Shu Jianyang slammed his hand down on the table. “Don’t push it. 1,000 jin of wheat and 1,000 jin of millets add up to 4,000 jin of wheat and 4,000 jinof millets. Do you have 10 stomachs to be able to eat that much food? And 10,000 yuan on top of that? Have you lost your mind over money? No family in the village even make 10,000 yuan a year. If you only want Shu Yan to pay for you in our old age, just say so. Stop coming up with these impractical plans.”
They were out of their minds. A government employee only made 450 yuan a month. That didn’t even add up to 10,000 yuan a year. And the two were asking for 10,000 yuan from each of them. Of course there was no way for the other three to come up with that, so they only had Shu Yan in mind.
The Village Party Secretary stared at them and said solemnly. “Be nice or I am going to make the decision for Shu Yan.”
Old Mr. Shu also tapped his pipe and said, “Everybody including the Village Party Secretary and Village Director are here today so let’s get this straight. I never asked for anything crazy from you and your brothers either. Gauge your stomach, okay? We don’t want you stuffed.”
Shu Youfu and Lin Zixiang exchanged a look with each other. Alright, they may have gone overboard a little.
“Then…… reduce that by half?”
“That is still ridiculous. Nevermind about the rest, can any of your three sons come up with 5,000 yuan?” They had no form.
“That’s my sister’s money we are talking about, not yours. How do you know that she isn’t willing to give that much? You call her and ask her directly.” Shu Jianbin felt that if he let Shu Jianyang kept on talking, Shu Yan would be paying the same amount as anyone else in the village and they would not be able to benefit from her.
Shu Jianyang gave them a crossed look but finally called up Shu Yan and explained the situation to her so she could make a decision.
“Let’s just go with what they said at first but it isn’t per person. We will split that between the four of us. Meaning, 2,500 yuan per person, 250 jin of wheat and 250 jin of millets. Whatever any one wants to pay for holidays. If they need to visit the hospital, the costs will be split evenly between the four of us. Third Brother, tell them if they shape up and stop trying to pull any more stunts, I will give them a little more for the holidays. Otherwise, this is all they are going to get.”
Shu Jianyang had speaker on so anyone close to him, including Shu Youfu and Lin Zixiang heard what she said.
Truth was, 2,500 a year wasn’t shabby for this time and age. Throwing in the wheat and millets, that was more than enough for the two to eat. All in all, Shu Yan had taken on to support the two of them all by herself and the three brothers didn’t need to shell out a dime.
The oldest brother’s family was fine with that. The second and third brothers were very happy but dared not say a word. As for Shu Youfu and Lin Zixiang? They felt that it was a little on the low side but they also dared not make a peep with the Village Party Secretary sitting right there.
“That was quite good already. Let’s settle it,” said Old Mr. Shu.
Now that Old Mr. Shu had spoken, all the more Shu Youfu wouldn’t have anything else to add and the agreement was signed.
“Thank you, Village Party Secretary and Village Director. We still have a lot to talk about regarding the road for the village. Why don’t you come over to my place for dinner and we can talk over dinner?” Shu Jianyang put the agreement away and invited them over to his place for dinner.
“That works. Let’s head to your place then.” This was the first and foremost right now and they did not wish to waste any time.
All of a sudden, Shu Youfu and his family were the only ones remaining.