Chapter 5: Is Blood-Stained Money Hot to the Touch?

A human life traded for a little over three thousand yuan, and now being eyed greedily by a pack of ingrates—if the old man knew about this from the grave, he’d probably be unable to keep his coffin lid down, right?

At dinner, Li Xiangqin looked at her sons and daughters-in-law sitting around the table, her disgust undisguised.

She had assumed that after being scolded and beaten by her, these people would have tucked their tails and vanished. She hadn't expected that as soon as it was time to eat, they would all come back with their heads hanging low.

Sure enough, aside from having thick skin, the allure of money was simply too great.

Dinner was a basin of stewed cabbage and tofu, and a basket of steamed buns made from a mix of flours.

Li Xiangqin broke off half a bun, glanced at the few people sitting there with lowered eyes, and snorted.

"When it comes to thick skin, none of you can be topped. What’s the matter? Addicted to being waited on? You all want to be young masters and mistresses who have everything handed to them? Nowhere to be found when it’s time to cook, but faster than anyone when it’s time to eat."

The group fell silent, all bowing their heads in unison.

They’d been scolded repeatedly; what was wrong with going out for a breath of fresh air?

The eldest son adjusted his glasses and offered a fawning smile. "Mom, let’s not get angry while we’re eating. It’s bad for digestion."

"Grandma, I want to eat an egg."

Before she could retort, her eldest grandson tugged on her sleeve, looking at her with wide, expectant eyes.

Li Xiangqin looked down at the chubby grandson she had raised, her expression complex.

The eldest couple had managed to have a son and a daughter before the policy tightened. The eldest grandson, Zhang Leizi, was six, and the granddaughter, Zhang Xiaxia, was five. The daughter-in-law had planned it well; the two children didn't clash in their zodiac signs.

To help with the postpartum care and look after her grandson, Li Xiangqin had taken long-term sick leave from the factory.

The eldest daughter-in-law was a quality inspector at a pickle factory with an easy job; she returned to work as soon as her maternity leave ended, dumping both children directly on her.

Taking care of children wasn't just about washing and cleaning; it meant buying groceries, cooking, and doing housework. She was busy from dawn till dusk, more exhausted than if she were working a job.

Worried that her grandson wouldn't get enough nutrition, she hadn't just supplemented his diet with malted milk powder, but also gave him a steamed egg every single day—a routine she hadn't broken in years.

Yet, this very grandson she had painstakingly raised now found her "old person smell" repulsive and wouldn't even let her enter his room.

"If you want an egg, go home and have your mother cook it for you. I don't have any here."

Zhang Leizi was shocked. He gripped his grandmother's sleeve in disbelief, forgetting even to cry.

Zhang Yanli glanced at her mother-in-law and slapped her son’s arm. "You’re a child, why are you being so unreasonable? Just eat your dinner."

Well, that move by Zhang Yanli was like poking a hornet's nest. Zhang Leizi let out a wail and threw his chopsticks down.

"Waaah... I want an egg, I want an egg..."

Li Xiangqin watched her grandson throwing a tantrum. In the past, she would have gone to prepare one without a second word. But now, looking at him, she felt not a single ripple of emotion.

Zhang Jianguo swallowed a piece of tofu, set down his chopsticks, and adjusted his glasses.

"Leizi, stop making a scene and eat. We’re busy today. Tomorrow, have your aunt cook one for you."

"No, I want it now! Waaah!"

"Shut up. If you aren't hungry, get out."

Li Xiangqin slammed her chopsticks down and looked at the eldest couple.

"Keep your child in check. Can't even have a meal in peace."

The children were startled by the old woman. Zhang Yanli came to her senses, shot an unhappy look at Zhang Jianguo, gripped her son’s arm, took a deep breath, and offered a sheepish smile.

"Mom, he’s just a child."

"Xiaxia is younger than him, and she’s eating quietly. Is he the only one who’s so precious?" Li Xiangqin looked the daughter-in-law in the face, not holding back at all.

Zhang Yanli lowered her head and kicked Zhang Jianguo hard under the table. How could a little girl compare to a son?

"Mom, it’s one thing to take your anger out on us because you’re sad, but why take it out on the child?"

Zhang Jianguo, kicked by his wife, felt his own irritation rising. He pushed up his glasses, his face dropping as well.

Li Xiangqin watched the silent exchange between the eldest couple, then slammed her bun onto the table.

"What, you’re holding a grudge against me now? Am I taking my anger out on you, or are you just heartless? How your father died—are you blind or just forgetful? Have you forgotten already?

Even after he’s dead, it’s not enough to earn a shred of guilt from you. I feel it wasn't worth it for the old man. He had his own job, and his salary was higher than any of yours. Why did he have to go do manual labor? Did he not know that resting was more comfortable?

Every single one of you, when you’re living the high life, you never think of us two old folks. But when you need money, you’re faster than anyone. Our meager wages, patching up this hole and that hole—your father’s spine was bent under the pressure.

Now that he’s even lost his life, who among you is sad? The old man died in vain. He never enjoyed a single day of comfort, and he gave his life to raise a pack of ingrates. I really don't know what we were thinking, raising the lot of you."

Damn it all, if they didn't want to let her eat a peaceful meal, then nobody would eat.

Zhang Leizi looked at his grandmother’s angry expression, shrank his neck in fear, and stopped crying.

Li Xiangqin glared at them, her eyes turning red at the mention of her exhausted husband, looking ready to jump up and start a fight at any moment.

"I know you’re all eyeing the old man’s compensation money, thinking that since you’re his sons, you should all have a share. But that is blood money. It’s money your father traded his life for. Can you really spend it with a clear conscience?

I’ll say this ugly truth now: I won't be splitting the compensation. You’d better kill that thought right now."

These little brats were blinded by greed, their hearts covered in lard, but some things had to be laid out on the table.

There were benefits to being old; if she wanted to reason, she could, and if she didn't, she could throw a tantrum and curse in the street, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Sure enough, being told off to their faces, the group exchanged glances, looking sheepish.

They did indeed want to split their father’s compensation, but they needed their mother’s consent and willingness. Otherwise, if word got out, they wouldn't have the face to show themselves in public.

Li Xiangqin watched them shrinking their necks, their eyes darting around with lingering greed, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

"Since I’ve said this much, I might as well lay it all out. The three of you are already settled, especially the eldest and second, who are fathers yourselves. But the fourth hasn't settled down yet, and the fifth and sixth are still in school. There are plenty of places where money is needed.

Now that your father is dead, besides this bit of compensation, there’s only my pitiful salary left. These past few years, to look after the eldest’s children, I’ve taken sick leave on and off, missing several technical competitions.

The old sisters who joined the factory with me have all been promoted. Only I am still standing in the same place. With only one year left until retirement, I plan to work hard and try to improve my benefits before I retire.

I can still work now, and with the compensation your father left, I don't need help from you brothers for the time being. But when I’m older and can no longer manage, you brothers better not stand by and watch."