Jiang Family’s Three Brothers together helped Father Jiang onto the bed and arranged for a nanny to carefully look after him before they left the room for the living room.
Father Jiang said calmly, "Since everyone is here today, let’s discuss Grandpa Jiang’s future arrangements."
No one expected Father Jiang to be the first to bring it up, as today’s intention was to clarify this matter. After a brief surprise, Third Uncle Jiang smiled and echoed, "Let’s listen to the eldest brother and discuss."
Apart from Boss Jiang’s family of four, everyone else’s eyes lit up, ready for the discussion.
Mrs. Jiang thought for a moment and played the stern role, "Everyone knows Grandpa Jiang’s condition; he inevitably needs care. Grandma’s condition fluctuates, and she can’t be left alone even for a moment."
Prior to this, Grandma often wandered off when unattended.
Everyone nodded, and Mrs. Jiang continued, "Although our family is the eldest, your elder brother is busy with work and frequently travels, so we can’t rely on him to handle household affairs. I’m also getting older and can’t manage both elderly on my own.
Moreover, you are also children of Grandpa Jiang and Grandma; there is no reason not to contribute. No one here is an outsider. I’ll speak frankly.
We should take turns caring for Grandpa Jiang and Grandma, with each family doing so for a month. Our family, being the eldest, can start."
When Mrs. Jiang finished speaking, Jiang Er’s and Jiang San’s families immediately looked to Boss Jiang, who appeared calm and untroubled, so they knew he agreed with his wife’s suggestion.
Second Aunt Jiang hesitated and expressed difficulty, "What my elder sister-in-law said is true, we are all children and should contribute. But you know our home situation; we have only three rooms in total, one of which is Ke Fei’s father’s study. If Grandma and Grandpa come to stay, I doubt it would aid Grandpa’s recovery."
Her implication was clear without further elaboration.
Father Jiang remained silent, Ke Chu stood by the window with a grim expression, gazing outside.
Feeling embarrassed, Jiang Kefei muttered, "Mom, I can sleep in the living room and let Grandpa have my room." Grandpa Jiang had always been kind to him, and Grandma would often sneakily give him treats. Now that they were discussing shoving the elderly out, Jiang Kefei felt somewhat uneasy.
Second Aunt Jiang wasn’t upset with her son’s interruption; instead, she smiled, "It’s good you respect your grandparents. If we take them in, they’ll suffer with us. If you’re free, why not visit your uncle’s house often and keep Grandpa and Grandma company out of filial piety."
Jiang Kefei considered his mother’s words reasonable - their house was not as spacious as his uncle’s - so he decided to remain silent.
Mrs. Jiang ambiguously grunted, then turned to an agitated Third Aunt Jiang, "Sister-in-law, taking Grandpa and Grandma to your house shouldn’t be a problem, right? Your place is a villa, even more spacious than here."
Third Aunt Jiang immediately complained, "Elder sister-in-law, our house is spacious, but as you know, Lingling’s father and I are so busy in business we barely have time to drink water. Taking Grandpa and Grandma and leaving them with just the nanny, how can anyone feel at ease?"
This meant that none of their families wanted to take care of Grandpa Jiang and Grandma, pushing it all onto their home, making whoever felt more compassion act. Sitting quietly aside, Jiang Xiaoxiao could no longer hold back and remarked sarcastically:
"Sitting here for so long, I wonder how much money Third Uncle and Third Aunt are losing. We really can’t afford it; Third Uncle and Third Aunt, you should hurry back to your business."
Though Mrs. Jiang felt her daughter’s words were cathartic, she still chided, "Xiaoxiao, how can you speak to Third Uncle and Third Aunt like that?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and turned her head away.
Meanwhile, Third Uncle Jiang and Third Aunt Jiang were somewhat embarrassed, but they could not argue with the younger generation and certainly could not leave, as Grandpa Jiang’s courtyard and savings had yet to be discussed.
Mrs. Jiang said in a mild tone, "Since neither of your households wishes to take care of Grandpa and Grandma, then everyone may leave. There’s nothing more to say."
Jiang Er’s and Jiang San’s families momentarily exchanged looks, unable to understand how the usually amiable elder sister-in-law had suddenly become so indifferent.
Second Uncle Jiang, familiar with the ways of bureaucracy, was framing his words to speak properly with his older brother when suddenly the door was pushed open, and Aunt Jiang appeared.
"What are you all discussing? How come no one informed me? I am also a daughter of Grandpa and Grandma." Jiang Lirong complained half-seriously as she entered.
She looked around but didn’t see Wan Chu’er, puzzled as Jiayi had just phoned saying Wan Chu’er would definitely come...
Jiang Xiaoxiao said angrily, "I was the one who called Aunt yesterday, telling her we were taking Grandpa home today. You chose not to come."
Jiang Lirong paused, then smiled, "There was a bit of a delay at the office this morning, but here I am. Did I arrive too late? Did I miss anything?" She looked towards Third Aunt Jiang.
Having a good relationship with Jiang Lirong, Third Aunt Jiang replied with a smile, "We’re discussing what to do with Grandpa and Grandma in the future. Your timing is fine; we’re just in the middle of discussing."
Jiang Lirong quickly responded, "Who in our family doesn’t know that my elder sister-in-law is the most meticulous and perfect for taking care of our parents?"
Second Aunt Jiang and Third Aunt Jiang immediately laughed and chorused, "Yes, our elder sister-in-law is the best in the world."
Upon hearing these words, a sneer appeared on Jiang Lirong’s lips, suppressing her eager heart.
Mrs. Jiang chuckled softly, but before she could say anything, the usually silent Father Jiang spoke up.
He referred to Second Uncle Jiang and Third Uncle Jiang with a dark face and asked directly, "Is that what you two also think, that your elder sister-in-law should slave away looking after our parents?"
Caught off-guard by Father Jiang’s sudden outburst, everyone was momentarily stunned. Second Uncle Jiang replied with an awkward smile, "Big brother, don’t make it sound so harsh. We’ve always respected our elder sister-in-law, never suggesting she slave away..."
Third Uncle Jiang also added, "Big brother, it’s just that it’s most convenient for your household to take care of Grandpa and Grandma. Rest assured, we’ll visit often to check on Grandma and Grandpa, and won’t be neglectful."
Father Jiang scoffed, "Your visits just make your elder sister-in-law more tired, better not to come at all!"
Though he knew his siblings’ true characters, seeing how they actually treated his wife was unbearable; no wonder his wife blew up that night.
Everyone was shocked by the elder brother’s anger, stunned for a moment, and as Jiang Lirong was about to say something, Father Jiang abruptly waved his hand and declared,
"Enough, since none of you want to take care of Grandpa and Grandma, then consider they have no such children. Leave now; there’s nothing more to say!"