Chapter 9: Speak Out When Needed, Claim What’s Yours

But these words darkened everyone’s faces considerably.

“Then I’ll give you Mother to support,” Gu Wushun said, scowling, dragging Grandma Guo toward Big Brother. “If it’s so good, take her!”

“You’re getting a lot from Mother’s support, right?” Guo Da Fu said sarcastically. “What? Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs? Taking Mother’s pension money, and then refusing to care for her?”

“You shameless!” Gu Wushun angrily stepped forward to strike Guo Da Fu.

“Try it if you dare!” Guo Da Fu no longer smiled. His face was icy, his eyes colder than ice, and he rolled up his sleeves.

“Scoundrels… truly scoundrels!” Guo San Ping’s face turned red, shouting only these few words.

Seeing the four of them arguing, Lin Yue felt frustrated.

None of them wanted to give anything. Once they had it in their hands, no one wanted to let go.

“Stop! Stop! I don’t have time to watch your family drama!”

She fixed her gaze on Guo Da Fu. “Did you ever say you’d care for Fourth Uncle’s family?”

Guo Da Fu glared silently at Lin Yue.

“Say it!” Gu Wushun sneered. “Aren’t you supposed to be able to talk? Now you’re speechless!”

“I’ll testify!”

Gu Wushun shouted, “Fifth Brother learned carpentry, Third Brother studied, Fourth Brother grew up farming. Fourth Brother then went hunting, and all the money went into your pocket to marry your wife. What did you say back then? You swore to treat Fourth Uncle well! You took the most land, inherited Father’s skills, and promised to care for Fourth Uncle’s children!”

“Didn’t you take Fourth Uncle’s money? How did you marry your wife? How did Third Brother build his house?”

Guo Da Fu sneered at them. “Don’t think I don’t know. Back then, you didn’t lack money either. At least I didn’t demand a new house—I only got half of the old house. What? You’re jealous that I built my own house with my own hands?”

“Jealous my foot!” Gu Wushun sneered. “Jealous because you had five daughters before finally having a son!”

Before Big Brother could erupt, Third Brother’s face turned pale. “Why bring up this nonsense? Let’s talk about the division of property!”

Originally, Third Brother had three daughters and no son yet.

“Looks like my father-in-law contributed a lot to this family,” Lin Yue swept her gaze across them. “How dare you treat his children so harshly after he died? That’s why Gu Cai left home!”

Listening to this, she became furious. How shameless could a family be—exploiting your own brothers!

Lin Yue suddenly remembered how her father always lamented that in rural areas, love doesn’t matter; survival and benefit matter most.

Her father’s family had been a complete mess, even grandparents and Third Brother quarreled to the point of lifelong estrangement.

Now Lin Yue fully understood!

These people saw her as a poor relative, assumed she came to grab money, and naturally treated her poorly.

“So? Back when the family was divided, you occupied Fourth Uncle’s share. After so long, you think it’s rightfully yours?”

Lin Yue grew angrier by the moment.

Though rural people value social bonds, that doesn’t mean blindly agreeing with everything.

One must stand firm when needed.

Yet in her heart, Lin Yue knew it might be difficult to get anything now—the family had been divided for so long.

Even if she called the clan elder, he would weigh the situation carefully.

One side: a prosperous family with many descendants.

The other: “orphans and widows,” all adults dead.

Lin Yue didn’t expect to get money—after all, she had food and eggs to sell.

But she wanted a place to settle.

After all, she couldn’t build a house on her own anytime soon.

But even after she spoke, their expressions remained unchanged—there was no guilt or shame.

They continued bickering, digging up old grievances, even comparing who had taken an extra bucket, refusing to yield.

Lin Yue knew they were trying to wear her down, hoping she would give up.

Night was deep, yet no conclusion had been reached.

“Stop arguing! We want a place to live and some farmland,” Lin Yue raised her demands.

She knew they would try to undervalue her request.

Still, the men continued to push and shove, unwilling to agree.

Grandma Guo looked reluctant. “Big Brother, give them the hunting hut Fourth Uncle built!”

“It’s been empty, and you don’t even use it—let them have it!”

“Who said that? I often sleep there when I pick mountain herbs,” Big Brother complained.

“And both First and Third Brothers have new houses. When I only got half of the old house, that hunting hut was supposed to compensate me,” he added.

“Brother, that house was built by Fourth Uncle,” First Brother, who had been silent, finally spoke, glaring at Big Brother. “Aren’t you afraid Fourth Uncle will curse you from beyond?”

Guo Da Fu looked disdainful.

A hunting hut didn’t sound like much, but Lin Yue thought it was perfect.

Being separate from the others meant she wouldn’t be watched while taking things from the “fridge” in secret.

Otherwise, not only the buns, but later anything she unlocked, she might have to share, and perhaps be questioned.

This way, it was ideal—and they wouldn’t gain anything.

Lin Yue decided to focus her energy on Guo Da Fu. “Big Uncle, that hut was built by Fourth Uncle. He farmed from childhood and later hunted, bringing a lot of money into the household!

And you? Do you intend to wipe out Fourth Uncle’s family?

Gu Cai is already dead, yet you still want to make Fourth Uncle’s line extinct?!”

Guo Da Fu glared but said nothing.

“I’ve decided! The hunting hut goes to Fourth Uncle’s family!”

Grandma Guo’s expression hardened. She pointed at Guo Da Fu. “If you don’t agree, we’ll call the clan elder and gather the whole village to witness and settle this!”

The others quickly agreed.

“You’re trying to force me to death, huh?” Guo Da Fu’s face darkened completely. “Fine! Fine! Take it! You bunch of debt collectors, ghosts of the dead!”

He cursed loudly and stormed out.

Grandma Guo said, “As for the fields, plant in spring and harvest in autumn. No one wants to work for nothing.

You settle in first; we’ll discuss the fields after winter.

I’ll have them save some food for you, and you can also plant a few things near the hunting hut to eat.”

Lin Yue nodded in agreement. “Good. Now, take us to see the hunting hut.”

“Alright!”

Grandma Guo wiped her hands on her cloth and led the way.

Lin Yue held the children’s hands and followed.

At this moment, a woman from Guo Yi Gui’s household suddenly rushed out.

She had a kind face, smiling, and stuffed a couple of pancakes into Lin Yue’s arms. “Haven’t eaten tonight, right? Eat something first!”

Before Lin Yue could respond, the woman shielded herself from the rain and ran back inside.

“Pah,” Lin Yue heard Fifth Aunt spit in the dirt house. “Just her good intentions, huh? And we’re all bad people.”

The hunting hut was behind the Guo residence, halfway up the hill, about half an hour’s walk.

The distance was perfect—she could see the Guo house and rely on them, so she wouldn’t be bullied by other villagers.

At the same time, she had enough space to cook her own meals.

Very good!

Lin Yue felt satisfied.