The Great Benefactor 09

"Building a library for a rural elementary school—education must never suffer due to poverty, and children must never endure hardship." Below the post was a selfie of Chen Meihua, a photo of the mountain village school, and a screenshot of her bank transfer.

Fang Zhiyi, fiddling with his new phone, came across this WeChat Moments update.

"Six," he muttered, almost speechless.

The small, round black figure beside him bounced excitedly. "Isn’t this basically fraud?"

"How was I supposed to know they’d fall for it?" Fang Zhiyi sighed. "Besides, I’m just getting ahead of the actual scammers." He had asked Little Black before—in the original storyline, this naive couple had indeed been duped. Seeing the likes on her post, Fang Zhiyi pondered for a moment before tapping the 'like' button himself.

"Fine then, let’s see how they handle the aftermath."

Chen Meihua and Fang Jianguo were in high spirits, feeling better than ever. Seeing her father-in-law’s like, Chen Meihua grew even happier, smiling even when she was dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to work.

Since they had taken the money, Fang Zhiyi didn’t push them further. After all, he was old now.

Still, he covered the cost of Fang Yang’s new school uniform and bought Fang Yue the toy she wanted. Watching the children in their new clothes and playing with new toys, Fang Jianguo and his wife began to grumble internally. Eventually, they approached Fang Zhiyi.

"Dad, stop wasting money," Fang Jianguo said.

"Yeah," Chen Meihua chimed in. "We’re already in debt. Could you give us some money...?"

"No." Fang Zhiyi refused flatly.

"Dad, please help us!"

The brief happiness had given way to panic over their financial crisis. The couple had been worn thin lately, especially under the relentless questioning from colleagues and friends.

"How can I help you if I don’t have money?" Fang Zhiyi fiddled with his phone, and the sharp-eyed Chen Meihua noticed him transferring 2,000 yuan to someone.

"Dad! Who are you sending money to?"

"This young man is struggling. His family’s in a tough spot. Can’t I support him?" Fang Zhiyi raised an eyebrow.

"But—"

Ignoring her, Fang Zhiyi opened another chat and sent out another 3,000 yuan.

"Dad!" Fang Jianguo couldn’t hold back. "You’d rather give money to strangers than your own family?"

"Strangers? Listen to yourself! You two have jobs and can support yourselves. That kid is working part-time to get by. Why can’t you think about others for once? How can you be so selfish?" Fang Zhiyi looked utterly disappointed. "Where did I go wrong raising you?"

"I—" The words sounded familiar, but Fang Jianguo couldn’t find a rebuttal.

"Don’t you care about your grandchildren?" Chen Meihua seized the opening—her father-in-law seemed to dote on the kids.

"Of course I do. In fact, now that you mention it..." Fang Zhiyi sat up straight. "Let’s settle the accounts. You haven’t given me this month’s living expenses. Fang Yang’s uniform, Fang Yue’s extracurricular classes, and the older one’s tutoring fees—I paid for all of it. As for the toys, clothes, and shoes, fine, I’ll let that slide. Now pay up."

Seeing his outstretched hand, Chen Meihua fumed. "We never had to spend this much before you came!"

"Oh?" Fang Zhiyi eyed her. "Then what do you propose?"

"I—I don’t care! You chose to spend that money without even asking us. It could’ve helped so many people in need, and now you’re demanding it back?"

Fang Jianguo hesitated. "Dad, I’m your only son. Isn’t the money you earn meant for me?"

"Stop right there. I don’t have a son as unfilial as you." Fang Zhiyi raised a hand. "You can’t even tell right from wrong or prioritize what matters. Pathetic."

Just then, Fang Yue peeked in from the doorway, clutching the new sketchbook her grandfather had bought her.

"Yue, come here," Chen Meihua called, but the little girl stayed put, her eyes fixed on her grandfather.

Chen Meihua’s expression darkened. She crouched beside Fang Yue and reached for the sketchbook. "What did Mommy teach you? You can draw on old notebooks. New ones should go to children who need them more, right?"

Fang Yue pulled back. "No! Grandpa said this is mine. No one can take it!"

"Fang Yue!" Chen Meihua snapped.

"No!" The girl dashed back to her room.

"See? Now the kids are being raised to be selfish and stingy!" Chen Meihua huffed.

Fang Zhiyi saw right through her act.

Sure enough, Fang Jianguo mustered his courage. "In that case, Dad, I can’t let you stay with us anymore." He paused. "Complain to whoever you want, but you’re moving out. Meihua and I don’t earn much, and it’s not right for you to leech off us like this."

Fang Zhiyi blinked. Wow, the audacity.

After a moment, he said, "Fine!"

Stunned by his lack of resistance, Fang Jianguo watched as Fang Zhiyi left. A long-missed sense of relief washed over them.

Sure, they had debts, but life was back to normal! As for their reputation? They’d win people over with their kindness. That selfish old man? Good riddance!

But the fallout from Fang Zhiyi’s departure hit harder than they expected. His breakfast stall had long been the neighborhood’s gossip hub.

"Did you hear? Fang Jianguo and his wife kicked out their old man."

"Seriously?"

"And that donation post on their Moments—"

"I saw it. Seemed nice."

"Nice? They borrowed money to show off! They owe a ton."

"That’s insane."

"They don’t even plan to pay it back."

"New intel—straight from the source! Old Fang was thrown out because those two went nuts, demanding his life savings to fund their 'good deeds' for clout. When he refused, they tried to take it by force!"

"Monsters!"

"You know why they were so 'helpful' in the neighborhood before?"

"Why?"

"They were after the elderly’s money and homes!"

"And that 'needy student' they sponsored? Turns out it’s just some unemployed guy!"

"Those two are both vile and stupid!"

"Where’s Old Fang now?" someone asked.

An elderly woman in the crowd smirked mysteriously. "With us around, do you really think he’d be left with nowhere to go?" Beside her, a stern-looking old man cleared his throat.

"Anyway, you’ll find out soon enough."

Gossip was powerful, and rumors cut deep. Fang Jianguo, who had just enjoyed his first good night’s sleep in ages, was summoned by his boss the moment he arrived at work.