5 more, asking for monthly votes

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  After listening to Xia Zhi's words, Xia Xiuzai suddenly flashed the images of Tian Lao and Wang Shi in his mind. This made him feel a mix of emotions. Although he instinctively wanted to defend his father-in-law and mother-in-law, because they were Tian's biological parents, but his daughter's words actually... hmm. Xia Xiuzai automatically censored these words.

  "Sixteen, that's your great-grandfather..." Xia Xiuzai finally said to Xia Zhīyī in a tone that was neither heavy nor light, with a hint of reproach. But apart from the reproach, there seemed to be something else, which even Xia Xiuzai couldn't quite put into words at the moment.

  But Xia Zhi found out that Xia Xiuren was actually moved by her. However, it is unknown whether it was due to the heavy oppression of the Tian family or some other reason, but Xia Xiuren still maintained a bottom line in defending the Tian family.

  He should maintain Tianjia, but it's Tian Shi instead.

  She glanced at Xia Xiuzai, and Xia Zhi had to say it clearly. "Dad, you're a scholar, and you must understand the reasoning better than me...” She took the example of Xia Qiao marrying the daughter of the Grand Councilor, which was impossible, with only one purpose in mind.

  It is unreasonable and ridiculous to use 200 taels of silver to marry a wife for Tian Dabao.

  Xia Xiuzai would never do such an unreasonable thing at home, so why should he still take out money to support Tian's absurd idea.

  That's two hundred taels of silver. Xia Xiuren didn't have that kind of ability, and the Tian family didn't really need that much money either. They were just using the excuse of marrying off Tian Dabao to extort as much money as possible from Xia Xiuren.

  This is simply... Xia Zhi glanced at Xia Xiuzai, slowly but extremely clearly saying those two words: "Blackmail". No mistake, from the beginning, Xia Zhi thought that this was the Tian family blackmailing Xia Xiuzai, and yet Xia Xiuzai didn't resist in the slightest.

  "Dad, since you even know how much money I make from small business, you shouldn't be unaware of the expenses for getting married. Even if Tian Dabao needs to use more, two hundred taels is too excessive!"

  The little black fish let out a hum and glared at Xia Xiucan with a burst of anger. If it weren't for Xia Zhi holding him back, he wouldn't have spoken to Xia Xiucan so politely.

  Xia Xiuzai glanced at Xia Zhi, then at Xiao Heiyu. The eyes of the two children were clear and distinct, with a clean and angry gaze that made him very uncomfortable. Xia Xiuzai avoided the gazes of Xia Zhi and Xiao Heiyu.

  But the two children obviously did not intend to let him off.

  Finally, Xia Xiuzai couldn't bear it anymore and stammered out the truth: "I... I also know. Alas, I didn't understand before, but can I still not understand now? They... they also have no choice..."

  These years, the Tian family has been extracting money from him intermittently, but there have only been a few big transactions. The Tian family didn't have any other major events after that. If they don't take this opportunity to ask for more money, they might not have a good reason to open their mouths again in the future.

  "...That's all for now. Sixteen, you weren't there at the time. You don't know. Your grandma and grandpa both wanted to kneel down for me. They said just this once, and never again would they be implicated with us. They only have one grandson, Da Bao. If they can't see him get married and have children, they won't be able to close their eyes in death. Your mother at the time..."

  Here is the translation:

  At this point, Xia Xiuzai couldn't say anything more. He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, cleared his throat and continued: "This is the last time. So many things have happened before, let's just help out one more time."

  Xia Xiuzai had made up his mind to help the Tian family.

  "Dad, you believe this is the last time. If so, didn't they say that before?" Xia Zhi didn't even have the energy to be angry with Xia Xiucai, and she looked at him helplessly.

  Xia Xiuzai hesitated and stuttered, but finally seemed to have made up his mind: "This is the last time. I'll help this one more time, but in the future, in the future..."

  "What happens next?" Xia Zhi urged.

  "After that, it's just small matters, your mother usually helps out with some family things and I won't stop her. But this big loan debt matter, I can no longer do it."

  Xia Xiuzai was also determined to take drastic measures.

  He was able to do so because of the setbacks he encountered in the academy over the past few days. The advance salary and borrowing money were all in vain, Li Shan Chang, as well as his colleagues and students who got along with him, explicitly and implicitly told him that he had been touched and thought a lot.

  But he couldn't bring himself to do it, so he made this decision. Since he had already promised the Tian family, he couldn't go back on his word, and from now on, he would never do such a thing again.

  All these years, they have helped the Tian family a lot. After helping this time and explaining the situation, the Tian family should be able to understand him and it won't ruin their relationship as husband and wife, nor will it affect the relationship between Tian and his mother's family.

  Xia Xiuzai spoke eloquently and even shared with Xia Zhi the journey of his heart over the past few days. To him, this was a rare and great move.

  But for the summer solstice...

  "Dad, you've taken all the money to help the Tian family, have you ever thought about how my siblings and I are going to live?" Xia Zhi asked Xia Xiuciai. "Even if I'm just a daughter, you don't care about me, as long as I don't starve to death, you won't feel guilty. But what about my older brother and Xiao Shu? They're your sons! My grandfather was a farmer, he even supported you in studying. Your two sons can't even attend school, can you face them?"

  Xia Xiuzai's face suddenly turned pale, he stumbled and almost fell before regaining his balance. Xia Zhi's words were indeed ruthless. After a long while, Xia Xiuzai's face finally regained some color.

  His face was pale and he looked at Xia Zhi with a bitter smile: "Sixteen, it's me who owes you. Father is not heartless towards you... In short, it's this father of yours who has no ability."

  Xia Zhi glanced at Xia Xiuzai, he made such a painful expression, said such self-blaming words, shouldn't she be very moved, rush forward and hug her father, crying loudly, saying that she would help him support the Tian family?

  No matter what others would do, she absolutely wouldn't.

  Xia Zhi's expression was lukewarm, and he neither affirmed nor denied Xia Xiuren's words.

  "Sixteen..." Xia Xiuzai looked at Xia Zhi with that same gaze full of expectation and entreaty.

  "Big brother, what exactly do you want to say?" Little Black Fish was getting impatient, although Old Man Xia had told him to respect Eldest Brother Xia, he really couldn't stand the way Xia looked.

  "Sixteen, Father wants to discuss something with you. Father is really out of options. The money from selling zongzi, can you lend it to me first? Try to gather more silver coins this time." Xia Xiuzai said with great difficulty, a few embarrassing blushes appearing on his pale face.

  So that's how it is!

  "Big brother, how dare you take money from sixteen!" Little Black Fish was furious and immediately shouted at Xia Xiuciai.

  (。)