Zhou Fengnian and his wife’s faces immediately changed when they heard this.
“Elder brother, what are you saying! We’re all family here, why make it so formal?”
Xin Hongmei nodded repeatedly.
“If sis-in-law is scared of bugs, let her stay busy with housework. Elder brother, you should take the money back right now!”
The young couple were genuinely a little shocked. Why was he even offering money? They weren’t the type to fuss over such things.
But Zhou Snian shook his head.
He firmly grabbed Zhou Fengnian’s hand, pressing the money and tickets into it, holding onto his hand so he couldn’t pull away.
“Meals at home are counted as work points. Your wife can’t just eat for free.” He paused, then continued, “Besides, she probably won’t be able to contribute much around the house anyway.”
After saying this, even Zhou Snian felt a little amazed himself.
Life was really tough—marrying a wife who couldn’t do anything.
But what could he do? He couldn’t send her back. She couldn’t lift or carry anything, and since she was his wife, he had to protect her.
Zhou Fengnian and his wife, recalling their sister-in-law’s incompetence, fell silent as well.
“All right, we’ll take it.”
Fan Cuixiang’s voice sounded.
The three of them looked over to see Fan Cuixiang standing at the door of the east room, though no one knew how long she had been there.
Zhou Fengnian grew a little anxious.
“Mom! It shouldn’t be counted this way…”
“It should be counted this way.” Fan Cuixiang looked at her younger son. “Even with brothers, you have to be fair. The eldest daughter-in-law can’t do anything. Cooking will fall to me and Hongmei. Three days, two months—who knows how things will be in the long run? It’s better to keep things clear.”
Xin Hongmei quickly spoke up.
“Mom, you know I’m not that kind of person. As for sis-in-law…”
“I know you’re good. That doesn’t mean we treat you unfairly. The eldest did the right thing, just accept it.”
With Fan Cuixiang’s words, Zhou Fengnian and his wife exchanged a glance and could only sigh as they accepted the money.
Seeing his brother uncomfortable, Zhou Snian patted his shoulder.
“Don’t overthink it. Big brother just doesn’t want to treat you and your wife unfairly.”
Zhou Fengnian nodded softly.
“I know, of course…”
He understood his elder brother’s kindness better than anyone. And precisely because he understood, he felt a pang of guilt.
Growing up, his elder brother always protected him. They had lost their father early, and to Zhou Fengnian as a child, Zhou Snian had always been a father figure.
Later, when his brother joined the army, he sent home allowances every month. Even Zhou Fengnian’s marriage was largely thanks to him.
It was because of all this that accepting the money now made Zhou Fengnian feel a little guilty.
Fan Cuixiang called Zhou Snian into the east room, and Zhou Fengnian and his wife returned to their own room.
Meng Yu listened to the conversation from inside and pressed her lips together.
She had never experienced this kind of harmonious family life before.
In her previous life, she had lived in comfort, but her parents’ expectations were mostly limited to achievements in her field. Her hands never touched real work, and though she had lived a life without want, she had never truly felt familial love.
Her parents always gave her strict, mechanical instructions. Her entire life was filled with tedious piano practice—practice and more practice.
“Truly enviable family affection.”
Meng Yu smiled with envy.
In the east room, Fan Cuixiang took out a cloth bag from the bottom of a worn cabinet and carefully unwrapped layer after layer of patched cloth.
At the innermost layer were the money and tickets. The largest denomination was only five yuan, with many small coins stacked high.
“Eldest son, all of this allowance was sent back after you joined the army. Your younger brother’s wedding cost forty, and some tickets were used. Your own thirty-eight yuan dowry and items for your wedding came from here. There’s still over two hundred left—I’ve been saving it for you.”
Zhou Snian frowned.
Ever since his mother opened this bundle, Zhou Snian had guessed what was on her mind.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
Fan Cuixiang sighed.
“How could I not know where this money came from? Even in the army, my son didn’t slack off. He probably worked hard for it—every penny was earned with your life!”
As she spoke, tears fell from Fan Cuixiang’s eyes.
As a mother, she had little means. Seeing her eldest son struggle to eat, she had sent him to the army. Each month when he sent home his allowance, she would clutch the list and cry for a long time.
Zhou Snian stepped forward and gently patted his mother’s shoulder.
“Mom, it’s all in the past now.”
“Yes, it’s all past.”
Fan Cuixiang hurriedly wiped her tears, still feeling emotional.
But thinking of the eldest daughter-in-law she had married, Fan Cuixiang’s mind was buzzing.
“Your wife…”
She didn’t know how to finish the sentence.
Zhou Snian was silent too.
How to explain this… No one expected that marrying a familiar girl from the countryside would result in a wife who couldn’t do anything.
Yet everyone outside said the third daughter of the Meng family was very capable.
“Your wife is clearly delicate. I’m not a cruel mother-in-law. If she can’t do it, I can’t force her.”
After speaking, Fan Cuixiang carefully rolled up the small bundle again and handed it to Zhou Snian.
“Running a household isn’t easy. Take this money. From now on, your wife’s food and expenses will be on you alone.”
She wasn’t unsympathetic toward her eldest son, but once someone was married, she couldn’t send them back. So sympathy was useless—she had to find a way.
Zhou Snian, however, pushed the money back.
“Snian?”
He shook his head.
“Mom, I have money. Keep this for yourself.”
“No, this is your money—”
“Mom.” Zhou Snian looked at Fan Cuixiang seriously and said softly, “This time I came back, the army gave me a lot of allowances. Even if I had to support ten wives who each eat only a little, I could manage.”
His words were a bit bold.
But hearing it from her son, Fan Cuixiang was extremely satisfied.
Still, Fan Cuixiang wasn’t naive. From her eldest son’s words, she clearly understood the meaning.
Her eyes swept across the room.
Seeing his mother this way, Zhou Snian couldn’t help but smile.
“Mom, the house is small. There’s no place to hide people.”
“Walls have ears!” Fan Cuixiang glared at Zhou Snian, then pulled him close and asked in a low voice, “You weren’t sent back for making a mistake, were you?”
Zhou Snian didn’t answer.
“Mom, I’ve always remembered the words you told me before I joined the army—to work diligently and serve the country.”
Hearing this, Fan Cuixiang felt immense pride!
“I knew my son wouldn’t make mistakes!”
The tears on her face revealed her helplessness and fear. No one knew how she felt when she learned her eldest son had been sent back.
Yet she firmly believed in her son and trusted he would not fail!
Only with this belief could she endure one sleepless night after another.
Now, finally, Zhou Snian had given her peace of mind. Fan Cuixiang knew that her suffering had finally turned sweet!