The game of power begins with the police officers at the local police station.

Chen Xing took out the wine, poured some for Chen Shi and his father, and also poured himself a glass.

The father and his two sons drank and chatted happily, as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened.

After Chen Shi finished his drink, Chen Xing quickly grabbed the bottle to pour him more wine, but Chen Shi waved his hand and said, "Brother, don't pour it. Drink less; too much is bad for your health."

Wang Xiufen tied her son to Wang Guihua's back and said, "Xiao Shi is right. Alcohol is not a good thing. What's the point of drinking too much? Health is important. If you can avoid drinking, then don't drink."

Instead of spending this money on alcohol, it would be better to buy a couple more warm clothes for your wife and kids.

Chen Xing glared at Wang Xiufen: "You talk too much."

"I don't talk much, and who knows what this family will become." Wang Xiufen looked at Chen Shi: "Your brother, without my consent, wanted to act like a big shot and spent more than 10,000 to erect a tombstone."

This money wasn't earned by him alone; I got a share too. Why should he take it and use it for these pointless things without my permission?

Chen Xing glared at Wang Xiufen: "Isn't this all in the past, and we're not talking about it anymore? Why are you going on and on about it to everyone you meet?"

"When Xiao Shi comes back, he's the leader, let him judge whether what I said is right or wrong."

It's clear that Wang Xiufen is dissatisfied with the erection of the monument. What does the Chen family's monument have to do with me? Why should I pay for it?

Whoever wants to erect a monument should pay for it.

Chen Yanshi coughed lightly: "I asked him to pay this money. Our Chen family is where we are today thanks to the blessings of our ancestors. Let's not forget our roots."

"Dad, I don't like hearing you say that. Our ancestors have blessed us, and they've blessed us too. I don't object to erecting a monument, but we should all contribute to the cost."

We need to save our money and build the house after the New Year, around March or April.

Chen Xing's face darkened: "Didn't we already agree that I would pay for this? If I go back on my word after already saying it, what will people think?"

"How much is your face worth? Let others think what they want, it's their business, I can't control that."

"Dad, we know you don't have money when we build this house, so we didn't ask you to contribute. We can't have a little money on us and then have to give it away to pretend we're rich. We're not that wealthy. If your family had a few million, I, Wang Xiufen, wouldn't say a word. You can spend it however you want, without any complaints."

Chen Yanshi felt very embarrassed, his face turned ashen, and he took a sip of wine.

"I'll pay for it; you don't need to pay."

"Dad, don't say such hurtful things. Where would you get any money?"

"This land is mine, this house is mine, I've bought them all."

Before Wang Xiufen could speak again, Chen Xing shouted, "Shut up!"

Chen Shi remained silent, listening attentively, and said expressionlessly, "Sister-in-law, are you finished?"

Wang Xiufen said with a forced smile, "Xiao Shi, your sister-in-law is straightforward. It's just that we can't afford to pay so much for this tombstone. It's not that we won't pay a penny, but we'll pay whatever we're supposed to. We don't have the means to pretend to be rich."

Chen Shi slowly said, "Our Chen family is a small clan in Qinghe Village. My eldest uncle has passed away, and my father is the most senior. He suggested erecting a monument, which is a good thing."

"Thank goodness, I became the deputy director of the police station, and you two got jobs at the power management office—one a temporary worker, the other a permanent one. Sister-in-law, tell me, did our ancestors bless you?"

"Bless us, and bless everyone else. Brother Jianhua, he's also the acting village party secretary. He's so powerful in the village every day, even more powerful than the county magistrate."

Clearly, Wang Xiufen looked down on Chen Jianhua.

"Your ancestors know that you contributed money, and they will protect us even more in the afterlife."

No matter what you say, this money is not going to be paid; let whoever wants to pay it pay.

"Xiao Shi, let me give you a straight answer: we can't possibly pay over ten thousand yuan. We won't be taken advantage of. If we do pay, we'll only pay what we're supposed to pay."

