Watching as Feng Ju actually bypassed his own little sister and brother-in-law, handing the bankbooks directly to Lian En, Liu Shouren and Liu Shouyi’s eyes couldn’t help but hold a hint of disapproval.
Especially when they saw Lian En’s eyes light up with joy as he happily took those two bankbooks.
It’s rare for their little sister to find someone like Lianshan, who, after so many twists and turns, treats her wholeheartedly and regards Lian En as his own child.
They fervently hoped this family would live harmoniously and beautifully for a lifetime. How could they be pleased to see tensions rise between father and son, brothers over money?
Look at that silly brother-in-law, infatuatedly holding the red certificate with gold embossing, his face full of pride.
The brothers sighed in unison, feeling it necessary to take on the task of advising Feng Ju and mentoring Lian En.
Meanwhile, Lian En had already admired the two bankbooks with his name written on them enough.
Then he handed them over to Shuzhen, presenting them proudly: "Mom, look, this is the prize money I earned and the money from selling my paintings!"
Shuzhen was delighted, patting his head with gratification: "Lian En, you’re amazing, making a full fifty-three thousand at such a young age. Even without considering shares, your dad and I together didn’t earn as much as this ’Sunrise’ painting in a whole year. But with so much money, do you have any plan for it?"
"It’s the child’s own effort, so let the child keep it!
Though over fifty thousand isn’t a small amount, our Lian En has always been prudent." Seeing his wife frown, seemingly a bit disapproving, Lianshan shrugged it off: "What’s his is his to manage. Since this year, Chenchen’s been gaining experience with Uncle Yang, earning pocket money from small businesses on holidays, and he’s saving it all himself too."
Shuzhen rolled her eyes, relatives! Fifty-three thousand and Chenchen’s hundred bucks for inventory aren’t on the same page, are they?
Even though she understood her husband’s intention to be fair and impartial as possible.
But we’d better analyze each situation and treat them specifically, right?
"No way, leaving all this money with me, what if I lose it, how would we cry then? Plus, this is my first earnings in life. How could I not show some filial respect to my parents and show love to my siblings?" Lian En cheerfully handed that fifty thousand bankbook to Shuzhen: "This one is for honoring mom and dad. Half for dad, half for mom, to buy clothes, jewelry, food, and whatever you love.
This smaller one is for me, and I’ll withdraw the money tomorrow. I’ll buy gifts for mom and dad, my teachers, brothers, and sisters.
This is to invite everyone to celebrate my joy of success, okay?
Mom and dad, please don’t refuse. I heard from Chenchen that when he earned his first money in life, he did the same. Even though I was far away in Xiangjiang, second brother still didn’t forget to buy me some xuan paper as a gift!"
Even if the gift is humble, the sentiment is what counts, right?
Returning kindness is essential.
Moreover, the second brother earns little; he still had to save for stocking up, and naturally, gifts are just a token gesture.
With this overnight income of fifty-three thousand, of course, he should be generous just this once.
Three thousand doesn’t sound like much, but there are so many people he wants to give gifts to, isn’t there?
To his own parents, brothers and sisters, this is a must.
Without a mentor, he wouldn’t have his current achievements, and this cannot be overlooked at all.
To two uncles, aunts, several cousins.
Uncles, aunts, and all the cousins, too.
Even Grandpa Wu, Uncle Wei, Uncle Wu in distant Beijing, and Grandpa Yang next door, Lian En thought of sending gifts to share his first championship joy in life.
"Oh-ho-ho, our eldest is so filial! But you’re giving fifty thousand to me and your mom, and using three thousand to buy gifts for everyone. Aren’t you working for nothing?" Lianshan finally pulled his eyes away from the certificate with a light laugh, looking at Lian En with a slightly teasing gaze.
"How could it be? I’ve won a prize and earned money. I’ve shown respect to mom and dad, expressed my feelings to teachers, brothers, and sisters, and accumulated a lot of precious experience!" Lian En’s round phoenix eyes filled with confusion, not understanding why Dad thought that way.
"That won’t do either. Working so hard to earn money, it’s unreasonable not to keep a penny for yourself. Besides, your mom and I are still strong and able, nowhere near needing your filial piety yet.
Come on, less of that. We don’t need your support now, and in the future, we surely won’t pin the need for filial obedience on you alone.
Just having the thought is the greatest filial piety to your mom and me."
Lianshan shook his head, refusing to let Shuzhen take the fifty thousand bankbook.
Only after Lian En’s continuous pleading and cajoling did Lianshan finally compromise.
Even then, it was just agreed to help keep it temporarily...
Despite risking disfavor from Lianshan and his wife, insisting on helping the young apprentice open a bank account, the young apprentice eagerly handed the bankbook over to Shuzhen shortly after...
Feng Ju felt like a dog catching mice, with a scent of fussing over irrelevant matters.
Just considering the apprentice’s youth, perhaps being smart and quick-witted doesn’t mean understanding the true value of wealth.
Time and again, Feng Ju found a chance to have a talk with him about the bankbook incident.
In the end, the young boy chuckled, his bright phoenix eyes filled with clarity: "Master, I understand and appreciate your good intentions for me. But it’s unnecessary.
Although, in terms of blood, I’m not my dad’s biological son.
In terms of emotions, we father and son are definitely closer than most blood-related father-son pairs in this world.
I am willing to give my everything to my parents, with my respect and love included.
If they can accept it with pride, I’ll feel incredibly honored.
Even if they truly use up the money I earn now and in the future to support my siblings, I wouldn’t resent it at all.
Because my parents aren’t the kind to rob from the poor to help the rich, if they really use the money I gave them to help my siblings, it would be because they’re truly facing difficulties.
As the saying goes, ’In a battle, you support the weaker side,’ something my parents often mention.
I think not only me, but also Chenchen and Lian Xi will have to strive and work hard when they grow up, aiming to be the ones not financially favored by our parents!"
Feng Ju widened his eyes, realizing he was being lectured by a fourteen-year-old, actually thirteen.
But the kid was so articulate, logical, and sincere that he was at a loss for words and couldn’t find a strong argument to counter.
No use, the young apprentice showed immense respect, filial piety, and love for Lianshan!
He’s unsure if saying more would effectively guide the young apprentice, while saying too much might upset him, causing a strained teacher-student relationship which could really happen.
He had carefully nurtured this disciple for years, and now that the promising student was just starting to shine, he didn’t want to ruin things by inadvertently breaking trust.