RPAGF Chapter 22 Aunt 3's abacus beads are really making a lot of noise.
Chapter 22 Aunt 3's abacus beads are really making a lot of noise.
"Mother, I'm not afraid, I just don't..."
"Alright, alright, it's settled then. Tomorrow is the eighth day of the lunar month, an auspicious day. Let's officially proceed with the adoption."
The third brother and his wife exchanged a silent glance, their hearts filled with joy.
Shen Xiaotang snorted coldly and stepped forward.
My aunt's abacus beads are so loud they could fly right up to her face from that far away!
"Grandma, you decided to give me up for adoption to Uncle and Aunt with just a few words. Did you ask me if I was willing? And Uncle and Aunt, why didn't you discuss it with me first if you wanted to adopt me?"
Sun said matter-of-factly, "Your three uncles can all take the imperial examinations, and who knows, they might pass one day. Your aunt weaves cloth every day and can make you new clothes. What else could you possibly want?"
Shen Haichuan grinned and said, "Xiao Tang, this is an adult matter. Your father and I will discuss it. Go play somewhere else."
Ah--
Do they think they can take advantage of her parents and lure her away like a three-year-old?
no way!
So, Shen Xiaotang looked up at her mother and asked, feigning ignorance, "Mother, why didn't Third Aunt mention adoption before? Is it because Grandpa wanted us to take turns cooking, and they wanted to adopt me so I could cook for Third Aunt?"
"Mother, if I'm really adopted, I'll have to help Third Aunt with laundry, cooking, and sweeping. Will I still be able to help you feed the pigs and Xiaoyu feed the chickens?"
What?
Everyone was dumbfounded!
Shen Xiaotang actually revealed all of Zhao's plans. She could think whatever she wanted, but she couldn't say it all in front of her brothers and sisters-in-law, and she was right every time she said it.
The third brother and his wife's expressions immediately turned sour.
"Xiao Tang, you're overthinking it. None of what you're saying is true. Your third aunt really loves her daughter. Why would she adopt you just to have you cook for her? You can't think of your third aunt like that." Shen Haichuan was afraid that if he didn't explain sooner, his older brother and sister-in-law would have a problem with them.
Judging from her uncle's guilty look, she was right!
Shen Xiaotang grinned and said knowingly, "Oh... so Uncle and Aunt want to adopt me so I can enjoy a good life. Does that mean I won't have to cook, do laundry, or sweep anymore, and I'll have new clothes to wear? Aunt, can you teach me how to weave? That way I can earn money like Sister Yinxiu."
After hearing this, the third brother and his wife's faces turned pale and then red.
How are they supposed to answer that?
If they agree that Xiaotang will no longer do laundry or cook, then why did they adopt her in the first place? This isn't adopting a daughter, it's adopting a rich young lady. If they disagree, wouldn't that confirm what Xiaotang said about their purpose?
If they agree to not let her work first, and then go back on their word later, given the straightforward nature of their elder brother and sister-in-law, they will definitely take Xiaotang back.
It's all that brat's fault. She's only six years old, but she's so clever and daring to say anything in public, making her and her husband lose face in front of everyone.
Zhao smiled and said, "Xiao Tang, you're still young. When you're older, I'll teach you how to weave, just like your sister Yinxiu. Right now, you can do some simple things. Your third aunt can also do laundry and cook. You can help your third aunt occasionally."
Shen Xiaotang nodded and then shook her head, her little face full of doubt. "Strange, I am my parents' daughter and I have to do laundry and cook. I live with my third uncle and aunt and I still have to do laundry and cook. So, does it make any difference whether I am adopted or not?"
Sun, standing nearby, immediately scoffed, "You brat! I told you to be adopted, why are you babbling so much? No matter who you're with, you're not going to be idle!"
"Oh, so my third uncle and aunt adopted me to work for them, and Grandma also wanted me to work with my third uncle and aunt."
"you……"
"You brat, how can you talk like that? Why is your mouth so sharp?"
Mrs. Sun was shocked that her granddaughter would expose her so directly, and her face immediately turned green.
Shen Qingchuan clenched his fists in anger, his voice rising sharply, "Mother, third brother and sister-in-law, how could you come up with such a despicable plan, to adopt Xiaotang so she can do your laundry and cook for you? My daughter is going to do your laundry and cook for you?"
Seeing that his elder brother was really angry, Shen Haichuan quickly explained, "Brother, Xiangcao and I really didn't mean it that way. Mother doesn't know anything about it and is just meddling. Don't listen to her."
After listening for a while, Mr. Shen understood the intentions of the third son and his wife, and interrupted everyone in a deep voice.
"Just make things clear, why are you arguing? Qingchuan, you're the eldest brother, you should help your younger brothers. Xiangcao has to take care of two children by herself, weaving and doing housework, she's really struggling. Giving Xiaotang over to her so we can help her out is a good thing, it's not like we're giving the child away, why are you in such a hurry?"
Why is he in such a hurry?
He doesn't want to adopt his daughter, but he can't even make that decision?
"Father, it's true that I'm the eldest son, but I'm your daughter. I don't agree to be adopted, and no one can force me to be adopted. Even you, Father, can't make this decision for me!"
Old Mr. Shen looked displeased and scolded, "Eldest son, are you ignoring your father's words? Or do you not even respect your father?"
Look at this, this is his good father, he talks about being disobedient and unfilial at the slightest disagreement!
Shen Qingchuan was torn with inner turmoil, but at this moment he finally made up his mind!
"Father, let's divide the family property!"
"What?"
"Separate?"
Everyone was shocked, and even the second son and his wife ran out of the house.
The third brother and his wife immediately said, "We just suggested adopting Xiaotang, how did you escalate it to the point of dividing the family property, brother?"
This has blown up, and the couple can't take the blame!
Mr. Shen was so angry at his eldest son's words that his lips twitched, his face turned ashen, and he was filled with rage.
"Eldest son, your mother and I are not dead yet, and you dare to mention dividing the family property? You unfilial son, aren't you afraid of being stigmatized!"
Shen Qingchuan immediately retorted, "My mother died long ago!"
"What did you say? Say it again, you..."
Mr. Shen pointed at Shen Qingchuan with trembling fingers, and it took him a while to remember that his mother was Lin, who had passed away many years ago.
He quickly scolded, "It's true that your mother is dead, but your stepmother treated you like her own daughter. She is your biological mother now. My husband and I are still alive and well. No one can divide the family property. You should give up your thoughts as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing her stepson mention dividing the family property, Madam Sun immediately began to offer kind words of advice.
"Qingchuan, if you don't want to give Xiaotang to Lao San, then don't give her up. How can you bring up dividing the family property? You can't say that. Look around, which family elders are still arguing about dividing the family property with their son? If word gets out, people will laugh at you. You two are still young, you can't let people gossip about you, can you?"
What a joke! If the eldest son were to leave, who would do the farm work for his family?
Who feeds the chickens and the pigs?
Who grinds the tofu?
She absolutely would not allow her eldest son to be separated from his parents, at the very least until her son went to high school!
Shen Qingchuan was filled with resentment. He could tolerate his stepmother's favoritism, but his father, who was taking advantage of the fact that his family had no heir, was so biased and took it for granted, and wanted to force his daughter to be adopted by his third son. He could no longer tolerate this.
"Let them criticize me behind my back. Anyway, I'll only live for a few decades. Their spittle won't kill me."