Chapter 3: Everyone is Eyeing the Compensation Money

"When you were sent down to the countryside, you lot were lazy, shirked your duties, and went around stealing chickens and dogs. The locals were so furious they chased you for three miles with clubs. If your father and I hadn't stepped in to pay them off, you’d have been eating a bullet with your scoundrel friends long ago.

After returning to the city, you’ve done nothing but sponge off your parents and wait to die. You want to take advantage of every single thing—why don't you just fly up to heaven while you're at it?"

Li Xiangqin unleashed a torrent of abuse, showing no mercy. Zhang Jianmin was left red-faced and thick-necked by his mother’s scolding, and before he could even offer a rebuttal, his wife had grabbed him by the ear.

"Oh, that’s rich, Zhang Jianmin. Tell me the truth: how many little girls did you mess around with while you were down in the countryside?"

Wang Yulan twisted his ear, stomping her feet in anger.

"And you lied to me, saying you went down to the countryside to 'embrace nature.' Turns out you were busy embracing girls instead."

"Ow, ow, ow! Wife, listen to me, let me explain!" Zhang Jianmin tilted his head, offering a fawning smile.

"What else is there to argue about? How was I so blind to fall for a bum like you? I even begged my father to arrange a job for you. You spend three hundred days a year mooching off my parents, yet you haven't contributed a single thing from your own family."

The more Wang Yulan spoke, the angrier she became. She gave a sharp tug, causing Zhang Jianmin to let out a howl.

"Mom, are you really going to sabotage me like this?"

"Don't flatter yourself; you don't have the qualifications for that."

Li Xiangqin shot him a look of disgust before turning her gaze directly to Wang Yulan.

"I don't care how you two got together, but don't think your family is getting the short end of the stick regarding the second son's job. Your father may have arranged for him to be a temporary worker at the repair shop, but I was the one who paid for the social favors—three hundred yuan for the spot, plus two bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes.

I don't care whose pocket that money ended up in, but don't take advantage of us and then act like the victim; it’s sickening.

Ever since the second son married you, he’s become a live-in son-in-law, constantly hovering around your parents. Your folks basically gained a son, while I’ve had him pass by my door three times without ever stepping inside.

When I need help, no one is around, but when there’s a benefit to be had, you’re all faster than the next. What? Is that just because you’re thick-skinned?"

Wang Yulan choked on her words, her face darkening. Unable to refute, she finally snorted, threw out a parting remark, and turned to leave.

"I don't care about your family's messy business."

"Hey, wife?" Zhang Jianmin wanted to chase after her, but he was reluctant. "Mom, what exactly are you trying to do? Someone has to take over Dad's job, right?"

"Look at you all, so selfish and self-centered. You only think of yourselves; you don't have a shred of brotherly spirit. I’m embarrassed for you."

Li Xiangqin scolded them, then looked at her fourth daughter in the corner.

"Jianhong is nineteen this year. If her job isn't settled, it’s easy for things to go wrong. Even though they say the labor in the countryside is over, what if there’s a new policy? You never know. I’ve made my decision: the fourth daughter will take over your father’s job."

The group fell silent, turning their heads to look at the fourth daughter in the corner, staring at their mother in shock.

The fourth daughter, in particular, had her eyes wide with disbelief. If it weren't for her eye sockets, they might have popped right out.

"Mom, you’re not joking, are you?"

"Exactly! The fourth and fifth will get married sooner or later; how can you give Dad's job to her?"

"Mom, you’ve lost your mind! Giving it to the fourth is just handing a bargain to an outsider."

The third son suddenly rushed in and roared.

"What’s the matter? You lot can take all the benefits, but the fourth can't? You’re all children of the Zhang family. The fourth is obedient, sensible, and hardworking. Your father’s job is what she deserves."

Li Xiangqin glanced at the third son who had barged in—a bunch of ungrateful wolves.

"You’re never satisfied, only thinking of yourselves and ignoring everyone else. I’ll say it here and now: the old man’s job goes to the fourth, and no one else is to covet it. Otherwise, don't blame me for being heartless."

"Mom, the fourth is a woman, and she’s a pushover. The job at the machinery factory isn't suitable for her," the third son persisted, unwilling to give up.

"There are plenty of female workers at the machinery factory, and plenty of suitable positions. Once she has the job, the fourth will be secure."

Originally, the fourth daughter’s age met the requirements for a replacement, making her the most suitable to take over the old man’s job. In her past life, she had been blinded by greed and had failed her daughter for a lifetime.

She had thought that since the second son had a factory director for a father-in-law to help him, and the third son’s wife didn't even have a job—and the soap factory wasn't as good as the machinery factory—life would be hard for them. So, she had made the final decision to let the third son take the spot.

Because of that decision, not only did the second son and his wife come to hate her, but it also led to her daughter’s lifelong tragedy.

Because the fourth daughter had no job, she would go out to look for work with a few close friends after finishing her chores.

Somehow, she ended up in the rural outskirts and was cornered by a few hoodlums, nearly meeting a terrible fate.

The person who saved her was Liu Xiangdang, the son of the village accountant. The fourth daughter didn't dare tell anyone when she returned, so she would often sneak off to the Liu family to do chores to repay the debt of gratitude.

Liu Xiangdang’s mother noticed this and began to scheme, creating opportunities intentionally or unintentionally. Combined with the halo of being a savior, the fourth daughter soon fell for him.

She had originally opposed the fourth daughter marrying down, but the girl had lost her virtue after being tricked... Only after marriage did she realize that her son-in-law was a man of foolish filial piety.

In just two years, her daughter was bullied by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law until she was gaunt and sallow. Between not getting enough to eat and the heavy physical labor, she suffered a difficult labor and died at the town health center—two lives lost.

By the time she arrived, she only saw her skeletal daughter with a protruding belly, looking utterly miserable.

Although she had taken her sons and nephews to cause a scene at the in-laws' house, she couldn't bring her daughter back. That remained her greatest regret.

Li Xiangqin took a deep breath and beckoned to the fourth daughter in the corner.

"Fourth, come here. Don't listen to these two scoundrels. There are plenty of suitable positions at the machinery factory. The day after tomorrow, Mom will take you to start your job."

"Mom... I..."

Zhang Jianhong looked at the hand held by her mother, feeling a sting in her heart. Her mother’s hands were very rough, but they were also very warm.

Ever since she could remember, her mother only had eyes for the eldest and the other sons, and later, she was entirely focused on the sixth son. Even the fifth daughter received more attention than she did.

With so many children in the house, her parents were exhausted, busy running around all day, constantly complaining and grumbling, but their hands never stopped working.

She understood her mother, so she had always silently helped with the chores, and over time, she had just gotten used to it.

She thought she would never receive her mother’s attention in this life, but she never expected her mother to be thinking of her, worrying about her future. So, this is what it feels like to be cared for by one's mother—it’s so warm!

"Fourth, don't blame Mom. There are many children in the family, and you’re so sensible that it was inevitable you’d be overlooked. But when it comes to the job, Mom isn't messing around. I said it’s yours, so it’s yours."

Zhang Jianhong covered her mouth, her eyes reddening, and she nodded solemnly.

In truth, she had been very afraid lately. The neighborhood committee had been putting up slogans, preaching that everyone must obey the Party’s command and contribute to the Four Modernizations.

Everyone guessed that a new policy would be coming soon.

"Ahem... Mom, we have no objections to the fourth taking the job, but how do you plan to distribute Dad’s pension?"

Zhao Jianguo coughed, pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and spoke in a gentle tone.

As soon as the others heard the word "pension," their eyes lit up instantly!