Daily Intelligence System: Financial Independence-Chapter 296 - 159: Family Reunion, Zhang Chao’s Comeback! (Triple Release)

Chapter 296: Chapter 159: Family Reunion, Zhang Chao’s Comeback! (Triple Release)

Zhang Chao’s parents usually don’t call him.

Every time they do, it’s definitely for something.

And without exception, it’s always about money!

Staring at his ringing phone, Zhang Chao held onto a sliver of hope.

He hoped his mom wasn’t calling to ask for money again!

"Hi, Mom."

Sliding his finger to answer, Zhang Chao gently greeted his mom.

Although things were a bit unpleasant at home during the Spring Festival, they were still family, and he didn’t want to make the relationship too tense.

Now that his mom called him, he wanted to take the chance to ease the strained relationship.

"Son, your brother’s girlfriend is settled, and they can get married this May Day."

"That’s great. These days, getting married is no easy feat."

After hearing his mom’s words, Zhang Chao forced a smile. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t envious.

If his parents treated him half as well as they did his brother, he would laugh even in his dreams.

"Your dad and I borrowed some money from your uncles and aunts, and we’ve already bought him a house."

"Now we’re short 80,000 yuan on the bride price, and we have nowhere to borrow from. Son, can you help your brother again?"

"Mom promises, this is the last time, and we will definitely pay you back."

Listening to his mom talk, once again shifting the conversation to "money," Zhang Chao’s expression turned bitter.

He really shouldn’t have expected too much from his mother!

The scene from the Spring Festival where his mom berated him resurfaced, making Zhang Chao feel even more chilled.

"Mom, I really don’t have the money. Two years ago, my business lost money, and I just cleared my debts last year. I can’t even come up with 8,000 yuan, let alone 80,000."

Zhang Chao took a deep breath, trying to maintain a calm tone while stating the facts to his mom.

Of course, the business loss was a lie. The truth was he often spent lavishly and liked foot massages, so he hadn’t saved up much money.

"Mom believes you, Mom knows you really don’t have money, but don’t you have a wealthy friend? That Jiang... what was his name?"

"I heard from people in the village that he’s driving a big Benz now and invested millions in cattle farming. He’s really capable!"

"Aren’t you two on good terms? Borrowing 80,000... no, 100,000 would be nice for a round number. It shouldn’t be hard, right?"

Hearing his mom casually suggest borrowing 100,000 yuan from Jiang Tao for his brother, Zhang Chao laughed bitterly and refused:

"Mom, my relationship with Brother Jiang isn’t close enough for me to borrow that much money. I can’t ask for that."

Based on his understanding of his parents and brother, if he borrowed the money, he couldn’t expect them to repay it. In the end, he’d have to pay it back himself!

"Why can’t you ask! It’s like borrowing money is as hard as dying for you! Can’t you, as an older brother, help your younger brother?"

"Your dad and I raised you so big for nothing! When we need you, you won’t lift a finger!"

"You’ve worked for so many years, how much money have you brought home?"

"No matter what, I don’t believe you don’t have 100,000, 80,000 in savings!"

"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming!"

"You just don’t want your brother to get married! You’re selfish!"

"I’m done arguing with you! Give me a straight answer, are you giving this money or not?"

"If not, don’t bother coming home again! If you die out there, no one will care!"

On the other end, hearing that Zhang Chao remained unmoved and wouldn’t give money, his mom quickly lost her patience.

Her true nature burst forth, launching into a tirade.

Listening to his mom’s shrewish yelling, Zhang Chao felt his heart grow colder.

This was his own mother!

"I’ll say it one last time, I really don’t have the money, and I won’t borrow it. Even if you push me, it won’t work."

Zhang Chao stood firm on his boundaries.

If he had money, no matter how unwilling, he would give some to his parents.

But since he had no money, he absolutely wouldn’t borrow it for them.

"Alright, alright! You brat, you think you’re all that now! If you have guts, don’t come back!"

"Your dad and I will think of you as dead! Don’t come back and be an eyesore!"

"Beep beep beep..."

The phone call ended, and Zhang Chao, feeling agitated, took a cigarette from the pack and lit it, quickly inhaling and exhaling the smoke.

Every call with his family revolved around money, always ending in discord.

Money, money, money!

Even familial bonds are weak and worthless in the face of money!

Since childhood, no matter what, he always deferred to his brother.

The best food, drinks, and toys all went to his brother!

Even when they both liked the same girl, he had to give way to his brother!

Zhang Chao felt he had done enough as an older brother.

Yet he had never once received a word of praise from his parents!

They always thought it was his duty, and it wasn’t enough; they wanted him to help his brother more!

Being sons, why was the gap so large?

Zhang Chao had doubted more than once if he was even their biological child.

Suddenly, Zhang Chao remembered what Jiang Tao mentioned during a drink more than half a month ago.

A wealthy person in Beijing offered a million-dollar reward to find their son.

Oh, how he wished he were that child!

But alas...

So much time had passed with no news, it was clearly a dead end.

Ring ring ring—

The phone rang again, and Zhang Chao thought maybe his dad or brother were calling to scold him.

Every time he argued with his mom, his dad or brother would step in, standing on moral high ground to blame him for upsetting his mom.

Seeing the caller ID on the screen showing "Brother Jiang."