To everyone's surprise, Huo Tingtao made an unexpected move at this moment. He sharply interrupted Dong Lihua's words.
"Don't call me your son—I'm not your son!"
"You don’t deserve to be my mother!"
With that, he knelt before Mother Huo.
"Mom, what they’re saying isn’t true, right?"
"I’m your son. Look how much I resemble Dad..."
Before he could finish, Mother Huo cut him off.
"Didn’t you already know who your real parents were before you turned nine?"
"That’s why you deliberately—or unintentionally—told your biological father that the other children in the family bullied you every day."
"Actually, your initial target wasn’t the third child, but the second."
"But later, you realized the third child was far more clever than you imagined, so you shifted your focus to them."
"You’re smart, but don’t think everyone else is a fool."
"You thought the third child had forgotten everything before they turned six and a half, leaving you untouchable, didn’t you?"
"Well, let me tell you—dream on!"
"The third child has remembered everything. Though your father masterminded this, you’re not innocent either!"
"You were the one who lured the third child away. Your uncle Yang Zhiqiang was responsible for the abduction, and afterward, he handed the child over to Third Master Yan!"
Mother Huo’s gaze swept coldly over each of those who had harmed the third child.
The Huo Family had never abused their power, but if these people didn’t end up facing a firing squad, then all their years in Capital City would have been for nothing!
"Fourth Brother, thank you for your help today."
Huo's fourth uncle gave a slight nod. "Eldest Sister-in-law, you’re too kind."
He was also a member of the Huo Family—it was only right for him to contribute.
The only disappointment was Yang Zhiqi’s pitiful endurance. A couple of kicks and one punch were all it took to knock him unconscious.
At least he wasn’t dead.
Mother Huo nodded. "I’ve said all I needed to say, and they understand now. Wait a moment—I’ll divide the family assets first. Once that’s done, you can take them away."
Hearing this, the other branches of the family exchanged uneasy glances.
On one hand, their eldest brother’s fate was still uncertain. On the other, they were deeply worried about Mother Huo’s health.
Mother Huo smiled but didn’t explain. In truth, there was already news about the eldest son—they were just waiting for final confirmation.
So she didn’t mention it. Instead, she pulled out a notebook.
"Before we divide the family, there’s an account I’d like to settle first."
She turned to Dong Lihua. "Back then, you helped take care of my child. I’ve always remembered that kindness. But now, I’ve raised your child for so many years, and the expenses involved—you should know how much they amount to."
Dong Lihua murmured, "I know, Sister-in-law."
"Good, as long as you know."
"I won’t say more. Since the child is yours, let’s calculate every penny I’ve spent on him and your Yang Family over the years."
As Mother Huo finished speaking, Jiang Si promptly brought out an abacus.
"Mom, ready when you are."
Mother Huo nodded. Thankfully, she had kept records—otherwise, these old, tangled accounts would have been impossible to recall.
"In 1953, to secure jobs for the two of them, aside from the favors we called in, we spent a total of 680 yuan."
"When their eldest daughter, Chunmei, got married, we gave 66 yuan as a gift, plus some additional items."
"A three-drawer desk cost 31 yuan and 40 fen, an iron thermos was 8 yuan and 3 fen, and two enamel basins totaled 6 yuan and 84 fen."
"Lastly, an 8-catty cotton quilt—cotton was 1 yuan and 40 fen per catty back then, plus labor, making it 13 yuan and 20 fen."
"When the second daughter, Chunlan, married, we again gave 66 yuan and added a wardrobe for 64 yuan and 85 fen."
"For the third daughter, Chunzhu, the same 66-yuan gift, along with a Sunflower-brand radio costing 65 yuan."
Among the Yang daughters, the eldest had married early, during the three years of natural disasters.
Though her dowry had cost less than 50 yuan, the effort put into it was no less than for the other two.
"For their children’s full-month celebrations, we gave 18 yuan per child."
"So far, that’s six children—108 yuan in total."
"Additionally, the New Year’s money over the years adds up to 102 yuan."
After the younger generation, there were the elders.
Mother Huo continued, "From 1953 to 1968, Old Lady Yang and her husband came to Capital City for medical treatment twelve times. Including consultations, medicine, food, and lodging, the total was 508 yuan."
"When the old couple passed, we contributed 100 yuan."
"When that bastard Yang Zhiqi injured his face, we sent 80 yuan and bought tonics worth about 60 yuan."
Just thinking about it made Mother Huo furious.
Dong Lihua, on the other hand, felt a pang of discomfort—not just about the money, but also because she sensed the Huo Family was cutting ties with them.
Otherwise, why would they settle accounts so meticulously, even including social courtesies?
The money itself wasn’t the main issue. Over the years, she and her husband had earned decent wages at the steel plant.
Their three daughters’ weddings hadn’t cost much.
They could grit their teeth and pay it back.
But the real loss was the privileges they’d enjoyed thanks to the Huo Family’s influence. If this feud became public, the ridicule would be unbearable.
Privately, Dong Lihua still hoped to plead for leniency.
But if that was her thought, she was sorely mistaken. This time, Mother Huo wouldn’t show mercy—she’d be doing well not to personally gun them down on the spot.
Mercy? What a joke!
"Jiang Si, after calculating all this, remember to deduct the gifts the Yang Family gave us."
If they were settling accounts, they might as well be thorough.
Mother Huo didn’t want anyone thinking the Huo Family had taken advantage of the Yangs. But after much thought, she could only recall two instances.
Over the years, apart from generous gifts for the eldest branch, the Yangs had given almost nothing to the other households.
Mother Huo said, "For the second and fourth sons’ weddings, they gave a total of 20 yuan. For the second son’s two children’s full-month celebrations, they gave 5 yuan each—30 yuan in all. Deduct that."
Jiang Si nodded. "Mom, the interest on this money in the bank over the years would be substantial. Should we include that too?"
She wasn’t exaggerating—in 1953, the annual fixed deposit rate was 14.4%!
After 1955, though halved, it was still 7.92%.
Leaving this money in the bank until now would have earned a considerable sum in interest.
Mother Huo had no qualms. "Yes, calculate it all."
Once the Yang Family’s debts were settled, the real matter at hand remained.
Because of their guilt over their eldest son not returning home until he was seven...
Over the years, they had spent no small amount of money—and effort—on the eldest branch of the family.
Effort was something that couldn’t be quantified, but every penny spent on them, Mother Huo intended to reclaim with interest.
As for whether they’d pay up, Mother Huo wasn’t the least bit worried.
All these years, the couple’s salaries had barely been touched, saved up in full.
Combined, it was quite a sum.
More than enough to settle the debt.
Speaking of which, Mother Huo had her dear daughter-in-law to thank!
If not for her reminder, Mother Huo would never have thought to use the household register to reissue the passbook!
Jiang Si smiled faintly. "Mom, don’t forget—my woolen blanket!"
"Don’t worry, it’s on the list."
The two women exchanged knowing glances, one tallying the accounts, the other calculating, their coordination seamless.
After a flurry of calculations, Jiang Si finally announced a staggering figure—
Author’s note: I previously underestimated how quickly the plot would unfold, so I’ve added an extra chapter today as thanks for everyone’s support!
Also, I usually listen to the text while fixing typos after posting.
But you all read so fast that sometimes you’ve already seen it while I’m still editing.
In that case, just exit and refresh to see the corrected version.
Lastly, to all the lovely readers who’ve made it this far—may your blessings be plentiful and your luck abundant!
Forgive me, I really didn’t mean to leave you hanging here.
