Chapter 118: Splitting the Family (Part 2)

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Splitting the Family (Part 2)

At this point, Zhang Dazhuang saw his second and third sons’ families light up with surprise when they heard they wouldn’t have to provide money or food for their parents’ care in the future. Even though he had no expectations for them, seeing his sons and daughters-in-law react like this still sent a pang of sadness through him. He composed himself and continued to speak:

"So, when we’re gone, our house and land will naturally go to the eldest’s family, since they will be shouldering the burden of our care. As long as we don’t come down with any expensive illnesses, everything your mother and I leave behind will be theirs. Your two families are not to lay any claim to it."

"If their house, land, and savings are all going to Eldest Brother, then everything related to them should be his family’s responsibility. Why should the medical bills for a major illness be split among the three of us? That’s not fair!" The third son, Zhang Weimin, noticed his second brother repeatedly signaling him. He stole a glance at his uncle, who had his eyes narrowed as if he were dozing off. Feeling emboldened, Zhang Weimin couldn’t stop himself from jumping in to question Zhang Dazhuang.

"On what grounds? On the grounds that your parents gave you life, raised you, found you wives, and helped you start your own families. If they’d known what kind of scoundrels you two would turn out to be, I’d say they should’ve drowned you in a chamber pot the day you were born." Zhang Damei’s eyes snapped open, and he glared piercingly at Zhang Weimin. With such a sharp gaze, he looked nothing like the dozing old man from a moment ago.

Zhang Weimin’s face flushed red, but he still muttered defiantly, "I’m not wrong. Dad and Mom’s house, land, and money are all going to Eldest Brother. What are we getting? We have to build our own houses, and do you think that’s easy? We don’t have any money. How are we supposed to build them?"

"I haven’t even finished speaking. Why is everyone in such a hurry?" Zhang Dazhuang said irritably, bottling up his anger from being interrupted again and again. "I told you to build your own houses, and of course I’m going to divide the family’s money so you can afford it. When I said the house, land, and our savings would go to your eldest brother, that was referring to *after* the family is divided. Aside from a major illness, your eldest brother will bear all the other costs for us. Since you won’t be asked to contribute a single cent, shouldn’t he be the one to get everything? Everyone knows a major illness is a bottomless pit. I already said we would use our own savings first. We’d only ask you to split the costs after that runs out. What more could you want?"

’If my wife and I really do get a serious illness that costs a fortune,’ Zhang Dazhuang thought pessimistically after his angry outburst, ’I’d rather just go home and not get treated, since it probably wouldn’t do any good anyway. But if I don’t state things this way today—making it clear that the cost of a major illness must be shared by all three sons—I’m afraid that even if I refuse treatment, the second and third sons will be unwilling to let the eldest keep any money. They would force him to sell the house and land, even bankrupt him, just to pay for our medical care.’

’At that point, the second and third sons would earn a good reputation without spending a cent. Outsiders would think they were so filial. Meanwhile, the eldest’s family would suffer terribly. They’d be put in an impossible position, spending all their money for nothing and possibly even being accused of being unfilial.’

Regardless of Zhang Dazhuang’s pessimistic thoughts, Zhang Wei Qiang looked at his two younger brothers. "Mom and Dad raised us. Even if they gave us nothing, it’s our duty to show them respect and care for them in their old age. I’ll state my position: I agree with Dad’s plan. And one more thing—if Mom and Dad do get seriously ill, and their savings run out, we can sell their house and land first. Only after that should we three brothers split any remaining costs. That should leave you with no complaints, right?"

"No."

"No."

The words had barely left Zhang Wei Qiang’s mouth when, before Zhang Weihong and Zhang Weimin’s families could even react, Zhang Dazhuang and Wen Xiu cried out in unison. The couple exchanged a glance, and Zhang Dazhuang said, "The eldest doesn’t get the final say in this. The house and land must not be sold. If it gets too expensive, we’ll just forgo treatment. No sense in wasting money and ending up with nothing to show for it."

"That’s right. I agree with your father on this," Wen Xiu added, nodding in approval. "If it’s a serious illness, what’s the point of treatment anyway?"

"Dad, Mom, why wouldn’t we treat a serious illness? If it comes to that, as long as there’s a cure, I’d sell my house and my land before I’d ever abandon you. If I did what you’re suggesting, what kind of person would that make me? Do you want me to live with a guilty conscience for the rest of my life?" Hearing his parents’ intentions, Zhang Wei Qiang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"It’s not like we’re guaranteed to get a major illness. Talking about treatment now is just bad luck. We’re here to discuss the family division, so let’s not get sidetracked. We’ll write the agreement according to my terms. You two don’t have any objections, do you?" Hearing his eldest son’s words was a great comfort to Zhang Dazhuang. ’One good son out of three is enough,’ he thought. He knew his eldest son’s personality and had no desire to argue the point further, so he turned to his other two sons.

"See? Dad is so biased. Eldest Brother has a point. If they need medical treatment, their own assets should be used up first before we talk about splitting the cost, don’t you think?"

Fang Juxian grew anxious hearing Zhang Dazhuang’s terms. However, with Zhang Damei there and having just caused a scene herself, she didn’t dare speak up again. Instead, she quietly pulled her sister-in-law, Guo Xiuying, aside to whisper. She hoped Guo Xiuying would be the one to challenge Zhang Dazhuang, but her sister-in-law was far too timid. Guo Xiuying shot a fearful glance at Zhang Damei and, aside from a nod and an assenting look, didn’t dare open her mouth. Fang Juxian nearly coughed up blood in frustration. She gave her a hard push. "What’s the use of just nodding at me? If you agree, then say so! The rest of us have already spoken. You’re the only one who hasn’t said anything."

"I don’t dare..." Guo Xiuying stammered, her mouth opening and closing. "Maybe we should just go with what Dad said. It’s not like people get seriously ill that often."

"Who told you that? Haven’t you ever heard it’s better to be safe than sorry?" Fang Juxian glared. Guo Xiuying hung her head, shrinking back without a word. Frustrated, Fang Juxian silently cursed, ’Useless,’ and turned to her brother-in-law, Zhang Weimin. To her surprise, he was clearly terrified too and avoided her gaze. Fang Juxian spat indignantly and could only nudge her husband, Zhang Weihong.

Zhang Weihong glanced at his third brother and sister-in-law, feeling quite displeased that they were cowering. Just then, he heard Zhang Dazhuang say, "If there are no objections, then we’ll consider this matter settled."

He sighed. He knew if he didn’t speak up now, the decision would be final. He had no choice but to call out, "Wait."