Ever since they received a letter from their son saying that their daughter-in-law was pregnant, Old Bao and his wife have been overjoyed.
They used to worry incessantly, wondering who among the couple had a problem since they hadn’t had children all this ti. But they were too scared to suggest they go to the hospital to find out whose fault it was.
Especially since their son was far away in another city, they might not even listen to what they say, and the matter could only be delayed.
Now things are better; their daughter-in-law is pregnant. This is a big deal. Initially, the two of them were busy with work, and since their daughter-in-law was getting older, they were really worried about what would happen if sothing unexpected ca up without proper care.
After discussing it for a long ti, they decided to retire early to take care of their daughter-in-law.
Work is not a problem. Aunt Bao retired a few years ago, and Uncle Bao, having suffered a work injury, can retire early.
The only thing they couldn’t stop worrying about was the house they were living in now. They had bought these two rooms after splitting up the family and working hard to save money over the years.
Because they had quite literally left with nothing when the family split, they had not kept in touch much with the old family house over the years, unless it was sothing big.
None of Old Bao’s brothers had any designs on his house because he had a son; the property wouldn’t go to their children anyway. Plus, their relationship was already so bad, it’s not sothing they’d consider.
No one expected Old Bao’s son to be assigned work in the South after graduating from college and then settle down there. The old house was not very interested in Old Bao’s son because this family had distanced itself from them, and they didn’t interact much.
But ever since it was known that Old Bao’s son had been married for years without having children, the old house has been very agitated. Interaction with Old Bao’s family has increased, albeit one-sided.
Whether it was a nephew coming over to visit Old Bao’s family or a niece helping with housework, the other side had changed their mode of interaction with Old Bao, becoming more enthusiastic and filial.
Old Bao is not a fool. With just a bit of thought, he can figure out why they have co, eyeing his house, of course.
The Bao Family’s old house wasn’t very big, many lived there, and as the children and grandchildren were getting older, it simply wasn’t enough. As for the housing units from work, there were plenty of colleagues in worse living conditions than them, so up till now, apart from Old Bao’s family, the rest of the Bao Family crams into the old house.
Now that they know Old Bao’s branch has no successors, everyone naturally starts working their brains, thinking if they could have their children adopted under Old Bao’s son’s na, then Old Bao’s belongings would be theirs.
Old Bao can already imagine that once those people know his daughter-in-law is pregnant, they’ll go crazy. They might directly occupy the house when they’re both away in Capital City, and when they return, it’ll be difficult to get them out.
The best way is, of course, to rent out the house, and quickly at that, before the Bao Family reacts and rent it out.
Even if the Bao Family finds out, Uncle Bao wouldn’t back down. It’s not like it’s Bao Family’s ancestral property; they had bought it themselves after being pushed out, so the rest of the Bao Family has no right to interfere in their affairs.
Uncle Bao thought of how they were about to leave on a train tomorrow, yet the house hadn’t been rented out; he was really worried.
Zhang Yu brought Wei He and Li Juan to the Bao Family’s house. Seeing Wei He co over sheepishly early in the morning wanting to see the house, she knew things were pretty much settled.
Although she hadn’t seen the Bao Family’s house before, she believed as long as the situation wasn’t too bad, they would certainly rent it.
Li Juan had already discussed with her parents. They wouldn’t look for another house. If Zhang Yu really kicked them out, they’d just make a fuss, refusing to believe outsiders wouldn’t criticize Zhang Yu for being so heartless.
She had also agreed with Wei He to spread the news about looking for a house. When one beca available, they’d find all sorts of excuses and ultimately just say they didn’t like the house.
However, unexpectedly, after working a night shift and returning ho, Wei He told her Zhang Yu had picked out a house for them, which infuriated her.
She wanted to hold out, not look at the house, or use the excuses they had agreed on and keep picking faults.
But who would’ve thought Wei He said if there weren’t any major issues, they’d rent it. Before she could fly off the handle, he ntioned Zhang Yu’s plan to donate the house in the future, leaving Li Juan stunned.
Even now, she’s in a daze, looking at Zhang Yu walking in front of her, swallowing hard, "Mom, after I ca back yesterday, Wei He told you plan to donate the house in the future?"
Oh my god, Li Juan never imagined Zhang Yu would have such thoughts. Doesn’t every family leave their ho to their children? Even if there’s no son, with a daughter, doesn’t the son-in-law beco part of the family?
How co with Zhang Yu it turns into donating the house despite having both a son and a daughter? Isn’t it clear she’s out of her mind?
That’s right, out of her mind—never seen soone more absurdly irrational.
Zhang Yu responded lightly, "That’s right, if the children are unfilial and not good to us, why should we think of them?"
"Quit dreaming, raising children to depend on them in old age; I gave birth to three kids, and all they see is our assets and never thought of taking care of us."
"Since that’s the case, we might as well donate the house."
"Donate it to the community; maybe we’ll be happier and wouldn’t need to look at anyone’s mood to do things."
"Don’t even think, when we’re old and need you to take care, we’d have to depend on you, that’s not happening."
Zhang Yu wasn’t even looking at Li Juan; her face pulled long since morning, what’s the matter, bad mood, take it out on her?
"Back then, we two had nothing, built ourselves up from scratch. The family had five, and only the old man worked; his one salary supported five people."
"You guys are a double-inco family, two jobs supporting four people. I think you could do even better." Just string them up, so they won’t keep crying poor and saying it’s hard.
"Financially, we won’t trouble you to spend money, what we can help with is when you’re too busy, can’t pick up or take care of the kids, we pitch in."
"As for money, only the old man has a salary, being willing but powerless." Zhang Yu said straightforwardly; in the future, they’d only provide effort, not money.
"But don’t worry, when we’re old, we won’t need your money either, just the effort." Zhang Yule chuckled.
Damn it, effort, effort, what can that do? Can it be eaten? Li Juan was in a very bad mood; they were about to rent a house, unaware of the rental cost.
Rent had to be paid, and electricity and water bills too. Sigh, Li Juan suddenly found that even split off, they managed their own money, and expenses far exceeded expectations.
What to do? Li Juan now felt that what her parents said was right, not splitting was better; at least relying on monthly pocket money and savings, they lived rather comfortably.
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