Chapter 3: Not a Single Tear Has Fallen from You

At that moment, the taut string in Lin Wei’s mind suddenly snapped.

Xiao Yuanbing was actually the foreman at her father’s construction site!

Just now, when Xiao Yuanbing entered the room, he didn’t ask for anyone’s identity. He simply bypassed everyone and handed the compensation money—exactly thirty thousand yuan—directly to her mother, Ni Fang.

What did that mean?

They had known each other all along.

Otherwise, who would casually hand over such a large sum to a stranger?

She had sensed something was off earlier.

Before going up to the eighth floor of the construction site to speak with Engineer Li, the police were skeptical about the case.

But after talking to Engineer Li, the two officers’ attitudes clearly shifted.

She had thought it was just her nerves from her recent rebirth making her overthink.

But now it seemed—

Her father’s death was indeed shrouded in mystery.

—

Seeing the undisguised joy in Ni Fang’s eyes and the greedy, determined look in her uncle’s gaze, Lin Wei suppressed the anger swelling inside her and spoke with cold resolve, “Mom, don’t take it. Don’t accept his filthy money. Who does he think he is? Thirty thousand yuan to buy my father’s life? He’s dreaming.”

The room fell silent for a moment, then everyone quickly reacted.

Yes, thirty thousand yuan was not a small amount, but with the rampant inflation outside, it was trivial compared to the loss of the head of the family.

Besides, with a university student about to start school and a young child still nursing, how long could that money possibly last?

Ni Fang found herself caught on the spot.

Her hands, which had already stretched out to receive the money, were now stuck—not accepting it was awkward, but taking it felt wrong too.

When Ni Fang hesitated, her brother Ni Qingguo grew impatient. “Sister, don’t listen to this girl’s nonsense. The man is already dead, so of course we take the compensation. Otherwise, we lose both the man and the money. If we don’t have the money, what will the three of you eat?”

Ni Qingguo glanced at Lin Wei. “Don’t you still want to attend university? How will you study without money?”

—

“You mean to say that taking this money is the only way I can go to university?”

“Why ask me if you can or can’t go? Am I the one who decides?”

“Then don’t say things that cause misunderstandings when you come here.”

Ni Qingguo was speechless, a bit annoyed. “Lin Wei, don’t be ungrateful. I said that for your little brother’s sake. Are you really so selfish that you’d leave him behind to study far away?”

“Uncle, my father died, but not both my parents. If I go to university, how is that abandoning my brother? Can’t Mom take care of him? He’s not an orphan without anyone to care for him. You, on the other hand, your words sound like you’re worried my brother and I will latch onto your family. My father hasn’t even been buried yet. Isn’t it a bit too early to say these things?”

The Lin family had lived in this neighborhood for nearly twenty years, and the neighbors knew well how much Ni Fang helped her brother.

Ni Qingguo’s desire for the thirty thousand yuan was almost written all over his face.

But his reluctance to take on Lin Wei and Lin Yuan as burdens was equally obvious.

If one were to think the worst—

Wasn’t he trying to make Lin Wei give up on university, go to work, and take care of her troublesome little brother?

That way, Ni Fang wouldn’t have to bear the cost of raising two children, and he could skim some of Lin Wei’s salary from Ni Fang to support his own family.

It was an unscrupulous plan, ticking away like a cash register.

Ni Qingguo’s face darkened as he snapped, “Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?”

Ni Fang wanted to cover Lin Wei’s mouth, annoyed. “Weiwei, don’t be crazy. That’s your uncle.”

“Mom, it’s Uncle who’s ruining my future. You know how long I’ve prepared for the college entrance exam. You know how much Dad hoped I would get into university. Has our family really reached the point where we have nothing to eat and I must give up university for the three of us to have a meal?”

“If that’s the case, Mom, I ask you—after nearly twenty years of marriage to Dad, does our family really have no savings? Where has all the money gone?”

Ni Fang was speechless.

It was true they had no savings.

But as for where the money had gone, everyone cast meaningful looks toward Ni Qingguo.

So, why should her interests be sacrificed to continue benefiting the other side?

Especially in this era, the value of a university education—

It went without saying.

—

Seeing that the situation was spiraling out of control, under Xiao Yuanbing’s instruction, Engineer Li spoke up.

“Um, sorry, this is really a family matter, and we shouldn’t interrupt. But there are too many people here, and all this talk is about money.”

“Let’s do this—Master Lin just returned and has many things to attend to. Everyone please step outside for a while. Then we can sit down and talk calmly, and try to resolve everything today.”

Ni Fang glanced at Xiao Yuanbing, who gave her a reassuring look.

With Uncle Liu’s help, all the irrelevant people were asked to leave the house, and the little brother was taken outside as well.

But Ni Qingguo refused to leave.

Lin Wei teased, “Uncle, what are you still doing here? Dad’s compensation has nothing to do with you.”

Ni Qingguo glared at Lin Wei angrily, but fearing being forced out, quickly found an excuse.

“With your brother-in-law gone and Yuan Yuan still young, there’s no one in the family to hold things together. If I leave, won’t the three of you be bullied to death? I have to stay here to protect you.”

Ni Fang, already full of resentment, cut off Lin Wei’s retort harshly.

“Enough, Weiwei. Your uncle is family. Let’s settle this quickly so your father can be buried. Keeping this outside isn’t right, and the big boss is busy—he doesn’t have time to waste on endless talk.”

And so, under Ni Qingguo’s triumphant gaze, Xiao Yuanbing placed the compensation money on the center of the table.

“Thirty thousand yuan isn’t much, but it is my sincere intention. Like this girl said, the head of the household is gone, and thirty thousand yuan can’t make up for that. But looking around, whether in state-owned enterprises, foreign enterprises, or private companies, none would offer such a generous compensation.”

“Master Lin died in an accident, and that’s the conclusion the police reached.” At this, Xiao Yuanbing glanced at Lin Wei. “No one wants accidents to happen, but I still hope you can accept my condolences.”

“Accepting this money will help everyone feel a little better.”

“It’s to ease your conscience, after all. Your father died on your construction site—on your turf. If you don’t take the money, what else could you possibly hold onto?”

‘Bang!’

Ni Fang slammed the table with a cold expression. “Weiwei, how have you become like this? Your words are as harsh and bitter as a market vendor’s.”

“Bitter words are better than a cold heart, Mom. Since Dad died, you haven’t shed a single tear.”