Even if Gan Juhua had been dissatisfied before, she was content now. With the eighty thousand yuan, she no longer worried about having no support in her later years.
Since the negotiation was settled, the driver paid the money and the funeral expenses. Zhang Haitao released him, and Zhu Guifu was cremated and buried. With so many trivial matters to handle, three days passed.
Three days later, the Zhu Shun Yao family rested well for a night. Then, Zhu Leiyao invited them over, mainly to discuss Gan Juhua’s future.
It was true that Gan Juhua had money now, but she was also a widow without a son. However, she had one advantage: she still had two daughters. But since the daughters were married, according to local customs, parents could not live with their daughters in their husbands' homes. Thus, Gan Juhua would normally live in Gankeshan Village. Legally, however, her two daughters were responsible for supporting her. This was why Zhu Leiyao had invited everyone—to discuss how Zhu Jinguí and Zhu Yinguí would support Gan Juhua.
Seeing everyone present, Zhu Leiyao spoke, "I won’t beat around the bush. Let’s talk openly. Today, we are here to discuss how Aunt Juhua will be supported by Jinguí and Yinguí. Aunt Juhua, what are your thoughts?"
Gan Juhua looked at Zhu Leiyao. She knew that as a widow without a son, she could only rely on her clan members. "I want Jinguí and Yinguí to support me. I know I can’t live with them, and I don’t plan to. I’ll stay in my old home. I think they should give me some money and grain every month. When I die, you can take my body away for burial. That is enough."
Zhu Yanyi raised her eyebrows slightly. This was not like Gan Juhua’s usual character. She hadn’t expected Gan Juhua to be so reasonable, which surprised her.
Zhu Leiyao nodded slightly. "This is not unreasonable. So, Aunt Juhua, how much money and grain do you need each month?"
Gan Juhua thought for a moment and said, "Each of them gives me ten yuan a month, plus fifteen jin of grain."
Zhu Yanyi was surprised again. She asked Xie Xinlian softly, "Why is she so calm today?"
"It’s not calmness; it’s helplessness," Xie Xinlian explained with a smile. "Jinguí and Yinguí are married daughters. According to our local rules, daughters have no inheritance rights and thus no duty to support their parents. Although the law mandates that children, regardless of gender, must support their parents, they can claim they are illiterate and don’t understand. Now that Xiangyao is dead and your Fourth Grandfather is dead, Gan Juhua will still have to rely on her daughters and sons-in-law. If she demands too much, Jinguí and Yinguí will refuse. Her current demands are reasonable, and since she has eighty thousand yuan in compensation, Jinguí and Yinguí won’t oppose supporting her."
Zhu Yanyi understood. She had wondered why Gan Juhua was so calm. It wasn’t a change in character, but pressure from circumstances.
Zhu Yanyi decided to keep watching.
Zhu Leiyao asked Zhu Jinguí and Zhu Yinguí, "Jinguí, Yinguí, do you have any objections?"
Zhu Jinguí glanced at Yao Jinsheng beside her. Yao Jinsheng understood her look and said, "Brother Leiyao, technically, we have a duty to support the elderly. But some things should be said upfront."
"Speak," Zhu Leiyao said, looking at Yao Jinsheng.
Yao Jinsheng said, "It is right for the younger generation to care for the elders. My mother-in-law needs ten yuan and fifteen jin of grain a month. I, Yao Jinsheng, agree without hesitation. However, since all the Zhu clan members are here, some things should be clarified." Yao Jinsheng paused, took a breath, and continued, "Everyone knows my father-in-law died. she was hit by a car. That was her fate, and we can’t blame heaven or earth. Besides, the driver was decent; she paid the compensation. Everyone knows there is eighty thousand yuan. Given my mother-in-law’s character, she won’t use this money unless it’s for a major event."
Yao Jinsheng smiled, looking like a nice guy. "I don’t want anything else, just security. This money can only be used if my mother-in-law faces a crisis, like illness or house repairs. If she uses it for that, I won’t stop her. But if there is no major issue, the money cannot be used or lent out casually. If she wants to lend it, all of us younger ones must be present."
Yao Jinsheng’s words seemed to protect Gan Juhua’s money, but actually, he was asking for a clear agreement on how the money would be distributed in the future. After all, if the money remained, it would eventually be theirs.
Zhu Yanyi had to admire Yao Jinsheng. No wonder her family ran a factory. If they hadn’t, Yao Jinsheng probably wouldn’t have been trained so well.
Zhu Leiyao smiled slightly but didn’t agree immediately. He looked at Shi Hongjun beside Zhu Yinguí. "Hongjun, what do you think?"
Shi Hongjun chuckled. "My brother-in-law is right. We don’t covet the old lady’s money. But who knows if she’ll get confused? So, if she lends money out or spends it freely, we younger ones should know. Also, my brother-in-law and I have no objections. Our family’s conditions aren’t great, but we can afford ten yuan and fifteen jin of grain a month."
Zhu Leiyao nodded. "So, Zhu Jinguí and Zhu Yinguí have no objections to giving ten yuan and fifteen jin of grain each month, correct?"
"Of course," Yao Jinsheng and Shi Hongjun said in unison.
Zhu Leiyao smiled. "So, your only objection is regarding the use of the compensation money. This money belongs to Aunt Juhua. Let’s hear what she says."
Gan Juhua looked at Yao Jinsheng and then at Shi Hongjun. She thought for a moment and said, "I want to deposit this money in the bank, as a fixed-term deposit. I can take some interest each year. When I die, after the funeral expenses are paid, the remaining money will be split equally between the sisters."
Zhu Leiyao looked at Yao Jinsheng and Shi Hongjun. "Do you have any objections?"
Yao Jinsheng thought for a moment. "That works. I have no objections."
Shi Hongjun shook his head. "Fine, let’s do it that way."
Zhu Leiyao said, "Since this is decided, I have one more suggestion. I know you are all busy, but you must visit the old lady at least once a week. You can take turns, one family per month. Is that acceptable?"