News of Lin Ning building a five-story building quickly spread, and naturally, the Lin family heard about it too.

One day, the entire Lin family showed up at the construction site. Lin’s mother approached with a cheerful smile and said, “Lin Ning, how could you not tell the family about something as big as building a house?”

“Building a house is my personal matter. Why would I need to tell you about it?”

“This girl, of course, you need to tell us. This is the first time our Lin family is building a house!”

“Stop right there! Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t the Lin family building a house; this is me, Lin Ning, building a house for myself.”

Lin’s mother brushed past Lin Ning and said, “It’s all the same. You’re part of the Lin family, so if you’re building a house, it’s the Lin family building a house. Something this big—your father and I have to oversee it.”

With that, the Lin family walked in uninvited and began acting like they owned the place, giving orders and pointing fingers.

Lin’s father found the foreman, Old He, pulled out a cigarette, and started chatting with him. Lin’s mother went to talk to the women preparing meals, while Lin Yong and Lin Qiao wandered around the courtyard. The whole family, relying on their numbers, quickly crowded Lin Ning out, behaving as though they were in charge.

From the other side, Lin’s mother’s voice rang out repeatedly:

“Why are you chopping so much meat? Cut less!”

“Why are you using eggs? If there’s meat, there’s no need for eggs—put them back!”

Here we go again. Lin Ning walked over and asked, “What’s going on?”

In this era, when houses were built, the workers were typically provided with lunch. Lin Ning, busy with everything else, had hired four women to prepare the meals, led by someone named Liu Fen.

Looking troubled, Liu Fen explained, “Comrade Lin, your mother said we should use less meat and skip the eggs altogether.”

The meat and vegetables were all purchased by Lin Ning, and Liu Fen’s group was only responsible for cooking. Today’s menu included stir-fried peppers and pork, onion scrambled eggs, tofu with cabbage, seaweed soup, and a pot of rice.

“Don’t listen to her. Follow my instructions. Use all the meat today.”

“Got it!” Liu Fen continued working, but Lin’s mother was unhappy. She pulled Lin Ning aside and whispered, “Why are you letting them use so much meat? Just a little for flavor is enough. Look at other families when they build houses—they just provide enough food to fill bellies. Who’s as generous as you?”

“This is my business. Stay out of it.”

“How can it be just your business? This is a family matter. And about those four women—tell them not to come tomorrow. I’ll bring your aunt and cousin to help. It’s just one meal; we can handle it ourselves.”

Lin Ning sneered, “Can you even cook? Back at home, I did all the cooking while you just sat there waiting to eat.”

A flash of irritation crossed Lin’s mother’s face. “You ungrateful child. Fine, I’ll buy the groceries, and you can cook. Listen to me and send them away.”

“I think it’s you who should leave!”

Lin Ning declared firmly, “Let me make it clear one more time. This courtyard is mine. Everything here is under my control. You have no say!”

“You stubborn girl. Fine, fine. Come here—I have something else to discuss with you.”

Lin’s mother pulled Lin Ning aside, and the rest of the family gathered as well, ready to enact their plan for the day.

Lin’s father had asked Old He about the building plans. Learning that Lin Ning was constructing a five-story building with 20 rooms per floor, totaling 100 rooms, he was shocked. A hundred rooms—imagine how much money that would cost! Clearly, Lin Ning had made a fortune.

Lin’s father began, “Lin Ning, it’s great that you’re doing so well and can build a five-story building. The whole family is happy for you. But our family has always believed in fairness. You can’t just live comfortably while your brother and sister struggle. You need to help them.”

Lin Ning’s voice turned cold. “And how exactly should I help them?”

“This building has five floors. You can’t possibly use all the space yourself. Here’s the plan: give one floor to your brother and another to your sister. You’ll still have three floors left—that’s more than enough for you.”

Lin Yong and Lin Qiao’s faces lit up with joy. Lin Qiao added, “Dad, Mom, what about you two?”

“We’re just two old bones. We can stay in the old house.”

“Dad, that won’t do. Lin Ning, give our parents a few rooms too so they can enjoy the new building.”

Lin Yong nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Lin Ning. Now that you’re well off, you should prioritize taking care of Mom and Dad.”

The whole family smiled and nodded, as if they had already divided up the house.

Lin Ning chuckled angrily. “The foundation isn’t even laid yet, and you’re already dividing my house? Shameless!”

Lin’s father scolded, “How dare you speak to me like that? As a member of the Lin family, you should cherish sibling harmony and filial piety. Now that you have money, don’t lose your humanity!”

“Shut your filthy mouth!”

Lin Ning picked up a brick from the ground and glared menacingly. “Now you want to talk about family? When Lin Yong and Lin Qiao were working and I had no money, did they ever share a penny with me? Did they care about family then? And now you want my house for free? Dream on!”

Lin Qiao tried to soften the situation. “Lin Ning, you never asked for help before. How was I supposed to know you were struggling? Look, I’ll give you half of my past earnings. In return, you don’t have to give me an entire floor—just a few rooms will do.”

Lin Ning slammed the brick onto the ground in front of Lin Qiao, splattering mud all over her. “Keep dreaming! Get lost!”

Lin Qiao shrieked, “Ah! My clothes!”

Lin Ning picked up another brick and warned the family, “Get out of here! Don’t come back!”

The Lin family hesitated, unwilling to leave. The thought of so many rooms was too tempting.

Lin’s mother pleaded, “Lin Ning, your brother is divorced because he doesn’t have a house. Just give him a few rooms so he can remarry.”

“No way! Get out now, or I’m calling the police!”

Lin’s father frowned. He had already learned from Old He that the land was in Lin Ning’s name, and all her paperwork was in order. A few words wouldn’t get the property into their hands.

But Lin’s father wasn’t ready to give up. Such a large piece of land would go to an outsider if Lin Ning married. That couldn’t happen—it had to stay in the Lin family.

With tears streaming down his face, Lin’s father sobbed, “Lin Ning, raising three kids was hard, and I know I failed you. But I’m here to make it right. Please forgive me!”

With that, Lin’s father fell to his knees.

Seeing this, the rest of the family followed suit, kneeling in unison with tearful eyes, begging Lin Ning to give them a way out.

Lin Ning laughed coldly. “Kneel all you want. My answer is the same: you’re not getting my house!”

She turned to leave, but Lin’s father grabbed her wrist in desperation.

“You’re not leaving until you agree! Lin Yong, your sister has lost her mind—take her to the hospital!”

“Got it!”