Chapter 13

The Jiang family even accused him of secretly eating good food instead of handing it over to the household.

When he grew older and more sensible, he became even less willing to work. He secretly learned hunting from Uncle Yang Er, and any money he earned he never handed to the Jiang family.

Because he knew Jiang’s father and mother were greedy—if he gave them once, they would never stop demanding.

Song Wanyue asked, “Do you have anything else you want to know?”

Jiang Ze shook his head. “I’m just wondering if my biological parents would throw out the fake one.”

How could a child they had loved and raised since birth compare to a stranger, even if that stranger was their real blood?

It would not be easy to take back feelings already invested.

“There’s something no one in the village knows. Even if I said it, no one would believe me.”

Song Wanyue grew curious. “What is it?”

It had to be some terrible deed committed by the Jiang couple.

A trace of sorrow flickered in Jiang Ze’s eyes. “When I was ten, in the dead of winter, Yang Laosan pushed me into the river. Uncle Yang Er saved me, but that night I developed a high fever. In a daze, I overheard my so-called parents talking about leaving me to live or die.

“If the fever left me brain-damaged, I would no longer threaten their real son’s position. If I died, their child would be safer in my parents’ household.”

“Yang Laosan was never punished. Later, one night he came home late from gambling. I knew he had won a fair sum—several yuan at least. I dragged him to the back mountain and broke one of his legs. That’s why he’s crippled now.

“He thought it was retaliation from Zhang Damao, whose money he had won.”

He had bottled this up for years. Saying it aloud now lifted a great weight from his heart.

Would his biological parents truly value an unfamiliar child more than the one who had always been at their side?

Song Wanyue was horrified. “They let you be bullied, ignored you when you were sick—those are living executioners. Too terrifying.”

Jiang Ze gave a faint smile. “In the end, I pulled through. The next day, when no one was home, I secretly went to Accountant Zhang. I knew he wouldn’t let me die. He gave me a fever pill, and I promised I would save money and repay him.”

He had only survived because his life was tough.

Now, under such strict control, if he ever gained wealth and power, none of the Jiang family would live in peace. Except for his grandparents, every one of them had used him like a servant.

Jiang Ze went on, “What do you want? You’ve helped me a lot—this was a major weight on my chest, and now it’s lifted. I once went to the hospital to find my mother’s records from that day, but they were gone. Coincidental, isn’t it?”

“Just guilty conscience!” Song Wanyue could picture the disgusting faces of Jiang’s father and mother.

Jiang Ze said, “If I find my real parents, then we’re fellow townsfolk. If you ever need help, just say the word. I’ll give you twenty yuan as thanks for this information—it’s extremely important to me. And I’ll add two promises: as long as it doesn’t involve taking someone’s life, I’ll help you.”

Without her, he might never have met his true parents.

Song Wanyue nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember that.”

With the nouveau riche coal boss’s promise in her pocket, she took the twenty yuan and skipped away happily.

Time to see the Gu family’s drama.

Zhang Shufen was such a proud woman—now that her husband had lost the position of brigade leader, who knew how much she despised him?

Suddenly, she remembered Zhou Shanshan still owed her ten yuan.

She had to get that money back.

The original host’s money was her money.

Back when Zhou Shanshan had repeatedly asked the original host to help with chores, the original host had already wanted to break off.

Later, Zhou Shanshan married Gu Dahai, which only made the original host feel even more stifled. She had borrowed ten yuan right after coming to the countryside, and though the original host urged her several times, Zhou Shanshan never repaid it.

Borrowers acted like lords.

Now that their relationship had soured and Gu’s father had lost his post, that money had to be reclaimed.

As she approached the Gu household, she heard a loud commotion.

Song Wanyue decided to listen in first before demanding her money.

Zhang Shufen was shouting.

“Gu Weimin, you cruel man! I bore you five children with all my hard work, yet none of them matter to you compared with Daniu, Erniu, and that Zhou Lanhua!”

Gu Weimin puffed on his leaf cigarette, sighing. “Daniu and Erniu are still small. Of course I must set aside more money for them. I’ve been brigade leader all these years—wasn’t I the one who earned the most for this family?”

There was not a trace of guilt in him.

“And your children are all grown now. What’s wrong with them helping to take care of Daniu and Erniu? They all have the same father—there’s no difference between legitimate and illegitimate sons.”

Song Wanyue covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Legitimate and illegitimate? You’re just village folk, and you’re talking about this?

And yet the bastard children dared to fight for inheritance. Wishful thinking.

She would empty the Gu household tonight.

Gu Dahai protested, “Father, you were the one at fault first. How can you shamelessly tell us to move out? Where do you expect us to go? This is my home. I’m not leaving. If you want that vixen Zhou Lanhua and her bastards to move in, I’ll be the first to refuse.”

The most valuable property in the house was the house itself. He knew with his parents’ selfish nature, even if they agreed to split the family, the sons would probably not see much money.

At the very least, they had to have the house—otherwise, where would they sleep? Out in the fields?

The eldest son, Gu Dalin, chimed in, “That’s right. We won’t move out. Ever since we were old enough, we’ve worked hard for this family. Our wives and children have earned work points for the household.

“Now, if you want to be with Zhou Lanhua, I have no objection. But if we split the family, we get our share of money and the house.”

Zhou Shanshan sat in the courtyard, cradling her son, staring blankly.

Let them fight. When they’ve fought enough, then we’ll see.

Zhang Shufen slapped her thighs and wailed. “Wuu, Gu Weimin, you heartless man! You want to be like Chen Shimei—abandon your old wife after getting a young one with children? I cannot live! Dahai, Dalin, Dashan—Mother does not want to live anymore!”

With a loud thud, Zhang Shufen flung herself against the wall.

A sharp crack—she fell to the ground.

She had used real force. To fight for money and property, she had to let everyone see just how heartless Gu Weimin was, willing to let his old wife die.

Once the neighbors heard, the village would interfere.

Gu Dahai rushed forward, checking under her nose. She was still breathing, but her forehead was badly swollen, her face pale.

Gu Dahai shouted angrily, “Father, you are cruel and unjust. Do not blame your sons if we refuse to support you in your old age! Eldest brother, second brother, get the doctor! Mother’s condition looks dangerous.”

“Forget it—Eldest Brother, carry Mother to the clinic right away. Hurry.”

The Gu family rushed off in a long line.

Song Wanyue stepped in front of Zhou Shanshan. “Zhou Shanshan, time to repay that ten yuan. I’m not even asking for interest. Pay up. If you refuse, I’ll go to the Party secretary. I’m sure you wouldn’t want him to know you were pregnant before marriage with Gu Dahai, right?”

The original host had never revealed this secret—doing so would have offended the powerful brigade leader’s family.

There had been no need.

But now that Gu’s father was no longer brigade leader, the debt had to be collected, and the secret was no longer a secret.

Zhou Shanshan went pale with fright. “Y-You, how do you know? I never told you. The Gu family wouldn’t tell you either.”

Family scandals were never spread.

Song Wanyue crouched down. “Every month, during your period, you always complained of stomach pains and had me do your chores. You forget, I watched carefully. And then suddenly, no more pain, no more acting up—how could that not be suspicious?”

The original host had kept this to herself.

And during that time, Zhou Shanshan and Gu Dahai had been inseparable—it was not hard to guess what had happened.

Zhou Shanshan pleaded, “Wanyue, we were such good friends. It’s only ten yuan—can’t you just give it to me? Look at the Gu family now. Even if we split up, I won’t get any money.”

So petty, fussing over such a small amount.