Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

The reason they adopted a son to Zhang Banxian was because their consciences wouldn't allow it, and it was a way of compensating Zhang Banxian's branch of the family.

Zhang Dabiao, who "couldn't read" and "couldn't fill in for the time being," returned to his hometown, where he had land to cultivate and two tiled houses...

But the countryside is like that now, what difference is there between him going back now and sending himself to his death?

As for the clan taking care of him—

Although his surname is Zhang, he was adopted after all.

Everyone fell silent.

This year, news of events in the countryside and other places has spread, and everyone is aware of the situation, but it's not something they want to say openly.

Relatives I haven't contacted in years suddenly appear, shamelessly demanding a job and a house...

Director Wang didn't know what to say.

Joining Zhang Dabiao's cause was impossible, so the Zhang family was thinking of an "exchange," but even so, it would still cut off Zhang Dabiao's livelihood.

Director Wang didn't believe that Zhang Dabiao would be able to get along well with the "clan members" there after going to the countryside; it was even more possible that they would truly "get along well."

These days, clan relationships in the countryside don't care about laws. Going to the countryside is like a sheep entering a pack of wolves. And expecting the Zhang family members to have a conscience? Nobody dares to gamble on that.

"Da Biao, don't be foolish, we can't agree to this!" Director Wang hurriedly reminded Zhang Da Biao.

"Let's eat first."

"what?"

"Let's talk while we eat."

------------

Zhang Dabiao asked Qin Jingru to get some cornbread buns, some cornbread porridge (the kind that's thick and mushy), and some pickled vegetables.

Director Wang nodded in satisfaction when he saw that Zhang Dabiao was now eating at this standard; that's more like it.

It's not that he's complaining about being poor, but this is the standard lunch amount. Yan Jiecheng is here, so if you're eating meat, can't you share some with him?

Zhang Dabiao ate a good breakfast and a decent dinner, so he just had a casual lunch.

If you really can't get used to the food, you can just grab a bite at your little corner.

As for inviting them to dinner, Zhang Dabiao didn't know what to do with them or how to face them.

Regardless of how things went, my father's true blood relatives have come all this way, so I have to treat them to something to eat.

You might think they have a conscience, but they come all this way just to ask for your workstation, your house, and even for you to go to the countryside and give up your urban household registration.

You might think they're heartless, but the village has prepared two large brick houses for you, 100 yuan a month, and even adopted a child into your adoptive father's household so that he can have someone to worship him in the city during festivals. They've arranged a way out for you.

Moreover, these people are honest; they just can't survive. They don't have many hidden agendas. They know what they did was wrong and feel guilty.

It's just a really awkward feeling.

While eating, Zhang Dabiao said, "Third Uncle, Second Uncle, we can't get our work positions back, so let's not talk about that."

"I've already changed houses, and there's no way I'll give them to you. I won't go to the countryside either."

Uncle Zhang San and Uncle Zhang Er were taken aback. They hadn't expected Zhang Dabiao to refuse so decisively.

Meanwhile, his two cousins, Maosheng and Maoshan, ate without saying a word, looking as if they hadn't eaten for a long time.

Director Wang also put down the cornbread in her hand. She was relieved that Zhang Dabiao was so clear-headed.

Uncle Zhang San and Uncle Zhang Er did not fly into a rage and stand up to slam the table, but instead let out a long sigh.

"Da Biao, your uncle knows this isn't fair to you, but your second uncle is your father's only brother. If you don't help, your second uncle's family... they have two little boys, one seven years old and the other only three..."

Upon hearing this, the women sitting on the covered walkway, including Yi Zhonghai who had come out to join the fun, were all stunned—a family of four children, all sons?!

I'm so envious and jealous!

Yi Zhonghai, in particular, almost yelled out— "Why give him to that dead Zhang Bansian? Give him to me!"

[If you're willing to change your surname, I guarantee I'll raise you like my own son!]

But I only want the baby!

"We really can't go on like this anymore." Uncle Zhang seemed to have lost some of his energy and spirit.

"The two tiled houses we were supposed to give you were the ancestral home of your father and second uncle's branch. They were originally meant for the two brothers to use for their weddings, but now that the harvest is so bad, the weddings can't be held. The 100 yuan was also scraped together by a few of us old folks in the clan."

"If you go to the countryside, your relatives can help you get by. But they have too many family members. If you go down there, who knows what might happen to the two younger ones..."

"So, Uncle San disregarded his pride and brought them here to find you. There was really no other way."

Previously, Uncle Zhang San did intend to use his seniority to suppress Zhang Dabiao, but the boy wouldn't fall for it.

So Uncle Zhang was at a loss. These days, most farmers feel a bit inferior in front of city people. In addition, Zhang Dabiao and his family had never met them before. This was their first meeting, so they couldn't be treated like ordinary juniors. There was also a high-ranking official like the director of the street office watching them.

Therefore, the Zhang family's momentum immediately dissipated, and they could no longer maintain their tough stance.

Zhang Dabiao lightly tapped the table with his chopsticks: "Giving the workstation and apartment to my cousin is out of the question. It's the same with going to the countryside. These days, if I went to the countryside, I probably wouldn't be able to come back to the city. Let's not talk about this anymore."

"My surname is Zhang, but I was adopted and have no blood relation with you. I haven't eaten a single grain of rice from your family all these years."

"I would never risk my own future to help you."

"If you want to call me selfish, I don't care."

"These days, face and reputation can't put food on the table."

"My primary task is to make sure I'm well-fed and comfortable."

The Zhang family members looked ashen-faced. Was this child really that heartless?

If you say it's in the countryside, once the clan rules are in place, they have plenty of ways to force Zhang Dabiao to give up his workstation and house.

But they dared not do so in the city.

But Zhang Dabiao's next words gave them hope again.

"But about this matter, considering that my father is related to you by blood, I have to think of a way to help."

Before making any definitive statements, we need to understand the situation first.

"Tell me about the situation first. How did my father leave the village back then? Why hasn't he gone back all these years?"

"Furthermore, when my father passed away, the neighborhood committee helped me call Zhangzhen Commune to ask for a message. Why didn't anyone come to offer condolences or attend the funeral?"

"I need to figure out what's going on here."

Zhang Banxian's last wish was to return to his roots, but he hadn't been back for so many years. We need to figure out what's going on here first. What if we rashly move the grave and go back, and they won't let Zhang Banxian into the ancestral grave?

Uncle Zhang was silent for a while, but Uncle Zhang nudged him and said, "What's there to be ashamed of? What happened back then wasn't your eldest brother's fault. Just tell me."

Uncle Zhang Er sighed deeply before beginning his story.