Ruan Jiandang heard that and his eyes instantly darkened with anger, fully aware that Ruan Jianguo was avoiding his family.
His throat felt hoarse, his chest constricted; it took him a long while to compose himself before he managed a strained smile and said, "That’s great news, the location is good. When is Boss planning to lay the foundation? Are you building a brick bungalow?"
In the village, most people still lived in adobe houses, but if someone had plans to build a house, they would still try to construct a brick house if possible. Considering Ruan Jianguo’s abilities, constructing a bungalow was definitely within reach.
"No, It’s going to be a multi-story building!" Ruanlin Family replied.
"What, a multi-story building?" Liao Zhaoji, who had been treated like she was invisible until now, exploded when she heard this. She ran up, her eyes wide with surprise and skepticism, "Boss, do you have that much money?" Her tone was just short of outright asking him if he planned on having the Ruanlin Family subsidize him.
Even if people in the village wanted to construct a house, they would only build a bungalow at most. A multi-story building had never been seen before; that would require a significant sum of money!
Liao Zhaoji felt a deep pain, as if all that money were being scraped right off her own back.
Moreover, the thought that they looked down on her just because she had taken a couple of hundred yuan and tens of kilograms of meat from her family made her heart ache even more. Now, Ruan Jianguo was planning to build a house – no, a multi-story building – why should he get to do that!
"What does the amount of money I have to do with you?" the Ruanlin Family sneered coldly, "What, does the Ruan Family’s money need to be reported to you and then all sent back to your parental home?"
"Mom, you can’t say that. You have four sons, how can you be so biased? If you only build a house for Boss, even if we agree, do you think the third and fourth would agree?"
The Ruanlin Family was so angered she almost laughed. She looked at Liao Zhaoji as if she were looking at someone with a disability.
"Liao Zhaoji, I’m not dead yet, and you’re already eyeing my money? Even if I hadn’t given any money to Boss this time, what’s it to you?" Turning her head towards Ruan Jiandang, her gaze was full of displeasure, "Jiandang, your wife is really something now. I’m not dead yet, and she’s already worrying about my money. Do you want me to go find a place to run into and die, to make space for you?"
"Mom..." Ruan Jiandang cried out in pain.
He turned his head towards Liao Zhaoji and yelled furiously, "Get out!"
Liao Zhaoji was stunned by the outburst; she had never seen Ruan Jiandang with such a ferocious expression. She was a little frightened, but also felt indignant. Her lips moved a few times before she finally changed her tone.
"Mom, I had grease fogging my brain just now talking nonsense. I hope you live a long, prosperous life – why would I wish for your death?" She paused, then continued, "It’s just that you know Jiandang injured his leg this time, and we need quite a bit for the medical expenses. The hospital has also come to press us for payment. Since Boss has the money to build a house, could you maybe lend us some money for the treatment..."
"Liao Zhaoji, get the hell out! Out! Out!" Ruan Jiandang completely lost his temper, not caring about his leg injury, and began hurling whatever he had in hand at Liao Zhaoji.
Liao Zhaoji was first hit by a cup; as he picked up a bowl, she screamed with fright and ran out of the ward.
"Alright, you’ve broken my bowl, now you owe me!" the Ruanlin Family said irritably as she took the bowl from his hand.
Ruan Jiandang’s expression was one of anguish, "Mom..."
"Stop calling, you sound like you are calling for spirits. Jiandang, I have nothing much to say except this one thing – your uncle can’t escape responsibility for Jiaojiao’s near-mishap this time. We are moving out to build our house, not hiding anything; we’re doing this to avoid your wife."