At the guesthouse, Zhang's mother, the mother-in-law, was also trying to smooth things over, praising her two daughters-in-law to Zhou Jiao. Like Lin Juhua, she shared the same sentiment: besides her sons loving each other, she also preferred that her three daughters-in-law interact more.

"Your eldest sister-in-law has become much better now. She doesn't like to hang out with her sister-in-law anymore. Your father and I have taken over everything in the old courtyard. Now she is the one who is busy running around."

"Your second sister-in-law is either taking care of the children or coming to my place to help clean up. Before winter, the two sisters-in-law helped clean up the house and outside."

"With you around, they'll only be more filial. I don't even need to remind them; they prepare cloth shoes for your father and me all year round. Mother also listens to you and doesn't say no. They keep them because they're filial."

Zhou Jiao's face lit up when she heard this. She wasn't thinking about the two men being filial, she was just trying to make her mother-in-law happy. Even if she exaggerated the facts, it would still satisfy her in-laws.

As they chatted, Zhang's mother asked worriedly, "Is anyone bullying you at work?"

"Mom, no, everyone gets along well."

"I don't believe that. You always report good news but not bad news. If you really run into someone with bad intentions, don't take matters into your own hands. Even if your dad can't come forward, doesn't he still have Xiaowu?"

Zhou Jiao nodded cheerfully, "Okay, if there are really people who are blind, I'll have my brother beat them up."

Zhang's mother touched her head reluctantly. "Your father has a salary now, and your older brothers give us money every month. We two old people can't spend much. It wasn't easy for you to raise Liuyi and Wuyi. The milk powder alone cost a lot of money. Don't send so much money back in the future. Save some for yourself just in case."

Zhou Jiao agreed with Zhang's mother's words, but she didn't really mean it. She couldn't take care of her because they lived far away, and she couldn't bear not to support her elderly mother.

When the family split up, they agreed to send five dollars per month to each family. Before Xiaowu went to school, the brothers Zhang Guofu and Zhang Guoqiang repeatedly asked him to wait until he graduated to send the money. At that time, the couple had no answer, not to mention that now they only sent that little money per month.

"Ten yuan is not much. If I wasn't worried about it being too conspicuous, I wouldn't have given you so little. You and my dad can spend whatever you want. Don't worry about it."

"Silly child!"

"Mom, why didn't I see my eldest sister and the others today?" Today, my second sister Zhang Meihao came over to say hello, but it was strange that the most enthusiastic eldest sister-in-law didn't show up.

When she mentioned it, Zhang's mother remembered something she hadn't said. "Life in the village has improved a lot in the past two years. The work points are among the best in the area. Accountant Zhang has been instigated by some people from his hometown for more than half a year."

Zhou Jiao raised her eyebrows in surprise, "So is his aunt in good health?"

"It was healed last year. It's been so long since the wound healed that the pain is forgotten. Your brother-in-law's father was tricked and went back by that eldest grandson."

This was interesting. Zhou Jiao looked at Zhang's mother with shining eyes.

"What do you want to know?"

Zhou Jiao smiled sheepishly, "Does the fact that my eldest sister isn't here today have anything to do with them?"

"Smart!" Zhang's mother praised him and then sighed. "Accountant Zhang sent someone to bring a message to your eldest brother-in-law this morning, saying he had something to discuss with him back home, and your eldest sister is going with him. I heard a few days ago that his eldest nephew is getting married, and I don't think it's a good thing for your eldest sister's family."

Zhou Jiao frowned. "Why are you getting more and more confused? During those years, it was my eldest sister's family who took care of the two elders. The nephews were still young. Don't they know how to do it?"

"Don't worry, don't worry. Your eldest sister's mother-in-law is a righteous person and won't let them suffer any harm. I was just worried about your eldest sister's temper. I should have not let her go back."

Mother Zhang looked outside and whispered, "Before you go, I'll ask your eldest sister to spend a little money and not argue with them. They're not at your eldest sister's house, so she'll have a much easier time."

"Earlier, Accountant Zhang wanted to rent your courtyard. How could he have the nerve to ask for it? Luckily, your brother-in-law turned him down. After your eldest sister told me about it, I don't even want to say a word to that old guy anymore."

