B5SB -Chapter 147 Vacating the House

Fang Yi trailed behind Brother Lu, running after him, careful not to disturb the atmosphere in the Fang family’s living room.

Elder Brother Fang complained to Father Fang, “Dad, what do you mean by this?”

“I’ve lived in that house for three years. If you want me to move out, I’ll move out.”

Father Fang gave Elder Brother Fang a cold look. This son was shallow-minded, only caring about immediate benefits and never thinking long-term.

At that moment, Fang Jiye walked out of the bedroom, holding the money that Fang Yi had given him before leaving.

He hopped over to Elder Brother’s wife and, smiling cheerfully, handed her the money. “Mom, this is from Auntie.”

Elder Brother’s wife praised him, “My son is really good.”

She took the money, which wasn’t insignificant—one yuan and a sugar coupon.

Father Fang stubbed out his cigarette, pointed at Fang Jiye, and sarcastically said to Elder Brother Fang, “Giving money to your child—what, that’s not enough for you?”

“If you tear things apart with Brother Lu, what benefits will you get from them in the future?”

“If your younger sister divorces Lu Huaixu and remarries a stingy man, what benefits will you gain?”

“Step back, and the two families’ relationship will remain as good as before. If you’re in trouble, you can ask for their help, and with just a word, they can get it done for you.”

Elder Brother Fang felt a pang in his chest, his face sour. He didn’t want to move. Used to the spacious house, going back to a smaller one felt suffocating.

Elder Brother’s wife, however, kept smiling and didn’t think moving out was a bad thing.

She was more perceptive than Elder Brother Fang: as long as the younger sister didn’t divorce, she was like a laying hen, providing a continuous stream of benefits.

But if she divorced, it was like killing the hen that lays eggs.

Mother Fang sighed and whispered to Father Fang, “Old man, there’s only one bedroom in the house. Where will Jiye sleep?”

Elder Brother’s wife covered her mouth, laughing, and reassured Mother Fang, “Mom, where can’t Jiye sleep?”

“Our house used to accommodate Jiye’s three aunts, right? Back then, they all fit. Now it will be fine too.”

Elder Brother Fang, displeased, tugged at his wife’s clothes and asked coldly, “What do you mean by that?”

Elder Brother’s wife glanced at her stubborn husband—Father Fang had already made it clear. He still only cared about his own feelings. She rolled her eyes and scoffed, “Only if the younger sister and brother-in-law don’t divorce will our family benefit.”

Father Fang was infuriated by his son’s stupidity. He couldn’t believe his own flesh and blood could be so hopelessly dumb.

He growled, “Think about your eldest and second brother-in-law. Did they ever spend a penny on you?”

Elder Brother’s wife nearly laughed aloud. Why wouldn’t they give him money?

It was because Father and Mother Fang had been unreasonable. They sold their daughters off and gave no dowry, just sending them off in patched clothes.

But she, as the daughter-in-law of the Fang family, was the one benefiting.

She certainly wouldn’t defend the elder sisters; if her own parents didn’t care, why should an outsider like her?

Elsewhere, Fang Yi ran at a quick pace, finally catching sight of Brother Lu.

Breathless and hands on her knees, she shouted at his back, “Lu Huaixu, stop right there!”

Brother Lu paused at her shout, turning to look at her coldly.

Seeing his expression, tears streamed down Fang Yi’s face as she slowly approached him.

“Are you planning to divorce me?”

Brother Lu’s eyes held no emotion, his voice indifferent: “No.”

Fang Yi smiled, her eyes lighting up.

She knew Brother Lu wouldn’t divorce her. After all, they’d been married ten years—divorce wasn’t something you could just declare.

“Mom and Dad are splitting us up. After the New Year, we’ll have to move out of the military compound.”

Brother Lu’s deep voice sounded.

Fang Yi was overjoyed, asking excitedly, “Really? How much are Mom and Dad giving us?”

At this moment, Brother Lu truly regretted marrying Fang Yi. She only ever focused on the small family belongings.

He himself was the deputy director in charge of production at the electromechanical factory, earning one hundred thirty yuan per month.

Fang Yi was a department store sales clerk, earning thirty-eight yuan a month. Together, their salaries totaled one hundred sixty-eight yuan.

The three of them couldn’t possibly spend that much. Why did she always fixate on family possessions?

Seeing Brother Lu silent, Fang Yi stepped forward, grabbing his arm and shaking him, “Speak! What did our family give us?”

Brother Lu waved her hand off and sneered coldly, looking into her eyes, “Wasn’t it already given to you in advance?”

Fang Yi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “When did that happen? How come I didn’t know?”

Racking her brain, Fang Yi couldn’t figure out when the family had divided property for them.

It must have been Mother Lu favoring the younger son. Now that Lu Huailin was married, she had given the family’s savings to the couple.

Fang Yi, angry, lost her head.

“I need to ask Mom. How can she be so biased? Both are sons, but you’re the poor little one, and Lu Huailin is the precious one.”

She stepped past Brother Lu, intending to go back to the military compound to confront her biased in-laws.

Brother Lu, amused by her actions, grabbed her arm and stared into her eyes.

Mocking, he said, “It was given right after marriage. That box—you and your sister-in-law both have one, and the contents are the same.”

Fang Yi’s pupils contracted sharply, her heart sinking.

The 200 silver dollars in the box had been given to him because Father Fang liked old items.

The small yellow fish, which couldn’t be exchanged, had remained in the box because she dared not go to the black market.

As for the 2,000 yuan, it had long been spent.

The pair of well-crafted bracelets were initially taken home to show off, but Mother Fang and Elder Brother’s wife liked them. They flattered the family, and in a moment of joy, gave them away.

Observing Fang Yi’s changing expression, Brother Lu’s face darkened as he sneered, “I won’t let you manage my salary anymore. As for the contents of that box, I hope you return everything untouched. That will be Miaomiao’s dowry in the future.”

Fang Yi froze. Miaomiao was still little; her marriage was far off.

But the monthly salary was a serious matter. She patted Brother Lu’s chest with both hands. “Why won’t you give me my salary?”

Brother Lu grabbed her wrist: “Because after ten years of marriage, there’s less than a hundred yuan in the account.”

Fang Yi stared into Brother Lu’s eyes, which held no warmth.

Even his tossing her hand aside and striding away couldn’t lessen her current distress.