CHAPTER 576: CHAPTER 578 BROTHERS

"No borrowing, I’d be foolish to borrow," Ji Shuqin was terrified of borrowing after that day he was cornered in the alley. He truly thought he was done for. Those days when the money wasn’t forthcoming, he couldn’t sleep at night, and he couldn’t eat during the day. The anxious dread was something he never wanted to experience again in his life.

"How about this, this weekend, you invite Nian’an and Nianhua over for a meal at our house," Ji Lin suggested. On one hand, he wanted to see his nephew and niece; on the other, he also wanted to evaluate if the business was solid.

"Okay," Ji Shuqin immediately agreed. Even if Ji Lin hadn’t mentioned it, he had intended to invite the siblings over for a meal.

"Right, what about Shuxue?" Ji Shuqin looked around and did not see Cai Shuxue.

The two brothers had different surnames; he was surnamed Ji, and his younger brother took their mother’s surname, Cai Jianhong, becoming Cai Shuxue.

Cai Shuxue wasn’t one for studying; from a young age, he worked alongside Ji Lin and was now working in the paper mill.

"He might be working overtime at the factory," Ji Lin answered uncertainly, sighing. "Shuxue is already twenty-two and still hasn’t found a wife."

If their previous factory hadn’t closed down, there would have been plenty of people eager to marry Shuxue, especially since back then, an engagement had already been arranged. But once their family encountered trouble, the engagement was called off.

However, since they began working at the paper mill, the number of people looking to make fun of them increased. Even the two-story house they had before was lost, and they moved to the dormitories. Just like that, the family became poor, and Cai Shuxue ended up not getting married.

Because of this, Cai Shuxue became even more reserved.

"Dad, Mom, I want Shuxue to work with me as well," Ji Shuqin said earnestly. He and his brother had always had a good relationship. When Ji Lin and Cai Jianhong had money, although Ji Lin was a bit strict and Cai Jianhong was somewhat stingy, they never treated their sons unfairly—most of the time, they were even-handed.

Because of the broken engagement, Cai Shuxue became downhearted, not at all like a twenty-two-year-old young man. Ji Shuqin hadn’t been able to help before, but now with this opportunity, he wanted to work with his brother.

Moreover, Cai Shuxue was meticulous and serious about his work, and while Ji Shuqin could sometimes be a bit careless, he knew if they worked together as brothers, they could definitely do even better.

"Are you really willing to work with Shuxue?" Ji Lin’s eyes lit up, and his gaze towards Ji Shuqin was filled with gratification.

Harmony among children is what every parent hopes to see most.

"Yes, I can’t do it alone. If Shuxue is willing to do it with me, we might not make a fortune, but we can certainly make some money," Ji Shuqin, who was already thirty years old, had two sensible and lovely daughters. Seeing his brother getting older day by day, how could he possibly find a wife without earning money?

"Good, very good. When Shuxue comes back, I’ll talk to him," Ji Lin said with a wide smile. Since the trouble at home, today seemed like the happiest day he had had. He added, "Jianhong, later pick up some drinks and buy some peanuts too."

"Two liang of liquor and half a jin of peanuts, right?" Cai Jianhong chuckled happily. The eldest son was earning money now and bringing the younger son into it as well; their family would have money again in the future. Let those who wanted to laugh at them see that their family hadn’t fallen.

Ever since the family’s troubles began, Cai Jianhong felt she had experienced the fickleness of human relationships. Those who were once close to her all changed their attitude towards her; she was bitterly frustrated. Now that there was finally hope to make money, she was delighted.

"Shuqin, ask Xiaoling to bring Jiajia and Yueyue over for dinner too. I’ll go buy some pork belly to make their favorite dish," Cai Jianhong said and happily went out to buy groceries.