Chapter 209: A Threatening Declaration
Chapter 209: A Threatening Declaration
County Town.
West City Road.
Eugenia was taken aback as she looked at the massive structure under construction. "Good heavens! The first floor is already this big, and you’re planning to build three more floors?"
Xiuqin smiled and explained, "It’s not what you think. We don’t need such a large building just for a restaurant. The first floor is more than enough for that. The other two floors are being built as a precaution, so we can use them for other business opportunities in the future."
Eugenia nodded in understanding. "I see. I thought all three floors were for the restaurant. That would have been too big indeed."
Eugenia’s father, as he surveyed the construction, marveled, "Yuntai, your father’s vision is truly far-sighted. A restaurant only needs one floor, but he’s building three. The cost of such a massive building is beyond my imagination. Your father’s resolve is something not many can match."
Deng Yuntai, who admired his father the most, nodded in agreement. "My father’s resolve is indeed impressive. Starting such a large business is a big step, and we were all a bit nervous about it. But he always encouraged us to be bold and not fear losing money."
Eugenia’s father nodded in admiration. "Your father is truly investing a lot to nurture you all!"
With the construction still in progress, there wasn’t much to see. After a brief chat, the group headed to the East City Market to buy groceries.
This time, Eugenia’s father insisted that Deng Yuntai not pay. Staying for a week or so was normal, but he couldn’t let them stay in their house and also buy groceries and cook for them. That would be too much.
In the following days, while waiting for the baby’s arrival, the three members of the Ou family explored the entire county town.
Nayev Village.
Deng Changyuan’s House.
During dinner, Deng’s eldest sister-in-law, who had always given birth at home, couldn’t help but feel envious that her sister-in-law was going to the county town to give birth. After a few days of brooding, she finally spoke up, her voice tinged with jealousy, "Ah Yuan, your wife going to the county town to give birth is going to cost a lot of money, right? We just paid off our debts, and I think it’s better not to spend money unnecessarily."
Deng Changyuan’s brow furrowed. He knew his eldest sister-in-law could be petty and suspected she was feeling unbalanced about his wife’s decision. But he hadn’t expected her to say it outright.
After all, most of the family’s money was earned by him. Why shouldn’t he spend it on his wife’s childbirth?
He glanced at his older brother, who avoided his gaze. Then he looked at his parents, who remained silent, clearly opposing his wife’s decision to give birth in the county town.
As for his younger brother and sister, they had no say in the matter and continued to eat quietly.
Deng Changyuan felt a twinge of frustration. He said coolly, "Sister-in-law, you can say this to me, but please don’t say it in front of my wife. I know you’re worried about the cost and think it’s a waste of money.
But I want to remind you that this money was earned by me, not taken from our parents."
His eldest sister-in-law, surprised by his defense of his wife, retorted, "Ah Yuan, the money is indeed yours, but we haven’t divided the family yet. Any money earned belongs to the entire family. If everyone spends as freely as you do, wouldn’t it be chaotic?"
Besides, I didn’t say anything wrong. We’ve just paid off our debts, and we’re still quite strapped for cash. We shouldn’t spend money unnecessarily.”
Deng Changyuan looked at his silent elder brother and asked, “Big Brother, is this what you think too?”
Deng Changxing avoided his gaze and said, “A Yuan, our family’s situation isn’t great right now. We should be more frugal.”
The disappointment in Deng Changyuan’s eyes flickered briefly before he turned to his parents and asked, “Dad, Mom, do you also think this money shouldn’t be spent?”
Changyuan’s mother was unhappy with her second daughter-in-law’s decision to act without consulting anyone. She wanted to teach her a lesson so she wouldn’t overstep her bounds in the family. She didn’t notice her second son’s mood and said, “A Yuan, I know Yun Tai’s wife went to the county to give birth, so your wife wants to do the same. But what are the Yuns’ conditions compared to ours? If we really want to compare, do you think we should spend money to hire the county drama troupe to perform when your child is born?”
Deng Changyuan said firmly, “Mom, first, you need to understand that this isn’t about keeping up with anyone. Giving birth in the county is much safer than at home. This isn’t a frivolous expense; it’s a necessary one.”
Deng’s eldest daughter-in-law pouted and said, “For centuries, the women in our village have given birth at home, and no one has ever said it’s unsafe. Why is it suddenly unsafe for your wife to give birth at home?”
Deng Changyuan couldn’t hold back and retorted, “Big Sister-in-Law, if you have such strong objections, then let’s split up and live separately. You can save your money as you please, and I’ll spend my money as I see fit. No one will interfere with each other. What do you think about that?”
Hearing this, Deng Yuncai, who had been silent, couldn’t help but scold, “Nonsense! Who agreed to splitting up?”
Deng’s eldest daughter-in-law panicked. She was just upset about the special treatment her sister-in-law was getting, but she never thought about splitting up the family! Changyuan’s mother was also alarmed. She only wanted to teach her second daughter-in-law a lesson, but she didn’t expect her second son to react so strongly, even bringing up the idea of splitting the family.
Deng Changyuan, confident in his ability to earn money, wasn’t intimidated by his father. He said firmly, “In any case, I’m putting it out there: I don’t want anyone to say a single word about this to my wife. Otherwise, we’ll split up and live separately.”
Deng Yuncai felt his authority as a father being challenged and scowled, “A Yuan, are you getting more and more audacious? I won’t allow it, and no one can split the family without my consent.”
Deng Changyuan replied calmly, “Dad, normally, without your approval, we can’t split the family. But don’t push me to my limits. If you do, I’ll ask Uncle Jiu to help me split the family. I want to see if it can be done or not.”
Deng Yuncai was speechless. He was the head of the family, and his word was final, but if his second son really brought Uncle Jiu into it, the decision to split the family wouldn’t be his alone.
With Deng Yuncai speechless, the others were even more stunned by Deng Changyuan’s words.
After all, Deng Changyuan was currently the most capable earner in the family. As long as they hadn’t lost their minds, none of them would even consider splitting the family.
(End of Chapter)
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