"Then tell me, what do you want us to do?" Grandma Lin asked with a smile. Regardless, they were guests, so they had to maintain a good attitude.
"What else is there to say? Your Lin family must make a statement today. Treat my sister better from now on. She has been married into your Lin family for so many years, working diligently, serving the elders, and taking care of the young ones. There's nothing to fault her on. Yet, such a good daughter-in-law, your family finds fault with her day in and day out. Isn't this forcing her to the point where she can't live?" Young Mrs. Zhang's brother grumbled indignantly, his eyes wide.
His wife shot him a glare. "Brother-in-law, he's a rough person. Please don't listen to his nonsense. He's had a good relationship with my elder sister-in-law since childhood and can't stand to see her wronged. He gets anxious and speaks without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."
Although she was speaking ill of her own husband, her words confirmed that the Lin family had indeed wronged Young Mrs. Zhang.
"Look at what Sister-in-law Zhang said. Our parents are the kindest people. They treat us two daughters-in-law exceptionally well. Everyone in the village praises how fortunate my sister-in-law and I are. Our in-laws treat us like their own daughters. They have never mistreated us in terms of food or clothing. And there's no such thing as a mother-in-law tormenting her daughter-in-law in our family. We usually discuss matters reasonably. How did it become unbearable?" Old Mrs. Zhang retorted with a smile. "If we really want to talk about it, the five fingers are of different lengths. Even the upper teeth can bump the lower teeth. If you ask me, these are all minor issues. A smile and they pass. It's only when you dwell on them that it damages the relationship."
Old Mrs. Zhang's words turned the tide. It wasn't that the Lin family was harsh on Young Mrs. Zhang, but rather that Young Mrs. Zhang was too petty.
However, Mrs. Zhang's wife was no pushover. She sneered, "Sister-in-law Zhang is right. You also said that the five fingers are of different lengths, but the shortest one is my elder sister-in-law. Since Sister-in-law Zhang can say such a thing, it must be because she is the longest finger!"
They were both sharp-tongued, implicitly suggesting that the Lin family treated Old Mrs. Zhang well but Young Mrs. Zhang poorly.
"Since your Zhang family feels that our Lin family treats your clan's granddaughter poorly, then let her stay at the Zhang family's residence. Our Lin family has no objections. Whether it's a letter of divorce or a letter of separation, it's up to you to decide. Regardless of which it is, we will return all the dowry that your Zhang family provided back then, so she will have a foundation to rely on." Grandma Lin suddenly stood up and said with a cold face, "People, the worst thing is ingratitude!"
"Brother-in-law, is this your intention too?" Young Mrs. Zhang's brother glared at Lin Ruixia with red eyes.
Lin Ruixia looked up in a panic, glanced at the people in the room, then lowered his head again, remaining silent.
Grandma Lin loudly declared, "Second son, our Lin family are all straightforward people. Don't be such a coward and bring shame upon our family."
Lin Ruixia stood up with difficulty. "Little brother, I believe I have done nothing to wrong your elder sister. If she doesn't want to continue living together, then... then let's separate. All the money we've saved over the years, I don't want any of it. It's all for her. I hope she will live well in the future! I'll forgo the divorce letter; I will prepare a letter of separation and send it over."
The Zhang couple was stunned. They hadn't expected Lin Ruixia to say such a thing.
Was he really going to end it?
"Lin the second, you heartless man! How has my elder sister been to you? Don't you know? You say this so easily today? You don't want my elder sister, leaving Ah Lin without a mother. Ah Lin, come here. Uncle asks you, do you agree with your father's actions?" Young Mrs. Zhang's brother roared with red eyes.
"I also have no choice. Living together as a family is about harmony. But she's always like this and like that!" Lin Ruixia grabbed his hair in distress. "Or, you can tell her, if she's unwilling to separate, then let's split the family. I'll take her and the child to establish our own household."
Grandma Lin was agitated. "What? You want to split the family?"
Everyone in the Lin family stared at Lin Ruixia in surprise. They hadn't expected him to say such a thing.
"Mother, after all, we've lived together for so many years. If she's unwilling to separate from me, then you and Father should split us off. I'm still your second son, it's just that we won't live together. The filial son you deserve will not be absent, and Ah Lin will come back every day," Lin Ruixia said.
"Yes, splitting the family is good, splitting the family is good. Distance brings coolness, closeness brings warmth. Once we split, these issues will disappear," Young Mrs. Zhang's brother said, clapping his hands. "Brother-in-law, when you split the family, you must do it fairly. Don't let my sister and brother-in-law be wronged."
"This is our Lin family's business. When did it become your Zhang family's turn to speak?" Grandma Lin was furious. "I'll make it clear today, our Lin family doesn't want such a daughter-in-law anymore. Second son, if you don't listen to your mother on this matter, your mother won't acknowledge you as her son. Eldest son, escort them out."
Although Young Mrs. Zhang's brother was quite aggressive, he didn't dare to truly quarrel with the Lin family. Lin Ruichun, who was accustomed to manual labor, pushed them out in a few moves.
Inside the house, Old Mrs. Zhang was calming Grandma Lin with gentle comfort. Lin Ruixia still had his head down, looking dejected.
Lin's eldest uncle entered the room with a stern face. "Second son, you were completely in the wrong! Touch your conscience and tell me, how have Father and Mother treated your wife normally? When have they ever wronged you in terms of food, clothing, or expenses? While parents are alive, the family does not split. You said such things for her today, aren't you disheartening Father and Mother?"
"I..." Lin Ruixia shrank his neck. He had always been somewhat afraid of his elder brother.
"Let me tell you, whether Young Mrs. Zhang can continue to be our family's daughter-in-law is another matter, but the family is definitely not splitting," Lin's eldest uncle said with a cold face. "Go back and think carefully about what to do."
After speaking, Lin's eldest uncle pulled Lin Ruixia towards the second son's room.
Grandma Lin's eyes were red. "What sin have I committed?"
Qi Zhenzhen stepped forward to comfort Grandma Lin. "Grandma, don't be angry. Second Aunt isn't a bad person at heart, just a bit petty. She'll get better with some nurturing. If she really leaves the Lin family, it's Ah Lin who will suffer. Second Uncle is this age; can he really remain alone forever? He'll have to find someone else eventually. Will that person treat Ah Lin well? Even with your protection, there will still be shortcomings. As the saying goes, a new stepmother brings a new father. Will Ah Lin have a good life then?"
Grandma Lin sighed upon hearing this. "I'm not a heartless mother-in-law who deliberately troubles her daughter-in-law. Ask your eldest aunt how I usually treat them. But your second aunt, she nitpicks and speaks sarcastically, always saying I favor your eldest uncle's family. If I did favor them, then let her say it, but do I? Normally, your eldest aunt handles the major tasks, and has she said anything? I originally thought, let her be like this, it's just within our own family. But what about her? The last time she came to recognize relatives at your house, she caused a scene. This time, when you came, we had just bought a little food, and everyone was eating together, and she was unhappy again. Tell me..."