CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 83: THE WAY TO GET ALONG

Lin Juhua asked her, "Big sister, did your brother-in-law’s family pay your mother-in-law’s hospital fees? Last time I heard your eldest sister-in-law say that at the end of the year, when food rations and work points are distributed, they’ll have to repay the money. Once they do, the family won’t have any money. Besides their eldest son getting married, they have several more who will need large sums, and they’re complaining about being poor beforehand.

I didn’t take this well when I heard it. I just said there’s nothing we can do; everyone goes through these things year after year, and you manage to arrange things eventually. My big sister has three sons and is worried too. Your eldest sister-in-law is really something else; I’m not trying to provoke anything, but if you had separated earlier, your father-in-law and mother-in-law have earned so many work points for them at this age. She can’t be out of money, so refusing to pay the hospital bill is really unethical, and claiming she’ll pay you back at the end of the year—who would believe that?"

Zhang Meili nodded, "I know she doesn’t want to repay, that’s why she said these things to you. This time, buying a house got us into debt, and my father-in-law keeps track of it. She can’t call the shots in that family; my father-in-law is in charge.

My mother-in-law hasn’t managed the household since the separation. Last time she was ill, she probably felt cold-hearted too, and now the old couple keeps everything to themselves. Just let them talk if they want. My brother-in-law said not to take money, just take the food rations, and collect them at the end of the year. Grain is expensive in the city, and there’s not much under the supply program. With three sons, it’s not enough to eat. Taking the rations is better."

Huang Cuilan also nodded, "I’ve heard such gossip a few times and don’t bother with it. You should just do as you need to, but don’t make things difficult for the elders. I think it’s actually good they’re refusing to help this time; it saves you trouble with them in the future. Among those sister-in-laws of yours, except the second one, none are easy to deal with; they always calculate other people’s possessions. I think when your father-in-law retires as the village accountant, you should bring the old couple to the city, as living with the eldest son would be tough. We’ll scrimp a bit; we must take good care of the elders and children."

"That’s what I think too. I’ve already discussed it with my brother-in-law. We’ll buy a bigger house this time, and if living with the eldest son doesn’t work out, we’ll figure it out then. I don’t want to haggle with them, and with just two elders, I’m willing to take care of them, just like my brother-in-law’s little brother does. It’s as if he’s their only son." Zhang Meili agreed with the sister-in-law’s idea that, if it weren’t for her parents-in-law wanting to stay with the eldest, they would have taken them over long ago.

Lin Juhua listened and said to Mother Zhang, "Mom, even if you and Dad live with big brother and sister-in-law in the future, you can still stay with us. During the holidays, we can spend time at our eldest sister-in-law’s. You and Dad can rotate between us. Wherever you’re comfortable, you stay. I’ve heard from the kids’ dad and Xiao Wu that they’ve planned the main and east wings for you to live in whenever you feel like it, come and stay."

"I don’t want to just idle around like that, no need. It’s just a few steps away, whoever wants to go back and forth. It’s not like playing house. Haha, rest assured with your eldest sister-in-law. She listens to me. Ask your sister-in-law if she dares not to listen. Your eldest sister-in-law is very filial. I’m not worried about growing old and ending up like those elders in the village. My three daughters-in-law are, not to brag, treasures of the whole county, filial as ever. Your dad and I aren’t worried a bit."

"Haha, mom, you’re really lucky. My sisters-in-law are very filial. When my son is looking for a partner, I’ll also look for someone with their aunties’ temperament."

Mother Zhang shook her head and said, "It’s tough; besides temperament, they need to get along well too. Living under the same roof, there will inevitably be some friction.

In our family, your eldest sister-in-law has done well. She’s been a better elder sister-in-law than your uncle’s wife. Your grandfather often says that with your eldest sister-in-law at home, there will never be chaos.

I’ve seen this over the years, and it’s true. I’m not boasting about her, but since entering the Zhang Family, she’s helped me with raising your younger siblings, never wronging anyone.

Back then, we were poor, and it was her and her husband who got up at dawn to work the fields, supporting the family. When she was pregnant with Xi Zi, she worked until it was almost time to give birth. After things got a bit better, she helped us with the marriage of the second son.

The second son’s wife was slow at doing anything, and I was impatient and got angry. Your eldest sister-in-law spoke up for her in front of me to avoid her second sister-in-law getting scolded, taking on tasks herself. She often said the new daughter-in-law was just getting acclimated and would pick up things soon enough.

There were times I saw the second son’s wife just standing there and not lifting a finger, and I’d scold her. Yet your eldest sister-in-law would say, ’Mom, look, it’s always the younger sister-in-law doing this and that at home. I called her, and she’s happy to help. Don’t worry, take it easy. If the second son likes her, she must have her good points. See how well she cooks? Learns things quickly, picks things up in a glance, and her knitting is great. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and compared to other daughters-in-law in the village, I think my sister-in-law is better. She bears no grudges and is carefree.’

We never fought; she listened to me as an elder sister-in-law. She’s always persuaded me like this, and come to think of it, the second daughter-in-law’s carefree nature, not holding grudges, and doing things as asked, is indeed better than those other young wives in the village.

When Jiao Jiao came in, honestly speaking, I truly liked her and was biased towards her. She grew up hand in hand with Xiao Wu, and I treated her as my own daughter-in-law and daughter. I couldn’t bear to let her work in the fields. When she was pregnant, I couldn’t bear to let her do heavy work, worried that her two sisters-in-law would take issue over time, and since her household registration wasn’t here, she’d lose her grain ration.

I told both of them that Jiao Jiao didn’t have a food ration. Your eldest sister-in-law said Xiao Wu’s work points were enough to support her, and at just 16, just a bit older than Xi Zi, we could help out a bit. Your second sister-in-law laughed carelessly, saying that Jiao Jiao had a tiny appetite. How much could she eat? I can eat in one sitting what she’d take ten days to finish.

I happily told your father. He said the kids are all good kids. We wouldn’t treat our kids poorly. Since we’re planning a separation, we’ll settle it after the child is born, in spring. Xiao Wu isn’t concerned about not having the skills to support his wife and kids.

So, when choosing a wife, it’s not all about temperament. You need to see how she gets along with others. Just because someone has a good temperament doesn’t mean they don’t hold any grudges. Don’t rush it; fate comes when it does. The person you favor might not be interested, so what can you do? All three of my sons chose their partners themselves, and I never intended to pick for them. It should be someone they truly like so that their small family feels like home. If they don’t love their wives, they won’t be willing to work tirelessly. You see those in our village, those who weren’t self-chosen hit their wives really hard, harder than a dog."

Lin Juhua gratefully looked at her eldest sister-in-law, "Big sister-in-law, among family, we don’t say courteous words. If you need anything in the future, just let me know. I won’t hesitate to help."

"Alright, my Xi Zi needs you to make their New Year clothes. Haha, I’m not as good as mom says. I just see our men as real brothers, having grown up together, not outsiders. I don’t have any sisters, so I consider you as my own. Besides, you’re really close with Jiao Jiao, and I can see that. If you all behaved like Guoshu’s wife in the village, I’d definitely steer clear, as I couldn’t handle it."