Brother's dispute
He hit the table aggressively.
The books scattered all around as the table hit the ground.
Zhou finally turned to his brother, "Listen to me, Zhang... me being younger than you doesn't give you the right to own everything while I am left with nothing. you have your own company, one of the biggest in Zhejiang and your brother barely has breakfast to eat!!!" he yelled out.
Not getting a response from his brother, he continued.
"Do you want to explain that brother, you have always been mom's favorite, I am sure you both planned something behind me while she was alive, just because I was young and knew nothing. You are enjoying it all while I have NOTHING!!! NOTHING ZHANG!!! I have been quiet all this while but guess what? NOT ANYMORE".
Mr. Ji Zhang (Xiaofan's Dad) couldn't believe his ear, his little brother sounded so ridiculous, and the fact that he was making a scene in his home where his family could hear made him furious.
"Can you even listen to yourself, Zhou..." he responded, staring at his raging brother.
The man took a step closer, "You were aware of everything and you know this, do not bring mother into this... she gave us everything she had, yes she gave it all to me because I was the eldest but you were aware of how we shared it and..."
"YOU GOT YOUR SHARE!!!".
Zhou knew he might be overreacting, but he still didn't believe his brother, he knew something wasn't right.
Mr. Ji Zhang continued, " Yes you were young...I was too and we shared it, I used mine to invest. EVERYTHING I GOT TODAY!!! is a result of my hard work... can you say that about yourself, Zhou? what did you do with your share? you are not even married, yet you manage to finish it all".
"You think I have some hidden treasure underneath the ground", The man added as he stamped his feet on the ground. "The Ji inheritance? have you forgotten? how it was destroyed right in our front? were you too young or just dumb to remember?".
Zhou got speechless, the word got to him.
Mr. Ji Zhang couldn't tell if his brother was hurt by the words or satisfied, they stared at each other for a short while.
The man inhaled deeply, he looked away.
"You need to go ease yourself, the kids would soon be home and I will not want them to see us this way. I will give you a call when...".
Zhou walked out before his brother could finish his statement.
He got out and met his brother's wife by the door, Zhou ignored her and walked out of the house.
As soon as the woman noticed he was gone, she jumped in.
She met her husband looking out the window.
"I feel bad for him... he doesn't even have a car to take home. I wonder what happen to the last one I gave him, I just don't know what to do about him anymore", he turned and looked at his wife.
"To him and everyone else I am a bad brother, I did everything... all he does is drink and carry different women" he sadly said.
"He doesn't know he ain't getting any younger" he mumbled to himself.
The woman who has been listening to her husband walked slowly towards him, he instantly welcomed her into his arms, stroking her hair gently.
A short time of silence.
"Darling?"
"Huh", he responded.
She looked up at him with a comforting smile appearing on her face, "You need to stop getting worried about some things. You have done a whole lot for your brother and to him, it is not enough, you did all you could to please him and to keep your relationships strong but seems your brother doesn't want that".
The woman made sure he was listening to her, she fixed her gaze on his face.
"I know it is hard to hear this but I am your wife and I am the only one that wants your prosperity, I have seen many stories of brothers betraying brothers. After everything you did for him, he still found a way to fault you, that is toxicity" she said and immediately dropped her gaze.
Mr. Ji Zhang remained silent, he second his wife's opinion.
After everything he did for his little brother, all he repay him with is embarrassing him in his home and that made him give his wife a response.
"You are right Susan, he has no right to come back to my house".
The woman let out a satisfactory smile.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
(Time - 3:04 pm)
Mr. Ji Zhang's apartment,
Xiaofan returned home a little bit late than expected.
The little girl who has seen her father on her way into her room pretended she didn't see him, she kept walking up the stairs case hoping he wouldn't call her.
"Xia... come here", the man who was sitting on a wooden chair ordered.
The girl groaned softly, she had no excuse for returning back late.
"Faster!"
She hasten her step towards her father, on getting there the girl looked down like a sad puppy.
He let out a sigh as he stared at his daughter.
After a short time of awkward silence, the girl looked up slowly, Her eyes met his.
Mr. Ji Zhang looked into her blue eyes and all he saw was his late wife's eyes in hers.
He missed her.
As if he was hesitating to touch his own daughter, the man reluctantly moved his hands.
Xiaofan who had noticed looked down sadly.
He finally touched her hair and stroked it gently, "Has anyone been bullying you in school lately?" he watched his daughter look up at him, the man gave her a warm smile while caressing her hair.
Xiaofan missed him, it's been forever since he was sweet to her and that made her eyes smile at him.
"I am sure they have been jealous of your pretty face and the magical hair", he added.
Xiaofan instantly felt something strange, her dad wasn't happy. How she know? if there is anything the girl is good at, it is reading people's reactions and always 90% right.
She decided to ask, "Are you okay dad?"