Wealthy beyond measure, yet you call me a sister-supporting-brother demon?

Zhou Changlin was injured and unable to hold the memorial ceremony, so his eldest son, Zhou Yuchuan, performed the ceremony on his behalf.

Following the instructions, Zhou Yuchuan held incense and candles, faced east, and offered devout prayers.

He clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and silently recited a prayer, thanking heaven and earth for the land bestowed upon him for building the house, and praying for a smooth and unobstructed construction process, the health and well-being of his family, and good fortune in his new home. Afterwards, Zhou Yuchuan inserted incense sticks into the incense burner.

As Zhou Yuchuan offered sacrifices, the Taoist priest in yellow robes chanted prayers beside him.

After completing the house-building worship ceremony, Zhou Yuchuan stood in the center of the courtyard, holding a cloth bag filled with grains, and loudly recited prayers, asking the gods of heaven and earth to bless his family with happiness, health, and abundant harvests after the new house was built.

After reading the prayer, Zhou Yuchuan tossed the grains from the cloth bag high into the air, letting them scatter across the construction site, symbolizing a full granary and a prosperous family business.

Zhou's family members and friends all stepped forward to pick up the grains scattered on the ground. It wasn't that they lacked food; they believed that by doing so, they could share in Zhou Changlin's family's good fortune and make their own lives better.

The whole scene was lively and festive, and everyone was happy for Zhou Changlin's family.

Yuan Laifu came over and patted Zhou Chunsheng on the shoulder, "Your in-laws handled this matter with dignity and style, and Yu Chuan recited the prayer well."

Zhou Chunsheng grasped Yuan Laifu's hand and said, "It's all thanks to your in-laws that you have such a good son. Otherwise, how would my Zhou family have had the opportunity to build such a grand mansion? Our Zhou family has benefited from your Yuan family's success."

Yuan Laifu straightened up and said politely, "This is all Changlin deserves. He is sincere and devoted to Yuanbao, so Yuanbao will naturally take good care of his brother-in-law."

“My dear in-law, my Zhou family may not have much else, but we have a large number of clansmen. If the Yuan family ever encounters any trouble, just give the order, and my Zhou family members will be ready to charge into battle.” Zhou Chunsheng patted his chest.

Yuan Laifu was an outsider who settled here. He was the only one in the Yuan family and had no relatives to help him. Yuan Sheng was also an only child, so he was weak and alone.

Zhou Chunsheng's words were exactly what Yuan Laifu wanted to hear. "If that's what you say, then I won't stand on ceremony. If I ever need anything in the future, I'll definitely ask your Zhou family for help."

"A promise is a promise, brother, don't worry!"

The other members of the Zhou clan had already been informed by the clan leader that Zhou Changlin had benefited from his brother-in-law's influence; his brother-in-law was going to help him build five large brick and tile houses. Everyone couldn't help but marvel at Zhou Changlin's good fortune.

On the day the marriage was severed, they were still worried about Zhou Changlin's injury. At the time, Doctor Zhang said that Changlin's injury would cost several tens of taels of silver. Changlin had been kicked out of the house by Zhou Chunqiang with nothing, and they were worried that Changlin would die from his injuries. Unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better; not only did his brother-in-law have money to treat his injury, but he also had money to build him a large house.

This is no ordinary mud-brick house; it's a large brick and tile house where the landlord lived, and it's the only one of its kind in the entire Dongshan Village!

This unique structure was built by the Zhou family, and every member of the Zhou clan felt proud of it.

Everyone's gaze towards Yuan Sheng had changed! Before, they'd heard that Zhou Changlin's brother-in-law was a lazy, good-for-nothing scoundrel, but they'd witnessed his decisiveness on the day the marriage was severed. Today, however, Yuan Sheng was simply extraordinary, incredibly handsome!

That's promising!

Zhang Shufen and Zhou Changman also came to participate in the house-building ceremony. Zhang Shufen's face was beaming with joy. "Yuanbao'er! I'm completely impressed by you! Yesterday I was lamenting Pan'er's bad luck and feeling sorry for her, but you've completely changed my mood today. Pan'er is so lucky! Pan'er has such a good brother like you!"

Zhang Shufen looked on with envy, "I'm so envious! I wish I had such a good younger brother."

