99: Competition for spots

Hearing the sound from outside the door, Village Head's smiling face instantly froze.

The rest of the Chen Family members also showed a hint of disdain; coming at this precise moment, instead of any other time, clearly revealed their intentions.

For a moment, none of the dozen or so people inside the main hall were willing to open the door.

However, the knocking outside the door continued incessantly, seemingly telling those inside that they had plenty of patience.

Village Head tapped the tabletop with his pipe, sighing helplessly, "Xiao Hui, go open the door."

Following his grandfather's command, Chen Xiaohui slowly shuffled to the courtyard gate, lowered the bolt, and opened the door just a crack.

The people outside immediately pushed it open forcefully, and several figures squeezed inside.

Leading the way was a plump woman, who quickly scurried into the main hall.

Seeing that many people were in the main hall, the smile on her face widened, "Oh my, the whole Family is here?"

No one responded to her, but she didn't feel awkward. She placed the basket she was carrying onto the table without prompting.

"These are pastries Xiao Xu bought in town today. I couldn't bear to eat them myself, and I know Eldest Sister-in-Law loves sweets, so I brought them for Sister-in-Law to try."

Village Head sighed quietly. This was his second younger brother's wife, Huang Li, who was always difficult to deal with. It seemed he would have to spend a lot of effort talking to her.

"I appreciate Younger Sister-in-Law's kindness, but I'm old now, and my teeth aren't good. I can't eat such nice things. You should take them back and let the children share them."

Village Head's wife, Liu Jinlan, spoke with a gentle smile.

At this moment, several more figures entered the main hall, instantly making the entire room feel cramped.

Village Head looked at the figures: his third younger brother, his second younger brother's only son Chen Xu, and Third Brother's eldest son Chen Xiaoyu had all arrived.

Huang Li walked over to the chair where Liu Jinlan was sitting, squeezed Chen Ling away from her side, and naturally placed her hands on Liu Jinlan's arm.

"Those young children wouldn't appreciate good things. It's people like my Sister-in-Law, who has such good fortune, who should enjoy them."

Liu Jinlan let out a scoff, laced with a hint of sarcasm. If she had good fortune, she wouldn't be blind now. Was this Huang Li trying to provoke her?

Huang Li leaned forward and said in a self-reproaching tone, "This morning, the Young Master of the Main House said he would give our Chen Family one slot for Spirit Opening."

"We were truly delighted, never expecting that our Family could produce a Contract Master. So, we couldn't wait for Eldest Brother to send word and took the liberty of rushing over. We hope Eldest Brother won't blame us."

"Blame is too strong a word, but Younger Sister-in-Law, didn't we separate our households long ago? Still, it's fine for you, as an elder, to watch, lest our boy forgets his manners after becoming a Contract Master."

Chen Xiaohui was sensible enough to immediately chime in, "Grandpa, even if Xiao Hui becomes a Contract Master, I will always be your grandson, and I will respect Second Grandma, Third Grandpa, and all my uncles."

Seeing that Village Head had decided the quota's recipient in just a few words, Huang Li naturally disagreed. She pulled out a handkerchief and suddenly began to weep miserably.

"It's pitiful that my husband passed away so early, leaving us two, an orphan and a widow. Not only were we separated from the household early on, but now we don't even get a chance to participate in this quota given by the main house.

"If my late husband knew about this, how could he rest in peace?"

The Third Younger Brother, who had been silent, spoke up at this moment.

"Eldest Brother, although we separated the households, we are still Chen Family members connected by Bloodline. If you hastily decide on this quota yourself, it won't sound good for your reputation as Village Chief."

"It won't sound good? Is it any better for you to come here and snatch the quota belonging to your elder brother's Family? You separated your households, yet you still covet things from Eldest Brother's house? If I cook a piece of meat in my pot, do I have to cut out two portions and send them to you?"

Village Head was also angered by the pair, and his tone of voice became harsh.

Seeing his anger, Third Younger Brother Chen Zhengguang shrank his neck, somewhat intimidated by his Eldest Brother's authority.

