After thinking about it all night, Lin Yongye finally decided to consult Lin Yongcheng.

He didn’t trust anyone else, and he didn’t think anyone else would be reliable.

Only this younger brother seemed trustworthy.

After work, Lin Yongcheng was about to ride his bicycle home when Lin Yongye approached him, saying there was something important to discuss.

Lin Yongcheng asked, “I’m heading home for dinner. Do you want to come in for a bit?”

Lin Yongye hesitated for a moment and decided to follow Lin Yongcheng.

In his mind, two little devils were fighting all day.

One was saying, “Quickly agree! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you miss it, you’ll regret it. If you want to make something of yourself and give your children a better future, take this chance.”

The other devil was saying, “You’re not worthy.”

The two devils had been fighting for a long time, and it was hard for Lin Yongye to decide.

He knew the opportunity was rare, and if he rejected it, he’d feel a bit dissatisfied.

But when he thought about the fact that these people weren’t family and asking them to pay a large amount of money to buy him a job didn’t sit well with him either.

The more he thought about it, the more conflicted he became.

Seeing that Lin Yongye seemed to have something on his mind, Lin Yongcheng pushed his bike and said, “There’s no one around now, you can speak up if there’s something on your mind.”

“Third Brother…” Lin Yongye struggled for a moment before speaking, giving his brother an odd look. “You’re quite something. I heard about the 800 yuan deal.”

Lin Yongcheng immediately understood.

So the second brother had started mingling with Xu Lihua’s family, and he was getting more information.

“I didn’t deceive the old man,” Lin Yongcheng replied casually. “I found you a job, but I’ve always said it’s temporary. I never promised you it would be permanent or anything. You’re the ones who assumed too much.”

In his eyes, everything was just as it was.

He’d only found them a job; nothing more.

Moreover, it wasn’t like they were tricked by him—they’d gone to him voluntarily.

“Had it not been for those two old folks trying to steal my wife’s job, they wouldn’t have been swindled. They brought this upon themselves!”

Lin Yongcheng spoke so matter-of-factly that Lin Yongye didn’t know how to respond.

He had thought Lin Yongcheng might feel guilty after being caught, but instead, his brother was completely unconcerned. If he had any guilt, he wouldn’t have done such things in the first place.

After a long silence, Lin Yongye finally managed to say, “You’re quite something.”

“Yeah, I think I’m pretty great too.”

“If the old man finds out the truth, he might die from anger.”

“He won’t die from it. You’re underestimating him,” Lin Yongcheng replied casually.

The two brothers continued walking and talking, and Lin Yongye couldn’t help but express his inner struggle.

He had been torn all day, and now he was asking for his brother’s advice.

“This is such a great opportunity. They really want to help me, and if I let it slip, I might never get another chance. But if I accept it easily, I’ll feel like I owe them too much. What do you think? If I tell them the money I’m using to buy the job is a loan, and I’ll pay it back slowly with my wages, will they agree?”

Lin Yongcheng raised an eyebrow.

Not bad, it seemed like Xu Lihua’s family had their eye on him.

“People like that want to repay a favor. If you don’t repay them, they’ll always owe you a favor. For some families, relationships are worth more than money. If you can repay with money, they’ll feel at ease. It’s better than worrying about you asking for something excessive in the future.”

Lin Yongye understood this reasoning too.

“So… should I accept it? But if I do, I’ll feel like I have no face. It’ll seem like I saved someone just to get something from their family.”

This was the heart of Lin Yongye’s dilemma. Buying a job wasn’t a small amount of money, and he didn’t want to feel like he was exploiting the situation.

Lin Yongcheng was more inclined to suggest that he accept it.

“They’re offering you this opportunity to repay you. If you say it’s a loan, the favor won’t be returned.”

After a pause, he added, “How about this? You go back to the Lin family, try to scrape some money from your old man. Buying a job isn’t cheap, and if you let them pay for everything, it’ll make you seem greedy. You won’t be able to face them later. If you contribute a little, you’ll keep your dignity.”

This struck a chord with Lin Yongye. He didn’t want to feel inferior to them forever.

But asking Lin Laotou for money was like asking for a dream!

No… even in his dreams, Lin Laotou wouldn’t give him money.

“The old man won’t help me,” Lin Yongye sighed, shaking his head. “If I’m going to rely on him, I might as well count on you.”

“Don’t ask him for money!” Lin Yongcheng laughed.

“I can’t get anything out of him. You’re the one who has the skill.”

“If you don’t ask him, it’s still going to be for Lin Yongjia’s benefit. Can you accept that?” Lin Yongcheng’s words made Lin Yongye silent.

Lin Yongcheng knew he was being a bit harsh, but he actually enjoyed playing the bad guy—especially when it came to Lin Laotou.

