Wu Guihua slammed the table again with force, "Alright, stop your squabbling. Are you happy if this family falls apart?"
Wu Guihua single-handedly supported such a large family, so her words carried significant weight. The room instantly fell silent.
Looking at Zhao Siming's stubborn gaze, Wu Guihua's heart ached. She took a few deep breaths, closed her eyes, and then said:
"What just happened doesn't count. Let's draw again."
Jun Jiuli hadn't even spoken, and someone was already stepping up to fight for her.
Zhao Erming: "I refuse. Why should we draw again? Is it that if the fourth one doesn't get the blank slip, he has to keep drawing?"
"Are you defying heaven? I said we draw again, and we draw again. If the fourth one draws it again, then that's his fate."
"I disagree. What if I draw it? I'm about to take my college entrance exams. The teachers all say I'm suited for university. I don't want my life ruined like this."
As Zhao Er Ming spoke, he started to cry. Wu Guihua felt too ashamed to look at her three sons.
Zhao Siming stared at Jun Jiuli, a shameless thought beginning to surface.
"Third Brother, you go for Big Brother. Your grades aren't as good as mine. When I become successful in the future, I can take care of you."
"How can you be so shameless? You tell me to go, and I should just go? Not only do I see someone like you having no future, but even if you do have a future, will you promote me? That's hilarious."
"We're all brothers in this family. Third Brother, how can you speak like that? Do you even consider me your brother?"
"Oh, no, I don't. Besides, you were the one who spoke first."
Zhao Siming's fists clenched and unclenched, unclenched and clenched.
"Third Brother, if you go, our whole family will be grateful to you."
"Oh, I don't need gratitude. What is gratitude? Can it be spent like money?"
"Third Brother, you're being unreasonable. I agree with Mother's suggestion to re-draw."
He said this and sat down indignantly.
"I don't care. It's not like it will ever be my turn anyway."
Wu Guihua sighed, "You're all grown up, and I can't control you. Do you even look like a family anymore? A family needs to help each other to go far.
What capability do you have by fighting amongst yourselves? I know that replacing your elder brother will be difficult. You are all my flesh and blood. My heart aches more than yours."
Jun Jiuli scoffed, "Mom, then you go. After all, it's so dark, and no one will see if it's a man or a woman.
No matter who goes from our family, you'll be heartbroken. You going yourself is the best choice."
Zhao Er Hua's eyes burned as if she wanted to tear Jun Jiuli apart, "Zhao San Ming, how can you speak like that? Mom raised you, where is your conscience?"
"Oh, Mom raised me, didn't she not raise you? She even raised you for three more years. You've brought such great disaster to the family. I think you going is also very suitable."
"You... you..."
Zhao Er Hua pointed at Jun Jiuli, unable to speak. She sat down in anger. Wang Guihua also looked at Jun Jiuli with hurt.
"San Ming, hasn't Mother treated you well all these years? Your second sister is a girl; how can she go to that kind of place?"
"If she can't go, can I go? I'm still a child. Anyway, the lot has been drawn, and it's not my turn. The responsibility doesn't fall on me either. I'm going back to rest."
After Jun Jiuli finished speaking, she left directly.
Zhao Er Hua stamped her feet in anger, "Mom, look at Third Brother. He's being too out of line."
Zhao Erming also stood up, "Mom, this matter isn't my turn either." He then left.
"Second Brother, don't go."
Zhao Siming wiped his tears, "None of you can expect me to suffer."
All three potential scapegoats left, leaving a very awkward atmosphere. Zhao Er Hua dared not say anything more.
Wu Guihua began to cry helplessly. Everyone came forward to comfort her. Their voices reached the ears of the three people in the next room, word for word.
Shui Wa: "(ー_ー)!! A ruse."
Zhao Da Ming: "Mom, why don't I go instead? I don't want my brothers to be upset. It's just suffering a little. If they refuse, then fine, don't force them anymore."
Wu Guihua grabbed Zhao Da Ming's hand and wailed, "Ahhh! Why is my life so bitter? Your father left early. All these years, I've worked myself to death for you and your sisters.
If I had been heartless and remarried, I don't know how good my life would be. Now, you've all grown wings and don't listen to me. Woo woo woo~"
The two younger ones patted Wu Guihua's back reassuringly, while Zhao Er Hua carefully wiped away Wu Guihua's tears.
"Mother, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I was bewitched at the time; I really didn't mean to. Woo woo woo..."
Wu Guihua slapped her a few times fiercely, then hugged her and cried bitterly.
"Da Ming, this family can't do without you. Don't think too much about it. Go to work properly tomorrow, and don't let outsiders see any clues."
"Mom, I understand."