As soon as Jiang He heard the voice, he quickly turned around and held back Aunt Liu, who was charging forward from behind. “Auntie, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it.”

“You silly child, they’ve bullied you this much already.” Aunt Liu’s eyes were red, and the look she gave mother Jiang was practically murderous.

Then she glanced at the large crowd gathered around and said angrily, “Do you all know how this couple treats their own biological son?”

“You haven’t seen what he looked like as a child—at eight or nine years old, he looked like he was only five or six, and he weighed barely 40 jin (around 20 kilograms) in total.”

“Our head of the household saw how pitiful the child was and took him home. The kid was honest at heart and felt like he was freeloading off us. The little guy was only about as tall as the table and already trying to help carry plates. But then…” She pointed straight at mother Jiang’s face. “The very next day, that couple came to our door demanding wages for the child. Tell me, is that something a decent person would do?”

“And don’t believe his nonsense—this kid never used a single cent from them for school. The school was free because he had good grades.”

“Yu Qiulian, you talk too much—aren’t you afraid your insides will rot from all that talk?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mother Jiang quickly said, seeing everyone staring at her. “His older brother has always been sickly since childhood, so of course he needs better food…” As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, clearly showing her guilt.

“Nonsense? Haha.” Aunt Liu sneered twice. “I really want to ask you—over the years, the clothes, shoes, and knitted wool hats I bought for Xiao He? The very next day, they were always on your nephew. What happened?”

As soon as Aunt Liu said this, the crowd began to murmur among themselves. Father Jiang face turned bright red, but he had no way to defend himself.

They had indeed taken things right out of their own son’s hands, but in their hearts, they felt it was only natural. After all, they were used to squeezing everything out of Jiang He—it was just how things were.

“I don’t care who bought or gave those things. Once they’re in our Xiao He’s hands, they belong to our family, and I get to decide what to do with them.” Mother Jiang showed not the slightest hint of shame, and her words grew increasingly unreasonable.

“Wow!” The man who had spoken up for Jiang He earlier gasped, then his eyes gleamed as he said, “You know, this young man doesn’t look anything like the two of you, but that Jiang Bao looks like he was stamped from the same mold. No wonder.”

He spoke casually, but immediately drew agreement from the crowd around him: “Exactly, exactly. I just thought this young man is really handsome, but look at you all… tsk, tsk, tsk.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mother Jiang immediately flew into a rage upon hearing these words. Pointing a finger at the crowd, she shouted, “I’m telling you, he is my biological son, but I never felt he was really my child in my heart.”

“He’s just a bad luck charm. Ever since he was born, I haven’t had any good luck. He even caused his younger brother’s death—he’s a disaster.” The more she spoke, the more venomous her eyes became, her gaze dark and fierce.

A sudden image flashed through Jiang He’s mind: a young mother Jiang holding a small bundle—that was a newborn baby.

But the scene quickly shifted to her instructing the original owner to watch the child, then leaving the room closely accompanied by a man. The little original owner was left holding the crying baby, searching everywhere for water, and then noticed the half-person-high water jar in the yard.

The scene changed again to mother Jiang, disheveled and dirty, holding the damp bundle, while angrily hitting and verbally abusing the original owner. What followed were continuous scenes of the original owner being abused.

Jiang He truly felt sorry for the original owner. Clearly, the parents were irresponsible. When the younger child had problems, they blamed everything on the older child.

Some people always found all kinds of excuses for their own mistakes, even picking an innocent person to vent on. Over time, no matter how fake it was, it eventually became real in their minds.

The more he thought about it, the colder Jiang He’s sneer grew. Looking at Father Jiang with sympathy, he wondered if the man even knew that his “grateful” younger brother had long been secretly involved with mother Jiang?

“Comrade, this is the new era—we don’t believe in feudal superstitions anymore. Believe it or not, if you keep talking like this, I’ll report you to the party secretary,” someone who couldn’t stand it anymore directly spoke to mother Jiang.

“This is our family’s business; what’s it got to do with you? Mind your own business!” Mother Jiang , losing all face, snapped at Jiang He, “Your father told you to bring 500 yuan, and he’ll cut ties with you. And I want you to give the factory position you have to your brother—otherwise, none of you will get anything.”

“Yu Qiulian, have you lost your mind or what? Ahem, ahem…” Just as mother Jiang was about to say more, a furious voice interrupted. A slightly chubby middle-aged man, carrying an elderly person on his back, rushed over urgently, followed by several older people.

“Third Great-Uncle…” Mother Jiang saw the elder’s face, and immediately her proud demeanor vanished. Her gaze became evasive and unsettled.

“Third Great-Uncle, we’re just dealing with some family matters…” Father Jiang said quietly. Seeing the most respected elder in the clan arrive, he secretly resented mother Jiang for making such a big scene—she was more of a hindrance than a help.

“Family matters? You’re almost driving the kid to his death. If I don’t step in now, the Jiang family won’t be able to stay in this city.” The Third Great-Uncle said angrily. “Tiezhu, you’re almost 45 years old—how can you keep doing such foolish things?” As he spoke, he slammed his cane forcefully on the ground a few times.

He glanced around the crowd and finally fixed his gaze on Jiang He, who wore a cold expression as if nothing around him mattered.

The Third Great-Uncle sighed again, he was sure that the family’s blood ties and affection were probably broken completely, the child’s feelings towards them was completely gone. The Jiang couple would surely regret this someday. Don’t ask him why he didn’t think well of Jiang Bao—he had lived a long life, and met countless people, he knew that boy was no good.

