Mother Zhang cheerfully walked towards her eldest daughter’s house, ili’s house. On her way, so elderly ladies asked her if the golden baby was moving. When they found out she was National Day’s mother, they kept praising her family’s Xiao Wu.
"Mom, what brings you here? Didn’t Xiao Wu et you?" ili looked at her coming in, surprised as she glanced behind her.
Mother Zhang looked inside but didn’t see her husband and children, "Where’s your dad and the kids? Xiao Wu was taken by his father-in-law for a banquet. Only Jiao Jiao is ho with the kids. Don’t rush, wait for your dad to co back, then go with to Xiao Wu’s house to help out. When Chunming is back, let him and the kids co over."
ili pulled her to sit down and handed her a cup of hot water. Looking at her cheerful mother, she said, "No need, everything’s ready at ho. It gets too noisy with the kids around. Mom, sit down and relax, Dad will be back soon. He said he took Xi Zi and them to the supply cooperative to check with Uncle Huang about sothing. I asked him, but he didn’t reply."
Mother Zhang nodded knowingly. She understood that her dad was worried about the eldest and wanted to inquire with the eldest’s uncle. Looking around the living room, she finally rembered sothing she had forgotten last ti.
"ili, tell why the housewarming date changed? Did sothing happen with your father-in-law? And why did you change the courtyard? I wanted to ask you last ti, but you interrupted and I forgot."
ili happened to have a lot to say to her mother and imdiately took her to her bedroom upon hearing this.
Talking about the housewarming, she was filled with anger. She and her husband asked her father-in-law to pick a date. After her father-in-law chose a day and notified Chunming and the other brothers, the next day, the daughters-in-law said they had sothing on that day and asked if they could pick another day. Fine, they would choose again. Just then, when this courtyard was bought, they planned to renovate it.
Not long after, Chunming’s eldest and second sister-in-law ca over, asking Chunming to take care of the nephews. Saying Chunming’s courtyard is big, let her youngest son stay at his house first to see what’s available for work in the city.
The second sister-in-law cried poor, begging them to lend so money, saying she was short of over two hundred for the dowry. She said the eldest sister-in-law lent her a hundred, and Chunming’s family had the best conditions, should lend her a hundred fifty. ili was furious. The total dowry was just three hundred yuan, and the eldest had already lent the second family a hundred. Did they think she was dead?
Right then, ili said she had no money, just about to go ask the eldest sister-in-law for money. Since the eldest could lend to others, their family shouldn’t be short of such little money. Making the eldest embarrassed, too shy to speak again.
The second family kept ntioning how much Chunming spent during his schooling. How he succeeded and shouldn’t forget his roots. Angrily, Chunming said he’d go back with them and calculate with his dad. To see who spent more, his brothers or his earnings? He made money doing odd jobs during school to support the family. Before marriage, he handed over everything he earned with his master to his dad. How was he being ungrateful? He bought a courtyard for safety, why were they so resentful? Why does their family have the best conditions? With three sons and a daughter, relying only on their little wage, how could money be extra?
The honest man erupted in anger, scaring the eldest and second family away.
At first, they thought this matter was over. But a few days later, her father-in-law ca over and asked if they argued with the eldest. The couple quickly explained.
It turned out that the two sisters-in-law went back and told their husbands they ca to the county to see the new courtyard but were chased out by Chunming. Not even ntioning the request to borrow and stay over.
At that ti, her father-in-law angrily returned to the village. Later, through soone, he said the housewarming would be in three days, asking the couple to notify the in-laws and relatives. Before they could notify, his father-in-law ca personally saying to wait, wait until all the brothers were free to gather and chat. Not to forget, they’re all blood brothers, said a lot, aning they should wait. Wait for them to co before having the housewarming.
Chunming was so angry, he just said let them not co. If they co, he won’t welco them. He wouldn’t take gifts for the housewarming, giving them free food while they keep a posture, co if they want. Finally, Chunming said directly the courtyard was bought for almost a month, if they don’t move, the kids wouldn’t sleep well, even colleagues joked about when they’d host for drinks. His family couldn’t wait. The date was set for next Sunday, letting his dad notify, co if they please.
Mother Zhang laughed heartily and watched as the eldest daughter was teary-eyed with anger. Checking outside to see no one, she whispered, "You fool. You’re really foolish. If your husband’s brothers are like that, then it’s good. Your husband isn’t foolish, don’t you know he only cares for his own family? Don’t stick your nose in. However your brothers are quarreling, don’t speak up. Blood brothers are still blood brothers, you’re an outsider."
"I don’t care, who likes to deal with this ss? Drives mad, ntioned housewarming twice, no results. How co his family has so many issues? I think my father-in-law is a bit confused, always wanting his sons to support each other. Can you see if that’s possible? Since my father-in-law’s last visit, we haven’t returned. The kids’ dad said just watch if they co? If not, cut off ties. If they co, ignore them."
Mrs. Zhang listened, thought carefully, and said quietly, "I understand why Xiao Wu keeps preparing housewarming gifts. Even Jiao Jiao ntioned a few tis for to help myself to anything in her room. He’s this clever, must know it’s your in-laws causing trouble, wanting to back you up. No wonder he always says you’re the most wronged and suffered. Even I am not as thoughtful as your brother. Let Xiao Wu help you from now on, take whatever he gives you. He just wants to support you."
ili was stunned for a mont and hurriedly said, "Support what? I’m in charge at ho. Make sure he saves in private, please. They don’t know how to live. They’re both so generous. Before, it was giving pork, now it’s giving kids money. I just heard Xi Zi say his little aunt gave them pocket money for the supply cooperative. Mom, advise them. Just our family below has more than ten kids, two yuan per person, that’s my monthly salary. Not to ntion the kids from the eldest uncle and little uncle’s families. Who can afford such extravagance?"
"Haha..." Mother Zhang laughed heartily, giving her a look, "You think besides your own siblings, Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao would treat them so well? Rest assured. Jiao Jiao knows what she’s doing. When Qingshan’s wife brought the kids to Jiao Jiao’s house, Jiao Jiao only gave each a hard candy." Mother Zhang didn’t ntion there was more she knew, not intending to tell her.
What she liked best about her youngest daughter-in-law was she knew her limits, understood priorities. For example, Zhou Jiao would secretly tell her how much gifts her grandmother sent for the baby shower, absolutely not ntioning it to others. Seeming generous, Jiao Jiao secretly hoarded the most valuable. Just like returning for dowry at the end of the year, never said a word. Brother Zhou held her as precious, privately gifting without revealing.
"That’s good. I still want to talk to her about how to live wisely. We’ll live closer, I’ll visit often, keep an eye out. Can’t let kindness be wasted without reward." ili nodded satisfactorily. Xiao Wu is generous, she must remind Jiao Jiao not to leave money in his hands.
Mother Zhang didn’t dare look directly at this foolish daughter. How did she give birth to such a foolish child? She really didn’t want to talk further, fearing she might lash out at her.
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