228 The Truth behind all that Gratefulness

Xie Laogen screamed instantly, “I’ve kicked her out! You cannot take her back! She’s no longer a part of this family and she’s no longer your mother! Do not call her that! Why would you even refer to those strangers as ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’?! They’re unrelated to you!”

How dare they try to take advantage of his son?! Only he was allowed to do that!

Xie Yunjin said, “I thought that perhaps mother is being treated poorly at my uncle’s, so I agreed to give them 10 taels of silver a year to show that I appreciate their effort at caring for my mother.”

Before Xie Laogen could speak, Xie Yunjin continued, “Of course, whatever I give to mother, you will get as well. Though you only gave me five taels of silver and then kicked me out of here, I shall remain filial. So, to help your senior years, I will also give you 10 taels of silver a year.”

Xie Laogen raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction. Ten taels of silver a year was too little, “Lady Ruan’s been kicked out. Why would you give her silver? You should give her share to me so I get 20 taels.”

The more Xie Laogen thought about it, the more he felt like he got a bad deal. Xie Yunjin reminded him, “Father, you have many sons. All I am required to do is my part. You should ask my eldest brother how much he’ll be giving you annually.”

Xie Laogen became mute then.

Xie Yunjin didn’t want to stay so he moved on, “In the future, my second brother will move in with us.”

Xie Daqiang was the first to object, “Why?!”

“I need someone there at all times to keep an eye on the house. What’s wrong with tasking my second brother that?”

Everyone glanced at Xie Yunjin and then at Xie Erzhu. Everyone vaguely realized that Xie Yunjin rebuilt his house to help Xie Erzhu out.

Xie Erzhu didn’t get it at first. But slowly, he seemed to understand. His eyes reddened and said to Xie Yunjin, “Third brother, honestly, you don’t need -”

Xie Yunjin interrupted, “Second brother, you’re there to safeguard my house. Once I’m gone, please help me clean what’s mine.”

Xie Erzhu’s eyes turned even redder, “Okay.”

Xie Daqiang, Chen Liu, and the others were pink from jealousy. Xie Yunhu and Xie Lan also wanted that house so bad.

Sadly, they could only watch. Xie Yunjin was too lazy for more drama and left with Lu Gui.

Behind them, Xie Erzhu followed. Once they were further away, Xie Erzhu grabbed Xie Yunjin’s hands, “Third brother, there’s no need to build me a home. I’m okay living here.”

Xie Yunjin said to him kindly, “No matter how far away I end up going, I will come home sometime. Second brother, remember to keep my house clean.

“I will.” Xie Erzhu croaked.

Xie Yunjin then shared, “I am going to build two courtyards. As you are my elder brother, you will stay in the east yard and we will stay in the west one.”

Xie Erzhu objected and waved around, “You stay in the east, we’ll stay in the west yard. If you disagree, we won’t go.”

Xie Yunjin didn’t fight it and softly grinned, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Xie Erzhu looked up to the sky and whispered, “If grandfather knew about this, he would be so happy.”

Xie Yunjin was confused, “Why are you thinking of grandpa?”

Xie Erzhu grabbed Xie Yunjin’s hand, “Third brother, I have to tell you something. When we were young, I honestly didn’t know how to take care of you. Grandpa was the one who taught me in secret. He taught me that you were my little brother and I needed to take care of you. He said if I did the right thing, I would be rewarded by karma. He asked me not to tell you and only taught me how to take care of you. How else did I know, at such a young age, to feed you porridge, help you potty, and take you with me when farming?

Also, the matter of your schooling. It was also grandpa who went to find Master Chen. I caught them by accident. Grandpa talked to Master Chen many times, convincing him that you were born intelligent, were suitable for studying, and would one day be successful. He asked Master Chen to come and convince the Village Leader and father of that.

Master Chen didn’t take your tuition because grandpa bribed him for the first two years. Later, Master Chen discovered that you were truly a great seedling and decided to not take any tuition.”

Xie Yunjin was astounded and didn’t know how to react. He never knew about this.

To him, his grandfather was a man who was often sick and was very sick. His grandma didn’t allow him to come out of his room much because he fell ill really easily. His grandma spoiled his grandpa like she was a part of him. Despite her effort, his grandpa still passed away when Xie Yunjin was 14. Saddened by the news, his grandma passed away soon after.

Xie Yunjin only knew that his grandparents wanted to adopt him as their own when he was very little. He never knew about the rest.

He had no idea his grandpa had helped him out so much. Why was he that nice to him? And why did he never mention it?

Xie Yunjin asked Xie Erzhu, “How come grandpa never told me any of that?”

If he knew, he would have visited often. However, given how Lady Ruan was, Xie Yunjin thought it was better for his grandpa that he didn’t visit often.

Xie Erzhu shook his head, “Grandpa said as people who were born into a poor family, you have to work harder than those around you. He said you have to endure hardships to become successful. Children from poor families all want to succeed and they all work harder than other kids. He said everything you went through was things you were destined to experience.”

Xie Erzhu’s eyes dampened at the mention of their grandpa. Their grandpa loved them a lot and he died too young.

Xie Yunjin finally found out about his grandpa’s attentiveness. He looked up into the sky with much appreciation and agitation. At the same time, the huge rock in his heart dropped.

All this time, he thought it was the Chen family he owed all his success to. That was why he offered to marry Chen Ying after Chen Ying’s divorce. That was also the reason why he was so ashamed and furious about Lu Jiao’s interference. Though he didn’t directly cause Chen Ying’s death, he’s always thought that if he married Chen Ying, she wouldn’t have died.

All that shame he felt could finally be let go now. Suddenly, he realized that he didn’t owe the Chen family that much.

It was his grandpa who begged Master Chen and bribed him to take Xie Yunjin away. Later, when Master Chen stopped taking bribes, it was because he saw Xie Yunjin as an investment. Therefore, all those nice things Master Chen had done never meant as much as Xie Yunjin thought they did.

Xie Yunjin smiled and looked towards Xie Erzhu, “Second brother, when we get a chance, let’s go visit grandpa and burn some incense for him.”

Xie Erzhu agreed right away, “Of course.”

After he said goodbye to Xie Erzhu, Xie Yunjin took Lu Gui home.

Behind them, Xier Erzhu watched Xie Yunjin leave. He recalled what grandpa once said to him.

“Erzhu, you have to take care of your brother well. Once your brother grows up, he will repay you for all you’ve done. In this world, good karma is meant for good people.”

His grandpa was right. His little brother was now repaying him. Good karma truly happened to good people.

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