"How is that okay."
"No way."
Mei Yifan and Mei Yongfu almost shouted, but Mei Yinan didn't care at all. "Go get the money now, give it to the kids, or I'll tear this agreement up right now."
Mei Yinan regretted it now. She should've made them hand over the money and sign the agreement at the same time.
It's not like she didn't know something like this could happen—she just didn't want things to get ugly. But these siblings made them ugly all by themselves, and she worried about saving face for what? Who gives a damn about face?
"Big sister, don't..."
"Big sister, how can you be like this?"
"How am I like this? Lying to the kids somehow looks good, huh? Do any of you even have a shred of shame left?" This time Mei Yinan was really pissed and couldn't sit still. She stood up and pointed at everyone, scolding them all one by one right in their faces.
But honestly, who cared? Just get yelled at—saving two thousand a year!
Everyone just sat there pretending to be dead in their chairs. Mei Yinan finished yelling, but nobody paid attention, and they all swaggered out of the place like nothing had happened.
As she watched her siblings walk away, Mei Yinan couldn't help venting out her anger. "You silly girl, why are you so stubborn? Isn't living at our place better? Why do you insist on living with your brother alone? Now the house is just split up like this—don't you feel bad about it?"
Of course, she was also a beneficiary of the house and technically shouldn't be saying this, but seeing the kids without support and without a place to live, she just couldn't help feeling sorry for them.
But Mei Mengzhen replied frankly, "Auntie, even if I lived with you, nothing would change. When the house gets demolished, I still wouldn't be able to keep the money. If we don't split the money today, they'll take it from me bit by bit anyway later. Why not just divide it up now and be done with it?"
Mei Yinan was completely stumped by Mei Mengzhen because, knowing their siblings' personalities, they really would pull that sort of thing. She sighed. "I should have made them bring the living expenses over before signing. But now they've gone home, forget about the money. What are you guys going to do from now on?"
Mei Mengzhen smiled knowingly. "Auntie, even if we signed while they handed over cash, they'd still find some excuse to avoid it. It'd be endless back-and-forth. Why bother? I have a little bit of money on hand—don't worry."
"Where'd you get money?" asked Mei Yinan, drained.
"Grandpa left it for me before, but it's not much. Grandpa was afraid Mom and Dad wouldn't let me study, so he set it aside for my tuition. Over the years, my parents really didn't care about school fees. I spent some on tuition, books, and materials, and there's about ten thousand left. Plus what Mom and Dad gave, it's enough."
In her past life, she didn't trust anyone, so she'd always kept this money saved up. Even as things happened over the years, she never mentioned it. It was basically her lifeline when she had nowhere else to turn.
Hearing that Mei Mengzhen had something stashed away, Mei Yinan finally relaxed. "Okay, if you've got money, that's good. When they ask about it later, just say I gave you the money."
Mei Mengzhen nodded and agreed. "Mm, thank you, Auntie."
Mei Mengchen had been sticking by her side. Seeing everyone gone, he refused to leave Mei Mengzhen as well. When he heard his sister thanking Auntie, he quickly joined in, "Thank you, Auntie."
Mei Yinan was both amused and exasperated by his cute, childish voice. "What did you even understand? Why are you thanking Auntie?"
"Sister thanked, so I want to thank too."
This time not just Mei Yinan, even Mei Mengzhen burst out laughing.
"Alright, you guys will start school in half a month. When school starts, I'll come pick up and drop off Chenchen. First let's get you through senior year. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and don't let these things affect your studies. You don't have anyone to rely on now; your studies are your only way out. Go to a good university, and you won't have to struggle so much later."
"I understand, Auntie."
"Lock the door and come eat at Auntie's place."
Mei Mengzhen quickly refused. "No need, Auntie. I'll cook for myself later. I should learn these things while I'm on break anyway."
Mei Yinan didn't insist because Mei Mengzhen made a valid point—not just now, but for the future, too. "We live nearby. If anything happens, let Auntie know. I'll help as much as I can."
"Okay, Auntie, you should head home. Don't wear yourself out. Go home and rest. Bye, Auntie."
Mei Mengchen glanced at his sister, then echoed her, "Bye, Auntie."
Mei Yinan nodded, turned, and went home.
With Mei Yinan gone, the house really was just the brother and sister now.
The two siblings looked at each other and smiled, feeling genuinely happy.
...
Uncle's house.
After Mei Yongan got home, Auntie Hu Chunyu and their eldest son, Mei Mengcheng, couldn't contain their excitement. When they heard the key turn in the lock, they rushed to the door to greet him.
Mei Yongan was startled when he suddenly saw their grinning faces. He closed the door and said, "What are you two doing? You scared me to death."
Hu Chunyu said, "I was just checking on the situation! You wouldn't let me tag along—how did that scare you?"
Mei Mengcheng chimed in, "Yeah, Dad, how did it go? Did you get the money?"
Mei Yongan went into the living room, sat down on the couch, and finally spoke slowly: "No one else brought their people. If I did, would it look good? But the money's split—all six siblings get an equal share."
Hu Chunyu quickly asked, "What about the two kids? Yongan, I'm telling you now, those kids are not allowed to move in here. One more mouth means more food; I don't agree."
"You don't want to take them, but the kids don't want to move in either. The brother and sister will stay at their place for now, taking care of themselves—not our problem. Big sister will help out with Chenchen. We don't have to worry about them."
But Hu Chunyu immediately caught something she'd missed. "Why is the money split into six? Should be five shares. Old Fourth is already dead—how come he still gets a share?"
Mei Mengcheng nodded in strong agreement. "Exactly, why is that share included?"
Mei Yongan snorted coldly, "My fourth brother was useless. Sold his old house and only left the two kids with 3,200 yuan—no parents, no house, broke. Do you really feel comfortable taking that share? Aren't you afraid people will say we bullied the orphaned kids? I want the money, but not that desperately—they're still his children."
Hu Chunyu didn't buy it. "How could it only be that little? Maybe there's money stashed somewhere else."
Mei Mengcheng absolutely agreed, "Yeah, did you ask them again?"
"I asked. My fourth brother and sister-in-law didn't owe anyone money, which is amazing. I looked at their accounts, and they spent everything every month. Just this month..." He died early, salary had only been paid a couple of days before, so there was still some left. If he'd died later, maybe even that 3,200 wouldn't be there."
Mei Yongan didn't spell it out, but everyone got what he meant.
Everyone wants money, but there's no need to go too far. Splitting six shares is fair enough. Hu Chunyu pouted, "How are those kids going to live in the future?"
"Big sister said each family would give two hundred yuan for the kids' living expenses, but the younger siblings didn't agree. Then they said one hundred, and in the end, not a single cent was given—we came back empty-handed. But don't worry, they've got over three thousand yuan, enough for a while. Plus, big sister won't just ignore those two."