“Let me give you some advice,” Lin Yongcheng said. “There’s an opportunity at the slaughterhouse. You can quit your current temp job. We can use this one to trick Lin Yongjia. It’s only temporary until the end of the year, but he won’t know that. We’ll sell him a dream of living in the city, and by the end of the year, he’ll be desperate. That’s when you’ll really enjoy it.”

Lin Yongye was dumbfounded.

He was truly impressed!

He had never thought of such a trick, and now his brother had turned the whole situation around.

“Wow, Third Brother, you’re amazing! I truly admire you. I’ll be nice to you from now on. If I ever offend you, just let me know and I’ll fix it right away. Don’t trick me, though! I’m too easy to fool!” Lin Yongye said sincerely.

“Stop talking nonsense,” Lin Yongcheng rolled his eyes. “What would I trick you for? Do you have money or anything of value?”

Lin Yongye grinned and said, “Keep going, tell me more.”

“Don’t overdo it, just take 200 yuan.”

“200? Isn’t it 400?”

“200 is enough. The old man won’t be able to give you more, and he probably won’t want to.”

Lin Yongcheng suggested even more ruthless ideas.

“Cut the job price in half, but you need to be confident. Don’t show any signs of hesitation or weakness. At this point, they owe you. You can demand a share of the family. If they don’t agree to split, then ask for 400 yuan.”

Lin Yongye was fully convinced now!

This plan is good.

Not only can it make money, but it can also solve the problem.

He took out two hundred yuan.

The old man probably didn’t have much money left, and by then, when he had a job with a salary, he wouldn’t need to rely on the old man’s money.

Now is the best time to separate. Once he starts working at the slaughterhouse, it will no longer be as easy to divide the family. The old man will cling to him and keep sucking his blood.

“Third Brother, fortunately, I haven’t offended you.” He excitedly slapped Lin Yongcheng’s shoulder, “This family is mine to divide. Right now, as a temporary worker, both I and the Lin Yong family are burdened with debt. Every month, we have to pay the old man twelve yuan, and we can’t save much. Once the job is transferred to the Lin Yong family, I won’t have debts anymore.”

“With two hundred yuan, when Second Brother sends it to Vice Chairman Xu’s house, it shows you understand etiquette. You’re not someone who simply accepts big gifts. It’ll make them feel better about you and regard you more highly. This way, your relationship with their family will stabilize, and you’ll be able to maintain family ties. The wife of Vice Chairman Xu has some influence at the slaughterhouse, so she will take care of you in the future. This relationship is worth it!”

Lin Yongcheng painted a big picture for him.

It wasn’t really deceiving him; if the money for buying the job came from his own pocket, Xu Lihua’s family wouldn’t owe them a favor. They would always be in debt to him.

Paying two hundred yuan was enough.

He’d shown his manners, preserved his dignity, and the other party wouldn’t owe him anything.

…

The two brothers chatted all the way, and Lin Yongye was full of excitement. Even after entering the house, his heart was still burning with passion, and everything seemed smooth.

Someone was in the house.

When Xiao Bai Guo glanced at him, she lost interest.

Her little fish and shrimp were more important.

Since the family found out she could sit up by herself, they moved a stool next to the cooling bed.

Xiao Bai Guo needed to sit up to see the fish.

After the bath experience, they didn’t dare to tease her too much.

As long as she could sit up, she could watch the fish.

All of Xiao Bai Guo’s attention was on the little fish.

Xiao Zisu was jealous for two days. Now that the little fish was here, her sister watched the fish all the time and didn’t look at her anymore.

Hmph! She hated the little fish!

But since her sister liked the little fish, she could only reluctantly tolerate them.

Lin Yongye greeted Li Qiurong and Bai Zhu, then sat down on a bamboo chair.

To his right was a long bench, and the glass jar with the little fish was right next to him.

He didn’t notice and accidentally extended his elbow to the right, hearing a loud “pia” sound.

The glass jar fell and shattered.

Water splashed everywhere, and the little fish and shrimp bounced on the floor.

Before anyone could react, Xiao Bai Guo’s chubby little voice cried out.

“Ah, fish!”

“Ah, fish! Fish!”

Grandpa and Grandma, that’s Fish Fish’s little fish!

Sister, the bad person broke Fish Fish’s little fish, quick, help Fish Fish hit him!

It was her fish, her precious, and it got broken!

Whether he was her second uncle or whatever, he was a bad person who broke the fish! Fish Fish was so mad!

Xiao Bai Guo was furious.

Her small face flushed red, and she shook her little fist at Lin Yongye, bad person, I’ll hit you!

Unfortunately, she couldn’t reach him, so she could only get upset!

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, your little fish is fine, I’ll pick it up right away.” Li Qiurong quickly ran over to hug her and glanced at Xiao Zisu, who wanted to comfort her sister. “The floor is covered in broken glass, Xiao Zisu, don’t come over, you’ll get hurt.”

Xiao Zisu pointed at the fish bouncing on the ground and shouted, “Sister’s little fish!”

