“You just said you haven’t been supporting the family because you haven’t spent any of the family’s money—we acknowledge that,” Zhao Jingwu, the second son, picked up the conversation, his tone dissatisfied. “But the issue now is that you just got married, and Mom wants to come take care of your wife. That means the family is helping you out.”
Anyway, over the years, Zhao Jingyu had been too selfish, never caring about family matters. Whether he was around or not made no difference.
Yang Yuelan was a major labor force at home, earning work points and handling household chores. If she left, who would cook and look after the children?
“I never said I wanted Mom to come take care of my wife.” Zhao Jingyu glanced at Yang Yuelan, his tone indifferent. “I’ll make arrangements for my wife myself. There’s no need for you to worry.”
Xu Qingning raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Only now did she take a closer look at the three brothers. Actually, Zhao Jingwen and Zhao Jingwu looked quite similar to Zhao Jingyu.
The difference was that Zhao Jingyu was half a head taller than them, more robust, and carried the unique, rugged aura of a man from the northwest. If nothing else, few men in the inland regions had chest and abdominal muscles like Zhao Jingyu’s.
Of course, she hadn’t intentionally peeked at him—it was accidental. After all, they slept in the same bed, so occasional exposure was unavoidable.
“Jingwen, Jingwu, both of you stop talking. I came here of my own will.” Seeing the three brothers on the verge of an argument, Yang Yuelan quickly interjected. “Over the years, we’ve supported your education, arranged your marriages, and raised your children. Now that Jingyu needs us, we can’t show favoritism.”
“That’s right. In our eyes, all three of you brothers are the same. We’ll help each of you equally.” Zhao Futang finally spoke up, his expression stern. “This is our decision as your parents. None of you have a say in it.”
Everyone fell silent.
Wu Xiufang glanced at Zhou Chunyan, who was about to say something but was silenced by a sharp look from Zhao Jingwu. No matter how they argued, the old couple still favored Zhao Jingyu.
“Dad, you can’t put it that way. Back then, you asked someone to find Jingyu a job and pulled some strings. If we hadn’t gone to the countryside, how could Jingyu have stayed in the city?” Zhao Jingwen had also worked in the city before, but he went to the countryside in response to the call of the times.
Because he had reached marriageable age and had no hope of returning to the city, he married Wu Xiufang, a female educated youth from the same production team.
It was precisely because he and Zhao Jingwu went to the countryside that Zhao Jingyu stayed in the city, found a job, and earned a decent income.
No matter how you looked at it, Zhao Jingyu had benefited.
How could that be considered fair?
“When you two went to the countryside, Jingyu was still at a farm in the northwest. Even if you hadn’t gone, it wouldn’t have been his turn—he was already in the countryside back then.” Zhao Futang’s expression grew even darker. “As for me finding him a job, that was my responsibility as a father. It has nothing to do with you. Don’t forget, I also found jobs for both of you back then.”
“Dad, no matter what, Jingyu was lifted into the city by the two of us. He can’t just think about himself.” Only then did Zhao Jingwu realize the real issue. He didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “His salary should subsidize our two families a little. Why should he get all the benefits?”
“Second Brother, if you had said this a few years ago, it might have been acceptable. But now that we’re married, it’s definitely impossible.” Xu Qingning couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Zhao Jingwu suggesting that Zhao Jingyu should subsidize their two families. “I’ve heard of supporting parents, but never of supporting brothers. I don’t agree with this!”
Wow, after all that beating around the bush, this is what they meant.
Absolutely not.
Although she was willing to let her mother-in-law live with her, if this matter had already caused family conflicts and affected her interests, then there was no need for it.
She wasn’t a child; she could take care of herself.
“Sister-in-law, this matter between us brothers has nothing to do with you.” Zhao Jingwu hadn’t expected Xu Qingning to interrupt. Men were talking, and a woman was shouting from the sidelines—how improper was that?
“His money is my money, so how can it have nothing to do with me?” Xu Qingning was firm in her stance. “I don’t care about what happened in your family before, but from today onward, if anyone dares to covet his salary, I’ll turn against them, no matter who they are!”
Wu Xiufang and Zhou Chunyan exchanged glances.
The new sister-in-law looked gentle and delicate, but her words were so sharp?
“We’ve said all we needed to say. As for what you think or do, it’s up to you.” Zhao Jingyu stood up and returned to the room.
After taking a few steps, he remembered he had a wife and turned back, taking Xu Qingning’s hand. “Come back to the room with me.”