"Sister Shufen, I'm your brother too."

Zhang Shufen is the daughter of Old Lady Zhang. Old Lady Zhang's family treated the Yuan family well, and they even lent money for her wedding to bring good luck. Zhang Shufen then married Zhou Changman, a member of the Zhou clan, who also had a good relationship with her brother-in-law, Zhou Changlin. Yuan Sheng decided that once their business expanded, they would give Shufen a helping hand.

"Ouch!" Zhang Shufen was delighted and imagined pinching Yuan Sheng's cheek like she did when he was a child. But seeing his handsome and masculine face now, she felt it was inappropriate and withdrew her hand. "Then I'm so happy."

After exchanging pleasantries with Yuan Sheng, Zhang Shufen went to chat with her friend.

Now, Yuan Pan'er returned the money to her friend, and Zhang Shufen didn't refuse, repeatedly marveling at her friend's good fortune!

Zhou Changlin also returned the money to Ma Chao and Qian Xiaoyang, and he returned the one tael of silver to Uncle Chunsheng the day before yesterday.

Many members of the Zhou clan lamented that Zhou Chunqiang's family was unlucky; if they hadn't severed ties, Zhou Chunqiang would definitely be living in that big brick house. Now... it has nothing to do with him.

Evil people get their just deserts. He deserved to be so cruel to his son, grandson and granddaughter!

Some nosy clansmen wanted to go to Zhou Chunqiang's house to talk about this and make him angry at how wicked he was. Zhou Chunsheng stopped them, saying, "Sever all ties. From now on, we're complete strangers. The Changlin family's affairs have nothing to do with them. Changlin building a house is a joyous occasion for the whole clan; we won't provoke these filthy people!"

"Fine." These busybodies had no choice but to give up, but they still felt incredibly unsatisfied.

The large blue bricks ordered by Yuan Laifu will not arrive for a few days, but this will not affect the construction progress. The foundation and base can be laid first. Zhou Chunshen, Zhou Changman and other members of the Zhou clan began to work on the site, and the entire construction site was bustling with activity.

Zhou Hanjiang even had to go to the construction site every day, leaning on his crutches.

With such a commotion, even if Zhou Chunqiang's family were deaf and blind, they would have heard the news.

Zhou Changshui ran all the way home, but tripped and fell flat on his face as soon as he entered the house.

Old Zhou scolded, "How old are you? Still so impetuous and reckless! You have no backbone at all!"

"Father! Something terrible! Something extremely serious!"

Old Zhou curled his lip. "What's the big deal? Why are you making such a fuss?"

Zhou Changshui said, "Didn't you say last time that the Zhou clan was going to build a house? I know whose house it is, it's my brother..."

"Zhou Changlin? Weren't we already estranged? Don't mention that unfilial brat to me!" Old Man Zhou was a little angry. Changshui was really something, still calling that ingrate "brother"!

"My dear father, times have changed! Do you know what kind of house my brother is going to build?" Zhou Changshui's face was contorted with excitement.

"What room?"

Zhou Changshui held up five fingers, “Five excellent brick and tile houses! The large bricks have all been delivered!”

Zhou Chunqiang stood there dumbfounded. He never expected that Zhou Changlin could build five large brick and tile houses!

If he had that money, wouldn't he get his injuries treated?

If he had money, he would definitely treat his injuries first! What does this mean? At that time, the doctor said that it would take four hundred taels of silver to completely cure Zhou Changlin's injuries, which means that Zhou Changlin had at least six hundred taels of silver!

He considered his own situation: if he had more than two hundred taels of silver left after treating his injuries, would he use it to build five large brick and tile houses?

Impossible! He'd just use the money to buy land and build a decent unfinished house!

This shows that Zhou Changlin has far more than six hundred taels of silver in his possession!

He grabbed Zhou Changshui's arm and demanded, "Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

"PS: I've seen some readers complaining about the plot where the kinship is severed but the child still gives a small amount of money as a token of gratitude. I'm going to change this plot. I've revised a few chapters today, and it won't be completely finished until tomorrow. New readers might be a little confused, and old readers should also take note: this plot has been changed. After the kinship is severed, the relationship is completely broken off."