“Don’t go over there, wait until your dad picks up the glass shards,” Bai Zhu pulled her to the side, “Grandpa, bring a basin to hold the fish. Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

Xiaobai Guo was still angry, glaring at Lin Yongye.

Lin Yongye was a little confused.

It was his first time visiting and he broke his little niece’s glass jar, watching the child get upset.

He quickly stood up. “I’ll clean up the glass shards. Third Brother, you comfort the child.”

“…” Lin Yongcheng.

He was the most confused.

He always thought the little girl only knew how to say “fish.”

Could someone explain why she could say “grandpa” and “sister,” but still didn’t say “dad”?

He felt like he was being targeted.

She could say “grandpa,” “grandma,” and “sister,” so she should also be able to say “mom.”

But why didn’t she say “dad”?

Was it because he never taught her?

Also, if the little girl could speak, why didn’t he know? If it weren’t for Lin Yongye breaking her glass jar, when would he have realized?

With Li Qiurong holding the child, Bai Zhu picking up the fish, and Lin Yongye cleaning the broken glass, Lin Yongcheng had nothing to do and pulled Xiao Zisu over to ask.

“When did sister learn to speak?”

“She could shout it a long time ago. The day she got her head shaved, she could already say grandpa and grandma. Sister likes me the most, so she learned to call me sister.” The big cotton-padded jacket of their family was really good at adding salt to the wound. Xiao Zisu asked in surprise, “Why doesn’t she call dad?”

Lin Yongcheng: “…”

What a windy little cotton-padded jacket!!

Her earlier statement, “Sister likes me the most, so she learned to call me sister,” followed by the feigned concern, “Why doesn’t she call dad?” Could it be more painful?

The little cotton-padded jacket doesn’t call dad, and now the big cotton-padded jacket has to make it worse.

Lin Yongcheng’s heart suddenly felt ancient.

“Sigh… How much do I not appeal to her?”

“Don’t be sad, dad. Sister doesn’t just not like you, she doesn’t like mom either.” Xiao Zisu patted his shoulder, hoping he’d be strong.

Well, Lin Yongcheng felt a little better.

She couldn’t call dad, nor could she call mom, probably because they were busy with work and didn’t spend enough time with her. Grandpa, grandma, and sister were always around her, teaching her to call people, so the little girl learned to call grandpa, grandma, and sister.

After some self-comfort, Lin Yongcheng even found the reason.

It’s okay, I’ll just teach her more, right?

As long as he’s patient, maybe tomorrow there will be a surprise!

Lin Yongye cleaned up the glass shards, Bai Zhu picked up the fish, and Li Qiurong carried Xiaobai Guo to see the fish. There was no empty glass jar in the house, so the fish had to be kept in a basin. It wasn’t as convenient for Xiaobai Guo to watch the fish now, and she couldn’t be coaxed to sit up either.

Bai Zhu said, “I’ll empty the soy sauce jar tomorrow.”

Xiao Bai Guo understood.

Today, her fish could only live in the basin!

She glared at Lin Yongye, still shaking her little fist at him, “Thap…”

I’m going to hit you, bad person!!

“Sweetheart, do you want to hit Second Uncle?” Lin Yongcheng felt the opportunity had come. He picked her up, “Can’t reach, right? Dad will carry you over!”

To please the little cotton-padded jacket, what’s wrong with his real brother? He was ready to offer himself up!

He carried Xiaobai Guo to Lin Yongye’s side.

“Second Brother, this child loves fish the most. You broke her fish jar, and now she’s mad at you. Hurry up and let her hit you a couple of times to vent her anger.”

“A child this small can get mad?”

“Who are you looking down on? What’s wrong with kids? Who doesn’t get angry?”

Lin Yongcheng had just brought Xiaobai Guo over when she immediately shook her little fists and started hitting him.

Bad person, you broke the fish’s jar, I’m going to hit you!

Her small fists landed on his arm twice, not painful or itchy.

Xiao Bai Guo was still angry, her eyes wide and round, her cheeks puffed up, her face was fuller, and her face was round.

In short, she was very cute.

“Sweetheart, don’t be angry, Second Uncle shouldn’t have knocked over your fish,” Lin Yongye was amused by her, “Next time, Second Uncle will bring you a few fish.”

Xiao Bai Guo tilted her head and thought about it. Bring her fish?

So, he’s coming back again?

Well, Fish Fish will give him another chance. The little fish and shrimp in the basin were still alive, and if he came next time and brought her fish, she would forgive him.

But if he tricks her, next time she’ll bite him!!

Seeing that she stopped punching him, Lin Yongye was even more surprised. “She can understand?”

“She really loves fish. If you mention fish, how can she not understand? As long as you keep your promise and bring her some fish, she’ll definitely like you.”

After Lin Yongcheng had her hit him, Lin Yongye promised to bring her fish.

Now, can she call dad?