CHAPTER 414: CHAPTER 312: LIN FAMILY TURMOIL 2

The Lin Family was left speechless by Zhou Xiaozheng and his wife. They didn’t expect Zhou Xiaozheng to show no courtesy to the old man at all.

"Dad, let’s not bring this up for now. Let’s talk about the main issue first. Besides Xiao Lin’s wedding, is there anything else?" Lin Liyin seized the opportunity to speak.

Mr. Lin came back to his senses, rolled his eyes at her, and said to his wife, "Mother of the children, go on with how we’re separating."

Mrs. Lin, in a disgruntled tone, said, "Aren’t you the one who brought up the separation? You talk about it then. There’s nothing much to separate in this family. From now on, the first and second born will manage their own families, and your father and I don’t need you to support us."

"Hey, you’re just brushing it off like that?" Mr. Lin said, getting agitated.

"Then say what you want to give to the children? Go ahead and distribute it."

Mr. Lin was so angry he wanted to slam the table. He raised his right hand but, seeing the grandchildren below, he let it fall powerlessly.

After a moment, he said seriously, "Not talking about Shanshan’s money. Don’t you think we need to clarify about the eldest’s salary? Xiao Lin is getting married soon, and the eldest’s family still needs this money for preparations!"

Lin Aiguo hurriedly reassured him, "Dad, whatever dowry the child gets for her wedding, just let her take it over, what more money is needed? Doesn’t she already have a watch and a bicycle? What else should we prepare? I’ll have the child’s mother prepare some new bedding; that’s enough. Dingsheng is still young, and the two of us can still earn money. Please don’t be mad, mom’s not in good health."

Mr. Lin said nothing, just kept staring at his wife.

Mrs. Lin looked up, glanced at the seat previously occupied by Zhou Xiaozheng, and inadvertently caught the seemingly amused gaze of her youngest son-in-law. She quickly turned her head, not daring to meet his eyes, and accidentally faced her eldest daughter-in-law Chen Jingru’s angry expression.

She was momentarily stunned and quickly said with a smile, "Why are you so anxious, you old fool? At your age, you still haven’t mellowed out. Since we’re talking about separation, I’ll make sure to compensate the eldest for his money. I’ve got a few things on hand that I won’t rush to give to the children, saving it for the grandchildren’s marriages. The rest you can divide."

Mr. Lin held back his eldest son, nodded at his wife, and said, "Then first return the savings book to the eldest daughter-in-law. I’ll start discussing the separation afterwards."

Mrs. Lin beckoned to Chen Jingru, bringing her into the bedroom. After a while, Chen Jingru came out following her, carrying a cloth bag.

Everyone on site took a look, all knowing it was either gold or jewelry inside. Except for the Lin family’s second daughter-in-law, Jiang Jiangyu, who looked tense. Everyone knew the eldest of the Lin Family ran out of this money long ago, now it could only be offset with these.

"Alright. Apart from your mom’s things, there’s just a few paintings and calligraphy in my study. We won’t split these with you. Is there anything else you want to add?"

Jiang Jiangyu quickly spoke up, "Dad, the child’s wedding depends on you and mom. With just our salaries, we can’t afford a dowry. Do you and mom have any plans?"

"Mom, we’ll arrange things among siblings; it doesn’t have to cost much. Grandpa, if there’s nothing else, shall we start eating?" Lin Dingsheng quickly stood up, pressing his mom down to sit.

Mr. Lin nodded and said, "Let the eldest’s family start serving. Second child’s family, when it comes to the children’s marriages, just do as much as your family situation allows; don’t compare with outsiders."

Li Jianjun saw everyone getting up to help serve dishes. He stood up, dusted off his pants, and said, "I still have to go back to work. You all eat first, if you need help just let the child’s mom know."

"Uncle, aren’t you staying for the meal?"

"No, I’m pressed for time..."

Mr. Lin angrily said, "No matter what, today you have to eat first. Don’t act like others; sit down properly. Later let Jiao Jiao come over, you can also be a witness."

Li Jianjun inwardly wondered why he suddenly became the scapegoat. He looked down at his wife’s clenched, pale fist, and silently sighed.

After dinner, Mr. Lin didn’t avoid his granddaughter and let the family gather in the living room while waiting for Zhou Jiao to arrive.

Zhou Jiao signaled her father to hold her mother back, and followed Lin Dingsheng towards the Lin Family. Since they had personally sent the eldest grandson to fetch her, she decided to go and see what kind of play they were staging.

Once in the living room, it was filled with people. Zhou Jiao smiled and asked, "Grandpa, what’s so urgent that I had to come over?"

Mr. Lin grinned and said, "You child, does grandpa have to have something urgent to call you over? Come sit beside grandpa. Did your dad say anything when he got back?"

Zhou Jiao looked puzzled and said, "Say what? You also know my dad is like a silent gourd, he doesn’t like to talk. He was busy just now and didn’t stop."

Mr. Lin didn’t expose her and continued, "There’s some money of yours with your grandma; you know about this, right?"

"Oh, that? I know. My mom mentioned it, she said it was returned to me, right?" Zhou Jiao smiled at Mrs. Lin. She remained silent, her head bowed.

Mr. Lin glanced at his eager eldest grandson. This foolish guy really thought Zhou Jiao wasn’t aware of the situation? This girl was quite cunning, merely waiting for him to personally address the issue of the missing debt amount.

"Alright. No need to be clever with grandpa. Your grandma owes you some money, what do you think we should do about that?" Mr. Lin said, chuckling as he tapped her forehead.

Zhou Jiao covered her forehead and complained, "Grandpa, there you go again. Didn’t I tell my mom to take care of it? If you’re broke, just consider it her filial duty, I suppose. Who knows what should be done? You know I dislike these social exchanges the most."

Mrs. Lin immediately raised her head and laughed, "I told you Jiao Jiao is reasonable. You just had to make her express her stance. Jiao Jiao, would you be okay if grandma made up for it with things?"

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao chuckled cheerfully, "Grandma, you’re silly! You say I’m reasonable and then you talk about making it up with things. So do I take them or not? If I take them, your family’s assets will all be gone. If you give them all to me, would you regret it?"

Mrs. Lin’s smiling face froze. She didn’t expect this girl to play out of line. Looking at the younger generation below, she smiled and said, "Listen... this girl wants it all. Do you all agree?"

Li Jianjun stifled a laugh, leaning over to listen to a mixed chorus from the Lin family’s younger generation, realizing not one of them noticed that the grandmother and granddaughter had begun their sparring.

Seeing everyone below speaking at once, while Zhou Jiao maintained a silent, smiling composure, Mr. Lin cleared his throat with a few coughs until the room quieted down. Then he asked, "Jiao Jiao, since you seem to know the shortfall amount, tell your grandma, let her hear it."

Seeing both her uncles and their families focus on her, Zhou Jiao privately found it amusing. Then, after glancing at the smiling Mrs. Lin, she suddenly laughed and said, "Don’t all look at me. Grandpa’s testing me, isn’t he? Help me figure out how much nine thousand US dollars would be after seventeen years? Haha... I’m joking. No need to repay it; who told grandma she knows how to have kids? It’s only right for my mom to show filial piety."

After speaking, she shook her head with a bright smile.

Seeing her tone and expression, Li Jianjun held back his laughter and immediately lowered his head, finding it unbearable to watch the crowd. Serves them right, foolishly inviting the girl over.