?Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Heart Cold   Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Heart Cold                                   As expected, it wasn’t long before the olddy arrived at Fang Jianping’s house. Fang Jianping had been lying in bed for days, feeling as if his bones had gone soft from the inactivity. This was the first time in his life he had been so idle, lying at home doing nothing for seven or eight days straight. He was thinking of making an excuse to have Yang Mei call his daughter and ask her toe pick him up so he could recover in the town.


    The couple had indeed given up their old shop front, but they had found an even better location. The new ce they found was promising—with a storefront and a backyard that could not only serve as living quarters but also as a storage space. They had had their eye on this spot for a while, and their savings over the years, though just barely sufficient, had allowed them to purchase the property. As for stocking inventory, the couple was well-regarded and trusted, so getting goods on credit from acquaintances wouldn’t be an issue.


    They were confident that they could get the business going; the couple was not worried about that.


    But that didn’t mean they could just stand up and leave immediately. What Fang Jianping really wanted was to see how Fang Xiaoshan and the rest of the family truly felt about him and his wife. To put it bluntly, he wanted to see just how tragic the finale of his years of effort would be.


    People are like that, not giving up until they reach the Yellow River, not turning back until they hit the southern wall.


    Although he hade to recognize Fang Xiaoshan’s true colors, Fang Jianping still wanted to see his parents’ stance. He had been generous to every family member over the years and couldn’t believe that now, in his time of need, his family wouldpletely disregard him. If that were the case, his heart would truly grow cold.


    Seeing the olddye in, Yang Mei quickly offered her a seat and sat to the side, sewing clothes for Fang Jianping.


    The olddy scanned the room. This was a conversation that would be hard for the eldest son and his wife to broach if she didn’t speak up first.


    “Second son, how have you been feeling these past few days? Has there been any improvement?”


    Such a gentle tone was rare; since Fang Jianping’s return, this was only the second time the olddy had spoken to him so softly, aside from when things turned chaotic at home on his first day back.


    Yang Mei nced at Fang Jianping with a clear meaning: Your mother is up to some mischief.


    “Mom, what kind of feeling can I have? It’s just like that; I’m worried it’s not looking good,” Fang Jianping said cautiously.


    “Yes, Mom, taking medicine every day, and there’s still no sign of improvement. And we’re running out of money too. I’m worried about how Jianping will continue his medication if we can’t afford it.” Yang Mei joined in.


    She was genuinely concerned that the olddy would ask for money.


    The olddy gave her daughter-inw a sidelong nce. How could she not understand the subtext of Yang Mei’s words—fear that she would ask them for money?


    With a snort, “Second son, it’s like this. You know that Xiaoshan is about to get married. I think it would be inappropriate for our guests and rtives toe and find the house smelling of medicine. How about this? You and your wife go stay at Xiaocui’s and Xiaojie’s ce for a couple of days. Besides, you two are used to living in town, suddenly moving back to the vige might not befortable for you. Go visit your daughter, having her to talk to might make you feel better.”


    Fang Jianping looked at his mother in disbelief, “Mom, are you trying to drive me out?” He had never expected the olddy to speak to him in this way.


    This family couldn’t even amodate him anymore.


    “How can you say that? Would I ever mean that? It’s just that Xiaoshan is getting married, you know. When her familyes to visit, a house full of people, how am I supposed to exin the strong smell of medicine? Besides, that’s your own daughter, you could stay at her ce for a couple of days. What difference would it make?”


    “Mom, given my current condition, going to my daughter’s house means bing a burden to her. When her husband sees his father-inw, who is paralyzed, showing up at their doorstep, would he ever look kindly upon my daughter? Why can’t you consider things for your three daughters?” Fang Jianping couldn’t hold back anymore.


    The olddy became furious, “Second son, let me be honest with you, I’ve thought about this for days. Given your condition, I can’t count on you to provide for me and your father in our old age; it’s out of the question. I know your eldest daughter married well. I’ve heard her son-inw is quite capable. At the wedding, he promised in front of all the guests that he would take care of us in our old age. You and your wife should just go live with your eldest. As for this house, consider it payment for your father’s and my retirement from now on. We won’t ask you for another penny. What do you say?”


    Fang Jianping felt so disheartened he almost wished he could die right there and then. Who wouldn’t feel chilled to the bone upon hearing the olddy’s reasoning?


    “Mom, am I not your biological child?” Now Fang Jianping really began to doubt.


    “Second son, of course, you are my own, but this is for your own good too. Look, if you and your wife stay here, can you still farm or do any other work? Just relying on your wife’s efforts, you’ll barely manage to feed yourselves, let alone afford medical care. And with the way things are between you and Xiaoshan, counting on Xiaoshan for support in your old age is just wishful thinking. Living together in the same courtyard will inevitably lead to conflicts.


    Xiaoshan doesn’t know how to speak kindly; who knows how much more distress he might cause you in the future? Instead of that, it would be better for you two to move out. With this house given to us as your contribution to our retirement, it’s not like it would just be sitting empty otherwise. Plus, this allows you to fulfill your filial duties. I mean well.”


    “Ha, mean well, mean well! That’s a good one! Here I am, paralyzed and bedridden, and my own mother is asking me to vacate my house to pay for her retirement. What great intentions indeed. The money I gave you over the years could have supported ten of you.”


    The olddy got angry, “Second son, I don’t like hearing that. You gave me that money out of filial respect, and when you did, you only intended it for me to spend, never saying it was for your retirement. We can’t speak so heartlessly. I’ve already told you about this. You and your wife should consider it carefully and try to move out as soon as possible.” The olddy felt it was a disgrace to have such a conversation with her son—to think she would be left with any dignity after this was ridiculous.


    Yang Mei saw the olddy about to leave, “Mom, since you’ve brought it to this point, we definitely can’t shamelessly cling to this ce. If the house is topensate for your retirement, we can’t settle this matter just with our words. We should have the vige elders witness this. Let’s do this—I’ll go invite the vige chief and others over. Let’s draw up a document to make things official, clear the te. From then on, even if Jianping and I have to beg for food, we will nevere to your doorstep, so as not to embarrass you or be a burden.”


    She wanted to make this a matter of record, never intending to return to this ce for the rest of her life.


    She and Fang Jianping would settle down in town from now on. As for these vile people, if they could sever tiespletely, that would be wonderful.


    That very afternoon, the vige chief was invited over. They acted as intermediaries and drew up a document. Fang Jianping’s two rooms were set against his parents’ retirement payment, and from then on, he had no further attachments in the vige. The two acres ofnd in Fang Jianping’s name were directly returned to the vige, not given to his eldest brother, mainly because he was too heartbroken.


    Yang Mei went to the vigemittee as soon as the olddy left and called her daughter, asking for a car toe pick them up.


    By the afternoon, Fang Xiaocui, with her husband Chen Dazhu, came in their car and took Fang Jianping and Yang Mei away.