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Chapter 719: Chapter 719: Brothers Talk Heart-to-Heart
Reflecting on the past, Zhang Lijuan suddenly felt that her decision back then was correct. She was fortunate to have her mother give her advice. Otherwise, not to mention Si Chen wouldn’t have married her, her reputation would have been ruined, and she probably wouldn’t have enjoyed any good days.
Si Xiaohui serves as the perfect example. When her affection for Gu Hongwei failed to bear fruit, she rashly settled for a man like Song Yu and ended up being as despised as a rat crossing the street, making everyone dislike her.
Now she herself has two adorable sons and a husband who loves her. Her life is indeed very blissful. People in the village all admire her. To outsiders, her life seems very comfortable, even more comfortable actually. Every time she went back, Chen Jinlan bragged that it was all thanks to her wit; otherwise, her family wouldn’t be enjoying the good days they have now.
Just as she snapped out of her thoughts, she heard Si Chen say, "The village head now plans to plant orange trees. Anyone who wants to invest can invest. Yaoyao and I have invested on your behalf. If the village head’s funds are insufficient, we’ll cover the difference, but the shares are yours."
Si Boyi was stunned, never expecting Si Chen would actually use his money to help with his investment. "Big brother, we can cover the investment ourselves. Our business in the city has been good these past few years. Although we used some to buy a house in the city, we still have a lot left over. We can’t let you and sister-in-law pay."
Zhang Lijuan also quickly added, "Yes, big brother. We can’t let you and sister-in-law cover the costs. You’ve already done so much for our family. If it weren’t for your help, Boyi and I would never have been able to buy a house in the city."
They still remember the kindness Si Chen and Tong Yao have shown them as a couple. Without Tong Yao and Si Chen, their family would still be at the mercy of others even if they were able to set up a small street stall.
Although they could also open a shop, getting a location near the school’s entrance is not easy. This wasn’t something everyone could achieve.
While driving, Si Chen calmly said, "This is what Yaoyao and I have discussed. It’s not appropriate for us to enjoy these shares, so we’re giving it to you. Over the years, we’ve been grateful for your care in our absence as we were busy with our outside engagements. As your elder brother and sister-in-law, we should help more. There’s no need to hesitate."
"But..."
Si Boyi instinctively wanted to decline, but Zhang Lijuan cut him off.
"You still don’t know the temperament of our elder brother and sister-in-law? They genuinely want to give this to us. If we keep refusing, we would seem ungrateful," she said, turning to Si Chen. "Big brother, we’ll accept the shares. Thank you."
"Hmm." 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Si Chen blandly responded, "Lijuan is right. These shares were intended for you. Yaoyao and I are doing fine in Kyoto. You’ve probably noticed that the milk tea shop’s business isn’t as good as it once was. The school has renewed your contract for another five years, but it’s uncertain whether they will renew it afterward. You can’t rely on this alone for a living, you need to have something to fall back on. With children, expenses increase, so you shouldn’t make the children suffer."
He didn’t usually speak at length. But now, as he was getting older and influenced by Tong Yao, he was more talkative.
Right now, in his hometown, the only relative left in his heart was Si Boyi. As an elder brother, he genuinely wished for Si Boyi to live well.
Sy Boyi was so moved that his voice choked up. "Big brother, you’re so good to me. Without you, I wouldn’t have had a comfortable life like this. I might still be single."
This made Zhang Lijuan laugh. "You have a clear understanding of it."
Si Chen also gave a faint smile, "You two should compromise with each other and refrain from arguing in front of the children."
Zhang Lijuan responded with a smile, "Big brother, don’t worry. We hardly quarrel. We used to argue a bit over disagreements about mum and Xiaohui, but haven’t had any disagreements in recent years."
Si Boyi added, "Big brother, there’s something I wanted to discuss with you. The small shop inside the school sold expired food and the school has now stopped them from selling any more products. I’ve talked with the principal about taking over the shop. What do you think?"
Zhang Lijuan suddenly remembered this matter, and said, "Yes, big brother. As the kids are now older and in school, I’m free at home. I can manage the shop as it would give me something to do and I wouldn’t be bored."
Zhang Lijuan also planned to recruit her sister-in-law to help in the shop, so her maternal family would live a better life. While Si Boyi was willing to lend money to her brother and his wife to rebuild their house, she had to consider her own family. She felt it was wrong for her brother to just borrow money to get by. He needed to earn his own.
It wasn’t easy for them as a couple to make money. Si Chen and Tong Yao had been subsidizing them, and she didn’t feel right about sending all the money to her maternal home. After all, she had two sons of her own.
Now that their children are going to school, each year they grow bigger and change faster, therefore, she needed to save more money. Otherwise, how would they divide a single house between two sons?
Si Chen considered for a moment before saying, "That’s not a bad idea. But remember the lesson from that other shop owner. Don’t repeat his mistake. Otherwise, the milk tea shop outside might also be unable to continue, and that would be a loss."
"Big brother, don’t worry. I’m not that kind of person, and I’ll definitely only sell legitimate products." Hearing Si Chen’s support, Si Boyi was overjoyed. He felt that a business his big brother agreed to must be good.
Particularly as the two brothers hadn’t had a chance to properly communicate in years, this brief exchange made him feel reassured, believing that no matter how long they’re apart or whether they lived together or not, they remained true brothers, bonded by blood.
Sister Xiaohui, on the other hand, was no better than an ingrate. No matter how kind they were to her, it was all in vain.
As the thought crossed his mind, he asked, "Big brother, did Xiaohui take away Mom’s jewelry?"
Si Chen nodded, "Let her take it. This will be the last time she takes anything from the Si family."
Sighing, Si Boyi said, "Mom really favored some more than others. No matter how good we brothers were to her, the people she valued most were always Xiaohui and Si Weimin. I wonder what she thought of our dad."
Si Chen quietly pursed his lips and didn’t say anything.
Zhang Lijuan didn’t butt in. These matters related to their mother-in-law, Si Boyi could speak out, and she could also express her thoughts privately. But in front of the two brothers, it wouldn’t be right for her to speak up.
She might even anger their big brother.
Their children, well-brought up by Zhang Lijuan and Si Boyi, remembered their parents’ advice: When adults are talking, children shouldn’t interrupt.
Plus, they weren’t used to riding in a car and were absorbed by the novelty of it, which prevented them from disturbing the adults’ conversation.
As for their late grandmother, they didn’t hold much affection for her.
