Chapter 189: Chapter 189

Zhang Lan and Gong Dajiang were walking home with bags in hand, when she noticed several acquaintances who greeted her quickly dispersed, which was quite strange.

Zhang Lan had boasted about going to the Northeast to find Gong Tao and promised she’d bring back meat.

But nothing went smoothly, it was hard enough finding someone with meat to exchange for rice, but for some reason it all fell through, and until they left, no one offered to sell them anything.

Looking at the luggage, which wasn’t much fuller than before they left, Zhang Lan was worried. She didn’t get the ginseng, didn’t manage to bring back Gong Ruini as a hostage, and not to mention the unhappiness caused with Gong Tao for ginseng, regretting even considering going there again. Gong Tao obviously didn’t care about his reputation.

Seeing familiar scenes, Gong Dajiang felt alive again, "I need a bath once we’re back, it’s been unbearable."

After getting used to bathing daily in the Northeast, suddenly not being able to due to travel was hard for Gong Dajiang to bear. He looked forward to Zhang Lan quickly getting things done, then having a hot meal, soaking in a hot bath, applying a facial mask, and getting a good night’s sleep; his plans were in place, just waiting for Zhang Lan to execute them.

Listening to her husband’s demands, Zhang Lan was truly speechless, not even home yet, and he was already expecting her to do this and that, as if she were a servant.

"You’re not in the Northeast anymore, heating water with wood and having a big tub for bathing." She shouldn’t have said it, as it made her long for the Northeast.

But in the Northeast, only bathing was slightly better, everything else was not good at all, especially the food, which wasn’t as comfortable as home.

"If you want a bath, go to the unit." There’s clearly a big pool at the workplace for retired workers to use, and it’s free, why not go there, saving both effort and money.

Bathing at the unit couldn’t be as comfortable as at home, Gong Dajiang felt all sorts of dissatisfaction, "No, I want to bathe at home. In fact, we could even build a big bath here."

Zhang Lan didn’t want to indulge Gong Dajiang in his madness, suggesting building a big bath—it wasn’t like space fell from the sky. The Northeast was vast, of course they could build houses freely, but at home there was no room for such a thing. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on n0velfire.net

The old couple was having this conversation at their doorstep, which made Gong Qiang very happy to see them return.

Humph, let Gong Zheng have no sense of brotherhood, this time he’ll be kicked out completely, let’s see how he keeps bragging, "Our dad worked hard all his life, how could we not fulfill his desire for a bathing place."

Gong Qiang had to put on a good show; Gong Zheng had said that ginseng could be their mother’s doing, so he had to perform well to get the ginseng, and then properly annoy Gong Zheng.

"Dad, the room Gong Zheng has is nice." Brothers who hit each other shouldn’t stay till the New Year anyway, and since that kid was already applying for a dorm, might as well cut his retreat.

Gong Qiang worried that once Gong Zheng’s child was born, his status would be unmaintainable, so the best plan was to isolate them. How much enthusiasm would their mother have after not seeing her grandson for a long time?

No space was left for Gong Zheng; wouldn’t he be frustrated inside?

Turning Gong Zheng’s room into a bath? Regardless of Gong Dajiang’s reaction, Zhang Lan was stunned, "That’s your brother’s marital home."

"Where will your brother’s family live?" Making the younger son homeless for a bathing place, not even if it meant occupying Gong Tao’s room, Zhang Lan wouldn’t do it.

Especially since the ginseng wasn’t acquired, who knows what the son and daughter-in-law would think, and if the housing issue came up, who knows how Gong Zheng would react.

Zhang Lan didn’t understand why the elder son held such opinions about Gong Zheng, and his tone wasn’t joking.

"What did you say?" Gong Dajiang was stunned, and asked again.

"I said dad worked hard all his life, we can’t not fulfill his want to bathe at home." Gong Qiang was a little shaky, feeling the old man was a bit unhappy.

But realizing that he was following the old man’s wish also for his benefit, there was no reason for the old man to be unhappy.

"Since Gong Zheng is applying for a dormitory, we can convert it into a bath." Gong Qiang said confidently.

Gong Dajiang was really angered by this eldest son, if they had space and wanted a bath area, fine, but not at the cost of throwing out a son for one.

Gong Zheng received the news that his parents were back, and of course rushed back, overhearing from afar his brother persuading his parents to convert his room into a bath, which infuriated him.

"Good for you, Gong Qiang, I knew you were , hoping we’d all stay away from our parents."

"It’s one thing to have ousted our second brother, now you want to scheme against me."

"I got the telegram requesting you to remit money and you just ignored it."

"Knowing I needed ginseng too, you chased us away, and now even intend to confiscate the room."

"What, I’m applying for a dormitory—would I dare live in such a home?"

"You hit me, fine, you are my elder brother, but how could you lay a hand on Wu Rui, she’s your sister-in-law."

"And she’s pregnant."

"You dared hit a pregnant woman, are you trying to corner us?

Gong Zheng felt heartache thinking about it, if something happened to Wu Rui, how would the Yue Family view him? Forget about potential promotions, avoiding hindrance would be good enough.

What, Gong Qiang hit Wu Rui, Zhang Lan was terrified, "How’s Wu Rui, is she okay?"

Of course, she didn’t forget to slightly defend Gong Qiang, "Is there some sort of misunderstanding?"

Zhang Lan wondered if Wu Rui had stirred things up, as she didn’t believe Gong Qiang would do such a thing.

This is his mother, always trusting the eldest brother, even if he, this son, spoke, she wouldn’t believe it, "It was Big Brother who hit me, then Wu Rui came to stop it..."

Gong Zheng explained what happened then, "Mom, did Dad later say there’s no more ginseng, is there really none left, or did you use your own money for it, then gave it to Big Brother?"

Zhang Lan’s bias made Gong Zheng suspect this possibility more and more, he had to clarify before the luggage was brought home.

If there was ginseng, then this money had to be discussed, not letting Big Brother take all the benefit.

Zhang Lan was first overwhelmed by the events with Gong Qiang, then hurt by her younger son’s distrustful look, "Xiao Zheng, how can you think that of me, am I that sort of person?"

Gong Zheng didn’t answer, just stared at Zhang Lan. His silence showed his thoughts, that Zhang Lan surely had obtained the ginseng.