Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"You know that much is good!"

As soon as Grandma Wei Shufen opened her mouth, all the grandchildren present fell silent and dared not interrupt her. Then they heard Grandma Wei continue, "I called you here today because Qian Zaiguang said he had opened accounts for you all at the county bank and transferred the money into them. You can go and pick up your passbooks later."

"But I have something else to say to you all first," said Old Mrs. Wei Shufen, looking around at everyone. "If you've received a benefit, you should keep it to yourself. Gossiping everywhere will only bring trouble to yourself and Zaiguang. Things aren't good now!"

"I'm still shaken by what happened with Rongfei a while ago. If any of you dare to go around bragging that you all received dividends, don't even think about getting any next year. I'm telling you this, go ahead and try!"

After his mother finished speaking, Chen Xiangui stood up and said, "Did you all hear what your grandmother said? If you get any benefits, you have to keep it a secret. Don't flaunt your wealth. Don't let others know, otherwise you'll not only harm yourselves, but also the brothers in the other branches of the family!"

"Stop being so smug! You're not allowed to tell even your own families. If I find out that any of your relatives have received dividends and are now rich, and they come to borrow money, I'll immediately expel them from the family register!"

The older generation experienced turmoil, especially Grandma Wei Shufen, who lived through that era and went through that upheaval. So many families were robbed of everything. In those days, policies could change in an instant, so people with any wealth would hide it and not let others know.

Who knows, the central government is talking about reform and opening up now, but they might turn around and start fighting landlords again. Old lady Wei Shufen has been through it all; some of the things the government says are just to be taken with a grain of salt.

The members of the Chen family all nodded heavily as they listened to what their grandmother, Wei Shufen, and their uncle, Chen Xiangui, said, without uttering a single word of assurance.

Whether or not it's a guarantee, it can't be just said with words; it has to be shown through actions. Several of the gossipy wives in the third branch, especially Chen Xianhai's wife, are being watched closely.

Feeling annoyed and embarrassed by the stares of her nephews and nieces, especially her three sons, Yang Xifeng said, "Why are you all staring at me? I'm known for keeping my mouth shut; I never talk about family matters to outsiders!"

Chen Zaifang, Chen Zailian, and Chen Zaiyou, the three sons, chuckled at their mother's words. Although Chen Zaixing, the troublemaker from the third branch of the family, wasn't there, Chen Xianfu's mischievous son, Chen Zaiju, was still there. He jokingly said, "Auntie, eight out of ten gossips in the village can be traced back to you!"

"Nonsense!" Yang Xifeng glared at her. "You can't ruin my reputation in front of your grandmother. I may be a bit gossipy, but I only spread rumors about other people's affairs, never about our own family!"

"Don't wash your dirty linen in public. Do you think your aunt is stupid?"

Grandma Wei Shufen rolled her eyes in anger after hearing this, glaring at her still self-righteous youngest daughter-in-law Yang Xifeng, "You think you're so capable? What can I say? I, this old woman, have to praise your silver tongue!"

Yang Xifeng immediately deflated after being told that by Old Madam Wei Shufen, and sat back down in her seat dejectedly. Huang Lanzhi smiled at her and silently shook her head. This sharp-tongued girl was fortunate that her uncle's daughter, Lianzhen, was not like her mother, making it difficult for her to find a husband.

Seeing her youngest daughter-in-law sit down, Old Madam Wei Shufen continued, "Among the eighteen portions just now, there was one for your eldest sister, Lianxiang. You all probably know about your eldest sister's situation. When she comes back, she will divorce the Liu family and move her household registration out separately."

"It's not easy for a woman to raise two children alone. I'll take it upon myself to give them a share too," said Old Mrs. Wei Shufen. She then looked at her second son, Chen Xianfu, and her third son, Chen Xianhai. "Lianzhu from the second son's family and Lianzhen from the third son's family should, in principle, also receive a share, just like their eldest sister."

"But Lianzhu is already married, and Lianzhen is twenty-two this year and will be looking for a husband soon. My idea is that for all the women who have married out, when Zailong arrives, he should go to the county department store and buy them a set of jewelry. I'll also make up for Lianzhen's share, so that no one will say I'm biased!"

Chen Xianfu's wife, Zheng Ling, lowered her head, not daring to look at her mother-in-law. It was obvious that the old lady had seen her micro-expressions earlier.

"Grandma, how can this be? How can we let you pay for your two younger sisters?" Chen Zaiguang hurriedly stopped him. "I'll pay for their share separately."

"Here's what we'll do. Tomorrow, I'll have Lao Si go to the county and bring back three sets of gold jewelry. I'll give Lianxiang's set too, and then we'll give each of them a share of the profits. They're just like their eldest sister; they're all daughters of the Chen family. Whether they're married or not, we can't mistreat them!"

"Big Brother is so generous!"

"Yes, that's fair, brother!"

After hearing what Chen Zaiguang, the eldest brother of the third branch, said, the younger brothers all gave Chen Zaiguang a thumbs up and praised him for his generosity. Chen Zailong stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go to the county department store tomorrow and buy three sets."

"Fourth brother, take your wife with you. Women need to be able to choose jewelry themselves so they can make the right choice," Chen Xiangui instructed.

"Okay, then I'll drive tomorrow and take Ma Jiao with me," Chen Zailong said. Hearing that they could take a car to the county tomorrow, the other women were already eager to go.

"Fourth Uncle, how about I go with you tomorrow? I'll help you take a look," Lin Ruiqing said with a smile.

Yang Xifeng was not about to be outdone, and immediately chimed in, "Fourth brother, bring your aunt along tomorrow too. Your aunt is really good at picking out jewelry, and she can even haggle with the sales clerk."

"Then take me with you too. I also want to go and find a set. The one my second uncle gave me can't be taken out casually. I want to find a cheap one for myself so I can wear it when I go back to my parents' home," Wu Fangru also thought about hitchhiking to the county town.

"Go, go, go! Everyone wants to go. I'll talk to Bingkun tomorrow and have Gengsheng drive the handcart to take you all. You've only been eating well for a few days, and now that you have a little money in your pockets, you have to spend it all. Are you infested with money lice and can't stand the bites?"

As soon as Grandma Wei Shufen uttered her words, the entire room fell silent. The women who had been clamoring to go together just moments before were now all speechless and sitting back down on their stools, not daring to mention going together again.

"Tomorrow, let Zai Long drive. Eldest son, you and Zai Long's wife go together. The rest of you who want to go can walk. I won't stop you!"

"Okay, Mother, I understand," Huang Lanzhi replied with a smile. At this crucial moment, it was still her eldest daughter-in-law who won her mother's favor.

"Hey! They're all chatting!"

"Dongzi's here! Come in quickly!"

"Dongzi is here. Come, sit here with your aunt."