After delaying for a few days, Lin Zhen remained unbothered, but Old Fourth Lin grew increasingly anxious.
During this time, Old Fourth Lin and his wife had tried every trick to avoid contributing—whether it was money, food, or effort.
In the end, Old Second Lin gave them a thorough beating, forcing them to finally behave.
Old Fourth Lin was dragged out to work in the fields, while his wife was made to care for Old Mrs. Lin at home. If they were caught slacking off, they’d be punished with more violence.
Old Second Lin had finally seen through his fourth brother: he only responded to force, not kindness. He was the type who wouldn’t lift a finger unless threatened with fists.
Old Second Lin had once been brainwashed into being filial to his parents and obedient to his eldest brother, but he wasn’t foolish enough to endlessly tolerate and support his younger brother!
Even Old Fourth Lin’s wife had been disciplined several times by Old Second Lin’s wife.
“What are we going to do?” she complained. “She’s your mother! She messes her pants every day, and I nearly faint from the smell when cleaning her up. I also have to feed her. Our family barely has any grain to begin with—how can your meager work points support anyone? How are we supposed to live like this?”
Old Fourth Lin was also worried. He didn’t want to care for Old Mrs. Lin, but with Old Second Lin watching them closely, his family had no way to escape.
Being forced to work in the fields lately had left his entire body aching and sore.
“I’ll go urge the brigade leader. Even if Lin Zhen won’t come in person, we have to get the money from him.”
He was deeply resentful. Knowing that Lin Zhen had money and lived in such a nice house, yet he couldn’t get any of it for himself—the thought tormented him endlessly.
Old Fourth Lin’s wife was equally bitter. She had seen that house the other day—it was impressive.
Thinking of this, she pinched Old Fourth Lin hard. “You both came from the same family—how are you so useless? I must have had the worst luck in the world to marry a good-for-nothing like you. I’ve never enjoyed a single day of happiness, only suffering.”
Old Fourth Lin rolled his eyes. “If you’re counting on me, why not count on your son? I definitely don’t have what it takes.”
He thought again about the elderly support money Lin Zhen had mentioned.
Four yuan a month, eight yuan for two months—that could buy quite a few things.
“Just make do with whatever we have for Mother. Our family is poor anyway—it’s not like we have anything good to eat.”
Eventually, the brigade leader and several Lin family elders went to discuss the matter with Lin Zhen.
Under Old Man Lin’s watchful glare, the elders didn’t dare make excessive demands.
The monthly support money remained the same, but they asked for some additional grain.
Not much—just ten pounds of grain per elderly person. It didn’t matter what type of grain, as long as it added up to twenty pounds.
And so, the matter was settled.
Right in front of everyone, Lin Zhen measured out twenty pounds of sweet potatoes and handed three yuan to the brigade leader.
“Uncle Lei, please help me deliver these. I won’t be going over there myself.”
The Lin family elders: “…”
Cough… Lin Zhen wasn’t even pretending to care.
Third Uncle pointed a trembling finger at Lin Zhen. “You—you’re giving just twenty pounds of sweet potatoes?!”
After the meddling Third Uncle spoke up, Old Man Lin immediately shut him down.
“What else do you want? He’s giving sweet potatoes—that’s more than enough! If it were me, I’d only give one yuan a month. Say whatever you want, but you should mind your own business instead of sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Actually, scratch that—don’t even mind your own business. The more you meddle, the more annoying you become!”
Third Uncle was so angry he stomped his feet, while the other elders pretended not to hear.
“But Lin Zhen lives in such a big house—”
“Stop pointing fingers! Lin Zhen built this house with his own ability. Did you contribute a single cent? Did Old Mrs. Lin and the others contribute anything? What, are you jealous that Lin Zhen built a brick-tile house? If you’re jealous, go build one yourself!”
Third Uncle was practically growling with rage but couldn’t win the argument against Old Man Lin.
Eventually, the other elders dragged him away. Along the way, someone tried to reason with him: “I’m telling you, you’re meddling too much. Lin Zhen is providing grain—why does it matter what kind it is?”
They were only persuading Lin Zhen out of a sense of obligation. Old Mrs. Lin wasn’t their relative—whether she lived or died had nothing to do with them.
Third Uncle was fuming. Was that supposed to be comforting? It sounded more like provocation.
When Old Mrs. Lin’s family received the money and grain from Lin Zhen, Old Mr. Lin glanced at it with disappointment. He felt somewhat resentful that Lin Zhen was being so stingy. After all, he hadn’t been involved in those past incidents—why wouldn’t Lin Zhen support him in his old age?
Old Second Lin remained silent but accepted the sweet potatoes.
Old Fourth Lin complained discontentedly, “He’s living the high life, eating and drinking well, but all he gives his own grandparents is this? Nothing but sweet potatoes—not even a bit of cornmeal! Is this even edible?”
The brigade leader snapped impatiently, “If it’s not good enough for you, give it back!”
“Second Son, take these three yuan and buy some grain or whatever else is needed. Handle it as you see fit.”
Old Fourth Lin tried to snatch the money but was kicked away by Old Second Lin.
“This is Mother and Father’s support money! Try taking even a cent, and see what happens!”
The current Old Second Lin was full of hostility toward Old Fourth Lin.
Old Fourth Lin was intimidated by the beating but still coveted the money. “Why should you hold onto the support money? I’m taking care of Mother too!”
Old Fourth Lin’s wife nodded in agreement. “Exactly! You said it yourself—this is for Mother and Father’s support. Why should you be the one holding it?”
Old Second Lin replied, “I’m taking this money to the village chief to buy grain.”
If the money ended up in Old Fourth Lin’s hands, there was no guarantee it would ever be seen again.
Afraid that Old Second Lin would pocket the money, Old Fourth Lin and his wife quickly followed him.
Old Mr. Lin was left sitting in front of the door, directly smoking a roll of moldy tobacco leaves.
He didn’t even have a proper pipe anymore.
This family was falling apart.
Just then, Lin Youfu’s angry yet weak voice came from inside his room.
“I’m hungry! Where’s my food?”
Ever since Old Mrs. Lin became bedridden, he hadn’t had a full meal.
Old Second Lin’s family disliked him because of past conflicts and often neglected his meals. As for Old Fourth Lin’s family, they were even worse.
Old Mr. Lin had no intention of caring for this grandson who wasn’t even related by blood.
So, in just a few days, Lin Youfu’s life—already upended by his broken leg—underwent another drastic change. Now, even getting enough to eat had become a problem.
But, of course, no one cared about him anymore.
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