The people present finally realized that Zhu Shunyao was completely different from the man he had been a few years ago. Back then, he was just an ordinary factory worker, relying on brute strength and stubbornness. Now, although he was a farmer, he was a "ten-thousand-yuan household." Perhaps wealth broadened one’s horizons, or perhaps having money meant having insight. Regardless, the reckless, stubborn bull of the past was gone. In his place stood a man who seemed cultured and thoughtful. His words carried a weight of undeniable logic.
Zhu Shunyao ignored the others, looking only at Zhu Xiangyao. "Xiangyao, tell me, is your cousin wrong?" His tone was serious, leaving Zhu Xiangyao in a difficult position.
Zhu Xiangyao hesitated. He could not speak up. Even as a Party member, he desperately wanted a son. Therefore, he would never stop Zhu Guifu from asking for help. In fact, he was eager to join Zhu Guifu in persuading everyone to assist. But Zhu Shunyao had thrown the problem back at him. The room fell silent.
Zhu Caifu, who had been listening quietly, coughed. "Brother Guifu, it’s not that we don’t want your daughter-in-law to have a child. It’s the national policy. Besides, Xiangyao works for the state. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. If he has another child, there will be fines, and he will definitely lose his job. You must consider this carefully."
"Why not? Shunyao has connections, doesn’t he? Just ask him to pull some strings," Gan Juhua blurted out.
Zhu Guifu remained silent, seemingly agreeing with Gan Juhua. However, the others in the room changed color. What Gan Juhua said was outrageous. Why should Zhu Shunyao use his connections for them? Although they had raised Zhu Shunyao, everyone had seen how poorly he had been treated from childhood.
Zhu Shunyao looked at Gan Juhua. "Fourth Aunt, you should be clear about things. Even if I had such connections, what does it have to do with your fourth branch?"
"You ungrateful wolf! You are deliberately seeking revenge because you can’t stand seeing Xiangyao do well, can you?" Gan Juhua didn’t care. As long as it benefited Zhu Xiangyao, she would be as fierce as needed.
Zhu Shunyao looked at Gan Juhua, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "Fourth Aunt, your words are malicious. The national policy is clear. Our local government has issued a mandatory enforcement notice. It states clearly that starting from January 1982, every household, regardless of gender, is allowed only one child. Xiangyao, as a public servant, knows this better than anyone. He has assisted in enforcing this in the villages, hasn’t he? Now that it concerns him, it becomes a problem?" Zhu Shunyao’s lips curled in a sneer. "Is Xiangyao trying to be strict with others but lenient with himself? The state does not allow this. If Xiangyao wants to keep the child, let’s assume for a moment that he can. The result will be the same. First, there will be fines. For ordinary people, it’s about five to six thousand yuan. But Xiangyao is a public servant. This is knowing the law and breaking it. The fine will be at least ten thousand yuan."