Chapter 859: Honest Uncle

I don’t think there is anything wrong with my uncle taking care of my parents-in-law in their old age, but when they come back, won’t the old couple stay with them?

My mother had obviously thought of this as well. She calmed herself down and asked tentatively, "Now that your family is back, will your father-in-law and mother-in-law live with your brother-in-law in their old age?"

My uncle nodded and said, "The elders said they couldn't get used to living in the north, so they told us to go back on our own."

"That's fine," my mother nodded, "Respect the elderly's living habits. When you have the ability, give them more money for their retirement.

But if you don't sell this house, how will you get the money to buy a new one? How did you and Lizhen discuss this matter?

My uncle hesitated for a long time, and it was only after my mother's repeated questioning that I finally understood what was going on.

It turned out that ever since my aunt became pregnant, my uncle's mother-in-law moved into my uncle's house, saying that she felt sorry for her daughter and was afraid that my uncle wouldn't be able to take good care of her.

My uncle was particularly grateful to the old lady at that time. He felt that it was the mother-in-law's job. His mother-in-law was so kind. Knowing that his parents passed away early, she took the initiative to take care of his wife.

Less than a month after the old lady came, her father-in-law also moved in. He said that he couldn't get used to living alone without his husband and couldn't even eat hot meals.

My uncle felt very guilty because he had caused the old couple to separate in order to take care of his wife and children. He gladly accepted my father-in-law and mother-in-law moving into his home.

Later, when the child was born, I still had to take care of the confinement period and help take care of the child.

When the child was more than eight months old, my aunt went out to work, and now it was up to the old couple to take care of the child.

At that time, my aunt's younger brother got married and used the old couple's house as his new house, which was of course understandable.

"I was worried that my brother-in-law would have a baby too soon, and my mother-in-law would have to go back to take care of the grandchild. Lizhen and I both work, so we really can't take care of the child. We can only take care of the child ourselves after he starts primary school."

My aunt's sister-in-law became pregnant the following year. Unexpectedly, the old couple did not mention going back to take care of her. They said that they had taken care of their grandson for a long time and were reluctant to leave. A daughter-in-law is not as close to them as a daughter, so they asked their mother-in-law to take care of their own daughter.

My uncle was relieved. My aunt said that her parents felt that they owed their daughter-in-law by not helping to take care of their grandson, so they gave their son and daughter-in-law some money every month.

My aunt thought that the money should be paid by her family. My uncle thought about it and agreed that this made sense, so he gave his parents-in-law 4,000 yuan every month without fail.

I originally thought that I would not have to worry about my cousin anymore after he started elementary school, but when my cousin was in the senior kindergarten, my aunt became pregnant again.

"I didn't expect it at the time. Lizhen told me she had an IUD, so how could she still get pregnant? My mother-in-law said it was God's will and urged us to have the baby. I thought I had a stable job and no mortgage pressure, so I decided to have another child."

Well, needless to say, the old couple have to take care of their daughter again. It's a cycle all over again.

"To be honest, I feel much less worried now that I have the elderly at home to take care of me. I am also very grateful to them. I originally wanted to treat them well and I would provide for their retirement."

It sounds like my uncle has a conscience. I seem to have been prejudiced against him before.

My mother nodded and said, "Your father-in-law and mother-in-law have helped you so much, it's only right that you provide for them in their old age."

When my uncle heard what my mother said, he perked up and said, "Sister, you also think I did the right thing, right?"

"Well, have you been giving them 4,000 yuan?" my mother asked casually.

"Oh, then I got a raise, so the amount I paid them also went up. It first went up to 5,000, and then it was 6,000 before I lost my job."

"Does my aunt have a high income?" I couldn't help but ask.

My uncle was stunned. "She's just an ordinary clerk. Her income isn't high, only about 60,000 yuan a year. But her work is relatively easy, not tiring, and she doesn't have to work overtime."

I vaguely feel that something is not right. Isn't this equivalent to my aunt giving all her income to her parents?

Of course, this has nothing to do with me. I just listen and don’t express my opinion.

But my mother also did the math and said, "Lizhen's income is not high. She should have raised the child herself in the first place."

My uncle disagreed and said, "Sister, how can you think like that? Confining a woman at home as a full-time housewife will make her out of touch with society. So I support her going out to work."

I think my uncle is more responsible than many men, and I have a much better impression of him.

But after talking for so long, I still haven’t explained why they are coming back and why my father-in-law and mother-in-law are still living in their house?

I couldn't help but ask again, "Now that you're back, why don't your parents-in-law go back to their own home?"

My uncle sighed, "I mentioned selling the house to Lizhen, but she called me heartless. Her parents worked so hard to raise our children for so many years, and now I don't need them anymore, and they want to kick them out. I was the one who said I would provide for them in their old age."

He paused and continued, "Lizhen said that her parents have devoted so many years to us, so what if we give this house to them to live in."

My uncle scratched his head in annoyance and said, "Sister, to be honest, I'm reluctant to give up that house. It's over five million yuan, but I can't refute Lizhen's words.

I said I would bring my parents back with me, but they were not happy about it."

"Uncle, was it your idea to come back and settle down?" I asked.

My uncle was stunned. "That's not the case. It was your aunt who said that. Two years ago, she said that I had been away from my hometown for so many years, and she couldn't selfishly keep me in the south forever, so she decided to come back with me and let the children live where I grew up.

To be honest, I was very touched when she said this. It was only because of work that I was reluctant to quit my job and come back. I think this unemployment is an opportunity to come back."

I don't know what to say anymore. Why do I feel like this was an open conspiracy from the very beginning?

I looked at my uncle speechlessly. "Uncle, so your father-in-law and mother-in-law have been eating and living at your house all these years, and you give them money every month, but in the end, you still owe them an apartment?"

The uncle was stunned for a moment, and said unhappily, "Mengmeng, you can't say that. The two elders raised your cousins."

I smiled and said, "If I were my aunt's sister-in-law, I would definitely like a mother-in-law like this. I wouldn't have to live with her, and I could get a subsidy every month."

Comrade Lin Shuyao, who had always been at odds with Grandma, finally came to her senses. "You've given them an average of 60,000 yuan a year over the years, right?"

My uncle nodded and said, "Yes."

"So, in these twelve years, I have paid you 600,000, right?"

My uncle thought for a moment and said, "No more, no less."

"You won't let the old couple pay for the daily expenses of the family, right?" my mother asked again.

"How can that be possible? How can I ask them to pay for helping me take care of the children? I give them 8,000 yuan a month for household expenses."

I can only say that my uncle is a very honest person!