Chapter 490: Chapter 490 Selfishness Chapter 490: Chapter 490 Selfishness The Mo family
Rumors abounded in Mo Family Village. Just a few days ago, Auntie Sun’s affair with a man outside her marriage had already become the talk of the town, treated like a joke over tea and dinner. Then, to everyone’s shock, the village head announced that Auntie Sun had allegedly murdered someone, stolen all of Mo Xiaoqiang’s belongings, and fled. This news only fueled more gossip among the villagers.
In reality, Mo Xiaoqiang was penniless. What belongings could he have? The Mo family’s wealth was all controlled by Old Lady Mo. His most valuable possessions were a few new outfits, reserved for visits to the brothel or for attending weddings to save face, all of which Auntie Sun had taken with her.
Mo Xiaoqiang hid at home, daring not to step outside, fearing people would point at his spine and laugh about how his wife had stolen a man outside and how he, a grown man, had become a cuckold, thereby bringing disaster upon the unmarried men and women of the village.
One day, Old Master Mo could no longer tolerate him and called him into the room for a talk.
“Qiangqiang, you can’t just stay at home every day, it’s no solution. You’ll eventually become sick.”
“What can I do? Now, everyone in the village is talking about Aunt Sun’s affair. I, the victim, have ended up becoming the main topic of conversation.”
“You haven’t done anything wrong, what are you afraid of? She was a concubine who was officially taken into our family, registered in our Mo family household. If you feel uncomfortable, you can certainly file a case at the County Yamen and have them help find her.”
“Dad, you make it sound so easy. Since ancient times, the government office has been reluctant to open its doors without a bribe. I have no money on me, what should I use to bring a lawsuit?”
Speaking of money, Mo Xiaoqiang felt utterly frustrated. He blamed his mother for being so biased, even coveting his share of the family wealth, adamant about handing it over to Mo Hengjian, the family’s only grandson. Did having no son of his own mean he should spend his life supporting his brother’s child?
Old Master Mo understood and nodded, saying, “Qiangqiang, you truly have it tough.”
He understood his eldest son’s feelings. Old Lady Mo’s reluctance to divide the household was also a desire for the brothers to work together to produce a Scholar from the Mo family, to bring glory to their ancestors.
“Don’t blame your mother; she does this for the good of our Mo family.”
“What good of the Mo family? I see it’s all for the good of my younger brother, and I, the eldest son, have nothing to do with it. Dad, am I really born to my mother?” Mo Xiaoqiang felt extremely aggrieved.
“If your younger brother does well, won’t you, as the eldest brother, benefit too?” Old Master spoke earnestly.
“Dad, why are you misleading me too?”
“How am I misleading you?”
“Isn’t it? Just look around the neighborhood. In any family with several brothers, if one gets rich, does he truly take care of the others? You expect me to rely on your grandson in my old age. Humph! I fear I might not even have wild vegetable porridge to eat and might end up starving on the streets!”
Mo Xiaoqiang scoffed repeatedly. He knew exactly what kind of person Mo Hengjian was. Spoiled since childhood, selfish and self-centered, he even looked down on his own parents. Would he care about the welfare of his uncle once he came into wealth? Mo Xiaoqiang wouldn’t believe it even if he were beaten to death.
“Hengjian is not that kind of person.”
“You just wait and see.”
“We were talking about Aunt Sun. Why bring up Hengjian?” Old Master Mo was somewhat displeased as soon as someone spoke ill of his grandson.
“You just keep indulging him. You’ll regret it sooner or later.”
“Fine, I won’t interfere with you anymore. Are we done here?” he said, walking out with a displeased expression and hands behind his back.
Old Master Mo had high hopes for his only grandson, Mo Hengjian, and couldn’t bear to hear anyone speak ill of him, not even his son.