Xu Qingning had long been unable to sit still and immediately followed him into the room. As soon as she entered, she lay down on the bed, giving him a thumbs-up and whispering, “Clear logic, well-reasoned—I give you a thumbs-up.”
“Are you praising me?” Zhao Jingyu took out his luggage bag, opened the wardrobe, and began packing his clothes. “If you want to praise me, do it quickly. Once I’m gone, even if you want to praise me, I won’t be able to hear it.”
“By the way, how can I contact you after you leave?” Xu Qingning suddenly remembered this question. He couldn’t just leave her alone at home without a care, could he?
“Yaqiang and Da Wei are in logistics. If you need anything, go find them, and they’ll contact me.” Zhao Jingyu glanced back at her. “If you need to go to the clinic or the hospital, they’ll help too. I already spoke to them last night. They live in the courtyard next door, so it’s very convenient.”
“I didn’t expect you to arrange things so thoroughly.” Xu Qingning was quite satisfied with his arrangements. Propping herself up on her elbow, she looked at him and began flattering him. “Ah, hearing you say that makes me not want you to leave. What will I do if you go?”
Actually, deep down, she was secretly thrilled.
As long as she had money, what did she need a man for?
Just thinking about the days ahead, having this bedroom all to herself, made her very happy.
But as happy as she was, she still had to provide the necessary emotional value to her “client.”
Only if he cared about her and the child would he work hard to earn money for her to spend!
“Where did that feisty attitude you used to confront my second brother go?” Zhao Jingyu was pleased with her words, a smile appearing in his eyes. “If I don’t leave, how will I earn money to support you and the child?”
“That’s true, I understand.” Xu Qingning nodded and advised him, “Focus on your work, earn money well, and don’t worry about me. I’ll take good care of myself and the child.”
“With those words from you, I feel reassured.” Zhao Jingyu quickly packed his clothes into the luggage bag.
Yang Yuelan knocked on the door from outside. “Jingyu, do you need me to come in and help you pack?”
“No need, you all go about your business.” Zhao Jingyu placed his luggage bag on the writing desk and didn’t invite Yang Yuelan in either. “I’m leaving tomorrow morning, I’ll take my time packing.”
Yang Yuelan walked away without a word.
Xu Qingning watched this but remained silent.
She felt Zhao Jingyu didn’t know how fortunate he was, having such a good mother yet not cherishing her.
Although he had childhood issues, his mother hadn’t abandoned him—she had sent him back to their hometown, and through a series of misunderstandings, he ended up going to the northwest.
Of course, this was only from her perspective.
Given her current relationship with him, she had neither the right nor the need to persuade him, after all, no one can truly understand another’s feelings.
Hadn’t she also fallen out with Xu Jianguo and the others?
After a while, Wang Yaqiang arrived. He came driving the unit’s large truck, saying he was here to take Zhao Jingyu’s parents back to their hometown.
Zhao Jingwen and Zhao Jingwu’s families hadn’t gained much advantage, and they left with grim expressions. However, the two little boys were running around happily in the back of the truck.
As they were about to leave, Yang Yuelan said she would come in the next day or two.
In front of her two sisters-in-law, Xu Qingning neither agreed nor refused, smiling warmly: “Mom, come whenever you have time.”
Zhao Jingyu said nothing, only instructing Wang Yaqiang to go quickly and return soon, so as not to delay the unit’s use of the vehicle.
After the large truck turned a corner and disappeared in a cloud of dust, the two returned to the compound. Just as they entered the gate, they saw Xu Jianguo and Jiang Yumei pushing their bicycles, chatting and laughing as they walked in.
Seeing them, Xu Qingning didn’t even greet them, pulling Zhao Jingyu back into the house.
Without guessing, she knew they were going to Xiao Tingshen’s house to discuss the wedding arrangements. Their initiative indicated that the Xiao family wasn’t taking the lead.
Xu Jianguo was angered by Xu Qingning’s attitude and said to Jiang Yumei: “You go to the Xiao family first and wait for me. I need to have a few words with Qingning.”
Has she stopped acknowledging her parents since getting married?
How have they offended her?
“If we’re going, let’s go together. It’s not good for me to go alone,” Jiang Yumei said unhappily. “Whatever you have to say, you can tell Qingning when we leave.”
“Fine, then let’s go together,” Xu Jianguo had no choice but to compromise.
Liu Yuzhen was off duty today and was cleaning at home. Seeing the couple arrive, her face darkened: “What are you doing here?”
Xu Jianguo and Jiang Yumei: “…”
Isn’t it normal for in-laws to visit each other?
What does she mean by that?