Ingratitude 04

"Your mother was right. Once he's married, he won't care about our family anymore," Chen's Father said with a dark expression.

"Really? I'm not so sure..." Chen Nian hesitated.

"What do you mean, 'not sure'? Once he's married and has kids, do you think he'll have any spare time for you? People like him are just after, what's it called?" Chen's Mother turned to look at her son.

Chen Xiaogang supplied the word without looking up: "A sense of superiority."

"Yes! A sense of superiority!"

Hearing this, Chen Nian began to panic. How could she let go of this lifeline she had finally grasped? How could she let him abandon her family?

Chen's Father and Mother exchanged a glance. "Good," Chen's Father said gravely. "Chen Nian, tomorrow, be extra sweet. Just tell him you want to come to the city to study and live in his house!"

"Dad, that... that doesn't seem right, does it?"

Chen's Father stared at her. "What's wrong with it? Only by keeping an eye on him can you make sure he doesn't get the idea to ditch us!"

Chen's Mother chimed in: "Exactly. Didn't he say to come to him with any trouble? We're in trouble right now. Your father lost his job."

Chen Xiaogang kept his head down, playing with his phone—the very phone bought with money Fang Mingyu had sent recently. "Sis, the whole family is counting on you. If all else fails, just marry him as a second wife or something."

Chen Nian's face flushed red. "Little brother, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Meanwhile, in a small hotel not far away, the Fang family relatives were full of complaints.

"This place is filthy! Good heavens, there are bugs!"

"Look at this pillow, it's all yellowed. Cousin, look!"

"And they call us family! That Fang Mingyu is just an ungrateful wretch!"

"Did you see those fools today? Fang Mingyu would rather spend money on them than give us a single cent."

"Don't even get me started on those people. What makes them so special?"

As they were grumbling, there was a knock on the door.

Fang Zhiyi examined the door in front of him, quite satisfied. He had deliberately chosen the worst hotel he could find.

When Second Brother Fang opened the door and saw him, he immediately put on a friendly face. After all, Fang Zhiyi was the elder. He quickly ushered him in. Fang Zhiyi surveyed the room, his brow furrowed tightly.

"Sigh."

He walked a circle around the room.

"Sigh."

He didn't say anything, just kept sighing heavily, thoroughly confusing Second Brother Fang and the others.

"What's wrong?" someone finally asked.

Fang Zhiyi wore an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating, successfully piquing their curiosity. "I couldn't sleep, so I went out for a walk. And guess what I saw? That family from today, laughing and chatting, heading straight for that big luxury hotel."

He pointed casually out the window. Everyone turned to look and saw the obviously opulent hotel in the distance.

"This..." They exchanged glances, their faces a mix of emotions, but Fang Zhiyi could clearly sense their discontent.

"I heard from my son that the rooms were originally booked for you folks... but then they... sigh..." He continued sighing, stood up, glanced at his relatives, and uttered one final, "Sigh!"

Then he just left.

Second Brother Fang stared dumbfounded as Fang Zhiyi walked away. He turned back to look at the luxury hotel, and his gaze gradually turned fierce.

"Damn it! Arguing with us is one thing, but they even stole our hotel! Those lowlifes!"

That night, Fang Mingyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Lin Wei knew he was worried about the Chen family, and she felt somewhat helpless. But using a system-provided tool on such a simple, honest man was something she couldn't bring herself to do. She could only watch as Fang Mingyu sneaked out early the next morning.

She thought of the old man who could be useful.

But it seemed the old man was up even earlier than Fang Mingyu. Right after Fang Mingyu left, Fang Zhiyi emerged from the kitchen, bumping into Lin Wei face-to-face. After a long moment, Lin Wei greeted him with a forced smile. "Dad, you're up so early?"

"Old people don't need much sleep," Fang Zhiyi replied, not giving her a pleasant look. "That boy went out?"

"Yes... He's probably still worried about those Chens... Mingyu is just too kind-hearted..." Lin Wei was still thinking of how to stir the pot, but Fang Zhiyi simply turned and walked out the door, leaving her standing there in surprise.

Well, that saved her some trouble.

"Mingyu, you know, Nian is a good student. Staying in our little backwater would just hold her back," Chen's Mother prattled on, clutching the few hundred yuan he'd given them for travel expenses. Fang Mingyu was taken aback and looked at Chen Nian. "Being a good student is a good thing."

Chen's Father seized the opportunity. "So, we were hoping you could do us a favor." He stood up as if to bow formally. Fang Mingyu quickly rose to stop him. "Please, don't. Just tell me what it is. If I can help, I will."

Chen's Father and Mother exchanged another look. "You know our family's situation is poor. We want to send the girl to school in the city..."

Fang Mingyu nodded. "The educational resources are better here. That's a good idea."

"That's why we need your help," Chen's Father said with a smile, his face full of familiarity.

"Me?" Only then did Fang Mingyu understand. But then he remembered the old man at his own home and looked at Chen Nian again. Schooling cost a lot of money, and all his savings had been taken yesterday... Even this few hundred yuan was cash he'd hidden away.

Seeing his conflicted expression, the Chen family quickly exchanged glances. Chen Nian also became certain: Mingyu-ge really was different from before. She had to hold onto him tightly.

At almost the same time, Fang Zhiyi was leading the Fang relatives to a breakfast stall.

Seeing the displeasure on their faces, Fang Zhiyi knew the first dose of medicine he'd administered was taking effect.

"Tell me, aren't those Chens just stupid?" Fang Zhiyi imitated the original host's manner and took a sip of morning wine. The sharp taste of the alcohol made him frown. "For Mingyu's wedding, that whole family just gave a bag of peanuts, and they still expect Mingyu to reimburse their travel expenses."

Second Brother Fang looked up, shocked. "Travel expenses? Reimbursement?" They had also come from far away, not only missing out on the luxury hotel but also having to pay their own way back.

Fang Xiaoyan chimed in, "It's only a fool like Fang Mingyu who would put up with them. If it were me, I'd have kicked that family back to their pigsty long ago!"

"You don't know the half of it. They even said Mingyu's success is all thanks to the good fortune brought by their girl," Fang Zhiyi said, taking another sip. Hmm, he was getting used to it.

Second Brother Fang's eyes widened. "That's bullshit! Mingyu is a Fang! His surname is Fang! What does he have to do with those Chens? I think they've just gone mad trying to climb the social ladder!"

Fang Zhiyi glanced into the distance. Fang Mingyu was just coming out of the hotel. Judging by his worried, frowning face, he was probably figuring out how to get money from him.

Fang Zhiyi smiled, but quickly put on a somber face. "Sigh. I also heard that this unrelated Chen family wants Mingyu's apartment."

"Pfft—" Second Brother Fang sprayed the soy milk he was drinking. "The new apartment Mingyu bought?"

"That's the one," Fang Zhiyi sighed. "I was originally thinking you all could have a place to stay when you came to the city in the future. Who would have thought the Chens would try to take it first?"