But Huang Li, standing nearby, was a shrew, and she was not afraid.

"As Eldest Brother and having served as Village Chief for so many years, you should naturally help your poorer, weaker younger brothers. After all, your younger brothers helped you a lot to remain the Village Chief all this time."

"It's fine that you usually take the benefits, but at a time like this, you should think of your brothers. We aren't asking for much, just a fair chance to compete for the quota."

Village Head felt a pain in his chest. He had been able to serve as Village Chief for so many years entirely due to his personal prestige and his ability to properly handle all the village's affairs, plus his good relationship with Old Master Chu, enabling him to invite them to help the village.

Yet now, someone was inexplicably trying to claim a share of his credit.

His nephew Chen Xu suddenly knelt before Village Head with a 'thump,' "Eldest Uncle, I lost my father when I was young. You know I've dreamed of becoming a Contract Master since childhood to repay the Family."

"I'm not asking you to give the quota directly to me now, I only ask that you give us a fair chance."

As he spoke, another nephew also knelt down with a thump.

"Eldest Brother, we aren't asking for much. How about this: we decide by drawing lots? Da Lin, Xiao Hui, plus Xiao Xu and Xiao Feng—how about those four draw? Your Family gets two slots, and our two families get one each?"

"See? That way, your Family has a better chance, and no matter the result, we won't bring this up again."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Jinlan slammed her palm heavily onto the table. The sudden loud noise made everyone else shiver.

"I've been listening for a long time, and now I understand: you want to pull off a scheme and get something for nothing. You want the quota? Fine,"

"First, you must hang this old woman from the roof beam. Once I'm dead, you can divide the quota however you like. As long as I am alive, don't even think about it."

Huang Li wrung her handkerchief tightly, biting her lip. She hadn't expected Eldest Sister-in-Law, who had been gentle her whole life, to threaten suicide over this quota.

"Da Lin, Er Xuan, Ming Hua, we are discussing Family matters. Why haven't you quickly chased those irrelevant people out yet?"

"Must you wait until they force your mother to die right here in the house?"

Hearing Liu Jinlan's words, the three sons and three grandsons immediately stood up. The grandsons pulled up the two kneeling uncles and shoved them out the door.

The sons helped and pushed their Third Uncle out, and the sisters-in-law also took action, 'gently' escorting Second Aunt out the door.

Then the door was bolted shut, and any further commotion had nothing to do with them.

When the people outside reacted, the sound of knocking on the courtyard gate started up again, incessant. Village Head walked into the courtyard and shouted toward the people outside:

"Young Master Chu gave me the authority to decide this quota. If any of you have objections, you are welcome to go up the mountain and cause a fuss. If Young Master Chu agrees to give the quota to you, I will have no complaints."

"But if you continue to make a scene outside my door, don't blame me for invoking Family Law."

Not long after Village Head's voice fell silent, the knocking outside the courtyard gate slowly faded away. Even if they were unwilling, once Village Head mentioned Family Law, they couldn't continue the ruckus.

Seeing that Fuhe Village had gained the favor of the Chu Family, if they created bad blood with the Village Chief now and let their relationship sour, they wouldn't be able to catch a ride on the bandwagon of prosperity later.

They were extremely envious of the quota now, but given Village Head's firm stance and knowing that the matter was settled, they still needed to curry favor with their Eldest Brother in the future.

Hearing the sounds of the few people gradually leaving the courtyard, Village Head let out a long sigh. He hadn't expected a single quota to cause his Bloodline brothers to come to his door and cause a scene.

But precisely because of this, he would not regret his decision today to forcefully keep the quota for his grandson.

Village Head's gaze fell upon his other descendants, hoping they wouldn't develop any other thoughts because of his decision.

Even if they did, they must lock them firmly away in their hearts. Otherwise, they shouldn't blame this old man for being ruthless, as the entire Family's development could not tolerate the slightest bit of scheming right now.

Village Head, who had lived most of his life and weathered countless storms, felt a deep, surging exhaustion from within for the very first time.