Old Third earned over 100 yuan a month in the military, with no expenses for food or daily needs. Completing missions even earned him several hundred yuan in bonuses!
He had served for ten years without spending a single day at home fulfilling his filial duties to his parents—so why should he receive so much money?
2,000 yuan was no small sum! It was equivalent to several years of their salaries.
Besides, Old Third’s wife wasn’t short on money. Everyone knew the Jiang Family were well-known capitalists in Hu City—the couple was already rolling in wealth. How could they have the nerve to fight over such a trivial amount?
"Mom, hasn’t our family always been fair in everything?"
"None of us got a settling-in allowance when we got married, so why is it different for Third Brother?"
"Not to mention, Third Sister-in-law’s family is so well-off—"
"Just because her family is well-off, does that mean she deserves to suffer?"
Mother Huo shut down the eldest daughter-in-law with a sharp retort before sweeping her gaze over the other two branches of the family.
"Do you all think the same? That giving Old Third’s family 2,000 yuan as a settling-in allowance is some huge injustice to you?"
"Mom, we don’t think that way," the second and fourth branches chimed in unison.
Mother Huo didn’t care whether they meant it or not. She laid everything out plainly.
"All these years, you’ve lived at home, eaten at home. Every bit of welfare and allowances from your father and me, even from your grandparents, was spent on you."
"What has Old Third gotten? Nothing!"
"If we’re being fair, Old Third’s family is the one at a disadvantage."
"Even if we gave them 3,000 yuan, it’d still be from our own savings—what does it have to do with any of you?"
"Mom, you can’t just say it like that. Sure, we live at home, but—"
"Will you shut up already?" Huo Tingtao, the eldest son, cut his wife off sharply.
What kind of fool had he married? Couldn’t she see the expressions on Grandpa, Dad, and the others darkening?
She just kept yammering on, completely oblivious!
A man should marry a virtuous woman—with her like this, how could their parents ever trust him with the Huo family’s future?
"Eldest Son, let her finish."
"I—" Su Shanshan stammered for a long moment but couldn’t get a single word out.
"Fine, if you won’t say it, I will!"
Mother Huo sneered. "You just want to say that even though you live at home, you still pay a monthly allowance, right?"
"Have you ever considered that the measly amount you contribute isn’t even enough to cover the fine grains, meat dishes, and the eggs and milk the kids have every morning?"
"Go ask around the compound—see how much other families pay and what kind of life they live!"
"Let me tell you, if it weren’t for the salaries and rations from the four of us elders, you’d be left with nothing but scraps!"
"Since you all think I’m biased, fine—once Old Third returns, we’ll divide the family property!"
The moment those words were spoken, the large living room fell dead silent.
Su Shanshan instantly regretted her words. How had things escalated to talk of dividing the family?
She didn’t want that!
Her three sons were at the age where they ate their parents out of house and home, and now she was pregnant with another.
If the family split, she and her husband would have to support four sons on their own—not only would they save nothing, they might even have to dip into their savings!
"Mom—" Su Shanshan opened her mouth to apologize.
But Mother Huo didn’t give her the chance, merely casting her a cold glance.
"Enough. My decision is final."
Huo Tingtao immediately looked to Grandpa Huo, but the old man didn’t let him speak either.
With a single phrase—"When a tree grows branches, sons must divide the family"—the matter was settled.
Yet it didn’t end there.
Mother Huo continued, "When the eldest married, the Jiang Family gave 100 yuan as a gift and a woolen blanket."
"When the second son married, they gave another 100 yuan and a dragon-phoenix wedding quilt."
"When the fourth son married, the Jiangs couldn’t attend but sent 150 yuan."
"I gave all that money and those gifts directly to you."
"Now Old Third is getting married. As his brothers, you decide what to do!"
Her meaning was clear—if their gifts were any less, she wouldn’t stand for it.
After all, 100 yuan years ago wasn’t the same as 100 yuan now.
Then, with a sharp glance at Su Shanshan, she added, "Old Third and his wife will be back soon. You have one day to clear out the kids’ things from his room—how can they keep living there like this?"
"Mom, our place is tiny, and Jingxuan, Jingyi, and Jinglin aren’t little kids anymore. It’s not right for them to squeeze in with us."
"What’s the harm in letting them stay in Old Third’s empty room? They’re his own nephews!"
"Besides, Old Third agreed to it himself."
That only made Mother Huo’s anger flare higher.
Two years ago, when Old Third had returned on leave, the eldest’s family had shamelessly sent the three kids to beg him in front of the whole compound.
How could he refuse?
"Either make do or apply for a family dormitory at your workplace."
"I raised all four sons, helped them marry and start families—I’ve done my duty. Now it’s time for you to fulfill yours!"
"Mom—"
Before Su Shanshan could say more, Grandpa Huo struck his cane heavily against the floor.
Looking at his silent eldest grandson, he couldn’t hide his disappointment.
"Eldest Daughter-in-law, you’ve said enough."
"That’s all for today. Everyone, leave."
With that, the family dispersed to their rooms.
Grandma Huo, seeing Mother Huo’s furious expression, quickly tried to soothe her.
"Children grow up and develop their own thoughts—it’s natural. Don’t ruin your health over this."
"Didn’t you always dream of Old Third settling down? Now that he has, we should be happy for him."
Mother Huo nodded. "You’re right, Mom. It’s not worth the anger."
"I’m glad you see sense. Tomorrow, go to the department store and buy some things for the newlyweds."
"And Old Third’s room—prepare whatever’s needed early."
"Jiang Si just arrived at Qiongzhou Island. She must be struggling to adjust."
"Call her often—don’t let her feel wronged."
With that, Grandma Huo pressed a bankbook into her hand.
"Take this. Send it to the young couple—it’s from your father and me."
Mother Huo refused. "Mom, I have money. I can’t take yours—"
"It’s not for you. It’s for them."
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
After a full day of shopping, Jiang Si had nearly everything needed for their new home.
That evening, Huo Tingzhou handed her a bankbook of his own.
Jiang Si didn’t really care how much money was in the passbook.
After all, no matter how much he had, it couldn’t compare to her own wealth!
But the moment she opened it, she was still shocked.
“Where did you get all this money—”
