"Listen to what she's saying? The eldest daughter-in-law calls us ancestors who eat for free, truly showing no improvement, afraid of suffering even the slightest loss.
Doesn't she realize that we live and eat with her because we let her farm our land?
And what about the gifts brought by the second and third sons during the festivals? Weren't they all eaten by her son? Yet, after not even two meals at her house, she starts complaining."
If it weren't for Wu Gudi giving birth to three grandsons, Yu Xiaohua would have rushed out to scold her.
"If she were that reasonable, she wouldn't be the eldest daughter-in-law. We were blind to choose such a wife for our eldest son."
Except for Wu Gudi, the other two daughters-in-law were chosen by their sons themselves. Therefore, Zhang Wenxue's feelings for this eldest daughter-in-law were quite complex.
On one hand, considering they personally selected this daughter-in-law, and on the other hand, only this daughter-in-law gave birth to three grandsons for their family, the old couple had been taking good care of the eldest son's family.
Only the third son, their youngest, they truly treated with complete indifference.
"Hmph, if she dares to insinuate things in front of me, even if she gave birth to three grandsons for us, I'll still teach her a lesson. Look how smug she is."
"Let's not talk about her. We should focus on how to get the five hundred yuan!" Zhang Wenxue didn't want to discuss that matter; he just wanted to shut Tie Mu up.
"How do we get it? The eldest son farms and has a wife who helps her family. Even if there's some money, it goes to her father's house.
The second son has a stable job, earning only fifty yuan a month, and just built a house, accumulating a lot of debt.
The third son just started as a self-employed businessman. I heard he's made some money and is also building a house. However, we still have reservations about him being self-employed, so he's unlikely to lend us money."
"Sigh!" Zhang Wenxue knew all this. He sighed, unsure what to do.
"Why don't you go see your third uncle or your second sister?" Yu Xiaohua tentatively asked, thinking of her husband's siblings.
Zhang Wenxue waved his hand and refused without thinking, "Our second sister is worse off than us. Third brother is full of selfishness, and with the past grievances between Liunian and Liuhuo, it's impossible."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Yu Xiaohua was helpless. Her own family didn't have many wealthy people, and she certainly couldn't borrow from her maiden family.
"We can only ask the third son to borrow."
The eldest son had nothing, the second son had nothing, only the youngest son, who was self-employed, might have something. After thinking it over, Zhang Wenxue felt he had to approach his youngest son.
"This..." How could she bring herself to ask? Yu Xiaohua found it embarrassing.
Zhang Wenxue was even more concerned about his reputation. "You go ask."
"I get angry just seeing the third son now," Yu Xiaohua immediately retorted, turning away angrily.
Zhang Wenxue gave a wry smile. "Think about the second son!"
The successful second son was the weak point for the two old folks. As soon as they mentioned the second son, they could endure any hardship, let alone losing face.
"Tomorrow, I'll go talk to the third son's... wife." After a moment of silence, Yu Xiaohua decided to go and borrow money from Jiang Qingqing.
Because Yu Xiaohua was somewhat intimidated by her youngest son, Zhang Wenxue was also intimidated by him.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liunian and Zhang Liushui arrived at Daming Lake and explained their purpose and reasons.
Zhang Liushui was shocked to hear such explosive news. "Little sister wants to marry the mute?"
It hadn't been long since this little sister returned from the Tie family, how could she already want to be with the mute so quickly?
Zhang Liunian glanced at the shimmering lake surface and turned to answer, "Yes, they want to be together themselves. I thought it would be good, so our parents wouldn't try to send the little sister back to the Tie family for the second brother.
We all know the situation of the Tie family. It's a wolf's den that devours people. I will absolutely not let the little sister go back."
"Mom and Dad are really something. Why must they send the little sister back to the Tie family? Does our sister's divorce really affect the second brother's future?" Ever since the second brother got into university, Zhang Liushui had clearly noticed his parents' favoritism.
Now, for the sake of their second son's future, they were pushing their little sister into a fiery pit. They were becoming more and more obsessed.
"Don't listen to their nonsense. Even if the little sister gets divorced, it won't affect the second brother in any way. They are worrying unnecessarily." Although political vetting and reputation are strict in this era, they wouldn't be so severe that a relative's divorce would erase your capabilities and contributions.
The parents' actions were completely wishful thinking and self-conceit.
"Mom and Dad are too muddled. When we go back, I'll talk to them and tell them not to interfere in the little sister's affairs."
"No one can talk sense into Mom and Dad except the second brother."
"..." Zhang Liushui was choked up. It was indeed true.
"So, I plan to help them get their marriage certificate. But the little sister's household registration is still with Mom and Dad. You must help me get the household registration before ten o'clock tomorrow morning."
Zhang Liushui sighed, "Mom and Dad won't agree."
"So, you have to take it secretly, without letting them find out first."
"..."
Zhang Liushui was speechless. Afterward, he still cared about his little sister's happiness. "Third brother, do you think the mute is worth our little sister relying on for a lifetime? Can he give our little sister happiness?"
"Little sister only needs to rely on me. As long as they work in the village, under my supervision, I won't let anyone bully the little sister." Zhang Liunian had some trust in the mute's character, but he trusted himself even more.
As long as he was watching from above, he didn't believe the mute could bully his sister.
Zhang Liushui listened to his third brother's domineering declaration and was stunned for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter. "With your words, elder brother is relieved."
At the same time, Du Ziteng and his father were still drinking wine at the kiln.
"Dad, is this wine good? This is the wine your son bought for you." Du Ziteng had gotten a watch yesterday and money today, so he was in a very good mood. Before going home, he specifically bought a bottle of wine for his old father.
"It's good." Du Zhan took a sip, put down his wine glass, and had a rare smile of happiness on his face.
It wasn't easy. His son, who had always caused trouble, actually knew how to buy him wine and show filial piety today, which truly moved him to tears.
"Don't worry, son will be filial to you in the future." Du Ziteng saw his old father's reddened eyes and felt a pang in his heart.
These days, following Zhang Liunian and seeing how good he was to his wife and daughter had touched Du Ziteng. Otherwise, he wouldn't have thought of buying wine for his old father.
"I'll just wait to enjoy your blessings." Du Zhan suppressed the urge to cry, picked up his wine glass, and took another sip.
"That day will come." Du Ziteng replied, then raised his wrist, breathed on his expensive watch, and wiped it with his sleeve. Only when the watch crystal reflected the light did he put it down.
Du Zhan looked at his son's actions and suddenly teased him, "A few days ago, who was it that said he didn't want to be Zhang Liunian's subordinate?"
"It definitely wasn't me, definitely not."