Chapter 63
Mother Zhong also regretted it.
If she had known that Aunt Xie was of that nature, she wouldn't have taught her daughter to value harmony and be patient. Because for someone like Aunt Xie, being kind and forgiving wouldn't make her restrain herself.
Zhong Lan recalled her mother's warning and said, "I'll trust you for once. But if you want me to go back with you, you have to give me your monthly salary after paying the household expenses for safekeeping."
What Zhong's mother let her hold in her hands was the financial power of the family.
The eldest brother of the Yao family earned about 20 yuan a month, and he had to give the family 10 yuan a month for household expenses. The rest of the money did not go to the eldest brother of the Yao family, but to Aunt Xie.
Before Yao's eldest brother got married, his salary was in Aunt Xie's hands. After marrying Zhong Lan, Aunt Xie showed no intention of handing over Yao's eldest brother's salary. According to Aunt Xie, she only touched the ten yuan of household funds each month, and she saved the rest for them. Whenever they needed money, they could just ask her for it.
That being said, it was harder than climbing to the sky for them to get money from Aunt Xie.
Mother Zhong meant that the money had to stay in the hands of the young couple. Even though they had several married sons, the money was still managed by the mother. Even if the eldest brother of the Yao family only contributed ten yuan a month, he would take the rest of the money and would not give it to Zhong Lan. Mother Zhong also asked Zhong Lan to at least take a few yuan from the eldest brother of the Yao family as her own private money, so that she would have confidence.
The reason why Aunt Xie looked down on her was because she had no job and no money.
The eldest brother of the Yao family said in embarrassment: "My salary is in my mother's hands. She may not be willing to give it to you."
"She doesn't want to give it to me, but she will be willing to give it to you." Zhong Lan said.
The eldest brother of the Yao family understood that Zhong Lan wanted him to get the salary from Aunt Xie in his own name.
Seeing that Yao's eldest brother was in a difficult situation, Zhong Lan continued, "Since we're married, you should be in charge of your own finances. Ask the people around you, how many married people still have their parents manage their finances? I won't make it difficult for you to return the money you gave your mother before. But starting this month, after you pay your salary to the family, it must be kept by me."
Hearing Zhong Lan say this, the eldest brother of the Yao family breathed a sigh of relief.
He felt that Aunt Xie would have a hard time giving him the money he had given her before unless something serious happened. But starting from this month, he could do it.
"I've given you all the money. What should I do when I need it?" The eldest brother of the Yao family thought of another problem.
"You can ask me for it. I took the money because I wanted to make plans for both of us, not just keep it for myself."
The eldest brother of the Yao family negotiated, "I'll keep five dollars a month for myself and give you the rest. Is that okay?"
He felt embarrassed that he always had to ask his wife for money.
"Okay." Zhong Lan agreed.
The eldest brother of the Yao family sighed and smiled: "Now you can go back with me."
Zhong Lan nodded.
Brother Zhong said, "Big brother and I will go back with my younger sister."
"Let's go back with our younger sister." Mrs. Zhong Da and Mrs. Zhong Er also said.
Zhong Lan understood that they were afraid that if she returned, Aunt Xie would make things difficult for her, and the eldest brother of the Yao family would not be able to keep his word.
Mother Zhong came out of the house and said to the eldest and second wives of Zhong, "Don't go. The eldest and second brothers and I will go. There are some things that you two are not convenient to take the lead in."
If Aunt Xie really made things difficult for Zhong Lan, how could she let two younger sisters, Mrs. Zhong Da and Mrs. Zhong Er, come into conflict with an elder, Aunt Xie? Then the people of the Zhong family would be in the wrong.
Mrs. Zhong said, "Mom, I'll go with you. My younger sister has a younger sister-in-law."
Mrs. Zhong understood and said, "Then I'll stay home and take care of the child. I'm afraid Dad can't take care of it alone."
Mother Zhong nodded: "Okay."
So, Zhong's mother, the two eldest brothers of the Zhong family, and Zhong's wife accompanied Zhong Lan and the eldest brother of the Yao family back to the slum.
The eldest brother of the Yao family broke out in a cold sweat when he saw this scene, not to mention the neighbors in the slum.
Aunt Liang asked Yao's eldest brother curiously, "What's going on? Why are all the people from Zhong Lan's family here?"
The eldest brother of the Yao family gave Aunt Liang a perfunctory smile and naturally would not answer her question.
Aunt Xie and Yao Yi were in the house when they heard the eldest brother of the Yao family shouting outside, "Mom - Zhong Lan is back -" Their faces changed and they came out angrily.
Aunt Xie and Yao Yi were both stunned when they saw several people standing behind Zhong Lan.
Aunt Xie said sarcastically, "Oh, you went back to your mother's house and brought so many people back with you!"
Mother Zhong laughed and said, "Yes! My daughter was so angry that she went back. Luckily, her husband knew to comfort his wife and went to pick her up in person. We should give her some face and send her back together! But we didn't bring anything with us this time. We knew that the in-laws wouldn't look down on the things we brought with good intentions. They only wanted chicken and meat, so we simply didn't bring anything. I wonder if they will scold my daughter again for this."
Aunt Xie glanced at Mother Zhong with an unhappy look on her face.
She sneered and said, "Who asked for chicken or meat? Who scolded your daughter? It was your daughter who had no manners, talked back to me, and ran away on her own."
Mother Zhong said, "My dear relatives, we should speak with integrity! If you don't want chicken or meat, why do you keep complaining about my daughter bringing chicken and meat to thank Comrade Ye? My daughter actually brought things from your Yao family to thank Comrade Ye. She brought things prepared by our family, so it's not your turn to point fingers."
"You say my daughter contradicts you. Putting aside the fact that my daughter is a softie, if you hadn't said something so harsh, my daughter wouldn't have refuted you. This is the new century, and we're destroying the Four Olds. Do you still think you're the big landlord or the Empress Dowager in the palace? No one can refute what you say!"
Mother Zhong smiled and said a few words, which made Aunt Xie's face turn pale and blue.
When Zhong Lan married the eldest brother of the Yao family, Aunt Xie met Zhong's mother a few times. She had always remembered her as gentle and amiable, but Aunt Xie had no idea she was so eloquent and not at all as gentle as she appeared.
Seeing that Zhong's mother had even talked her mother into submission, Yao Yi chimed in, "Don't think you can show off in front of us just because you know a few words. My mother didn't say Zhong Lan couldn't contradict her. She was just unhappy that Zhong Lan had clashed with her over such a small matter and even ran away to her parents' home and didn't come back for half a month. What does she think of our Yao family?!"
Mrs. Zhong looked at Yao Yi and said, "You must be my younger sister's sister-in-law."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
