The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 790 - 789: Inheritance Contest

Time flies like an arrow.

In mid-April, one month after Chen Yi had passed away, the house he had purchased across from Shen Mingzhu’s finally completed its renovations.

In that era, the building materials didn’t have issues like excessive formaldehyde and other toxic gases like in later times; once a house was renovated, one could move in after airing it out for a little while.

Pei Wenping had set the official moving day to May 1st.

Before that, when she had free time, she would pack some belongings to take to her new home.

Besides that, she specifically visited the Chen Family, inviting Mother Chen and Father Chen to move into the new house and live with her and her children.

Although she and Chen Yi were legally divorced, she still considered Chen Yi as her husband in her heart and decided to take care of Mother Chen and Father Chen on behalf of Chen Yi.

Father Chen and Mother Chen declined her offer.

Thinking that the elderly couple might have some reservations toward her, Pei Wenping didn’t insist, "Dad, Mom, I’ve cleaned up your room. Whenever you miss Xiaolu and Xiaochao, just give me a call, and I’ll come to pick you up."

Having made her stance and sincerity clear, Pei Wenping stood up to take her leave, but was stopped by Yi Ling:

"Sister Wenping, you’re leaving just like that? Is there something you haven’t clarified?"

Pei Wenping looked at her, "If you have something to say, say it directly."

Yi Ling forced a smile, "Big Brother has passed away, and everyone’s feeling unsettled recently. There are some things I felt reluctant to bring up. Since you came today to talk about the house, I’ll also share my thoughts."

"That house was bought by Big Brother, and you moving in without saying anything seems a bit unreasonable, doesn’t it?"

"Logically speaking, anything Big Brother left behind should belong to the Chen Family. It really shouldn’t be your turn, a stranger."

Looking at the silent members of the Chen family, Pei Wenping understood everything.

"If you want to fight over the house, wait till I’m dead then."

After saying those words, she prepared to leave but was furiously stopped by Yi Ling:

"Sister Wenping, what do you mean? Are you planning to take over the Chen Family’s property?"

"The house was bought by Chen Yi for me and the children, my name is on the property deed, and he personally told me that this house won’t have a second mistress. If you disagree, you can sue me in court, and I am ready to see it through to the end."

Yi Ling, defeated and lost for words, then tried to get support: "Dad, Mom, what do you think?"

Pei Wenping also looked toward the members of the Chen family, wanting to know their thoughts.

After a brief silence, Mother Chen spoke coldly: "Wenping, you need to give up half of that house. The other half isn’t for you either, it’s for Xiaolu and Xiaochao. Also, the money Xiaoyi left with you, you need to hand it all over."

"Since that’s how it is, then you should find a lawyer to discuss this with me."

After that, she left the Chen Family’s home.

As soon as she left, Yi Ling bitterly exclaimed, "I knew it, there’s no way she would spit out the money she’s eaten up!"

In fact, from the day Chen Yi had passed away, Yi Ling had already brought up the inheritance issue with her husband and his family.

However, at that time, the members of the Chen family were steeped in grief and not ready to think about other matters.

After the funeral ended, the Chen family didn’t immediately approach Pei Wenping, not out of consideration, but because they were secretly investigating Chen Yi’s income over the years.

...

Pei Yang had an innate pride and integrity; the moment he heard the Chen family demanding money and the house from Pei Wenping, he immediately said fiercely:

"Sister, just return their stuff to the Chen family. From now on, I will support you and the two children; our family isn’t lacking in these trifles!"

Pei Wenping received a glare after what she said, "Are you accusing me of being greedy for the house and money?"

Pei Yang looked disgruntled.

Shen Mingzhu spoke up, "It’s normal for the Chen family to argue over the inheritance, but it’s not for them to decide."

Pei Wenping nodded, "That’s right, the money and house were left by Chen Yi for the two children. They aren’t mine, I don’t want a cent. Whatever belongs to the children, I won’t withhold a cent."

"Let’s leave it to the lawyer."

...

Perhaps due to the fear of endless troubles overnight, the next day, members of the Chen family came with their lawyer.

Pei Wenping was accompanied by Shen Mingzhu and Lawyer Bai Chuan.

Pei Yang wanted to come too, but Shen Mingzhu didn’t let him.

Pei Wenping made the first move, willing to pay Father Chen and Mother Chen a monthly living allowance of 500 yuan and to increase it by 10% each year until both passed away.

This was rejected by members of the Chen family.

Yi Ling mocked unreservedly, "No wonder she studied finance, those calculations are quite loud. We’ve had a lawyer check it all clear. Over the years, Big Brother has given you just over 2 million, plus the Zhong Street apartment and its renovation, which total almost 2.1 million."

"You’re only willing to give our parents 500 a month, 6,000 a year, how little is that in ten years? Your heart is really dark!"

Lawyer Bai spoke calmly, "Mrs. Yi, your private investigation into my client’s financial status constitutes an invasion of privacy and we reserve the right to take action."

Yi Ling sneered, "Go on, sue me. It just allows everyone to see how much Pei Wenping has cheated from our Chen family!"

Pei Wenping retorted calmly, "If it’s the Chen family’s money, why is it in my hands?"

Yi Ling was so furious she couldn’t speak, and could only pinch Chen Liang hard under the table.

Chen Liang, in pain, had no choice but to speak up, "Sister, Sister Wenping, I’ve discussed it with our parents. We want 2 million, and the Zhong Street apartment."

"Xiaolu and Xiaochao, if you’re willing to continue looking after them, the tuition and living expenses will be covered by the Chen family. If not, Yi Ling and I will take care of them."

"As long as I’m alive for even a day, there’s no way I’d let someone else raise the children. You can’t have the house, and forget about the 2 million. That’s it, enough talk. I’ll see you in court!"

...

"They definitely can’t take the Zhong Street house, and for the 2 million or so, I’m confident we can get at least half."

After the members of the Chen family left, Lawyer Bai, Pei Wenping, and Shen Mingzhu discussed the potential of the lawsuit.

Seeing that Pei Wenping was distracted, Shen Mingzhu had to speak on her behalf to Lawyer Bai, "Lawyer Bai, we’ll have to trouble you to take more care with the lawsuit."

"That’s alright. I’m also very grateful for your trust."

After sending Lawyer Bai off, Shen Mingzhu returned to the living room and sat next to Pei Wenping, "Big sister, are you okay?"

Though she appeared aggressive in front of the members of the Chen family, the moment they left, Pei Wenping withered and hadn’t said a word since.

"I’m thinking, if Chen Yi knew that after his death, I and his family would be fighting over his inheritance like this, I wonder how he would feel. Would he regret entrusting me with that money?"

Shen Mingzhu was silent for a moment, "Big sister, whatever decision you make, Pei Yang and I will support you."

Pei Wenping turned to look at the lushly blooming pink roses on the balcony, which Chen Yi had propagated from cuttings obtained from someone else’s house.

Early this year, he had split it into two pots, both of which bloomed very well.

"Forget it, if they want the money, let them have it. We can’t let the children turn against their grandparents and uncle over this money." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

After pausing, she added, "I don’t want to put him in a difficult position either."