Chen Shi felt a headache coming on. He looked at Chen Xing and said, "You can't be in charge, so why are you acting like a big shot?" In front of Chen Jianhua and Chen Jianyong, the two brothers, he said, "We'll pay for it ourselves."

And Father, if you don't have the ability, you shouldn't get involved in these things. Now you're in a bind. You've already said what you wanted to say, and now you're going back on your word. How are you going to face people in the village after this?

"Between you two, who's in charge?"

Wang Xiufen exclaimed, "Of course it's me!"

Chen Xing was furious. This woman showed him absolutely no respect.

"You're not in charge of anything. You didn't even finish elementary school. Do you think you have the ability to be in charge?"

"Dad, Xiaoshi, I said it myself, I'll pay for the ten thousand yuan or so for the tombstone."

Wang Xiufen said emotionally, "Chen Xing, let me tell you, if you dare to pay this money, I'll divorce you."

"Let's get a divorce then, who's afraid of who? You should know that being able to get a temporary job at the power management office is a matter of Xiao Shi's pride."

"Look at you, so capable! Don't you know your own limitations? Believe me, the moment you divorce me, Director Qin will fire you and bring you back to square one."

"You only earn a few dollars as a temporary worker at the power management office. My mother can earn the same amount working on the coast."

"Fine, let's get a divorce tomorrow. Look at you, so capable, wanting to meddle in everything."

Fearing they would really divorce, Wang Guihua yelled at Chen Yanshi, "It's all your fault! Why did you have to erect a monument? If they divorce, I'll never forgive you!"

Chen Xing said angrily, "Mom, don't be afraid. After the divorce, I'll find someone better right away."

I have a job now. Three-legged people are hard to find, but two-legged people are everywhere. Who are you trying to scare?

Wang Xiufen pointed at Chen Xing: "You Chen Shimei! When I married you, I was dirt poor and didn't even have a decent room. I bore you children, and now that you're successful, you want to abandon me? Let me tell you, I'm not someone to be trifled with. You have to compensate me for my lost youth. Give me a million yuan. Hand it over, and we'll get a divorce tomorrow."

"Keep dreaming. You've lost your youth, but haven't I? You owe me a million. Give it to me, and we'll get a divorce tomorrow."

Chen Shi was speechless for a moment. It seemed that the divorce was not going to happen. Both sides had already found a way to save face, and neither of them could come up with a million.

He gave his mother a look, as if to say, "Don't worry, we won't get a divorce. After all, we have two children, and we won't divorce over this."

Chen Shi had long seen through Wang Xiufen's act, which she was putting on for him to see, hoping he would pay for it.

You two are earning more than I, the deputy director, do now. If you really didn't have the money, it wouldn't hurt to contribute more. But since you have money, this is a matter of character.

Think about your jobs. Who assigned them to you? And you're even trying to take advantage of them.

Seeing that things had escalated to this point and Chen Shi remained silent, Wang Xiufen knew that continuing the commotion would not bring her any good.

She glared at Chen Xing fiercely and said, "You just wait, the bank cards are all in my hands. Let's see how you withdraw money."

If I don't subdue you this time, you won't take me seriously.

At this moment, Chen Xing also felt some regret. He shouldn't have agreed so immediately. He should have discussed it with his wife first. This was his fault. In the future, he should still discuss things with his wife and not make decisions on his own.

But the words have already been spoken, and even if we get divorced, I have to pay for it myself; saving face is more important than anything else.

Chen Yanshi lit a pipe and started smoking. He realized he was getting old and couldn't make decisions for his children anymore. Once his wish to erect a monument was fulfilled, he would no longer interfere in Chen Xing and his wife's affairs. This daughter-in-law was too troublesome.

What's said is said, and I have to pay for it no matter what. If they really don't pay, I'll sell the land. It's my land, and nobody can stop me.

Chen Yanshi recalled an old saying and felt a deep sense of understanding at that moment: "It's better to have your own than to have your own parents' wealth."