Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
I rushed in, and the scene before me made my blood boil: Cheng Cheng was pinned down by Haohao from Sister-in-law's family and Brother-in-law's son. One was pressing his head down into the muddy ground while the other was riding on his back, swinging his fists wildly.
These two kids were only a year younger than my son, but due to their over-nutrition, they were stronger than him. Looking over at the three women in the house, they were sitting to the side, cracking sunflower seeds and sipping tea.
My Mother-in-law was cheering on the two boys, "Hit him hard! I'll give you chicken legs for lunch today!" Sister-in-law glanced over and said, "Haohao, stuff dirt in his mouth! Don't let him scream anymore!" Haohao from Sister-in-law's family grabbed a handful of muddy snow and smeared it across my son's face.
I dashed forward, grabbing both little brats by their arms and tossing them aside. When my son saw me return, he immediately stopped crying, "Grandma, Auntie, and Aunt are encouraging them to bully me together!"
Father-in-law casually locked the front door and exchanged glances with A Load to Carry and Brother-in-law. The two of them instantly changed their expressions and charged toward me. I scooped up my son and quickly retreated into the kitchen, grabbing a rolling pin that was as thick as a child's arm.
Brother-in-law followed closely behind, his big foot landing on my back. But before he could pull away, I swung the rolling pin hard against his ankle.
"Oh my god, my ankle!" Brother-in-law cried out as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his leg.
Seeing me emerge with bloodshot eyes, A Load to Carry hesitated, "Brother-in-law, what are you doing?" Father-in-law looked at Brother-in-law in shock; seeing that I was serious made him lose his nerve: "What... what do you want to do?"
I pulled my son out with me. "We're leaving!" I turned back to everyone and warned, "I advise you all not to provoke me again!" This time, Director Jin remained undisturbed.
Back at our own home, my son said pitifully, "Dad, can we go back to the city? I don't want to stay here anymore."
"Don't be afraid, son. With Dad around, you'll never be wronged again! We're not leaving just yet; there are still some things I need to take back!"
Then my wife’s cousin and her husband arrived, bringing homemade snacks for my son. Their attitude had done a complete 180: "Brother-in-law, can we still plant on those five acres of land in the future?" This was also one of the issues I needed to resolve.
There are three of us in our family, each responsible for a plot of land measuring one mu and seven fen. However, ever since my wife passed away, my father-in-law took it upon himself to transfer the land lease to my wife's cousin. I have no idea how much he is charging; all I know is that I haven't seen a single cent from it.
This time, I am determined to put an end to this situation.
"I'll let you farm it, but what about the rent?"
"Don't worry, brother-in-law. My uncle used to charge us 800 for one mu. How about we stick to the old price? I'll pay you the rent, but... but..."
"But what?" I asked.
"But you need to sign a transfer agreement with me so that my uncle won't demand a second payment from me."
"That's not a problem; I'll have the Village Chief Uncle mediate!"
In the past, even if I had the courage, I wouldn't have dared to say a word against my father-in-law. But now that it's mine, no one can take it away.
After the fifth day of the lunar month, the Village Chief Uncle announced over the loudspeaker for all household heads to gather at the village office for a meeting.
The meeting room was packed when I arrived. Upon seeing me, my father-in-law shot me a sideways glance and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm the head of my household; why shouldn't I be here?"
Seeing me act differently than usual, many people exchanged surprised glances below.
"You, a 'door-in' son-in-law, don't understand anything. This meeting is about land issues; I'll handle it."
"No need to trouble yourself; I'll take care of my own matters!" I firmly refused.
The Village Chief Uncle waved at me and said, "Xiao Cheng, come sit down. Aren't you going to transfer the land to your cousin? You'll need to sign the transfer contract later!"
I ignored my father-in-law, whose eyes were bulging in disbelief.
When my name was called, I gestured for my wife’s cousin to come up with me. He looked smugly at my father-in-law as he followed me.
"This isn't right! I've been managing this land for over five years; why should you get to sign?" My father-in-law stood up and shouted.
"You managed it? Have you given me a single cent in those five years?" I retorted without hesitation.
"What? You haven't given him anything!"
"Isn't this clearly taking advantage of your son-in-law?"
"You're not human!"
...
Amidst the murmurs and chatter of the crowd, my wife’s cousin and I each signed the contract, while the Village Chief represented the Village Committee with his signature and seal. In front of everyone, my wife’s cousin handed a stack of cash to the Village Chief Uncle, saying, “Here’s five years’ rent. Please count it for my brother-in-law!”
I caught a glimpse of fury in my father-in-law's eyes. I had no intention of returning to this home in the future.
Taking advantage of the fact that all the heads of households were present, I took the microphone from the Village Chief Uncle. “Dear uncles, brothers, and younger siblings, my wife will be leaving for five years. Starting this year, I plan to take her ashes to the Provincial Capital. Let me put it this way: we won’t be coming back to this home. This yard and house will just sit empty; if anyone wants it, we can negotiate a price!”
Over the years, the price of homesteads had risen sharply. A small yard of three acres could sell for thirty thousand yuan. My yard was at least an acre, with three main rooms on the ground; it should be worth at least one hundred thirty to one hundred forty thousand.
“I can help take care of it if you’re not coming back. Why sell it?” My father-in-law could no longer hold back.
You sold it to me for eighty thousand yuan without me seeing a single cent; asking you to look after it is like giving a meat bun to a dog—there’s no return!
Many families in the village needed homesteads. Uncle Xu’s son was getting married and was worried about where to build a new house. He immediately raised his hand and said, “Xiao Cheng, you’re a good kid. Name your price; I won’t haggle. I’ll take this place!”
“No way!” My father-in-law shot up from his seat. “I have a grandson who needs a homestead too! We’re family; how can we let outsiders have it?”
“Uncle, how much are you willing to offer?” My wife’s cousin deliberately flaunted the land transfer contract, as if afraid I would hesitate to discuss money, stepping in to shield me.
“We… we’re family; let’s discuss the price privately,” my father-in-law replied curtly.
“Are you planning to get it for free?”
“This old man doesn’t care about relationships at all!”
The discussions rose and fell, forcing my father-in-law to grit his teeth and declare, “I’ll offer fifty thousand!”
A collective gasp erupted; that was practically a bargain.
“I’ll offer sixty thousand!” Uncle Xu raised his hand to bid.
“I’ll offer sixty-five thousand!”
“I’ll offer seventy thousand!”
More and more voices joined in bidding.
My father-in-law glared at me with a dark expression.
Comment 0 Comment Count