The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 791 - 790: Pinching

Pei Wenping had made up her mind and quickly arranged another meeting with the members of the Chen family.

"You want two million, I agree, but you can’t have the house on Zhong Street."

The house was the last memento Chen Yi had left for her, from the decorations to the furniture and the layout, everything was designed to her taste.

She had long regarded the house as her final destination.

The members of the Chen family were secretly pleased when Pei Wenping stepped back.

If it really came to court, they might not have the advantage.

According to inheritance law, Chen Xiaolu and Chen Xiaochao were the primary heirs to Chen Yi’s inheritance.

You know, the inheritance Chen Yi left behind was far more than the two million in Pei Wenping’s hands.

It included, but was not limited to, two apartments in Shanghai City, an Audi car, funds, bonds, cash, death compensation, and the royalties from all of Chen Yi’s works, etc.

As the guardian of the children, Pei Wenping also had the right to claim a share of these assets.

Just as the members of the Chen family were about to agree, Yi Ling suddenly spoke up, "You can have the house, but you need to add one hundred thousand yuan; you must give two million one hundred thousand."

"Your brother gave you a total of two million seven thousand in cash. If you return the house, we will not worry about the seven thousand."

"But now you want the house. The house and renovations are almost one hundred thousand, plus the seven thousand, more than one hundred ten thousand yuan; you just hold this in your pocket, isn’t that inappropriate?"

The members of the Chen family initially felt that it was fine for Pei Wenping to have the house, since they had gotten the bulk of it back.

But listening to Yi Ling’s calculations, they all fell silent, wanting to see what Pei Wenping’s attitude was.

After all, no one would feel that they have too much money.

Two million was given, the extra hundred thousand wouldn’t hurt; Pei Wenping planned to agree with the Chen family.

However, she calculated the cash on hand, and it was much less than two million one hundred thousand.

These past years, following Shen Mingzhu in investing and financial management, though the returns were good, the principal was tied up elsewhere, and she couldn’t get it back anytime soon.

She proposed two solutions to the members of the Chen family: frёewebnoѵēl.com

The first was to pay in installments, at least three hundred thousand per year, to pay off the two million one hundred thousand within five years.

The other was to give her two months to raise the money.

"If you agree to installment payments, I can sign the agreement now, and give you two hundred thousand first, that’s all I have on hand for now, and another two hundred thousand by the end of the year."

Hearing that Pei Wenping only had two hundred thousand on hand, the members of the Chen family all changed their expressions.

Especially Yi Ling, who was particularly agitated, "Two million left only two hundred thousand? What have you been doing? You didn’t lose it in stock trading, did you?"

Pei Wenping had to explain that the money was tied up in investments and couldn’t be accessed at the moment.

"Did your investments make a profit or a loss?" Yi Ling pressed immediately.

"What does that have to do with you?" Pei Wenping retorted irritably.

"How is it not related? The money you used belongs to the Chen family. Two million one hundred thousand in the bank earns substantial interest each year!"

Pei Wenping nodded, "Alright, I understand. I will raise two million one hundred thousand within two months and pay it all at once."

Yi Ling was satisfied, and the Chen family felt relieved.

After finalizing the inheritance matter, they discussed the upbringing of the two children.

Father Chen and Mother Chen were advanced in age and deeply saddened by the loss of their son, already unable to take on the responsibility of caring for and educating their two grandsons.

Pei Wenping insisted, and since Yi Ling was also not willing to raise someone else’s children, both sides agreed that Xiaolu and Xiaochao would live with Pei Wenping until they were adults, and the Chen family would pay the childcare and education expenses annually.

"Alright then, just like that. Please raise the money as soon as possible."

With that remark, the Chen family was ready to leave, but Pei Wenping stopped them.

"Don’t hurry off, there’s still more to discuss."

"What else?"

Pei Wenping gave Bai Chuan a meaningful look.

The latter understood and began formally, "Regarding Mr. Chen Yi’s estate, my client has already returned it in full. Next, I will negotiate the distribution rights of Mr. Chen Yi’s estate as the legal representative for Xiaolu and Xiaochao, and, our side requests supervision over the share of the property entitled to the siblings."

As his words ended, the members of the Chen family looked at each other in dismay.

Yi Ling’s expression was particularly grim.

Chen Yi had died, now only Chen Liang remained as the sole descendant of the family.

Although the money of the Chen Family should be shared with the siblings, the siblings were still young. As for the future, it wasn’t up to her and Chen Liang; the elders wouldn’t live many more years.

Who would have thought that Pei Wenping would propose splitting the inheritance and requesting supervision?

Pei Wenping was the guardian of the two children, so the money would just come back to Pei Wenping after a full circle, which meant their efforts were in vain.

"Dad, please say something."

Prompted by Yi Ling, Father Chen spoke in a deep voice, "How the estate is divided is a matter for the Chen Family, and it’s not your place to interfere."

"Although Xiaoyi is gone, we as grandparents won’t shortchange Xiaolu and Xiaochao in the slightest. They will get what is due to them, not a cent less."

Although Mother Chen resented Pei Wenping, she still genuinely cherished the siblings.

Pei Wenping smiled faintly, "Nice words are easy to say, but words alone are not binding; some matters still need to be put down on paper to provide mutual security and peace of mind. Or maybe you’d prefer to settle the estate division through the courts."

The implication was clear: either settle the matter today, or take it to court.

The Chen family members had no choice but to sit down again.

According to the Civil Code, Father Chen, Mother Chen, and the siblings were first in line to inherit Chen Yi’s estate.

To put it plainly, it had nothing to do with Chen Liang and his wife, Yi Ling.

Normally, the inheritance would be equally divided among those of the same order, each getting a quarter.

But Father Chen and Mother Chen insisted on including Chen Liang and his two children.

Of course, Pei Wenping disagreed.

Her stand was the same: she didn’t want what wasn’t hers, but she wouldn’t give up what belonged to the two children.

This led to another deadlock over the inheritance issue.

"Wenping, go back and think about it. Once you have thought it over, we can talk again. Xiaoyi is gone, and Xiao Liang is the only uncle Xiaolu and Xiaochao have left. If you cause discord between them, even Xiaoyi won’t rest in peace."

To make Pei Wenping concede, the Chen Family didn’t hesitate to use Chen Yi as leverage.

This indeed was Pei Wenping’s weak spot.

However, she did not immediately agree with the Chen Family.

The children were old enough to understand the situation, and it concerned their own interests, so she wanted to let them decide for themselves.

When they learned that their uncle was contesting their inheritance, both children were clearly at a loss.

After all, Chen Liang and Yi Ling, the aunt and uncle, seemed very kind on normal days.

At the Chen Family’s dinner table.

Chen Liang took the initiative to bring up the inheritance division, "Maybe we should just let it go, legally speaking, this money shouldn’t go to an uncle and his nephews."

Father Chen clicked his tongue, "I still understand Wenping. Despite her fierce demeanor, she deeply values righteousness; she will agree."

Yi Ling pleasingly served Father Chen, adding rice and soup, "Dad, thank you for considering Xiaoya and Xiaojin."

Then, turning to the two children, she added, "Quick, thank your grandparents. When you grow up, make sure to take good care of them in their old age."

The obedient children did as told.

Seeing his well-behaved and sensible grandchildren, Father Chen was very satisfied.