Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 65: Breakup
The fat man spoke ambiguously, and Peng Hai wore a smug expression while the woman at the stall happily cracked sunflower seeds. I was so angry that I wanted to slap him, but then I thought about how he was going to be a father soon. If I hit him over something like this, others would think I was bullying him.
Forget it. Since he didn’t want to acknowledge that this shop belonged to me, Ma Qi, I wouldn’t argue with him any further on this matter. I would just have to take a step back.
Later, while having a bowl of Old Tea Shop, I briefly explained the situation to Qin Jian and informed him of my final decision.
He had a rather amusing expression and nodded approvingly. “I told you long ago that those ten-odd square meters don’t belong to you, Ma Qi. You just wouldn’t believe it. In the future, it’s better for us to be partners than anything else.”
“But I’m not willing to just hand over the shop to him.”
“Hand over? Who said you handed it over? Your grandfather gave the shop to you; it belongs to you, Ma Qi. You’re merely transferring management to him; in reality, you’re still the owner.”
“How so?”
Qin Jian smiled and pointed at his head. “Ma Qi, you need to think logically. If both you and the fat man had the capability to inherit this shop, wouldn’t your grandfather consider writing a will so that neither of you would have conflicts over who inherits it?”
“I haven’t seen a will.”
“Did he say anything?”
“There was something. The shop is meant for me, and he isn’t suited for this job. He needs me around; otherwise, things will go wrong.”
“Well, that makes things easier.” Qin Jian furrowed his brows in thought for two seconds before reminding me, “What about the Night Bat incident? Don’t you plan on bringing that to an end?” I knew he wasn’t referring to the Night Bat but rather my grandfather’s funeral. The station hadn’t received any resignation letter from my grandfather; they genuinely thought he had gone far away.
Now that Qin Jian knew about this matter, combined with the fat man’s ambitions, his hint made sense. I figured it was time to address my grandfather’s affairs properly. So I discussed with him about announcing my grandfather's passing to everyone, including some of his old friends.
As I left Ma Wu Funeral Home, Qin Jian had drafted an agreement.
The gist of the agreement was that after my grandfather's affairs were settled, I would temporarily hand over management of Ma Wu Funeral Home to the fat man. Regardless of whether there were losses or profits, he would have to deposit money into the account every month according to the terms of the agreement.
“You’re thinking too simply. He has two shady associates behind him; he definitely won’t agree to sign it.”
“I don’t believe it; the fat man doesn’t even have basic principles.” Qin Jian picked up the phone and dialed the fat man’s number.
Fat received a call and hurriedly rushed over when he heard it was Qin Jian. He paused for a moment upon seeing me but managed to sit down on the stool. I knew that Fat had come this time to improve his relationship with Qin Jian, hoping to renew his contract with the Station.
"Fat, let's be straightforward. Brother Qi is very worried. Peng Hai and Peng Yan are not easy to deal with. Your grandfather entrusted this shop to Brother Qi, and you are just here as a helper. You should know this better than anyone."
Fat's face turned red, and after a moment of hesitation, he stammered, "I have a child now. I can't just sit around doing nothing forever; I need my own family business. Why can't Brother Qi support me just once?"
"You’re being foolish. Supporting you means supporting Peng Hai. Can you really control Peng Hai, or have he and his sister enchanted you? If this shop falls into Peng Hai's hands, your child will suffer."
Since coming to the Funeral Home, Peng Hai had caused all sorts of trouble—harassing the female clerk at the Bridgehead car shop, mooching meals from neighbors, flirting around, and even stealing money. Fat was well aware of all this, yet he was stubbornly convinced that Peng Hai was his brother-in-law and Peng Yan was his wife; they were family now, and I, Ma Qi, was just an outsider.
Although he feared Qin Jian, he still refused to admit that the shop belonged to me.
In the end, Qin Jian forced Fat to write a commitment ensuring that Ma Wu Funeral Home would not fall into anyone else's hands but his own; otherwise, it would be reclaimed.
Afterward, both Fat and I signed the commitment along with the agreement drafted by Qin Jian, leaving our thumbprints on it.
Qin Jian had plenty of ways to intimidate people. He even contacted a newly arrived intern forensic doctor named Nanfang from the Station to witness the agreement as a notary public. Then Fat and I each kept a copy.
Everything was arranged by Qin Jian. I remained silent while Fat repeatedly glanced at me but quickly looked away, never daring to meet my gaze directly—he felt guilty.
The matter of who would inherit the shop was settled for now; next came the distribution of the money on the bank card. To my surprise, there were only a few hundred left in it. I threw the card at Fat's face in frustration, causing him to shudder as he cried out, "Brother Qi! I've had significant expenses lately! You know Peng Yan is pregnant; she needs nutrition, and there are future costs for the child!"
"Good grief, Fat! Are you trying to leave me with nothing?"
"Anyway, you’ll never have a wife in your life; whoever gets involved with you will be unlucky. I have my family now, Brother Qi. Just do me this favor; I will remember your kindness."
Fat's words reminded me of conversations I had long ago with my grandfather. He told me that I was destined for a pure Yang life and shouldn't marry but could have a Yin wife to balance my fate. Fat had eavesdropped on those conversations more than once; I had grown accustomed to it.
It’s fine. Even brothers can part ways; blood ties can be fragile. Fat and I share no blood relation; despite my repeated forgiveness of his schemes against me, this is how it turned out. The truth is harsh—if we must separate, then so be it.
"Fine, I'll support you. From now on, we go our separate ways; only the Funeral Home will remain connected to me—everything else is irrelevant."
Seeing my distress rendered me speechless; Qin Jian's serious demeanor interrupted us: "Stop it; none of that matters right now. The most important thing is to handle your grandfather's affairs."
"What affairs does Grandpa have?" Fat seemed surprised that there were any matters left to settle after what had happened to Grandpa but held back from saying much due to Qin Jian's presence. In the end, we decided to hold a family banquet and invite Grandpa's old friends to witness the final arrangements for Ma Wu Funeral Home.
"There's no better day than today, let's just do it," said Fat without any objections, and Qin Jian had nothing to add. With a heavy heart, I stood up and left the Old Tea Shop in quick strides. Alone, yet not truly alone; at least I had her by my side.
"Brother Qi, don't be sad. You have me!"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to rent a place right away. We'll always be together."
I had her, which was more important than anything else.
I thought this matter was settled; since it had become a certainty, there was no need to daydream about it. But unexpectedly, the second day brought a twist.
On the second day, Ma Wu Funeral Home set up my grandfather's tablet. The mourning hall was arranged under the eaves, taking up a small space. With my simple decorations, it still looked decent. Many people came to pay their respects to my grandfather; even Grandma Zhao, who was missing teeth, and Uncle Wu, who had difficulty walking, made their way to see my grandfather one last time.
Comment 0 Comment Count