The autumn light casts a golden glow on the branches, ripe with fruits waiting to be harvested, yet at this moment, a young boy speaks the word 'death'.
He speaks casually and with ease, as if it's a commonplace matter.
For Fang Chengyu, death was indeed a commonplace matter, but that was once upon a time, a time when life held no hope and he spoke not lightly of death. Now that he is hale and hearty, why does he speak of death?
"Indeed, when people lack something, the more they desire it." Yuxiu said, "Back when our little brother could die at any moment, none of us dared speak of death. Now you live well, and death has become your obsession."
If Yuxiu wishes to make someone uncomfortable, she can toss knives out of her mouth at any moment. Yunxiao tugged on her sleeve.
"Little brother didn't mean it that way." She said.
Yuxiu looked at Fang Chengyu with a faint smile.
"Then what do you mean by it? We're not your wife or children to make arrangements for your afterlife." She said.
The more she spoke, the more unreasonable it sounded, and Yunxiao coughed.
Fang Chengyu smiled.
"Second sister, it's you who are getting attached, not me." He said, "I have never minded discussing death, everyone dies after all. Just for you all, I kept silent before."
Yuxiu nodded.
"You're right, it was us who burdened you." She said.
Yuxiu never laughs when telling jokes, nor does she get angry when saying angry words, so sometimes outsiders don't even know they've been scolded. Yunxiao, though slow to react, understands her sister very well and immediately realizes Yuxiu was angry, very angry.
"What's happened." She said, holding her while looking at Fang Chengyu, "Speak nicely if you have words, why talk about death and life, we're family siblings, after all, life and death are not just one person's affair."
Yuxiu looked at Fang Chengyu but said nothing, while Jinxiu lowered her head without speaking but also didn't lift her foot to leave.
"Sisters, don't worry, I'm not making funeral arrangements." Fang Chengyu bowed to them, "It's my fault for spooking you."
"If not making funeral arrangements, then what do you mean?" Yunxiao asked.
"It's about negotiating conditions." Fang Chengyu said with a slight smile, "Second sister, you also mentioned, you are not my wife or children, just sisters, and among siblings, clear accounts are necessary, so we must say unpleasant things upfront."
Yunxiao glanced at Yuxiu.
"Are you serious?" She asked Fang Chengyu again.
"Of course I'm serious." Fang Chengyu responded with a smile, "The matter of dividing family assets, though initially false, I now want to make it real. The four of us should split De Sheng Chang."
Truly divide.
Yunxiao looked shocked.
"You mean to divide just because you say so?" Yuxiu said.
"If you don't want it, then prepare to marry out." Fang Chengyu said, "You can give up the money business."
Yunxiao's expression slightly stiffened, Yuxiu's expression remained calm, and Jinxiu raised her head.
"You're just going to kick us out of the house like this?" Yuxiu asked.
"Sister, don't worry, I'll give the dowry, I'll make sure you're satisfied." Fang Chengyu said with a smile.
"I want the money business." Jinxiu suddenly said.
Yunxiao looked at her, and Yuxiu also gave her a side glance.
"What are you getting involved for?" She said, "Aren't you not a Fang?"
"Whether I bear the Fang name isn't for you to decide." Jinxiu said, "It's Old Heavenly Father who decides, it's destined by heaven, and since it's destined, I should take what is destined for me."
Fang Chengyu nodded.
"Alright, I'll divide it for you, just a bit less." He said.
"Are the conditions the same?" Jinxiu asked.
Fang Chengyu smiled, nodding.
"What kind of condition is this?" Yuxiu said nonchalantly, "Divide the money business among us yet still listen to her, is it truly for us or her? Do we consider ourselves working for her for free?"
"The condition is somewhat harsh, yet I think it's still a good deal for you who can get a piece of the money business." Fang Chengyu said, with an indifferent expression, even with a hint of coldness.
Such an expression was not unfamiliar to the Fang sisters, who had been in business for years, especially when negotiating business interests with others, they would have such demeanor.
So now, they were not sibling relations but business negotiations.
Yunxiao could not help but glance to the side, as daylight was already bright, the vast sky clear and high, the spacious road bustling with people, the roadside trees ablaze with yellow leaves, warm and bright.
The guard standing by the family courtyard waiting and chatting quietly, while the horses lowered their heads eating grass, leisurely swishing their tails.
In the solemn hall of justice, the noisy division of assets was an act, and now under the bright autumn light, amid harmony, they were truly engaging in a financial showdown.
Yunxiao lowered her gaze, listening as Fang Chengyu continued.
"Although second sister tells the people outside how hard you work running the business, wasting your great youthful years on it, sounding aggrieved and deserving sympathy, isn't it what you should do?" He said with a slight smile, "Your flesh and blood were given by the Fang Family, your food and drink, even the opportunity to do this business, came from the Fang Family; as children, it is only natural."
Yuxiu made a sound.
"So?" She said.
"So naturally you aren't allowed to divide the assets." Fang Chengyu said, "Of course besides that, what you did was expected, and more importantly, you are females, I am a male."
He patted his chest.
"Based on this alone, it's decreed by Old Heavenly Father, all is mine, even if argued to death, it's mine, and not a penny should go to you."
Yunxiao breathed lightly.
"There's no need to speak so harshly, we're not thinking..." She said.
Yuxiu raised her hand to stop her.
"So if we want a share, we must agree to your conditions." She said.
Fang Chengyu nodded.
"If we don't want a share, you'll drive us out." Yuxiu asked.
Fang Chengyu nodded with a smile.
"Then if we don't share, you marry us off, are not planning to find good families?" Yuxiu asked.
Fang Chengyu nodded.
"Naturally it is random, talked about driving out, a daughter married away, not worth the trouble." He said seriously.
Truly worthy of being siblings, Yunxiao watched Fang Chengyu, recalling the words Yuxiu said when requesting the family assets from Old Lady Fang that day.
How ruthless.
She couldn't help pressing her chest, feeling chilly and looking at Fang Chengyu.
Is he serious? If truly choosing this way, would he really carry out such actions?
Fortunately Yuxiu didn't faint from anger like Old Lady Fang.
"Then if we share, must promise to work for this Miss Jun for free." She said, "How can we choose without losing?"
Fang Chengyu nodded again.
"Yes, life is like that, either taking a small loss or a big one." He said, "Luckily, we are siblings, and I'm offering the sisters a choice between the two."
Looking at the youthful face and bright eyes of the young man, Yuxiu pursed her lips.
"Does Miss Jun realize how twisted you are?" She said.
...
(Second update postponed to 2 PM)