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Shen Zi’an had been holding Su Zhi’s hand all along. He felt her grip tighten and saw her expression darken. He gently patted her to reassure her.
Seeing Shen Zi’an’s comforting gaze, Su Zhi knew he wouldn’t let that old man have his way. Though she was angry, she also felt relieved. In that brief moment just now, if Shen Zi’an hadn’t shown any reaction, she would have immediately made him understand the power of a daughter-in-law. If necessary, she would have even considered divorce!
“Father, what are you saying? Are you implying that Second Brother won’t have a son?”
Shen Zi’an’s face remained stern. He rarely smiled in front of others, and now that Shen Youfu wanted him to give away his son, he was even less inclined to be cheerful. His expression was so grim that the term “stone-faced” seemed tailor-made for him.
As Shen Zi’an spoke, everyone in the room, who had been stunned by Shen Youfu’s words earlier, snapped back to reality. The first person to wear an unpleasant expression was Shen Zigui. He looked at Shen Youfu, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the heart.
“Father, do you think your son is destined to be sonless in your heart?!”
Shen Zigui trembled all over. He had just made it clear that he wouldn’t adopt someone else’s son. His father had even mentioned the adoption matter to him. What was going on? He wasn’t old yet. He and his wife could still have more children, possibly even sons. How could his father be so eager to discuss adoption with him, just like Shen Zi’an and his wife? What did he mean to them? Was he not supposed to have a son?!
When Shen Youfu spoke those words earlier, he felt that something was not quite right, but he had his own calculations. Shen Zigui might not have a son to support him in his old age, which was one thing. Another was that he wanted to establish a connection with his fourth son, who had been separated from them. If Shen Zi’an’s son were adopted by Shen Zigui, then no matter how well they did in the future, they would still have to look after the second family. Taking care of the second family meant taking care of the entire Shen family.
He had already separated from him once during the division of the family, without giving him anything good. He must resent that even more. Seeing him secretly sell the ginseng, unable to even get the money he wanted, he realized that it wouldn’t be easy to get some benefits for his sons from him. He had to think of another way.
Shen Youfu’s solution was improvised. Although it might make both sons feel uncomfortable, it was worth it for the sake of the Shen family, for the sake of Shen Ziju.
“Zigui, father is doing this for your own good. If you have a son in the future, then that’s fine. But if Zi’an has a son first, you can adopt him. Who knows, it might bring you a son.”
There’s a folk saying that goes, “If a family doesn’t have a child, they can adopt one, and then they will have their own.” Similarly, if someone wants a son, they can adopt a boy, and if they want a daughter, they can adopt a girl.
Su Zhi couldn’t help but laugh out of anger, wondering what Shen Youfu, that old man, was thinking. Shen Zigui wouldn’t need to adopt their children if he had a son of his own. Yet they would have to hand over their sons to the second household, all under the guise of helping to bring in children.
This old man really didn’t regard Shen Zi’an and her. Why didn’t he ask if they were willing to adopt their own son to someone else? And as the firstborn son! The purpose of adopting this son wasn’t just to provide for someone’s old age; it also involved helping others bring in their own biological sons. But what would happen after that? Would her son be returned to her, or would he continue to exist in this awkward situation?
Su Zhi felt like her once-thought-of good manners were about to burst at this moment. She also sensed Shen Zi’an’s stiffness, and suddenly felt sorry for her husband. At least Shen Youfu had considered Shen Zigui to some extent and even explained it to him. But what about them? He didn’t consider them at all before deciding on their child’s fate, even deciding their child’s role right in front of them!
This kind of favoritism was truly tearing people’s hearts apart.
Shen Youfu must be extremely heartless, selfish, and arbitrary to do something like this.
Shen Zhang shi wasn’t like Shen Youfu, a rough man who would act so recklessly. She understood Shen Youfu’s intentions, and she supported them, but she wouldn’t be so direct. As soon as Shen Youfu uttered those words, she knew that the old man had caused trouble!
“Father, you haven’t even asked me if I agree to adopt out our son. Moreover, he’s the firstborn son, the eldest. Maybe I’ll only have one son in my whole life. Have you thought about these things?” Shen Zi’an asked with a stern face. In truth, he was so angry that he didn’t even want to speak. He just wanted to take Su Zhi and leave this place, never to set foot in this house again. But if he didn’t clarify now, he would feel unsettled. Since he had already been hurt so deeply, what harm could a little more do? He wanted to resolve everything in one fell swoop, make his father give up, and never think about plotting against his son again!
