Chapter 242 - Chapter 242: Chapter 240: Elderly Mr. Di’s Heart Turned to Ash, Sisi’s Thoughts (1/2)

Chapter 242: Chapter 240: Elderly Mr. Di’s Heart Turned to Ash, Sisi’s Thoughts

“What hill? Look at you, you’re up in age and you still don’t take care of your own health. Sit down and speak, take it easy, don’t rush!”

The Land Officer hurriedly helped Elderly Mr. Di sit at his original seat.

He was genuinely afraid that Mr. Di, shaking as he was, would shake himself into a serious condition. That would be disastrous.

After all, he and Mr. Di had grown up together. They had had many stupid adventures as young men, like stealing bird’s eggs, fishing in the river, running across the hillside from a bear after stealing honey. He really didn’t want to lose another close contemporary.

Elderly Mr. Di firmly gripped Land Officer’s hand and struggled to shake his head: “I… wish… to live… with Third Son …”

Indeed! He finally figured it out. Being old, he feared that nobody would want to keep him.

The person who had shown him warmth and care when he had hit his forehead was Sisi, Third Child’s wife. If he wanted a peaceful old age, the only one he could depend on was Third Son.

“Eh! Di Defu, have you thought it through? This… I’ve never heard of anyone choosing not to live with the eldest or the youngest brother, but instead choosing to live with third brother who left the family long ago! Are you certain of your decision?”

Land Officer was alarmed! He almost jumped off his seat, and couldn’t help but ask a question!

The crowd was also surprised! They were gaping! The drama around the division of the Di family was more exciting than a play. It was indeed full of twists and turns!

Momentarily, everyone’s gaze landed on Liu Sisi.

Liu Sisi paused a moment and then stepped forward. She gently bowed to Mr. Land Officer and said, “Mr. Land Officer, Sisi has a few words. I’m not sure if I should speak.”

“Didn’t you see? Sisi is the female tutor of Eldest Miss of the Gan Family. She is different in her manner of speaking and acting. The rest of the women here should learn from her!”

Land Officer was pleased with Liu Sisi’s words, praising her, guiding her overtly and covertly.

He knew that now the elderly Di was in such a state, he ought to find him a peaceful refuge, but it would certainly be a burden on Third Son Di.

Liu Sisi naturally understood the implication behind the Land Officer’s words. She gave a faint smile, did not press the issue and spoke at her own accord.

“Here’s the thing! Everyone has seen my father-in-law’s illness. Today, Ye Lei, despite being sick, had to go up the mountain for work and is not around currently. Therefore, I would speak on his behalf. Years ago, the third family branch separated from the family. Since this happened before my wedding, I’m not entirely clear of the details. The agreement was that as long as the father is alive, Third Child would give him 700 coppers as retirement salary each year. I just came into this family this year and therefore have no knowledge about the actual turn of events over these years. However, in the current situation… Sisi does have her opinion.”

Sisi paused for a beat, turning to look at her father-in-law.

Elderly Di tightly gripped his crutch, feeling a despair in his heart too profound for words. How he had neglected Third Son over the years and how filial Third Son had been to him was known to everyone present.

Those were the days when he was hale and hearty, unflaggingly carrying loads to and from the hills, doing his labor in the fields; his words carrying weight and authority. Bur now that he was sick, he was unable to go to the hills or the fields. His medical expenses made him an unwanted burden to others.

It was his own doing! He was the one who had been blind to the nature of people; he had no one else to blame!

Those surrounding him also had mixed expressions. What he had considered, they also had!