Chapter 108: Everyone Has Their Own Account (Part 2)

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Everyone Has Their Own Account (Part 2)

Embarrassed by her mother-in-law’s words, Fang Juxian’s eyes darted away. "Don’t make it sound like we’re completely useless. For years, Eldest Brother was busy with high school in the city, and then he was always leaving early and coming home late from his job. He was hardly ever around to look after the family.

The ones who were by your side day and night, taking care of you, were the second and third sons. But in the end, they’re worse off than the eldest. That’s a fact, isn’t it?"

"Your father-in-law and I can still work and support ourselves. We’re not so old that we can’t move. So you tell me, in what ways have the second and third sons taken care of us all these years?"

Wen Xiu was at a loss for words. ’What am I supposed to say to my second daughter-in-law? Call her stupid? She has a comeback for everything. But call her smart? Nothing she says can stand up to scrutiny...’

’I regret it so much. Why did I have a moment of weakness and agree to let our second son marry such a troublemaker?’

"Well, if he didn’t have the support of his two younger brothers, could Eldest Brother have gone to high school in the city or gotten a job at the town’s grain station? The fact that he was able to go—doesn’t that in itself mean he owes his younger brothers?"

Seeing that the more she talked, the less reasonable she sounded, Fang Juxian desperately latched onto this argument. ’The more I say it, the more brilliant I sound!’ she thought. "Mom, if back then the second or third son had also been able to go to high school in the city, if they’d also gotten a job..."

"Second Daughter-in-law, the second and third sons didn’t go to high school in the city not because we wouldn’t let them, but because they didn’t have what it takes to pass the exams. Forget the city; they couldn’t even get into the high school in town.

Besides, we were the ones who paid for the eldest’s schooling. What does that have to do with the second and third sons? When the eldest started working, his two younger brothers weren’t even adults yet. How come you never mention that he used his salary to help support the family? His younger brother and sister certainly benefited a great deal from him."

Even Zhang Dazhuang couldn’t bear to listen anymore. He cast aside his usual reluctance as a father-in-law to bicker with his daughter-in-law and couldn’t help but interject.

"..."

Fang Juxian opened her mouth, her face flushing red. Just as she was at a loss for words, the second son, Zhang Weihong, chimed in sourly, "Dad, if Eldest Brother hadn’t used up so much of the family’s money for school back then, we’d definitely be much better off today."

"Exactly! It’s a fact that Eldest Brother’s education cost more than what was spent on the second and third sons, right?" Fang Juxian’s eyes lit up, and she shot Zhang Weihong an appreciative look. ’We really are on the same wavelength,’ she thought. ’Look at us, so in sync we’re even thinking the exact same thing.’

"Third, what about you? Is that what you think, too?" Zhang Dazhuang’s face fell as he turned to his third son, Zhang Weimin.

Zhang Weimin, who had been sitting silently to the side, looked up as he was called out. He glanced hesitantly at his parents, then at his second brother and sister-in-law, and then at his eldest brother and sister-in-law, whose eyes were now fixed on him. He lowered his head and mumbled, "Second Brother has a point."

"Heh, so it seems the two of you have been harboring a deep grudge in your hearts all this time."

Seeing his third son felt the same way, Zhang Dazhuang let out a bitter laugh, a sound that filled the hearts of those who heard it with a deep-seated sorrow. "What your second brother said might sound correct, but who can you blame for your own incompetence, for not being able to continue your studies? It’s not like we weren’t willing to support you. What gives you the right to blame your own failures on your eldest brother?"

"Dad, and you still claim you don’t favor Eldest Brother! So in your heart, only Eldest Brother is your son and Little Sister is your daughter, while the two in the middle are just good-for-nothings, is that it?" Fang Juxian shrieked before Zhang Weihong or Zhang Weimin could even react.

"Shut your mouth! What kind of manners are these, shouting at your parents-in-law like that?" Zhang Dazhuang’s face darkened, a rare sight, and he shot to his feet with a roar. The bellow not only made Fang Juxian tremble but also startled the second and third sons, the third daughter-in-law, and everyone else present.

"WAAAH..."

Stunned for a moment, Fang Juxian suddenly burst into tears. She threw down her rice bowl, grabbed Zhang Weihong, and began to beat him. "You useless coward! You can’t even protect your own wife!

I married you, bore your children, and for what? To suffer and be bullied in your family’s home! I’m doing all this for you, fighting for your rights, and you just stand there and watch your dad yell at me! Are you even a man? You..."

"..." Zhang Dazhuang’s face turned beet red. He pointed a trembling finger at the couple, too furious to speak. His body swayed, and it was only because Wen Xiu saw something was wrong and quickly stood to support him that he managed to stay on his feet.

Wen Xiu spoke up. "Second Daughter-in-law, who are you putting on this show for, throwing a tantrum like this? Your father-in-law is your elder, is he not? You’re the one who went too far. Is he not allowed to say a single word to you?

Go and look around the village! See if you can find another daughter-in-law who acts like you! Daring to hit and curse your husband right in front of your parents-in-law! Who do you think you’re performing for?

If you really feel like our humble family isn’t good enough for a great personage like yourself, then just say the word. You can move wherever you please. We’re done waiting on you, how about that?"

At these words, Fang Juxian viciously pinched Zhang Weihong. He opened his mouth to speak, but then he saw that his eldest brother had also stood up and was glaring at him with a murderous look. His face went pale, and the words that came out were a quiet complaint directed at Fang Juxian. "Stop making a scene. Dad just said one thing to you. How can you call that yelling?"

"So you’re all ganging up to bully me now, is that it? I can’t live like this! I’ll just take my son and go die, then!"

Seeing how things were turning, Fang Juxian felt a little intimidated, but she also felt it would be a huge loss of face to back down now. So, while her voice grew weaker, her words remained defiant.

"Is your son’s life yours to decide?"

Wen Xiu had no intention of indulging this behavior. While she wasn’t a wicked mother-in-law, it was also impossible for her to be the kind of pushover who would simply swallow her anger and put up with a daughter-in-law’s abuse.

She was also worried. If she gave in to her second daughter-in-law now, the third daughter-in-law would surely follow her example. Then how could the eldest daughter-in-law possibly feel it was fair? The entire Zhang family would descend into chaos and become the laughingstock of the village.

So, she planted her hands on her hips and shot back a forceful reply.

"He’s my son. Why can’t I decide?" Fang Juxian retorted, unconvinced.

"Remember that year your eldest son fell terribly ill in the middle of the night with a high fever? The village tractor happened to be broken, and Qiangzi had just gotten home from work. Without a second thought, he picked up the child and ran for his life all the way to the hospital in town. He paid the fees and did everything to help. Do you remember what the doctor said when the rest of us arrived?"

Wen Xiu looked at her second son and daughter-in-law, her heart breaking with fury. "If you’re really so ’important’ that you’ve forgotten, then allow me to remind you.

The doctor said, ’It’s a good thing you brought the child in time, or he wouldn’t have been saved.’ In a manner of speaking, both of you owe your eldest brother a life. And yet, I bet that to this day, you haven’t even thought to say a single word about paying him back for those medical bills, have you?"