Chapter 15: Without Reverence, One Naturally Fears Nothing

A night of good sleep.

At breakfast early the next morning,

the whole family tacitly ignored the madness of the previous day.

But second aunt Yao Chunhua’s small eyes darted around restlessly,

trying to glean some clues from the behavior of the main and third branches of the family...

“Ahem!”

Just as the meal was nearly finished,

Old Mrs. Han put down her chopsticks and cleared her throat.

The family promptly fell silent and sat properly.

Even the three grandsons put down their bowls obediently, watching their grandmother without daring to make a sound.

However, it was clear that Cheng Xiaoyuan couldn’t hide his worries; he glared hatefully at Cheng An across the table, resentment vivid in his eyes.

Cheng Lai of the second uncle’s family remained quiet.

Like his mother, his eyes constantly scanned those around him as if pondering something.

“Well…”

“The officials are coming today to collect taxes.”

Old Mrs. Han slowly pulled a heavy red cloth pouch from her bosom

and slammed it on the table with a sharp clap.

“Second and third sons, you know where this money came from, so I won’t say more... but remember your eldest brother’s kindness!”

“Yes, son remembers!”

Second uncle Cheng Dahe nodded with joy,

then turned to Cheng Dahai, flattering him:

“This time we owe everything to big brother. Chunhua and I will work harder from now on, repaying both you and mother doubly.”

“Forget about repayment.”

Cheng Dahai waved his hand casually.

“We’re family. Saying such things makes it feel like strangers, doesn’t it?”

“However...”

Old Mrs. Han took up the words:

“Debts must be repaid. Your big brother sacrificed his scholarly pride for the family. How can you feel it’s right not to pay back this money?”

“We will!”

“Definitely!”

Cheng Dahe was usually shrewd and never took a loss.

But the fate of the entire family was now in others’ hands;

no matter how unwilling, he had to bow his head.

He didn’t forget to pull Cheng Dashan along to share the burden.

“Isn’t that right, third brother?”

But Cheng Dashan said nothing.

From the moment he entered, he kept his head down, as if asleep.

Old Mrs. Han’s eyes darkened with displeasure, and she snorted:

“Fine then! Starting today, second and third sons work the fields by day, enter the mountains by night... pay it off sooner!”

“Ah?”

Cheng Dahe raised his head in surprise.

There’s an old saying: “Rely on the mountain for food, farm the land for grain.”

But these days, the mountains are fraught with danger!

Setting aside the fierce beasts and venomous insects, just going in and out safely is no easy feat.

Besides, he’s never been industrious.

Someone who can’t even manage crops properly—

do you expect him to hunt?

“What’s wrong?”

“You don’t want to?”

Old Mrs. Han glared sharply.

“I do! I do want to!”

The couple hurriedly nodded in agreement:

“Big brother borrowed money for us, so we must pay back! Otherwise, are we even human? Right, third brother?”

Pulling again!

When Cheng Dahe said this, he hoped Cheng Dashan would work harder so he could enjoy the fruits without effort.

Cheng An cursed inwardly.

A bunch of vampires!

They’d be miserable without taking advantage of others every day!

But Cheng Dashan still said nothing.

Everyone was surprised.

In the past, without Cheng Dahe’s urging, Cheng Dashan would embarrass himself red-faced and immediately stand up to shoulder all the work.

What’s wrong today?

“Third brother...”

“Are you deaf? Or just ignoring me?”

Old Mrs. Han’s tone remained sharp.

She wanted to warn the couple not to get arrogant, thinking they had the upper hand—the family was still not theirs to command!

“Repaying the debt is fine...”

“Cheng Dashan!”

Liu, upon hearing this, was ready to explode.

She knew exactly how much Cheng Dahai owed outside and knew it was a bottomless pit.

Even if this debt was paid, more would come!

Is the outer household that easy to maintain?

“Don’t speak.”

Cheng Dashan was unusually calm.

He silenced his wife’s retort and continued:

“But how much? How will we pay? We should clarify first!”

“What do you mean?”

Cheng Dahai’s eyes were cold as a blade.

“Nothing!”

No respect means no fear.

Since learning of Cheng Dahai’s dirty dealings outside, Cheng Dashan now looked at his eldest brother with nothing but disappointment and disgust.

Help you pay off money for your mistress?

He was honest, but not that low!

“Big brother paid the tax money, so we must repay that.”

“But...”

Cheng Dashan’s tone was indifferent.

“My family of three, it’s only six hundred wen! Beyond that, neither Cuiyun nor I will pay a single penny...”

“What do you say, second brother?”

“Ah?”

“Well...”

Cheng Dahe stammered.

He never expected to hear such words from Cheng Dashan.

Is this still the naive, easy-to-bully third brother?

What’s come over this family?

What did the third brother and his wife find out in town to change so much?

Cheng Dashan felt an unparalleled sense of relief.

He sneered:

“If second brother wants to pay more, I have no objection. After all, big brother borrowed the money for the family. Who wouldn’t pay it back?”

These words were lifted directly from Old Mrs. Han.

She often said:

“We’re family; who spends isn’t different.”

“For this family, you all must contribute!”

But the ones who always contributed were herself,

while the one who benefited was always the eldest brother.

Slap!

Old Mrs. Han finally lost patience.

She slapped Cheng Dashan’s face with a chopstick and cursed fiercely:

“You heartless beast! For whom did your big brother borrow money? Do you think it’s that easy to borrow? Who lends without reason?”

“Fine!”

“Is that what you say? Then leave! The family won’t give you a single penny. Whether your three of you sell yourselves or the land, don’t speak even if you die!”

Old Mrs. Han’s force was overwhelming.

She used the same old tactic, trying to intimidate Cheng Dashan into submission.

“Let’s go.”

“Ah? Oh...”

Liu was momentarily stunned.

Then she grabbed her son and followed out, eyes fixed tightly on her husband’s broad back, a small smile creeping at the corner of her lips.

Now that’s a man.

A real man should be so tough!

“You beast, how dare you!”

“Third brother.”

Old Mrs. Han and Cheng Dahai both flinched.

Qin Dongzhi no longer cared about etiquette and grabbed Cheng Dashan’s arm.

“What are you trying to do? The family isn’t broken up yet!”

“Want to split the family?”

“With mother here, I don’t see who dares!”

The main branch’s greatest pillar had always been Old Mrs. Han.

But if that pillar collapsed...

Slap!

Liu forcefully swatted away Qin Dongzhi’s hand.

With full strength, she cursed:

“You shameless! Who drags their own brother-in-law around like this? Get lost, or I’ll tear you apart!”

As a fierce battle loomed...

“No!”

A startled shout broke the tension.

Everyone in the room jumped.

Second uncle’s son Cheng Lai suddenly jumped up, pointing at Cheng Dashan:

“Third uncle must have discovered some secret. He wasn’t like this before!”

“...”

Mrs. Yao hurriedly covered her son’s mouth.

At this moment, not only Cheng Lai sensed something amiss,

but probably everyone except Old Mrs. Han and Qin Dongzhi already tacitly understood:

Cheng Dahai must be in trouble!

And it’s no small matter...