“Have you made up your mind to cut ties with your parents?” Seeing Jiang He nod, the Third Great-Uncle continued, “If you do cut ties, there’ll be no one to help you when trouble comes.”

Jiang He gave a bitter smile. “Third Great-Uncle, do you really think they’d help me even if we didn’t cut ties?”

“Sigh!” The Third Great-Uncle shook his head, then turned to father and mother Jiang. “If you’re going to sever the relationship, then just do it now.”

“What about the 500 yuan he promised me, and his position at the factory…” Mother Jiang asked anxiously, but before she could finish, Third Great-Uncle interrupted her.

“The job? Don’t even think about it. I know the situation—this position was something Xiao He found on his own, and it was his teacher who helped by reaching out. It has nothing to do with your family, not even half a cent.”

“How can you say that? He’s going to the countryside anyway—might as well let his brother have it,” Mother Jiang muttered under her breath, still intimidated by the Third Great-Uncle’s authority but unable to stop herself from grumbling.

“If you dare say one more word, I won’t even let him give you the 500 yuan,” the Third Great-Uncle said coldly with a snort.

Mother Jiang immediately shut her mouth and didn’t dare say another word.

“Alright then. This job was originally Xiao He’s, and who he gives it to in the future is his decision. Sanzi, bring me the severance letter I prepared.” The Third Great-Uncle turned and spoke to a black-haired elder standing behind him.

“Got it!” The black-haired elder pulled out a folded piece of paper from inside his coat and handed it over.

But the Third Great-Uncle didn’t take it. Instead, he motioned for father Jiang to read it himself. Father Jiang took it, and upon reading it, his expression immediately changed. “Third Great-Uncle, this is too little. What if we get sick or have some kind of disaster in the future…”

“This is all you get. If you don’t agree, I’ll have Sanzi remove even that line,” the Third Great-Uncle said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

“Xiao He, you take a look too.”

Jiang He took the severance letter and saw that, starting from the age of sixty, his father and mother would receive five yuan a month as living expenses—nothing more would be his responsibility. He instantly understood that the old man was already looking out for him. “Third Great-Uncle…”

The Third Great-Uncle spoke with sincere weight in his voice: “They may have treated you poorly, but they’re still your parents. You’ll have great achievements in the future.”

The unspoken meaning was clear: Jiang He could not have any stain on his character. Estrangement with one’s parents might be seen as a personality issue, but refusing to support them at all would be considered a moral failing. And when Jiang He thought of the dark years that lay ahead, he felt even more grateful to the old man for thinking on his behalf.

“This…” Mother Jiang looked at the severance agreement that clearly favored the “unfilial” son and wanted to argue, but Jiang Bao quickly tugged on her sleeve. Left with no choice, she huffed and pressed her fingerprint onto the document. Father Jiang also signed.

Once everything was settled, another elderly man behind the Third Great-Uncle pulled a thick stack of money from his satchel.

“I’ll cover Xiao He’s 500 yuan. From now on, you all go your separate ways.”

“Third Great-Uncle, that won’t do—I can’t take this money. I have it myself.” Jiang He quickly took the money and placed it back into the old man’s hands. “I can’t accept your money.”

“You’re cutting ties with your parents, not with the ancestors of the Jiang family,” the Third Great-Uncle said firmly. “I’m paying this on your behalf. All you need to do is remember this old man and come visit when you have time.” Without giving Jiang He a chance to refuse again, he shoved the money into Father Jiang’s hands.

Mother Jiang still looked disgruntled, but Father Jiang and Jiang Bao dragged her away before she could say anything else.

“All right, everyone, go home now. Nothing more to see here.” After sending off the other great-uncles and the Third Great-Uncle, Uncle Liu immediately asked all the onlookers to leave, leaving only the young man who had spoken up for Jiang He earlier.

“Thanks for what you did just now,” Jiang He said, feeling grateful no matter what.

“No problem,” the young man replied with a bright smile. “I just can’t stand that guy Jiang Bao. He’s such a faker. Every time you talked to your mom, he tugged at her sleeve—I bet he’s said plenty of bad things about you.”

“After talking so much, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ji Shijie, from the Red Star Bakery,” the young man said.

Jiang He cooperatively reached out his hand. “What a coincidence. That factory is right across from mine. I’m Jiang He, from Red Star Machinery.”

“No wonder you looked so familiar! Model Worker, right? I was sitting in the audience when you were up on stage getting your award,” Ji Shijie said with an admiring look.

“No matter what, thank you again,” Jiang He said sincerely.

“You’ve already thanked me. If there were more time, I’d love to chat with you more,” Ji Shijie said as he glanced up at the sky. “It’s getting late—I should head back. Got work tomorrow. Anyway, you know my name now, and I know yours. Come find me sometime!”

“Alright.” Jiang He smiled and nodded. He didn’t turn away until Ji Shijie had completely disappeared from view.

Then, from both sides, Aunt Liu and Uncle Liu came up beside him, beaming. “Today’s a happy day.

Our Xiao He has finally escaped his misery. No cooking at home tonight—come on, let’s go to Six Happiness Restaurant and have ourselves a proper meal!”

“Okay,” Jiang He said with a smile.

TN:

I can’t wait for the countryside arc, I’ll have to update more