Shen Youfu looked at Shen Zi’an with a stern face and spoke to him in such a cold tone. Although he knew his decision just now wasn’t quite right, he still wasn’t very happy. He was the father, and he could control his son. Naturally, he could also decide where his grandson would go.
“You two are young and fertile, you can always have another son. Even if this lifetime only yields one son, what’s the difference if he’s raised by your second brother or you?”
These words, light as they sounded, landed heavily on Shen Zi’an’s heart.
Shen Zhu had been listening quietly on the side, understanding Shen Youfu’s intentions. In her heart, she thought, wouldn’t it be better if Su Zhi only had one son? When the time came, that son would be under the care of the second brother, and all the future wealth of the fourth brother would fall under the second brother’s control. The second brother was much easier to deal with than the fourth brother. Although she was confident that she could live better in the future, who would refuse more money? If you could control it, you wouldn’t let it go.
“Fourth Brother, you and Second Brother have always been close. He used to care for you. Are you really reluctant to give him a son? Second Brother will definitely cherish your son.”
Su Zhi couldn’t bear it anymore. Holding Shen Zi’an’s hand, she spoke up, “Why can’t you talk about how young Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are. They still have every chance of having their own son. Even if they truly don’t have a son in this lifetime, if they like my son, they can naturally come to love him. Whether he’s raised under my name or theirs, what’s the difference?”
Su Zhi spoke coldly, knowing that reasoning with these unreasonable people was futile. But she couldn’t help but refute the old man’s words first before stating her own stance.
“Father, I’ll be straightforward with you. Our son, Zi’an’s and mine, will not be adopted by anyone. Not to mention a son, I wouldn’t even give a daughter to anyone. Father, just give up on this idea.”
Su Zhi looked directly at Shen Youfu, her voice as cold as the snow outside, but a smile appeared on her face as she continued speaking, almost gritting her teeth.
“If you truly care about Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, and believe they won’t have a son of their own, then let Fifth Brother have a son in the future and give it to them. When Fifth Brother gets married and has a son, it will be the right time to adopt by Second Brother. Moreover, Fifth Brother is intelligent, and his son will surely be more successful, which will benefit Second Brother and his family even more. What do you think?”
“How can fifth Brother’s son be adopted by Second Brother?!” Shen Zhu blurted out, immediately regretting her words.
Su Zhi smiled at her and said, “Oh? Why not Fifth Brother’s son? They’re all brothers, and Fifth Brother and Second Brother even share the same mother, so their relationship is even closer.”
Shen Ziju looked at Su Zhi. He had been silent all along, finding it petty and undignified for the family to argue over such matters. He felt disdainful of getting involved. Yet, now Su Zhi had dragged him into it, and it was a sharp move. Looking at her smiling face, he couldn’t sense the usual warmth he felt from her. When those cold eyes met his, he realized how composed and elegant she remained even amidst this conflict. Although he was implicated in the dispute, even regarding his future descendants, he couldn’t bring himself to feel angry.
Shen Youfu happily slammed the table and said, “Ziju will become an official in the future. How can his son be adopted by someone else?!”
“Can’t officials adopt their sons to their elder brothers? I haven’t heard of such a provision in the laws of our country.”
Shen Ziping and Sun Shi had remained silent since earlier, both silently contemplating how Shen Youfu’s decision would benefit them. Ultimately, they concluded that it would be highly advantageous for them. If the Second Branch firmly rejected Fifth Brother, they could also decline adoption, as there wasn’t much benefit for them in the Second Branch anyway. However, if the Second Branch adopted Shen Zi’an’s son, it would entangle them with Shen Zi’an, giving them another source of influence.
“Second Brother, look how you’ve spoiled Fourth Brother. He’s not even willing to give you a son. You should take our Fifth Brother instead!” Shen Ziping exclaimed loudly, intending to help his father. If he could persuade Shen Zi’an, it would be good, but if not, causing discord between Second Brother and Fourth Brother would also satisfy him. Ultimately, he even intended to push Fifth Brother onto the Second Branch. He was calculating everything meticulously.
“Sun Shì also chimed in, “Exactly, Fourth Brother is indeed reluctant to part with his son. We are willing to give one of our sons to you, Second Brother. Please accept it. Even if you really don’t like it, Fourth Brother has to be willing to give his son to you. Can you really take him forcibly? Your wife and you both may not be happy about it!”
Li Shi stood there, stunned and lost in thought, while Chunyue and the others stood around her, equally bewildered.
Shen Zigui stood there, his face alternating between pale and flushed. Suddenly, with a thud, he knelt before Shen Youfu.
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