Chapter 115: Confrontation Between Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law (Part 2)

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Confrontation Between Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law (Part 2)

"What’s wrong with a daughter? Who says a daughter can’t get a share of the family property? The big red banner at the village entrance even says sons and daughters are the same." Wen Xiu patted her daughter’s hand as she sat down, then shot an angry glare at her second daughter-in-law. She deliberately took Zhang Minzhen’s hand and spoke loudly.

At that moment, a thought she’d never had before genuinely sparked in her mind. She looked up at Zhang Dazhuang, raising an eyebrow in question. Zhang Dazhuang received his wife’s inquiring gaze. Although they didn’t exchange words, a single look was enough for them to instantly understand each other. He was a bit surprised, but after a moment’s hesitation, he gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Satisfied, Wen Xiu nodded as well and was about to speak when Zhang Minzhen, who had seen the silent exchange between her parents, grew anxious. She grabbed Wen Xiu’s hand, shaking her head pleadingly and whispering, "Mom, please don’t make everyone unhappy because of me." Seeing that Wen Xiu was not swayed and her expression only grew more serious, she pleaded again, "Mom, I’m begging you."

"Oh, you..." Seeing her daughter’s insistence, Wen Xiu poked her forehead in exasperation. She looked up and saw her daughter’s unwavering yet helpless expression. Aside from her eldest son, whose expression was unchanged, even her eldest daughter-in-law looked uncomfortable—to say nothing of the second and third sons and their wives. She even saw a fleeting, vicious look on her second son’s face. Wen Xiu’s heart skipped a beat. When she looked again, she saw clear disapproval on the faces of her husband’s older brother, Zhang Damei, the clan elder, and her own nephew.

Although Zhang Minzhen’s voice had been quiet, the main hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop. No one was deaf. Combined with what Wen Xiu had said earlier, even those who hadn’t noticed the silent exchange between her and Zhang Dazhuang could guess her intentions with a little thought.

There were always more rules in the countryside than in the city. Some ideas were deeply ingrained, like the custom that a daughter wouldn’t get a share of the family property unless she was an only child.

Wen Xiu felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her. Her mind cleared, and with another moment’s thought, she realized their decision had been too hasty. This would pit her daughter against her sons. It could even lead to a complete falling out between them in the future. She couldn’t help but shiver. ’If that’s the outcome, won’t I be harming my own daughter?’ She looked at Zhang Dazhuang and quickly shook her head, then slumped back into her seat, silent.

Seeing her mother-in-law back down, Fang Juxian felt a wave of satisfaction. It was like drinking a large glass of iced water on a sweltering summer day. She sat back down, unable to hide the smug look on her face.

Wen Xiu saw this, her face darkening. She could only hate herself for being too good to her second son’s troublesome daughter-in-law, only to be slapped in the face by her like this in front of outsiders.

Seeing his wife’s reaction, Zhang Dazhuang also came to his senses. He realized he had also acted on impulse, not thinking it through. He had only been concerned with supporting his wife’s proposal so she wouldn’t lose face.

He cleared his throat forcefully. "Well, it’s getting late. Let’s not delay any longer. It would be best if we can settle how to divide the property tonight. That way, your uncle, the clan uncle, and your oldest cousin can all sign the division agreement as witnesses, and we won’t have to drag this out and make them come back again."

After speaking, he paused and looked at his three sons.

"Dad, go ahead. We’re all listening," Zhang Wei Qiang said, glancing at his two younger brothers. Zhang Weihong and Zhang Weimin quickly nodded in agreement.

"Your mother and I have discussed it. For now, we can still support ourselves, so after the division, we’ll live on our own and won’t interfere in your new households. Later, when we’re truly too old to work, our intention is to live with the eldest son’s family for our care, as he is the firstborn."

"Dad, Mom, it’ll be inconvenient for the two of you to live alone. Why don’t you just come live with us now? Wouldn’t that be better?" Zhang Wei Qiang had already discussed this with Lin Qin last night. He was also inwardly disappointed in his two younger brothers, so he had no intention of having his parents live with them in the future. Fortunately, Lin Qin was a good person and had agreed without the slightest hesitation to continue living with her in-laws.

"No need. We can still manage now. Even though we’ll be living alone, you’re all still nearby. If anything happens, we can just call out. It’s not like you’ll completely abandon us just because the family is divided, right? Your mother and I discussed it, and we prefer living on our own for now; it’s more comfortable and free. Besides, our tastes in food are different from you young people. You and your wife are both good people, but when people live together, they’re bound to step on each other’s toes, no matter how well they get along. So, let’s wait until we’re old and can’t work anymore. You can take care of us then."

Zhang Dazhuang shook his head and firmly rejected his eldest son’s proposal.

Zhang Wei Qiang thought for a moment. Seeing his father’s firm stance, he nodded and didn’t press the matter further. ’Filial piety, after all, emphasizes obedience. Dad is right. It’s not as if I’ll stop caring for my parents after the division. I can still come over and help with the heavy labor. This way, everyone will have their own space. It might even be better and more comfortable for all of them.’

With their older brother present, Zhang Weihong and Zhang Weimin, who had never intended to live with their parents in the first place, listened to the conversation between their father and brother with indifference. Whether their parents lived with the eldest brother’s family now or in the future had nothing to do with them, so they stayed on the sidelines like spectators and offered no opinion.

Fang Juxian, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ’It’s better for the old folks to live separately from the eldest branch. This way, our children can go over to their grandparents’ house for a meal from time to time, or take a few things. It’ll be so much more convenient and justifiable...’

Seeing that his eldest son no longer objected, Zhang Dazhuang also breathed a sigh of relief. He then turned to his other two sons and said, "But you never know what the future holds. Everyone faces disasters and hardships. If, one day, your mother and I are sick in bed and need care, we can’t just let the eldest’s family handle it all. The three of you brothers will have to take turns sending someone to the eldest’s house to look after us. As for medical bills and other social expenses, as long as we’re able, we won’t be a burden to you. We’ll use our own money first. Once our money runs out, the three of you brothers will split the costs. Second Brother, Third Brother, you don’t have any objections to that, do you?"

"I have no objection. It’s only right," the third brother, Zhang Weimin, replied quickly, being the first to nod.

"Same here." The second brother, Zhang Weihong, glared at him, annoyed that his younger brother had beaten him to it, and then quickly nodded as well. ’With Big Brother watching me like a hawk, could I possibly refuse?’