Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 176: Splitting the Bill

Back home, Lin Ying immediately started to complain, "Big Brother and Sister-in-law suggested going to the old house to celebrate New Year with Third Brother’s family this year, but all the dishes they brought were vegetarian. They got scolded by Third Brother’s family, and my mom wasn’t happy either.

Big Brother probably came here wanting to buy a chicken, or maybe hoping I’d catch one for him for free. But since we weren’t around, he went to Uncle Ma’s place and bought a rooster, spending three yuan.

I heard my mom even scolded Uncle Ma for this, saying he was crazy for money. Uncle Ma sarcastically told her that if they couldn’t afford chicken, they didn’t have to eat it, that no one was forcing them. It was mutual consent in business, and there was so much fuss. If he’d known earlier, he wouldn’t have sold it.

You know how my mom always wants face, being ridiculed like this during the New Year made her dizzy with anger. This morning she was going on about going to the clinic, even saying Uncle Ma should compensate her. The village leader couldn’t stand it anymore and told Big Brother and Third Brother to control my mom."

Lin Ying listened, dumbfounded, "What kind of ridiculousness is this! The old lady sure knows how to make a fuss! But aren’t Big Brother and Sister-in-law the ones who care most about face? How could there be such a big mistake during the New Year’s dinner! This isn’t like Sister-in-law’s style!"

Xu Dahai smirked slightly and said indifferently, "I heard they’re saving money to buy a house in the city, so they can send Ah Jie there for school. For their son’s future, face is nothing."

Lin Ying was speechless and said with a pout, "Big Brother and Sister-in-law really know how to calculate. Luckily we broke off relations with the old house, so we’ll only give some money for their old age in the future, and we won’t get involved in other matters."

Xu Dahai nodded.

To avoid trouble from the old house and consider their younger daughter, the couple stayed in the village for just over three hours before leaving.

In the evening, Xu Dashan and his brother came looking for them but found nobody. After asking around, they learned Xu Dahai’s family had already left.

This time, Xu Dashan was thoroughly infuriated, "The second brother is seriously rushing to become a son-in-law, isn’t he? He doesn’t even want our home anymore! He’s determined not to care whether mom lives or dies!"

Xu Dachuan fumed, "It’s probably all because of his wife. Second Brother wasn’t like this before! Look at how Second Sister-in-law acts! Just because her family has some money, she’s so arrogant!"

Xu Dashan exhaled a long breath of frustration, hands on his hips, "No way! Mom’s medical bills, Second Brother has to pitch in equally! He can’t escape!"

The two brothers, filled with resentment, sought out the village leader to take charge.

During the New Year, the village leader really didn’t want to deal with these petty matters, plus Xu Dahai knew how to get along with people, occasionally giving him some small favors. He was more inclined toward Xu Dahai.

"You brothers are really something! You never think of Dahai for good things, but as soon as there’s money needed, you immediately think of him! It was agreed upon earlier; he would only share the cost of supporting the elderly, he didn’t take the old man’s house or land, so he has no reason to pay for the elderly’s medical expenses, right?

If he paid that money, it would mean he’s contributing to elder care like you are. Would you return the family property you got from the elderly to Dahai to share?"

Xu Dachuan exploded upon hearing this, "Why! Those things were our parents’, and they can give them to whoever they want."

The village leader shrugged, "When you severed relationships, didn’t you owe a note? Dahai doesn’t need to cover those medical expenses, unless the elderly get sick and hospitalized with major expenses, then he only needs to pay a small portion. You brothers still need to bear the bulk. Bringing this to me won’t change anything."

Xu Dachuan was dissatisfied, "Village leader, my second brother has his father-in-law’s support, he’s living much better than we are. Why doesn’t he have to pay this money?"

The village leader laughed angrily, "You also said Dahai has his father-in-law’s support, but his father-in-law isn’t related to your family. Frankly, Lin’s side is only supporting Dahai because of Lin Ying. How did your family treat Lin Ying? Do you need me to help you remember?"

The brothers were sternly reprimanded, then returned with grim faces.

Wang Fengying learned that Wang Ximei’s medical costs were eight yuan, and these eight yuan had to be shared between their family and Third Brother’s family, while Second Brother didn’t have to pay a penny, and she was furious.

She spoke ill of Xu Dahai and Lin Ying to anyone who would listen in the village, saying they were too calculating and ungrateful for the elderly’s upbringing, calling them cold-hearted. In short, she said everything.

Some people truly believed her, while others were clear-headed, supporting Lin Ying and arguing back, saying Wang Ximei was biased and that Wang Fengying should give half of what she received to Lin Ying.

Wang Fengying was already irritated, and as she talked, she started quarreling with people.

The argument escalated furiously, and if it weren’t for villagers intervening, they might have even started a fight.

Lin Ying and her husband were completely unaware of these family matters, and on the second day of the New Year, early in the morning, they packed their bags and took a bus to the city.

By the time they arrived in Nanyu, it was almost noon.

Lin Yi and Lin Qin had already prepared a lavish lunch to welcome them.

At the dining table, Lin Qin brought up again the matter of Xu Jian and Xu Kang attending the special interest classes.

This time, Lin Yi didn’t bring up the expense but instead seriously asked his two grandsons, "What would you like to learn?"

Xu Jian replied loudly, "Saxophone, Teacher Bai mentioned it to me before, and I tried it, it’s quite fun."

Xu Kang timidly lowered his head, "Grandpa, can I not learn?"

"No way!"

Lin Yi and Lin Ying said in unison.

The little guy was instantly deflated.

Lin Yi laughed, "Well, then, Ah Jian can learn that what’s-it-called saxophone, and Ah Kang can practice his writing. Hopefully, his handwriting will look better in the future, I’ve been having headaches seeing his chicken scratch all year."

"Hahaha....." the adults laughed heartily.

Lin Yi then said, "Since all the kids are attending classes, starting this year, I’ll cover the cost of their special interest classes, so you don’t need to worry about it."

Lin Ying looked at Lin Qin in astonishment, "Sister, you really predicted this accurately!"

Lin Qin proudly raised her eyebrows, "Dad! We are grateful! How about covering my schooling expenses too?"

Lin Yi immediately held onto his pocket, "Go, go... You’re the richest in the family, stop eyeing my savings!"

"Dad! Aren’t you being too biased! Aren’t I your most beloved youngest daughter?" Lin Qin persisted shamelessly.

Lin Yi gathered the two little grandsons and ran away.

With that fuss, the atmosphere improved even further.

Lin Ying and her husband didn’t say much, but they were genuinely thankful to Lin Yi and Lin Qin.

The couple stayed in Nanyu for three days, helping with a lot of work. They only returned to Pingxi Town when it was about time to open the shop.

The two sons stayed in Nanyu directly, sparing them another trip in just a few days.

Chen Wenjun got busy from the third day of the New Year.

With Lin Ying’s family gone, Lin Qin’s days became relaxed again. After exercising with the children at the sports center for a few days, boredom struck, so she took some things to find Bai Junjun and settle accounts from before the New Year.

She didn’t know where Bai Junjun lived but knew Bai Linlin’s residence.

Seeing her visit, Bai Linlin thought she was there to wish her a happy New Year, but it turned out she wanted to inquire about Bai Junjun.

Bai Linlin was instantly jealous, "If not for finding Junjun, you wouldn’t have even thought of me!"

Lin Qin quickly put down new year’s gifts, "How could that be! I still need you to help enroll the kids in classes!"