"You should pay more attention to Xiaowu from now on. This silly boy told Ziwen and his brothers that they would stay in your yard if they didn't have a house to live in when they return to the village for the New Year. Now, he's tempted, hasn't he?"

Zhou Jiao's heart skipped a beat when she heard this. She glanced at Zhang's mother, but ultimately kept her guess to herself. She thought it was impossible for Accountant Zhang to borrow money from her eldest son this time. She didn't think he would agree to it tomorrow morning, so why bother saying it out loud?

However... I am 100% sure that I can borrow the house.

It was just as she expected. At this moment, Zhang Chunming and his wife were sitting in the main hall of Accountant Zhang's old house. After listening to his father and the eldest brother's family talking about the woman's situation, they seemed a little happy.

After all, they had anticipated many possibilities on the way here, but they didn't expect that this greedy brother and sister-in-law didn't even mention a gift.

As it was getting dark, Zhang Meili was thinking about her younger brother who had returned from a faraway place. She secretly tugged at her husband's clothes, signaling him to say goodbye.

At this moment, Zhang Chunming stood up and said with a smile: "I have something to do at home, so I'll go back first."

"Youngest, wait a minute," said Zhang Laoda, quickly interjecting. "It's rare for you to come back. We haven't chatted for ages. What's the rush?"

Zhang Chunming's mouth twitched when he heard this. He hadn't forgotten that he and his brothers hadn't seen each other for two or three years. This was only for his parents' sake; otherwise, he wouldn't have come.

Accountant Zhang saw that his eldest son hadn't sat down yet, so he pointed at the stool and motioned for him to take a seat. "Listen to your eldest brother and sit for a while. Dad still has something to discuss with you."

Zhang Chunming stared at his father's face for a moment, then sighed inwardly. It turned out something was really waiting for him. He gave Zhang Meili a wry smile apologetically.

"Dad, hurry up and tell me. Xiaowu and his father-in-law and his whole family are coming back today, and I have to go over there."

Accountant Zhang asked in surprise, "Really?"

Zhang Chunming nodded.

"That's great. Xiaowu is here, so it would be better if you talk to him in person."

Zhang Chunming was stunned when he heard this. Then he looked at the overjoyed boss and his family, and suddenly he had a bad feeling. He quickly asked, "What do you want from him?"

Accountant Zhang looked at Zhang Meili and hesitated for a long time, "Your eldest nephew is getting married, and there are not enough rooms at home. I want to borrow from Xiaowu..."

Zhang Chunming interrupted him before he could finish, "Zhou Jiao also came back!" He knew that his father was afraid of his aunt-in-law and always said that she was a shrew.

Accountant Zhang was speechless. Yeah, how could he have forgotten that?

How could the eldest daughter-in-law accept the fact that her father-in-law was ready to back out? She had put so much effort into this matter! Without waiting for Accountant Zhang to speak, she immediately shouted, "Brother-in-law, this is wrong. We're not borrowing your yard. We're all villagers, borrowing it for a while. We'll build a new yard later, so it won't break down."

"If they don't want to borrow my eldest son to get married..."

Zhang Meili immediately became furious. "Oh, you are so shameless! Why don't you let my Xiaowu borrow your house in the city? Who are you? It's not bad to live in. Bah, you even go back to build a new house. Why don't you pay back the money you owe me?"

"You damned woman, it's not your place to butt in on a man's business." After scolding his wife, Boss Zhang smiled at Zhang Meili and said, "Sister-in-law, don't be angry. Just listen to me first..."

Zhang Chunming didn't wait for his elder brother to finish. He quickly stood in front of his wife to protect her and said to the sullen Accountant Zhang, "Dad, please don't embarrass your son."

He immediately escorted his wife out of the house, ignoring his brother who had chased after him. He was so angry that he even forgot to say hello to his mother. What kind of people are these?

"Dad, how could they do this?"

Zhang Chunming patted his wife comfortingly and said with a wry smile, "We are not the same kind of people as them. We have already cut off contact before, so we should just take care of ourselves. As for Mom and Dad, we should stick to the agreement we made when we split up the family property. I will send the money I owe to them later. We will do our best to repay them."

Zhang Meili held his hand with a distressed look. Going back and forth again and again, not only was Zhang Chunming discouraged, but she found it boring too. Over time, had her in-laws forgotten how miserable their hospital stay was? What a greedy person!