Xu Guilan had just come back from the backyard when she heard her eldest daughter-in-law gossiping about her own son. She immediately rolled her eyes in displeasure.
These two daughters-in-law really couldn’t be left alone for even a moment if they weren’t properly checked for a few days, they would definitely start causing trouble.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, is dinner ready? Your father and the others are about to come back from the private plots!”
Startled by the sudden voice of her mother-in-law, Zhu Cuiping shivered.
She shot a glare at her silent sister-in-law who was keeping her head down and stoking the fire, then quickly turned and replied loudly:
“Almost ready, Mom. Don’t worry, I won’t delay Dad and Zhizhou’s meal!”
Xu Guilan walked straight into the kitchen and glanced at the steaming pot.
“As long as you’re not delaying proper business. I thought you were only good at staring at other people all day.”
Hearing this, Zhu Cuiping gave an awkward smile and didn’t dare respond.
She knew her mother-in-law had definitely heard what she said earlier, otherwise she wouldn’t be like this.
If she dared talk back now, things would only get worse.
Not to mention her father-in-law’s temper even her own husband would lose it.
In this family, her mother-in-law stood at the very top of the food chain, while she was the lowest little shrimp at the bottom.
Seeing her eldest daughter-in-law pretending to be mute, Xu Guilan let out a cold snort.
“Let me tell you this stay out of your third brother’s business. Even though he doesn’t have rationed grain, he’s contributed a lot to this family over the past two years.
And you still complain about not eating meat for half a month? Go ask around what rural family eats meat every day all year round?
Being able to taste meat during festivals is already a blessing. You still have the nerve to say that after half a month without it!
Always staring at what your younger brother-in-law has where’s the dignity of an elder sister-in-law in that?”
Being publicly scolded in front of her sister-in-law made Zhu Cuiping unable to hold her face together.
“Mom, that’s not what I meant. I just happened to see it and thought it was something Third Brother sent back for the family, so I mentioned it to Spring Flower a bit.”
She tried to shift the focus and subtly stir things up, hoping to create some distance between her mother-in-law and the “Song Zhiqing.” If her mother-in-law became dissatisfied, that would be even better.
Xu Guilan glanced at the silent Li Chunhua, then at the scheming Zhu Cuiping, and sneered.
“You think I can’t see what’s going on in your heads? So what if the third son took a wild chicken to that Song educated youth? He was willing to do it! What’s it got to do with you? If you want to eat wild chicken, go catch one yourselves!”
No matter what Xu Guilan said, Li Chunhua kept her head down and stayed silent, determined to act invisible.
But Zhu Cuiping couldn’t hold it in.
She was afraid but she still had to say what needed to be said.
“Mom, that’s not what we meant. Even if Third Brother is engaged to Comrade Song, we don’t really mind that.
But you and Dad are elders! If they secretly enjoy good food without telling you, where does that leave you?
And there are children in the family too. I and Spring Flower don’t matter, but Jia Bao and Jia Ming are Third Brother’s nephews.
Not respecting elders above, not caring for nephews below if the villagers find out, they’ll surely criticize Third Brother and Comrade Song behind their backs!”
She had just thrown a huge accusation onto Shen Zhiyan and Song Yunlan.
Xu Guilin exploded on the spot.
“Good grief, Zhu Cuiping! You really are black-hearted! Not only are you greedy, you’re even dragging your father-in-law and me in as shields!
And Jia Bao and Jia Ming are your children with your husband. What does that have to do with the third son? You can’t feed your own children meat that’s your own incompetence!
What, so just because your kids can’t eat meat, nobody else is allowed to eat either? All this over one chicken you really went to great lengths to slander your own brother and sister-in-law!
Let me warn you if I hear even a single rumor about this outside, I won’t go after anyone else. I’ll come straight for you two!”
“Mom, you misunderstood, that’s not what I meant. I was just thinking about Third Brother and Comrade Song’s reputation…”
Zhu Cuiping hurriedly tried to explain.
“What do you mean, thinking about me?”
A cold voice suddenly came from the doorway.
It was Shen Zhiyan.
Zhu Cuiping instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
It was over had he heard everything just now?
“Th–Third Brother… w-why are you back so early?”
Shen Zhiyan looked at his eldest sister-in-law with a sarcastic smile.
“What? Do I need my eldest sister-in-law’s permission to come home now?”
“I I didn’t mean that!”
While speaking, Zhu Cuiping couldn’t help but glance at his hands.
“What are you looking at, sister-in-law? Looking to see if I brought back a wild chicken?”
Feeling his sharp gaze, Zhu Cuiping felt like she was being stabbed in the back, as if a beast had locked onto her.
“No, no! That’s not what I meant! Third Brother, you misunderstood!”
Xu Guilin glanced at her useless daughter-in-law and sighed helplessly.
Just moments ago she was so bold, and now she instantly turned timid in front of the third son.
Only bullying the weak and fearing the strong typical.
Looks like there was too little work at home; that’s why they still had energy to gossip.
“Enough. Go cook.” She then glanced at Li Chunhua, who had shrunk into a silent quail. “Third son, come with me. I have something to tell you.”
Shen Zhiyan gave the two sisters-in-law a cold look before following his mother into the house.
“Why are you scaring your eldest sister-in-law? No matter what, she’s still your brother’s wife. You should show some respect.”
As soon as they entered the room, Xu Guilin spoke.
Shen Zhiyan snorted unhappily and sat down.
“Last night I already heard her and second sister-in-law gossiping about my wife in the backyard. If I didn’t teach her a lesson, she’d think I was made of clay.”
Xu Guilin glared at him.
“You really are something. You still act so childish. We’re family just give them a warning and let it go. Don’t hold grudges.”
She knew her son well. If he really held resentment against the eldest and second daughters-in-law, it would make things difficult between the brothers.
“I know. Don’t worry. I won’t take it out on my eldest or second brother.”
Only then did Xu Guilin relax.
Then she asked, “You and Comrade Song seem to be getting along well these days. She isn’t still thinking about that Liang educated youth, is she?”
As a mother, she couldn’t help worrying.
After all, Song Yunlan had once been engaged to Liang Bo.
Hearing this, Shen Zhiyan immediately became serious.
“Mom, what nonsense are you talking about! Yunlan would never think about any Liang or Li educated youth. Don’t say things like that again!
Do you think I’m worse than those delicate pretty boys? She’s not blind why would she throw away a gem to pick up broken bricks?”
Seeing his increasingly exaggerated tone, Xu Guilin rolled her eyes.
“You sure know how to praise yourself.”
But she still added, “I heard Liang and Bai got their marriage certificate at the commune today.
It seems like Yunlan won’t have any more ties with them now. I don’t ask for anything else just hope you two live well after marriage.”
Seeing the worry in his mother’s eyes, Shen Zhiyan felt a little uncomfortable too.
“Don’t worry, Mom. Yunlan and I already discussed it. After the wedding, I’ll go work at the transport team.”
“Really?”
Xu Guilin was shocked.
The transport team job had been delayed for nearly half a year and now her son finally agreed.
As expected… this daughter-in-law was truly a good match.