Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Helping with a Task_1
Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Helping with a Task_1
“Father-in-law, you have misunderstood. Brother Erhu couldn’t be more filial, he’d love for you to visit us more often. He’d be eager to offer you whatever good he has, so how could he ever be unwelcoming to you? It’s just that he is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and is not good with words, which might have given you the wrong impression.” Lin Yue could not let the father and son continue this deadlock, so she forced a smile and spoke with the intent to ease the tension between them.
Zhao Erhu did not want to make it difficult for his young wife, so he followed Lin Yue’s lead, “Yes, Father, I naturally welcome your visits. It’s just that you usually don’t come by when there’s nothing going on, which is why I asked. Besides, don’t I always send the holiday gifts to the old house during festivals? I haven’t shorted you a single tael of your retirement silver either, I’ve sent it over every year. What then, Father, is this accusation for? I genuinely can’t figure out where I’ve done something that would cause people to point fingers at my backbone. I hope you can tell me.” Having done everything expected of him, Zhao Erhu could not let an undeserved reputation for filial disrespect fall upon him.
Zhao Jingen was somewhat at a loss for words being directly questioned by Zhao Erhu. While he indeed had come to see his second son for a reason, having it pointed out directly made him feel as if he was losing face, and he couldn’t easily step down from his position, looking at Zhao Erhu with visible irritation.
“Why are you being so serious about this? I’m your father, what’s wrong with scolding you a few times? Are you saying I can’t even speak to you now? Can’t I just come to see my son and grandson without a reason? You’re so reluctant. I know you’re still holding a grudge about us splitting you off from the family back then. We had no choice; after all, we couldn’t let you drag the whole family down. Your younger brothers all have bright futures ahead. What if your bad luck affected their destinies?” The more Zhao Jingen spoke, the more he felt he was in the right.
These words struck to the very heart. To belittle him in favor of his “better” sons was not something Zhao Erhu was hearing for the first time, but it still hurt, especially since the one uttering them was his own father. How could he fail to see that the Wei Family’s sons, who were arrogant, lazy, and only knew how to enjoy themselves, had any real capability? The corner of Erhu’s mouth curled into a sarcastic smile.
“I bear no grudges. It was only natural for you to do what you did; I can’t blame anyone for my own bad fortune. Besides, I’m curious to see what kind of bright futures my dear brothers will have someday.”
Zhao Jingen, not caring whether Zhao Erhu’s words were sincere or sarcastic, responded in kind, “That’s good to hear. I know you and your brothers from the third mother don’t get along well, but no matter what, they’re your blood brothers, and they carry the same Zhao Family blood as you. You shouldn’t be so cold to them. It’s best if you interact more frequently and support each other. When they succeed, they will surely share their good fortune with you.”
As if there were no ulterior motive. From these words, the tail-end of his intentions was showing clearly. Zhao Erhu had no illusions about what his father was plotting, which was surely to secure benefits for his other sons. However, this time his father was trying to coerce him while also dangling a carrot in front—in vain, since no one is a fool. Even if the Wei Family’s sons could make something of themselves, what good would that do him? They would likely become even more arrogant and disregard him further.
“I never expected advantages from them in the past, and I certainly won’t be expecting any in the future. It’s best just to live in peace.”
“What are you talking about? A tree does not make a forest. It makes no sense for brothers not to support each other. There’s a constable position open in the Xin’an City Government Office. Your third brother knows some influential friends that could secure the position. It’s just that we need twenty taels of silver to grease some palms on his behalf, and you, being the older brother, should definitely pitch in to help.”