At the funeral, Li Dali's family of four wept with heartbreaking sincerity and utter despair.
Their grief moved the neighbors, who flocked to offer their condolences, and a few elderly women even shed tears alongside them.
In contrast, Li Changchun knelt before the memorial tablet, silently burning joss paper, his face somber, lost in thought.
It was as if he were merely going through the motions.
"Look at them, the old man is gone, and Dali's family is the most heartbroken and filial. Then look at Changchun, he hasn't shed a single tear, truly heartless."
"Exactly, after so many years away, Dali's family was the one supporting the old man. I heard about the demolition compensation for his city house, but he didn't seem to use any of it to show filial piety to the old man."
"Despite appearing honest to outsiders, his heart is actually dark."
"What a pity for Dali, to have such a dark-hearted brother."
...
Regardless of the whispers and gossip, Li Changchun remained unmoved, as if he were deaf, continuing to burn joss paper.
This scene enraged Li Yong, Li Dali's son, who stood up and pointed at Li Changchun, shouting.
"Uncle, my family raised Grandpa for over twenty years, and you never contributed a cent. Now that Grandpa is gone, you should at least cover the funeral expenses."
As soon as he spoke, the surrounding neighbors quickly voiced their agreement, pressuring Li Changchun along with Li Yong.
"That's right, Li Dali's family has already done more than enough. Father wasn't solely Dali's father, so you should pay for the funeral."
"Your city house demolition must have yielded a considerable amount, shouldn't you contribute some money for your father's funeral? It's the least you can do. This would be effortless for you."
"I think, since you're so wealthy, your father's funeral should be even grander. How often does one have such an important event in life?"
"Precisely, hurry up and bring out the money. Don't let everyone look down on you."
...
The more familiar people are, the more shamelessly they resort to moral blackmail.
They only remembered Li Changchun's demolition compensation, yet no one inquired about the twenty years of hardship he endured when he was forced to leave home with his wife to make a living in the city.
Their claims of concern for the old man were merely a guise for their envy of his newfound wealth.
He recalled the old man's appearance, barely clinging to life, asking him for money before he died.
The last vestiges of familial affection in Li Changchun's heart were doused with a bucket of cold water.
He had refused. Even before his death, the old man had threatened him, saying that if he didn't give him money, he wouldn't rest in peace even as a ghost, uttering such malevolent words.
After kowtowing three final times before the memorial tablet, he stood up, shedding his usual honest and simple demeanor. His back straightened, and he looked coldly at the neighbors pointing and whispering.
"I, Li Changchun, can honestly say I have not failed to repay the old man's nurturing kindness. He was bedridden for half a year, and I served him for half a year, never falling short on his medical expenses."
"Now that he is gone, his burial clothes, coffin, and grave plot were all prepared by me before his passing, and he personally approved them. I have done all that can be expected of me and have no regrets."
"I may have money, but it wasn't blown in by the wind. Nor is it something I will hand over at your whim, just to entertain you."
...
The crowd fell silent for a moment, surprised by Li Changchun's sudden anger and transformation.
At this point, Li Yong suddenly broke down, wailing.
"Wuwu... Everyone heard him, my uncle is an ungrateful wretch."
"He refuses to contribute money for Grandpa's funeral to be grand, what a heartless man. Grandpa raised him in vain."
"Oh, my Grandpa suffered so much..."
...
Li Dali stood up in anger, his face menacing, and shoved Li Changchun.
"I don't have a heartless brother like you, get out, and never set foot in Hetang Village again!"
Li Youyou also stood up and said, "I don't have such an unfeeling uncle either."
The surrounding people didn't just point and whisper; they joined Li Dali in kicking him while he was down, driving him away.
"Our village doesn't have such an unfeeling and disloyal person. Don't come back once you leave."
"To live in the same village as someone like that is truly unlucky. It's embarrassing to even speak of it."
"Exactly, to have a son, a brother like this, is truly a misfortune for eight lifetimes."
"Get out!"
"Scram!"
...
Li Changchun was ostracized by everyone simply because he didn't comply with their wishes and refused to hand over money.
At that moment, he deeply understood the saying: "Poor villages breed wicked people."
His closest relation, the old man, was gone.
As for Li Dali, he had never treated him as a brother and would have preferred to drive him to his death to seize their small plot of land and its meager "property."
With people like these, in a place like this, was there anything worth lingering for?
"Dad."
Tang Xiaomin's voice came from behind. She was slowly walking in.
The crowd quieted for a moment, and someone muttered.
"Look, the little ungrateful wretch is here."
...
Seeing Tang Xiaomin, Li Changchun felt greatly comforted.
Heaven had not been unkind to him. Although they hadn't had children of their own, he had found Tang Xiaomin, raised her for so many years, and she was so filial.
"Xiaomin, you shouldn't have come."
Before Tang Xiaomin entered, she had heard the commotion inside and guessed that her father had been wronged.
She assumed he would no longer harbor any attachment to this place and could peacefully reside in Shanghai.
She cast a mischievous glance around.
"If I didn't come, these people wouldn't have stripped you bare before letting you leave this door."
As soon as she spoke, the crowd took offense.
An elderly woman in her fifties reprimanded her fiercely.
"You rude girl, watch your mouth. We in Hetang Village are all good citizens, what nonsense are you spouting."
"Heh..."
"Alright, alright, I'm talking nonsense. Then, I'll take my father and leave. You won't stop us, will you?"
This...
Li Dali's family members frantically exchanged glances, wanting to say something, when the old woman spoke again.
"Who cares about stopping you? I'm telling you, if you leave, don't come back. Hetang Village doesn't welcome you."
Clap, clap, clap!!!
Beautiful.
Tang Xiaomin immediately applauded the old woman.
Looking at Li Dali's family, their faces were ashen, wishing they could kill this meddling old woman.
They had intended to use the funeral, with everyone present, to force Li Changchun to cough up some money.
Now, they hadn't gotten the money, and he was leaving just like that.
"Dad, let's go."
Li Changchun nodded and turned to leave.
Just as they were about to depart, Zhao E, casting aside her pride, stepped forward to block them.
"You can't leave until things are cleared up!"
Tang Xiaomin sneered, "What, are you trying to rob us in front of everyone?"
"I..."
"Stop explaining. If you want to rob us, have the guts to come at us all at once, let everyone see the true faces of your family."
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.