Chapter 21: Guilty for Possessing Treasure? Li Junsheng Cuts to the Root

Seeing his eldest son so eager to empty his pockets, Li Junsheng maintained a calm exterior, but inside he was speechless. Having witnessed his eldest son’s true colors in his previous life, Li Junsheng knew that the best tactic was to retreat in order to advance; bringing up the distribution of money was the most effective strategy. Sure enough, his son no longer cared about him selling his job for cash. The moment money was mentioned, his son would immediately change his face, as if blinded by greed! What a thankless creature! To think of relying on him for support in old age was a pipe dream.

Feigning concern, Li Junsheng said deliberately, "But now that I've lost my job, how am I supposed to support myself in my old age?" His granddaughter Xingxing, in his past life, despised his old man’s smell and made him sleep with the dog. Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua were both calculating and mean, and it was hard to say whether Xingxing inherited their personalities or was simply tainted by their ways. In his previous life, she was just as snobbish and sharp-tongued.

When Li Junsheng said this, the smile on Li Guojun’s face froze. He exchanged a glance with Wang Xiuhua, both looking rather displeased. It was obvious—they wanted the money but had no intention of caring for Li Junsheng. But since the money wasn’t in their hands yet, Li Guojun forced a smile and said ingratiatingly, "Dad, why would you say something like that? You still have me, don’t you? You’ve always been good to me, so of course I’ll take care of you in your old age. Even without a job, you can just lie at home and let me and Xiuhua wait on you!"

Li Junsheng merely smiled in response, not bothering to expose his son’s lies. His son’s promise to care for him was only valid as long as he remained useful—if there was something to gain, he would show some kindness. But once the money was handed over and he was left with nothing, abandonment would soon follow. Having lived through it once, Li Junsheng understood deeply that his eldest son was a lost cause. He had to find a way to secure more money for himself.

While Li Junsheng was thinking this, Li Guojun exchanged a covert look with Wang Xiuhua. They’d said all the right things—why hadn’t the old man given them the money yet? His expression didn’t lighten, perhaps they hadn’t said enough? With that, Li Guojun put on a fawning smile, almost identical to Ma Yulian’s. He was quick to flatter, “Dad, you really think about everything. Your granddaughter just needs this money to become successful. When she does and brings home a wealthy husband, you’ll be living the good life—smoking the finest cigarettes, having two maids waiting on you hand and foot, just like a lord. How wonderful would that be?”

Li Guojun thought his father was like Ma Yulian, only loving to hear sweet words. In the past, such words would have delighted Li Junsheng to no end, making him believe his children and grandchildren were devoted to him. But now, knowing his eldest son’s true nature, Li Junsheng recognized empty flattery for what it was. In his previous life, after transferring the job to Chen Zhiyuan, all he’d received from his eldest son were harsh, cutting remarks, as if wishing him dead.

Recalling his past life, Li Junsheng’s expression turned even colder. “Enough, there’s no need for all that. I got twelve hundred from Chen Dazhu, gave two hundred to your second brother, spent another two hundred on gifts, and now there’s eight hundred left. Let’s hold a family meeting—we’ll divide it among you siblings.”

“I treat all my children equally now.”

As the saying goes, “A man with a treasure is guilty.” If he didn’t use up this money from the job sale, the household would never be at peace. The eight hundred would neither go to Ma Yulian nor be handed entirely to the eldest son. The second son, Guohua, was still renting a place to live. The third, now married, was struggling at her in-laws and needed support. The fourth was at the age to start considering marriage—she’d need a dowry. Li Junsheng also wanted to use this opportunity to split the family, making his eldest son’s family independent so he could live his own life and keep his earnings.

With money in his hands, he’d have a say in his old age.

Hearing that the money would be divided among the siblings, Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua were immediately dissatisfied. Only eight hundred left, and it had to be split—how much would they get? Li Guojun quickly pressed, “Dad, what are you saying? You already gave the second brother two hundred. Is there any need to split the rest? The third is married—she’s part of another family now. The fourth will likely be married soon too. Why give them money? Why not just give it all to me? I can improve our meals and buy you more meat to eat!”

“All to you? You’ve got some nerve.” Li Junsheng retorted, not bothering to answer further. He left Li Guojun’s greedy questioning behind and walked out.

Outside, Ma Yulian had been pacing anxiously, eager to know what Li Junsheng was up to. To her surprise, he emerged unscathed, and the eldest and his wife didn’t seem angry with him at all—quite out of character for her eldest son. Not only was he not angry, but when Li Junsheng went to wash up, Li Guojun even rushed ahead to fetch water, holding the basin in his hands and fawningly helping him wash.

Seeing this, Li Junsheng’s eyes held a trace of mockery as he washed his face with the water his son had brought.

Afterwards, Li Guojun promptly handed him a towel. Ma Yulian was dumbfounded. Since when had her son been so attentive to Li Junsheng—more so than to her? Both men ignored her completely after coming out, which left her indignant. She wanted to stir up trouble—was that it? Was this matter really settled so easily?

Just then, Wang Xiuhua came out. Spotting her, Ma Yulian’s eyes lit up. She hurried over, ingratiating herself as she tried to glean information. “Xiuhua, what did your father and you talk about in there? Isn’t Guojun angry at your father anymore? Your father sold the job without telling you, took the money, and is still keeping secrets from you!”

Wang Xiuhua had no fondness for her mother-in-law, still remembering well how she’d been treated the day before. Besides, it was Ma Yulian who’d repeatedly said to give the job to Chen Dazhu and his son for free—it was the old man who had chosen to sell it! At first, she’d thought him unreasonable, but on reflection, it was a good thing he was shrewd enough to get over a thousand yuan—otherwise, the job would be gone for nothing. Compared to her, her mother-in-law was truly lacking in sense. She and Li Guojun didn’t need a mother who always sided with outsiders.

“Dad’s going to hold a family meeting. There’ll probably be talk of splitting money and dividing the household. The job’s already been sold—what’s the point in Guojun being angry? Or is it you, mother-in-law, who wants to see them fight to the bitter end?”

Ma Yulian didn’t even register the latter part of her daughter-in-law’s question. She stood there, momentarily suspecting she’d misheard. “What did you say? Say it again—Li Junsheng is going to split up that thousand yuan?”

Her face was filled with disbelief, and inside, she was starting to panic. The money couldn’t be divided up—how else would she give it to Chen Dazhu? She’d already promised him she’d get the money back. If she failed, he’d surely be disappointed in her. What on earth was Li Junsheng thinking, pulling a stunt like this?