Zhang Yingying sobbed for quite a while before everyone understood what had happened.
It turned out that when Old Zhang was working away from home, he once saved a man who was visiting his hometown but accidentally fell into the river.
The man's money was all wet, so he gave Old Zhang a mahogany box.
He said this thing was a treasure, and Old Zhang could get a lot of money if he sold it.
He also said that if Old Zhang didn't sell it, whenever he encountered any trouble in the future, he could go to Zhong'an Tea Shop in the county to find someone. As long as he showed this box, someone would help him whether he was there or not.
Old Zhang wondered what was so special about a wooden box. He asked a fellow worker about it.
Only then did he find out that it was made of mahogany, a very rare kind. If sold, it would be enough for their family of three to enjoy delicacies for half a lifetime.
Old Zhang was shocked. He almost carried the box back home with both hands.
When he got home, he discussed it with his wife. Although he had saved a life, it was just a small effort. If he hadn't saved the man, maybe someone else passing by would have.
Their Zhang family really didn't deserve such a generous reward.
Both of them were honest people. After some discussion, they carefully put the box away and planned to send it to the tea shop when they had time.
But before they could send the box away, Old Zhang passed away.
At first, Zhang Xiaokang probably didn't recognize the value of this treasure and didn't take it seriously.
But somehow he found out later. That's why he came here under the pretext of asking for debt.
After everyone heard this, they all started whispering.
"That little brother-in-law is really a jerk. I won't say anything about him taking other things, but this box could save their lives. He doesn't even leave it for his sister-in-law and niece?"
"Pah! What a scumbag!"
Zhang Xiaokang was unhappy. "You don't know anything! I'm also a man with a conscience. Do you think I want to do this? It's just that they owe my mother's pension money and won't pay it back. Otherwise, would I come?"
Zhang Xiaokang glared at Aunt Zhang. "I said, sister-in-law, you can't be so heartless. Back then, our family had three big tile-roofed houses. We said you could move in, but you refused and insisted on staying here. In order to help my elder brother get married, my mother spent money and effort. How much did she subsidize you inside and out? She even took out her life savings! How can you turn your back on us?"
Aunt Zhang was a kind and honest woman. For the sake of her daughter, she also wanted to smooth things over. But hearing Zhang Xiaokang speak so self - righteously about how much they had taken advantage, she was so angry that her hands were shaking.
"You... You're talking nonsense..."
Aunt Zhang was out of breath, but finally she said what was in her heart.
Everything is difficult at the beginning. But once a crack is torn open, it can't be contained.
Aunt Zhang's eyes became redder and redder. She stammered and accused.
"Back then... Back then this house belonged to my parents. My husband said he wanted to renovate the house. My parents felt sorry for him and didn't let him pay. As for the subsidy you mentioned from the husband's family, that was my betrothal gift! Later..."
Aunt Zhang choked with sobs. "Later I got married. You said the mother - in - law was in poor health one day, you were going to get married the next day, and you were sick and needed money for medicine the day after. You asked for money every now and then. You not only took back the betrothal gift but also borrowed my dowry. Aren't these all things you did!"
Zhang Xiaokang's face turned green when his dirty secrets were exposed.
"Ridiculous!"
Zhang Xiaokang stamped his feet angrily.
"If you owe money, you owe money. Why are there so many words? Yes, even if we didn't subsidize you the house, you yourself said you received a betrothal gift! At that time, elder brother said clearly that the money was borrowed from mother and would be paid back with interest. You, this greedy woman, refused to pay back. Is it too much for us to find a reason to get it back? What dowry? That was the interest!"
Actually, it was obvious to anyone with a discerning eye that Zhang Xiaokang was in the wrong.
He was full of lies and his words didn't match up. But unfortunately, this man had a thick skin. He muddled the waters, and it became a mess. Outsiders didn't even have a chance to step in and argue.
Finally, Zhang Xiaokang plopped down on the ground.
"Just tell me if you'll give it or not! If not, I'm not leaving!"
Aunt Zhang was so angry that she was about to faint. Zhang Yingying's eyes were even redder. She immediately ran to one side and wanted to get a broom to drive these two people out.
Yun Que'er was quick - eyed and quick - handed. She stopped Zhang Yingying.
"Sister! Don't be impulsive!"
Zhang Yingying cried anxiously. "Sister, what else can I do?"
Yun Que'er shook her head at her. "There must be a way to solve this problem. But if you start fighting now, they'll have more to say. They might even extort some medical expenses from you. Then you'll have to give them the mahogany box even if you don't want to."
Zhang Yingying's face was full of tears. She choked with sobs.
"Good sister, although I'm ten years older than you, I'm not as knowledgeable as you. But... But what other way out do I have..."
Zhang Yingying was so weak from crying that she was about to squat on the ground.
Yun Que'er grabbed her. "Sister Yingying, I know you're sad, but you can't show your weakness in front of them."
Yun Que'er helped Zhang Yingying stand up straight. "Come on, let's go inside the house."
Yun Que'er talked to Zhang Yingying inside for a long time before coming out. This time, the box was in Zhang Yingying's hands.
When Zhang Xiaokang saw it, his eyes lit up. He stopped rolling on the ground and immediately got up. His mouth was almost drooling.
"Why didn't you do this earlier?" Zhang Xiaokang wiped his mouth and said unkindly.
He stepped forward and tried to snatch the box. "You've wasted my saliva!"
But Zhang Yingying dodged. She looked at Zhang Xiaokang coldly.
Zhang Xiaokang immediately changed his expression.
No one knew what Yun Que'er had said to Zhang Yingying inside. But now her eyes were so cold that even Zhang Xiaokang, who was not afraid of anything, couldn't help getting goosebumps.
"You've taken it out. Why are you being so coy?" Zhang Xiaokang was unhappy.
Zhang Yingying stared at Zhang Xiaokang. "This is not for you."
These words made everyone around laugh.
Zhang Xiaokang felt slapped in the face by Zhang Yingying. He was furious.
"You little slut, you're playing with me!"
Zhang Yingying calmly gave the box to Yun Que'er. "We've already made an agreement. We'll sell this box to them. Otherwise, do you think they came here for nothing?"
Yun Que'er took the box with a smile. But the other members of the Yun family were stunned.
Yun Fujin subconsciously grabbed Yun Que'er. Yun Jianzhou couldn't help but say directly.
"When did we make an agreement? Don't talk nonsense!"
Yun Yi seemed to see something from Yun Que'er's face. She stopped Yun Jianzhou.
"Maybe it was decided by Little Que'er and elder brother. They just haven't had time to tell us."
"Yes, Second Brother, Third Sister. We should have told you about this earlier, but Dad has been sick, and we haven't had the time."
As Yun Que'er said this, she winked at Yun Fujin.
"Elder brother, when we invited Teacher Li here before, didn't we look at this box together? Uncle Chengfu also said that this box is worth 200 yuan."