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Huang Jingli smiled bitterly, looked at He Tiantian, and said, "I'm not going out. No matter what, my aunt raised me. Even if they did something wrong, I can't say such hurtful things to them."
"Stop shouting, I'm the head of this household," said Wu's mother. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, you should leave now. I don't have as good a temper as Jingli."
Seeing that Huang Jingli didn't come out, Huang Jingtao became even more unhappy.
"Huang Jingli, come out here! You're unfilial, you're ungrateful! Even if my mother isn't your biological mother, she at least raised you!" Huang Jingtao shouted. "If you don't come out today, I'll let the neighbors know what kind of person you are. A college student, huh? You have no conscience!"
Huang Jingli trembled with anger upon hearing this.
"Jingli, calm down, calm down," He Tiantian comforted her, lest Huang Jingli become so angry that she couldn't speak and these people would take advantage of her.
As Huang Jingli spoke, neighbors lingered at their doors, straining their ears to listen to the commotion inside.
Wu's mother sneered and cursed, "I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone as shameless as you. Your mother did raise my daughter-in-law, that's what she should do. She also took my daughter-in-law's deceased parents' house, job, and even their death benefits, and raised their child—that's what she should do. Although I didn't watch my daughter-in-law grow up, I believe in her character; she's a hardworking and kind girl. You bullied Jingli, and now that she's doing well, you're trying to take advantage of her. If you're struggling financially, you can just say so. What's with all this bullying my daughter-in-law and insulting her reputation? If this is how you are, then I'll tell you, I'll pretend we're not related. Get out, get out now!"
Those outside who heard Wu's mother's words looked at Huang's mother, Huang Jingtao, with a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Huang Jingtao couldn't win an argument with Wu's mother and became so angry that her face turned red.
"Don't talk nonsense. Who's here to freeload? I came to visit my daughter, but you, you old hag, won't let us see her." Seeing that her daughter couldn't win the argument with Wu's mother, Huang's mother spoke up to Wu's mother.
"If that's not true, then why did you start talking about my daughter-in-law the moment you walked in?" Wu's mother said. "You immediately accused my daughter-in-law of being unfilial, without even considering what you've done in the past. You've long since worn away any remaining family affection. Today, in front of the neighbors, I won't be a coward. Although you've taken over my daughter-in-law's house and compensation, and made her do heavy work every day, you did raise her, no matter what. Fine, as her mother-in-law, I'll take over the household. From now on, I'll give you twenty yuan a month, which will be your support in your old age. If you know what's good for you, don't come to our house and bother us. If you continue to slander my daughter-in-law, not only will you not receive a single penny, but I will also go back to your hometown and spread rumors that you've abused people."
Everyone was shocked to hear that she was only given twenty yuan a month. Even a biological daughter shouldn't give her parents twenty yuan a month.
The old woman in the Wu family is actually quite nice.
Huang's mother was taken aback. Twenty yuan was a lot of money, but she had just said that she was not trying to freeload. If she changed her mind, wouldn't she be contradicting herself?
"Twenty yuan? That's like giving money to a beggar!" Huang Jingtao said. "Lin Xiaoru said your family is very rich, at least fifty yuan!"
"Fifty yuan?" The person at the door was stunned. That was equivalent to the wages of an ordinary worker, enough to support a family.
At the same time, they also understood why Wu's usually amiable mother was so angry. Nobody likes having such a ridiculous, bloodsucking relative!
"Fifty yuan? That's outrageous!" Grandma Cai, a neighbor on the right who was on good terms with Wu's mother, finally couldn't hold back when she heard this. "Whether she's her biological daughter or not, fifty yuan a month for living expenses is too much! You keep asking your aunt for fifty yuan to give to your parents, but how much do you, her biological daughter, actually give? You only ask your adopted daughter to subsidize your biological daughter; even the adopted daughter's mountains of gold and silver couldn't withstand this kind of hustling!"
He Tiantian glanced outside; this Granny Cai was really eloquent.
"This is our business, what right do you, an outsider, have to speak out of turn!" Huang Jingtao said angrily. "Don't meddle in other people's business."
"Oh dear, I've seen the most shameless person I've ever seen today!" Granny Cai said. "You see injustice on the road and you won't let others step on it? Young girl, don't have such a fierce look on your face. You're not pretty to begin with, and you'll only look worse when you're angry. You won't be able to find a husband."
The mention of her husband's family struck a nerve with Huang Jingtao, making her gasp for breath.
"Don't talk nonsense..." she said, and tried to push Granny Cai.
Grandma Cai didn't back down and said in a strong voice, "Anyway, I have a heart condition. If you push me, I'll faint and have to be hospitalized. If you have money, then push me."
Seeing this, Huang's mother knew that if she didn't agree quickly, she probably wouldn't get the twenty yuan and would even cause trouble.
"Jingtao, come here." Huang's mother scolded, "Since my mother-in-law has spoken, I won't stand on ceremony. Twenty yuan a month, that's two hundred and forty yuan a year. Give it to me together."
Grandma Cai glanced at Wu's mother; if she disagreed, she would say a few more words in her defense.
Mother Wu nodded and said, "Okay, but we don't have that much money at home, only forty for two months. I'll have someone send you the rest."
In front of outsiders, Wu's mother didn't want others to know that her family was wealthy.
Keep your wealth hidden to ensure peace and safety.
Wu's mother was illiterate, so she said to Cai's mother-in-law, "Sister Cai, you are educated, come and help me write a receipt. After you take the money, put your fingerprint on it. You can't give the money and then say that our daughter-in-law doesn't support her."
“That’s right, we should definitely write a receipt,” said Granny Cai, and quickly wrote one.
Wu's mother also took out forty yuan and said, "Put your fingerprint on this, and then take this money."
“Mother-in-law, look…” Mother Huang’s eyes flickered. If she took the money, she wouldn’t get any more benefits in the future.
"No fingerprints, no money." Wu's mother pretended to put the money away.
Mother Huang quickly said, "I'll leave my handprint..."
My family is really struggling to make ends meet. With this forty yuan, if we're careful with our money, we can live for a month.
After pressing her fingerprint, Wu's mother gave the money to Huang's mother.
Huang Jingtao, Huang's mother, left amidst everyone's ridicule.
"Sister Cai, we have guests at home today, so we won't entertain you. Tomorrow I will personally invite the neighbors over for dinner." Mother Wu didn't want to be laughed at by everyone. Regardless of whether it was her family's fault or not, it was still undignified.
“Alright, we’re all neighbors, we should help each other out,” said Granny Cai. “Okay, everyone, go home now.”
Everyone greeted Wu's mother and then left.
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