Zhang Ying watched the two men warily.
It was not the look one gives to family, rather it resembled the look given to an enemy.
Zhang Tieniu’s smile gradually became awkward.
"Are you still holding a grudge against dad? At the time, dad was careless and didn’t notice many things. By the time I realized, it was too late, and now I’m filled with regret," he said.
Zhang Ying frowned, "Don’t talk about those useless things. What do you want to do?"
There was a time in her childhood when Zhang Ying very much looked forward to her father’s affection.
Whenever Zhang Tieniu came back from the fields, she would run to the doorway and gaze at Zhang Tieniu with adoring eyes.
However, Zhang Tieniu would always walk past her as if she was invisible and pick up the other two children.
Eventually, Zhang Ying stopped expecting anything.
Without expectation, there was no disappointment.
The two men exchanged glances, and Zhang Jinhe gave a signal with his eyes. Zhang Tieniu gritted his teeth and decided to get straight to the point.
"Here’s the thing, the Yue family has urban household registration slots, right? Your brother’s kids are growing up, and we were thinking of asking the Yue family for a slot," he explained.
"Slots can be borrowed?" Zhang Ying looked at Zhang Jinhe, "Then how do you plan to return it?"
Zhang Jinhe had never felt the need to return anything he borrowed from his sister since they were kids.
Caught off guard by Zhang Ying’s question, Zhang Jinhe fell silent, taking a while to respond.
"The Yue family is rich anyway. Worst case, you just buy another one," he replied.
Zhang Ying retorted, "The Yue family’s wealth isn’t stolen or robbed from you. What does it have to do with you?"
Also, if the child’s household registration falls under the Yue family, would the house have to be divided in half with them later on?
Given Zhang Jinhe’s shamelessness, the answer was almost certain.
Zhang Jinhe was at a loss for words, and Zhang Tieniu bent over and sighed.
"Yingzi, no matter what, Jinhe is still your brother. You and Yue Jiandong don’t have your own kids, and his business is growing. Who knows if he’ll get any ideas in the future? Only your maternal family can be your support in such times. If your maternal family is doing well, you’ll always have a home, no matter what," he pleaded.
If it were the old Zhang Ying, uneducated and inexperienced, she might have been persuaded.
But now she had learned a lot and knew exactly what people like Zhang Tieniu and Zhang Jinhe were really like.
Though her own man had a big business, Zhang Ying was not worried about him being up to no good.
After all, she was the one managing the accounts. Zhang Ying was keenly aware of every penny that came in and out of Yue Jiandong’s hands. The couple discussed everything; Zhang Tieniu had no chance of swaying them.
"Back then, you demanded a double dowry, and you told my mother-in-law that even if I was sold to the Yue family, I should never go back to my parents’ house begging. So, for all these years, whether it was Chinese New Year or other festivals, I never caused trouble for you," she said.
Her implication was clear: you should also stop causing trouble for me. We have long severed our ties.
Zhang Tieniu pleaded in a low voice, "Dad is getting old now, and all I hope for is the younger generation to achieve success. No matter how bad I am, I’m still the one who brought you into this world. Considering this bond..."
"Then let me be blunt. My mother-in-law only bought two sets this time, and the registrations are already allocated. Adding another one is simply not possible," Zhang Ying cut him off.
Zhang Jinhe became anxious, "I heard that you’ll also bring Yue Qingqing to the city. She’s just an adopted child of your family, with no blood relation to the Yue family. Why should she take a slot? My son at least shares blood with you. Isn’t he closer than she is?"
Zhang Ying found his remark ridiculous, "Since we were kids, you’ve been pointing at my nose and saying we aren’t born of the same mother. Now you want to talk about blood relations with me?"
She turned to leave, while Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Tieniu tried to stop her.
But Zhang Ying said fiercely, "A good dog doesn’t block the path. If you continue , wait till Jiandong comes back. You’ll see what’s coming to you."
Thinking of Yue Jiandong’s current situation, they immediately backed down.
Yue Jiandong’s business was expanding, and there were rumors that he had taken on some new people.
One day they might leave the house and find themselves bagged up—then who would they turn to for help?
Zhang Tieniu and Zhang Jinhe returned home dejectedly, and Niu Lihua could tell the outcome just by looking at them.
Immediately annoyed, she said, "If all else fails, we’ll just have to use that method..."