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Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Cousin and Elder Cousin
Tong Yao puffed her cheeks and says indignantly, "Uncle and uncle-in-law are too much. This is the property grandfather left for father in his will. How can they monopolize it? Just because my aunt married into another family doesn’t mean she didn’t inherit the Tong Family blood. Even though we are in a time where men and women are considered equal, they still prioritize men over women and even dared to hurt people physically. Do they really think I can’t do anything just because I’m a daughter?"
Wen Yun gently says, "Yaoyao, rest assured, your father and I will definitely get the house back for you. No one can take away what your father and I have prepared for you just because you’re a daughter."
Although her father-in-law left the house to her husband, everything she and her husband have in the future is for their daughter. They don’t care about others’ gender biases; they only love their own daughter.
Tong Yaohui finished his porridge and heard the two talking. He spoke with a stern expression, "Just focus on managing the shop and don’t worry about anything else. Even if we go to court, they will have to give up one third of this house. Now that they have assaulted me, they are on the defensive."
Going to court is just the worst-case scenario. The plan from the beginning was to avoid court, even if it meant taking some losses. But, the actions of his eldest brother and brother-in-law have completely chilled Yaohui’s heart. No matter what, the issue of the house must be settled this time.
This assault can’t be in vain.
Tong Yaohui had been a factory director for decades, and he was an experienced fox. He knew many things, and while he was attacked this time, he was actually gaining the upper hand.
He had already reported the incident to the police, and his elder brother and brother-in-law were still being held in the Detention Center. As long as he wasn’t looking for reconciliation, his uncle and brother-in-law would have criminal records. This could affect their lives for generations. It’s up to them to weigh the severity of it, but Yaohui didn’t plan to take advantage of this situation. He just wanted to take back his share.
With his father’s inheritance sorted out, he doesn’t need to keep in touch with his elder brother and brother-in-law anymore.
Seeing Yaohui on the hospital bed still protecting her, Tong Yao felt a twang of emotions. To lighten the mood, she said with a relaxed tone, "Dad, no wonder you can be the factory director, you’re always a step ahead. You’re truly the pillar of support for mom and me."
With her flattering words, Tong Yaohui’s face immediately carried a smirk, but he pretended to be humble and said, "I’m getting old and won’t be able to support you for many more years. In the future, it’s up to Xiaochen."
He always found his son-in-law, whom he chose himself, to be very pleasing.
Next to him, Wen Yun laughed and said, "Your dad has been frowning these past few days. It’s only when you come that he shows a bit of a smile."
Tong Yao chuckled and said, "I’m my dad’s good daughter, he’s always happy to see me."
This was a double room, and an old man in his fifties lived in the neighboring bed. He had acute appendicitis and had just undergone surgery the previous afternoon. His wife, who gave off an air of being educated, was taking care of him.
Previously, they had perceived the tense atmosphere of the Tong Family and had not dared to interrupt their chat. But now that Tong Yaohui’s mood had improved, the old man smiled and interjected, "Is this your daughter? You’re really blessed to have such a beautiful and filial daughter."
Upon hearing his wardmate praising his daughter, Tong Yaohui was very pleased, but modestly said, "She’s grown up and understands things better now, but she used to cause me a lot of headaches."
"All children are unruly when young, they all improve with age," the old man chuckled, feeling a little disappointed. He had intended to introduce Tong Yao to his son since she appeared to be well-behaved and beautiful, but it turned out she was already married.
Thinking of his son, he couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh, "He’s already in his thirties and all he knows is work; he doesn’t even think about finding a wife. If this goes on, he’ll become a lifelong bachelor. His peers all have children who are in school."
He doesn’t know when he’ll be able to hold a grandchild.
Sigh!
If he had known it would come to this, he wouldn’t have stopped his son from marrying that country girl.
Tong Yao stayed at the hospital until evening, calling the shop to inform them of her whereabouts during meal times. Knowing that Si Chen would come to the shop to pick her up if she wasn’t home, she informed them of where she was.
After many exhortations from Lin Fengying and Tong Yaohui to leave, she remained, since in her previous life, she never had the companionship of her parents or experienced familial love. This lifetime, now that she has everything, she wished to properly show filial piety.
Moreover, Tong Yaohui, in order to negotiate for more of the estate and leave more property for her, had borne this humiliation at such an old age. As a daughter, she had to take good care of him.
Seeing that their daughter had no intention of leaving, Wen Yun and Tong Yaohui didn’t say much anymore. Having Tong Yao by their side to chat with them and discuss recent news with Yaohui helped time pass quickly.
After eating in the evening, Tong Yao sat by the bed and cut an apple for Tong Yaohui. The door to the ward was suddenly pushed open. They thought it might be a doctor making rounds, but instead, two men entered. One was muscular and burly, the other gaunt like a monkey.
Tong Yao felt that these two looked familiar, but before she could remember who they were, she heard Tong Yaohui angrily say, "What are you doing here?"
Seeing that Tong Yaohui recognized them, Tong Yao took another look at the two men. Two names suddenly popped into her mind, Tong Sikui and Lin Shuxin. One was her cousin,and the other was her cousin from her mother’s side. Even though they all lived in Kyoto and not too far away, they had not been in contact frequently due to their bad family relationships. It had been about three or four years since they last met.
But she had to admit, there were significant changes in these two just over three or four years. Tong Sikui used to be as skinny as a bamboo pole, bearing the Tong Family’s appearances, not bad-looking and quite a delicate young man. But now, he had become a burly fat man, his eyes squeezed into slits by his fat.
On the contrary, Lin Shuxin had also changed quite a lot. Although he wasn’t fat to begin with, he wasn’t this thin either. Look at him now, so skeletal and sallow in complexion, his eyes sunken, looking somewhat scary, just like a drug addict.
While Tong Yao was observing Tong Sikui and Lin Shuxin, the two had already walked in. Seeing Wen Yun’s guarded expression, Tong Sikui quickly grinned and said, "Uncle, Auntie, don’t be angry. We are here to apologize to you."
His eyes weren’t big to begin with, and now, as he grinned, his eyes were completely hidden. His smile didn’t look sincere, more like a sycophant’s.
Lin Shuxin, who was next to him, also followed suit and flattered, "Uncle, my brother Sikui and I are genuinely here to apologize. When we heard you were hospitalized, we didn’t know which hospital it was. It took us a while to find out it was this one. As soon as we got the news, we came right away. Are you okay now?"
They claimed to visit the patient and apologize, but their hands were empty. They didn’t bring even a piece of fruit. It was evident to anyone with eyes that they were simply paying lip service.
As an experienced man, Tong Yaohui quickly saw through their insincerity. He snorted and said, "Your visit is unnecessary, I’d recover faster without it."
