Chapter 46: Siblings

“That car costs three million?”

Mom felt faint again, but Ya Lu quickly stepped in with her excellent ability to handle the moment: “Liang came back from the city at noon; he probably hasn’t had dinner yet, right?”

Liang Lu nodded hurriedly, sounding a bit resentful. “I just came to your place, and you didn’t even invite me in for a bite.”

Ya Lu shot him a fierce glare. “We already finished eating. It was just some leftovers. Want some?”

“I’ve eaten your leftovers since I was a kid, haven’t I?”

Playing along, the siblings successfully diverted their mother’s attention once more.

“It’s already past eight. Why haven’t you had dinner yet?”

Mom didn’t care about anything else and rushed to the kitchen, scolding nonstop: “You didn’t let me know you were coming back early. The fridge barely has anything. I’ll make you a bowl of noodles and fry an egg.”

“That’s fine.”

Liang saw Dad pull out some White Sand cigarettes from his pocket and quickly took out the soft pack. “Dad, from now on, smoke these.”

He also opened a gift bag on the floor, which contained five packs of the soft cigarettes and five bottles of Moutai liquor.

“This is cordyceps; you can brew it as tea or cook it into soup. This is codonopsis; Mom’s blood pressure is a bit high, so she should take two slices daily,” Liang explained the gifts.

Dad smoked silently out of habit but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, betraying his inner joy.

Parents always say they don’t ask for their children to become rich or famous, only wishing for their safety and health. But who doesn’t wish for their children to succeed brilliantly?

Finally, Liang took out a bank card. “Here’s some money. Find time to renovate the house.”

“How much?”

“Three million.”

Dad’s eyes widened. “That much? Are you building a palace? Doesn’t your company need money?”

“The company is one thing, I’m another. It’s complicated, but basically, the two aren’t directly related. I don’t have any immediate expenses.”

Liang glanced at Ya Lu, who was helping in the kitchen. “Build a three or four-story house, fully furnished, about two million. Keep a few hundred thousand yourselves, and if my brother-in-law wants to start a business, help him out.”

His sister’s marriage wasn’t bad but not great either. Her husband came from an ordinary family, neither wealthy nor poor.

They had run a small shop for years, but with the birth of their second child and the eldest starting school, the financial pressure had visibly increased.

Whenever free, brother-in-law would haul goods and find customers, while his sister managed the store and did some handicrafts to supplement the household income.

Now that Liang had prospered, he wanted them to live a little better, but as their brother-in-law, it wasn’t appropriate for him to step forward.

But his father-in-law, Jiancheng Lu, had no such reservations. A father-in-law supporting his son-in-law was an age-old tradition.

This way, brother-in-law would take more interest in their family affairs, since Liang couldn’t always be around.

---

“He’s really grown up now,” Dad sighed deeply, his eyes full of pride.

At that moment, Ya Lu came in carrying a bowl of noodles. “Egg and vegetable noodles. Mom and Dad, how come there’s barely anything in the fridge?”

“There’s just the two of us usually. If we buy too much, it goes bad,” Jiancheng explained, pointing to the bank card. “Your brother took some money and wants to tear down and rebuild this old house.”

“That’s a good thing. Just save a room for me.”

Ya Lu suddenly added, “By the way, this time, don’t hire anyone you know. Familiar people always end up cheating you.”

“When we renovated our house last time, Dad introduced my cousin to help with plastering. But within a few years, the plaster started falling off.”

Dad was shocked. “When was this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s in the past. What’s the use? Besides, he’s family. We couldn’t complain or ask for compensation.”

Ya Lu put her arm around Liang’s shoulder earnestly. “Liang, this time make sure you hire professionals, preferably strangers. That way, if something goes wrong, you can speak up, scold if necessary, and you don’t have to treat them to fancy cigarettes and tea. You’re paying them, after all.”

Having suffered once from trusting acquaintances, she didn’t want Liang to repeat the mistake.

“Sis, you’re always so careful. Why not help organize it? I’ll be home a few more days but have to leave Thursday.”

Hearing this, Ya Lu hesitated. A daughter married out is like water poured out—she didn’t want people gossiping.

Liang understood her worries and deliberately teased her, “Is my sister someone who’s easily swayed by gossip?”

“Stop provoking me. Eat quickly, take me home afterward, I’ll think about it,” Ya Lu glared at him in mock annoyance.

Liang finished his noodles swiftly and grabbed the car keys. “Mom, Dad, I’ll take Sis home first.”

“Be careful on the road. If you’re going to drink with friends later, don’t drive.”

“Got it.”

On the way back, Liang said, “You know how soft Mom and Dad are. If they take charge, some distant relative might get the contract. It wouldn’t matter if it costs more, but the work might be shoddy.”

“So, you want me to be the bad guy.”

Ya Lu sighed helplessly. “If you want me to help organize, that’s fine. But don’t put the house-building money with Mom and Dad—keep it with you. I’ll ask you for whatever I need.”

She wasn’t afraid of gossip but feared her parents would be influenced by it and view her through tinted lenses.

Liang was her brother; she had no such worries. Their sibling bond was deeper than their parents’.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. I didn’t think of that,” Liang admitted sheepishly, realizing the complications.

He paused, then added, “Before I return to the city, I’ll leave some money with Mom and Dad. If brother-in-law wants to start a business, he can go to them.”

---

Ya Lu’s expression shifted slightly. Before she could speak, Liang hurriedly said, “You’re my sister, my only sister. I’m pretty well-off now; tens of millions don’t mean much to me. I just want your lives to be better.

Look at Huang Er in the neighboring village. He made money and then helped his brother-in-law make money too. Both families live well.

Even if not for yourselves, you have to think about the two kids—they’re growing up fast and will cost a lot in the future.”

Ya Lu fell silent.

After a long while, Liang softly called, “Sis?”

Ya Lu finally smiled with relief. “You’ve said it all. What else can I say? We’ll talk more when the time comes.”

Liang breathed out and smiled. “Dad’s birthday is next Wednesday. I plan to book a few tables at Zhenhai Pavilion.”

Zhenhai Pavilion was the town’s largest banquet hall, specializing in big events like weddings and birthday feasts.

“Dad’s not that old; a few tables aren’t needed. Just one table with Grandpa and Grandma—close family only,” Ya Lu said, transferring 800 yuan to Liang. “I know you’re rich, but I get a share too.”

“Fine, whatever you say.”

Liang took his sister home and planned to call some old friends for a late-night snack and a few drinks to reminisce about youth.

But every call ended the same: someone had to work tomorrow, someone had to take their child to school, or their wife wouldn’t let them go.

Liang sighed. With family men, it’s impossible to get a night out.

He resigned himself and drove straight home.

Back at the house, Liang briefly explained the renovation plans to his parents.

He held the money, Ya Lu would oversee the project, and they would keep a million in reserve for emergencies.

Mom wept tears of joy. “You two have families but still get along so well—now I can rest easy.”

“Like soldiers in battle—brothers and sons in arms.”

After a long drive, Liang was exhausted. He showered and returned to his room.

The furniture and decor inside and outside the old house were outdated; only his room was new.

Years ago, after marrying, even though he didn’t live here, he had spent tens of thousands on renovations and new furniture and appliances.

Now, things had changed. Liang took down the wedding photo from his bedside, tore the picture inside into pieces, and shoved the frame under the bed.

He checked again to make sure all the photos were destroyed before finally lying down with peace of mind.