CHAPTER 1349: CHAPTER 1349: LOSING FACE

Zhao Xue couldn’t help but feel a spark of anger inside.

Her brothers were all there, leaving her no face in front of them. How was she supposed to carry herself as a sister-in-law?

"You asked me to tidy up, I tidied up well, in that small room next door. Usually, you don’t care, but as soon as you come back, you’re yelling and hollering." She pointed at the utility room.

The old man shook his head. He hadn’t lived in his son’s house, so naturally, he didn’t know the situation in each child’s home. Being able to come here, sit for a while, and have a meal was probably a luxury for him.

He patted the hands of the second and third son.

"Alright, staying in that small room is fine too, help me over there. This journey really wore me out, I need to lie down for a while."

The old man had been fatigued for years, and his body was already failing. Moreover, he had an incurable disease, which made him easily tired. A morning of hustle really got to him.

Upon hearing the old man’s words, the second and third son immediately acted, each supporting the old man towards the small room.

The second son twisted the door open.

When Chen Qidong heard Zhao Xue mention the small room, his heart sank with a bad feeling, but before he could open his mouth to stop them, the door had already been opened.

"Oh my, Big Brother, is this the room you prepared for Dad? If your house can’t fit him, or isn’t convenient, you should’ve said so. The room is so small, without windows, dark and gloomy in this heat. Look at this room, as soon as you open it, a musty smell comes out.

Can the old man’s body live in such a room? No way, Dad, let’s go to my house. Rest assured, I’ll give you a separate room with a window, and good sunlight. He’s my real dad, of course, I’ll take good care of you. Don’t expect much from Big Brother here."

Second brother Chen Qinan couldn’t be happier seeing this, seizing the chance to pull up his good impression score.

If he could get the old man to stay in their house, then the money would be hopeful.

He had already spoken to his wife these past few days; she also said that as long as the old man felt the filial piety of the children and identified which son was most filial during his last moments, naturally the money would go to him.

The old man obviously only had three months left, and splitting the money wasn’t as strong as swallowing it all by oneself.

Not to mention, she wasn’t the only one with this plan. Wouldn’t the other brothers think the same?

The remaining third, fourth, and fifth brothers hurriedly squeezed inside upon hearing this.

On seeing the room, their faces immediately showed disdain.

Fifth brother even lifted the quilt on the bed.

Zhao Xue used old sheets, and these sheets weren’t anything nice, they were washed at home, already faded, with some fringes starting to fray.

She hadn’t folded the quilt, placed on top for looks, to cover a bit.

At least it could scrape by on the surface.

But now, with fifth brother suddenly uncovering it, it looked particularly unpleasant.

"Sister-in-law sure knows how to live life. It seems Big Brother’s family is truly struggling, I understand, your son just married, household expenses must be high. So speak up, isn’t Dad uncomfortable living here?

Dad, let’s go, if you don’t want to stay at second brother’s place, you can stay at mine. Our kids are still young, only about ten years old, he alone has his own room, you can rest assured, it’s a four rooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms setup, the house is ample for you.

We’ll make sure you’re comfortable and happy living there."

"Indeed, Big Brother, Dad can’t stay in this room. Dad’s not well, and you want him to stay here. If anything happened to the old man, what then?"

At this point, all the brothers wanted to show off and prove their existence.

Chen Qidong’s face turned pale and red alternately.

He slapped Zhao Xue in the face.

"He’s my Dad, why did you prepare such a shabby room? You’re to tidy up right now, or we’re getting divorced."

Simply enraged, he’d planned to make a good impression in front of the old man to keep the money, but now, this first meeting had turned awkward.

And with the brothers chattering over there, it was impossible for the old man to think well of him.

Zhao Xue felt guilty now, she had to obediently go to their son’s room to tidy up after taking the slap.

In front of the brothers, she couldn’t possibly quarrel with her man, especially when she was indeed wrong in this matter, had no leg to stand on.

Chen Qidong helped the old man to sit on the sofa, served tea, offered water, and even washed some fruits.

The strawberries Zhao Xue bought for their son moments ago, this season was precisely when strawberries were in full swing, the son particularly liked them.

A pound was quite expensive, she couldn’t bear to eat them herself, only occasionally buying a bit for her son and daughter-in-law to switch things up.

Now though, all washed by Chen Qidong, plated, arranged in front of the old man.

"Dad, sit here and sip some tea first. I’ll help that lazy woman get your room tidied up properly, she must have messed up earlier. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re comfortable, happy here.

That woman really has to be put in line every few days."

Righteously shifting all responsibility onto his wife, since he wasn’t home anyway, no reason to not use this excuse.

The old man nodded, "Don’t always lay hands on your wife, after all, she birthed children for you and takes care of the home. Talk things through properly, if it’s really impossible I’ll go stay at the second son’s, don’t truly make it hard for the both of you."

The old man had learned his smarts now, stopped talking about going to the small room himself, instead saying he’d go visit the second son’s.

Second brother was thrilled, wishing the old man would move to their place right away, to showcase a good impression.

If he could pull out that money from the savings, what were these few months?

The old man’s eating, drinking, and living wouldn’t cost much.

Chen Qidong was angry beyond words, but couldn’t show any displeasure on his face, smilingly said to the old man.

"Dad, don’t worry about it. What’s there between us? I’m the head of this house, you’re my real Dad living here, perfectly natural."

Turned around and went into the room to find his wife.

The old man sipped tea with a smile, snacked on fruits.

Yes, indeed, he had been the real father of this eldest son, yet back then the eldest son insisted he leave to find the second, third, fourth, and fifth brothers.

Whichever house he visited, they were always letting him find other brothers, after all, he hadn’t just birthed one, what was said did make sense.

Now, seeing this 100,000 yuan, finally each acknowledged it was their father.

The human heart indeed.