Tie Dan's mother's arrogance was completely suppressed by Uncle Niu. She was really afraid of being divorced and sent back to her parents' home. If she were to be divorced by her husband's family at her age, how could she have any face left?

Without any morale, Tie Dan's mother collapsed, looking like a wilted eggplant, dejected and aged by more than ten years. Tang Yuanyuan felt a little sorry for her.

But she didn't say anything, even though she disapproved of Uncle Niu's attitude and words. He clearly didn't respect women and was using the threat of divorce to intimidate them in this day and age. But her mother-in-law fell for it.

It can only be said that the people in this village are both conservative and ignorant, as if they are still living before liberation. No wonder she had heard Fang Yanming and his wife say before that they were not afraid of vicious criminals, but they were afraid of encountering ignorant villagers. They could neither beat them nor lock them up, which was really a headache.

Uncle Niu suppressed Tie Dan's mother and then said to Tang Yuanyuan, "There's something else. Your parents-in-law are getting older. If they get sick, the medical expenses should be split equally among the three brothers, but since you and Tie Dan are better off financially, how about you share more?"

"Uncle, don't worry, Tie Dan and I would never abandon our parents. Even when Jun Jun and Zhuang Zhuang were sick, I was willing to pay for their medical expenses, let alone Tie Dan's parents!" Tang Yuanyuan said sincerely.

Niu Dazhu's expression softened considerably, and he felt even more grateful. His youngest daughter-in-law was truly filial; he couldn't rely on his two older daughters at all.

Tang Yuanyuan thought for a moment and said, "Since we've come this far, I'll be frank. If my parents get old and need someone to take care of them, it's only right that a daughter-in-law should take care of them. But Tie Dan and I really don't have the time, so when that day comes, we'll have to trouble you, my sister-in-law."

She had to make it clear upfront: if her in-laws were truly unable to move, she definitely wouldn't take care of them the way you take care of your own father. She wasn't that altruistic; she was fine with providing money, but she wouldn't offer to do anything.

Uncle Niu nodded. "Those with money contribute money, and those without money contribute labor. That makes sense."

Money is the most important thing. Since they're willing to pay, it wouldn't be right to ask them to contribute their labor as well. Uncle Niu thinks Tang Yuanyuan is really sensible, much more sensible than his daughter-in-law. He's so grateful that his daughter-in-law is still not satisfied.

Uncle Niu glared at Tie Dan's mother again. With a virtuous wife, everything is fine. This sister-in-law almost ruined the family. Fortunately, it's not too late.

“It’s settled then. We can talk about retirement later. Right now, let’s raise money for the child’s medical treatment. Dazhu and I will go collect the 30,000 yuan owed to the widow Wang Guilan. Tiefu, you and your husband will go to Tieying to collect it. Tiegui, you and your husband will go to Tiezhi to collect it. We’ll split into three groups and make sure we get the money.”

Uncle Niu acted like a general commanding three armies, assigning tasks to everyone clearly, except for Tang Yuanyuan and Tie Dan. This was mainly because Uncle Niu felt somewhat ashamed and embarrassed to assign Tang Yuanyuan, a college student, to work.

Tang Yuanyuan volunteered, "Ya Dan and I will cook at home and take care of things from the rear."

Ya Dan nodded vigorously. She preferred staying home and cooking to going out to collect debts.

"I can cook. You don't even know where the seasonings are, so how can you cook properly?" Tie Dan's mother said softly. Her world was in the kitchen. She felt insecure if she wasn't allowed to cook. If she couldn't even cook, she would be completely useless in this family.

Tang Yuanyuan smiled and said, "Of course we need Mom to take the lead at home. Ya Dan and I really don't understand it."

It would be better to have one more person so she could do less. To be honest, she really wasn't used to using the big wood-burning stove in the countryside; she couldn't even figure out how to keep the fire burning properly.

Tie Dan's mother breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little more at ease. Fortunately, she could still cook, and the family couldn't do without her.