Chapter 31 The Dispute Over the Old House

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"I understand Weimin's idea: borrow money to build a new house, then sell the old house to fill the gap left by the loan." This is basically routine in the countryside; when money is scarce, it's actually the best way to go about things.

"But the mother-in-law doesn't see it that way. She wants Weimin to give the old house to Weiguo for free. Never mind that they're both sons—if a mother favors her younger son, that's one thing, but even if the family hadn't split, where would you find a brother giving his house away to his sibling for nothing?

Of course, if Weiguo were truly struggling financially, that would be a different matter—blood is thicker than water, and Weimin should take the loss if need be. That's why, Second Granduncle, I hope you'll step in and look into this.

Our Yuhua has always had a fiery temper, but if the mother-in-law really is in difficulty and makes it clear, then if Yuhua doesn't help them, I wouldn't agree either."

Grandpa Qi spoke in a steady tone, gentle from start to finish, as if he wasn't angry at all, merely voicing his doubts. But in truth, these doubts laid bare all the issues.

The family has already split, yet Granny Xie still wants to use her elder son's house to benefit the younger—this is simply too much, not something any normal family would do.

Second Granduncle, being a sensible man, understood the implication in Grandpa Qi's words: "Don't worry, Mr. Qi. I'll ask about this soon. If Madam Gan keeps making trouble, I'm still here—Weimin's family won't be taken advantage of."

He sighed deeply, cursing under his breath that the Xie Yunjian family was always causing problems. Everyone in Xie Zhang Village knew Yuhua was fiery but kind-hearted, always eager to help those in need. Now that Weimin's family was prospering, it was obvious she brought good luck to her husband, yet Madam Gan kept stirring up trouble.

It's one thing to make a fuss, but to scheme to give the elder son's property to the younger is a disgrace to the Xie family.

Second Granduncle was determined not to let this happen. So, after seeing Grandpa Qi off, he went—supported by his own son—to Xie Grandfather's house.

"Is Yunjian here?" Second Granduncle called as he entered.

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Xie Grandfather saw Second Granduncle come in and quickly went out to greet him: "Second Uncle, what brings you here? If you needed anything, you could have told Paijiang to fetch me." Xie Paijiang was Second Granduncle's son and the current patriarch of the Xie clan in Xie Zhang Village.

After sitting down, Second Granduncle took out his pipe, and Xie Grandfather helped light it. After a puff, Second Granduncle spoke. "Yunjian, you've been a grandfather for years now. How is it that your household is still in such chaos?"

Xie Grandfather looked puzzled. "Second Uncle, what do you mean by that?"

Second Granduncle took a long drag on his pipe. "A few days ago, your wife went to Weimin's house and demanded Weimin give his house to Weiguo for free. That happened, didn't it?"

Xie Grandfather coughed. Of course it did—he was there at the time. "Second Granduncle, that was just my wife speaking off the cuff."

"Off the cuff? You call that off the cuff?" Second Granduncle scoffed, clearly disappointed. "You're a grandfather now, how can you not know what's right? Weimin and Weiguo are both good kids. If you treat them equally, you'll be happy in your old age. But if you let your wife stir up trouble, driving a wedge between the brothers, you'll be the one to suffer when you're old."

He sighed. "Our Xie family isn't a grand noble house, but we do have some standing. Otherwise, Xie Zhang Village wouldn't be what it is today. But no matter how big we are, can we compare with the Qi family?"

Xie Grandfather took out his pipe, filled it with tobacco, lit it, and took a puff. "Second Granduncle, my wife didn't mean anything by it. She just wanted to help Weiguo."

"Listen to yourself—do you really think that's right? Helping Weiguo? Weiguo is a retired soldier with his pension and a good job, earning a salary every month. If he's in difficulty, what about the He Tou Ah San family? Favoritism is favoritism—don't make excuses. You must realize that Qi Shaojie didn't react harshly simply because we're relatives."

Qi Shaojie was Grandpa Qi's courtesy name; his full name was Zhengchen. The older generation usually referred to each other by their courtesy names, so that's why Second Granduncle addressed Grandpa Qi as Shaojie.

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Xie Grandfather, recalling the Qi family's history, fell silent for a moment. "Second Granduncle, I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I'll stop Madam Gan from causing trouble at Weimin's house. If Weiguo really wants Weimin's house, he'll buy it the proper way."

Second Granduncle was satisfied. "Yunjian, I'm glad you've thought it through. That's exactly how this should be handled. Well, that's all—I'll be going now."

Supported by Xie Paijiang, Second Granduncle left Xie Grandfather's house.

After seeing Second Granduncle off, Xie Grandfather returned inside, took a few puffs on his pipe, and understood: if the elder son's house were bought, they could get along; if it were seized, absolutely not. Especially since Second Granduncle had warned him. Any more missteps, and their family would be unable to remain in Xie Zhang Village.

What Xie Grandfather decided, Xie Yihuang didn't know. All she knew was that, when news reached her, it was Xie Weiguo approaching her father to buy the house, signing an agreement. Once her father's new house was finished, the old house would be sold to Xie Weiguo for two thousand eight hundred.

When Xie Yihuang learned this, Grandpa Qi naturally did as well. He asked her, "Ah Yi, what did you learn from this?"

"Using strength against strength," Xie Yihuang answered directly. "If it were just my mother's temperament, she'd at most argue with grandma, but that wouldn't solve anything. My father, out of filial duty, wouldn't agree to give the house to Second Uncle, but relations with the old house would never be good again. My father isn't leaving the Xie family, so he'd always be seeing them. If things got too awkward, people might even say he's heartless."

She poured herself a glass of cold water, gulped it down, and continued, "Grandpa stepped in and contacted Second Granduncle, who's the Xie family's ancestor and former patriarch. The current patriarch is Granduncle Xie Paijiang, so their family can pressure mine just by blood. Having them step in is the best solution."

Xie Yihuang's face showed a hint of excitement. "With them handling things, even if my grandfather isn't happy, he'll reflect on it. Once he understands, he'll make sure grandma doesn't cause trouble again."