Banxia had already put down her chopsticks, and Zhou Mingqian didn't linger either; the two of them left immediately.
Mr. Zhou glared at Mrs. Zhou, thinking she was a good-for-nothing who was more likely to cause trouble than to accomplish anything.
"Eldest son, your mother just doesn't know how to talk. Actually, she regretted it a long time ago. You know, your mother has always been all bark and no bite. Look, these are all your favorite dishes. Eldest son, no matter what, we are all family. We are very happy for you that you have become a purchasing agent."
Zhou Mingqian reached out his hand directly, "Since you're so happy for me, Dad, I happen to be short of a bicycle. Look at me, I spend a lot of time walking back and forth every day, and I'm worried about leaving my wife alone at home. Why don't you let me use your bicycle?"
Zhou's father: ...
Seeing Zhou's father's dumbfounded expression, Shen Banxia couldn't help but secretly put her hands on her hips with pride. That's right, she taught him all of this.
Isn't he trying to show his loving fatherly heart? We accept it all.
Zhou's mother couldn't hold back any longer. These two damned brats not only ate so much of her good food, but also coveted the family's bicycle. "Get out of here! Get as far away from me as possible! All you know is to bring two mouths to eat. Why don't you care about your sister? She almost lost her life, and you didn't even say a kind word?"
"Really? Mother, my wife is pregnant and hospitalized, don't you think it's okay?"
Zhou's mother didn't want to talk to anyone.
Zhou Mingqian didn't linger. He really didn't have the good manners to go and care about the murderer who killed his wife.
After Zhou Mingqian and his wife left, Zhou's mother couldn't help but burst out, "Old man, look, I told you before that other people's children are not worth raising, but you just wouldn't believe me."
Seeing the surprised looks on her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law's faces, she said, "Shut up, I know what I'm doing."
But these words did stir up some ripples in the hearts of the Zhou family.
Even Zhou Mingqian and Shen Banxia, who came back to pick up something, heard it. What do you mean by saying that other people's pets are not worth raising?
With doubts in their hearts, the two did not go in again and stepped back into the darkness. By the light of their flashlights, they did not speak. After returning home, Shen Banxia remembered what Aunt Zhu had said about causing trouble.
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