In fact, for this adopted son, Chiang Songhai always felt a certain dislike. Still, he fulfilled his duty, raised him, and gave him a share of whatever the family had, sent him out as an apprentice. When Deng Qingjiang had a hard time outside, they still scrimped and saved to send money to him.
But once Deng Qingjiang left, it was as if he had cut all ties, hardly ever returning.
Over the years, Chiang Songhai always felt as if this adopted son might as well not have existed.
He even felt that if he and his wife were to pass away, there would be no one to find, let alone to expect him to return and play the filial son at their memorial service.
Thus, for many years, he and Ge Liutao only occasionally mentioned him, without any real expectations.
"Fine, Second, you’re really something, saying that, next time Qingjiang comes back, I’ll tell him the truth! Do you think you can still count on Chiang Xiao, that girl?" Chiang Songtao pointed at Chiang Xiao.
"Great-grandpa, you’re right, my grandparents only count on me. After all, it’s good enough if your family doesn’t create trouble when visiting, how could anyone depend on you? And as for my cheap uncle, if he ever truly returns, you can have him," she said.
Chiang Xiao’s words once again successfully infuriated Chiang Songtao, leaving him gasping for breath.
Feeling that it was pointless to argue with such a young girl, he turned to Chiang Songhai and demanded, "Second, no need to say anything else, just give me a straight answer, are you going to tear down this wall or not?"
Chiang Songhai clenched his teeth and responded firmly, "We cannot tear it down!"
Just now, he had made it so clear, explaining the reason for building the wall, what Song Xiyun and Ho Laidi did, yet his older brother merely suggested casually that Baoguo should talk to them about it, saying nothing else and not a single word of reprimand about what Ho Laidi did.
This made Chiang Songhai feel utterly disheartened.
His wife was nearly suffocating that day, and his older brother hadn’t uttered a word of concern.
Just like Little said, they truly cannot count on the Old Chiang Family.
They can’t rely on his older brother!
Would they really have to depend on Little in the future?
For so many years, he simply couldn’t see through this fact!
"Very well, very good. Second, you’ve really grown bold!" Chiang Songtao glanced at Ho Laidi. Normally, she should have rushed over by now, yelling at Chiang Laoer, meaning he wouldn’t have to step in. What was going on now? Why was she not saying a word?
With his wife not reacting as expected, Chiang Songtao found himself at a loss for words.
"If I had known that today you would step on my dignity , I might as well have let that big cat take you back then!" he spat out resentfully in the end.
Chiang Songhai seemed somewhat incredulous, shuddering before looking at him with reddening eyes. "Big brother, for years you’ve brought up the life-saving favor you did for me in the past, so today, let’s clear the air. If you hadn’t insisted on lassoing that tiger cub, would the big cat have been provoked?"
The ’big cat’ they referred to was not a cat, but a tiger!
Chiang Xiao had never known the specifics of the life-saving favor Chiang Songtao had done for her grandfather, but now it sounded like there was more to the story?
On hearing him bring up the matter, Chiang Songtao’s face turned first pale then flushed; he shook his hand and walked out, "I see Second, your heart must be clouded by fat! You just want to ruin the brotherhood between us! Fine, fine, you win!"
With that, he stormed out in anger. Ho Laidi hurriedly followed, but as she was still in pain from the beating by Chiang Xiao, she moved painfully, limping along.