The division of the family was done very quickly; the decision was made even before Hua Guangzong and the others had arrived home.
Holding the family division documents, the Xun brothers felt it was all so unreal; were they really the heads of the family now?
Under Xun Xingshun's angry glare, Gu Yu dared not argue or make a scene.
“You deserve a lot of credit for our family splitting up so quickly,” Xun Xingshun said, putting the family division documents and money into the box.
This put Gu Yuxin at ease, at least she was left with some money in the end.
At this moment, Xun Xingshun took out a brand new lock from his pocket, locked the cabinet in front of her, and put the key back into his pocket.
“You don’t need much money in this village anyway. If you need anything in the future, just ask me. Don’t touch this key otherwise.”
Gu Yu's expression changed drastically. "What do you mean? Don't you trust me? Where else could I possibly put the money?"
She used to help her family, but now all she has left is a nephew who doesn't like her. She just likes to save more money, is that not allowed?
Xun Xingshun said, "Alright, take good care of your health from now on. Our meals will depend on you."
Gu Yu, “…” Good heavens, she finally went from being a daughter-in-law to a mother-in-law, and now everything is back to square one. What was she thinking?
But sitting next to Xun Xingshun, she had unspeakable bitterness in her heart, and dared not speak of it...
&
Huajia, Heping County
Having already guessed that they would be back today, Tian Guihua had prepared the meal well in advance.
Seeing them brave the heavy snow to enter the house, Hua Baoguo and others quickly served them tea and water. After they huddled on the kang (a heated brick bed) to warm up, Hua Zhiping and the others also returned with their bicycles.
The meal was particularly unpleasant, with everyone carrying their own thoughts.
Xun Liangfen kept an eye on everyone's reactions, glancing at Hua Baoguo several times, but he didn't respond to her.
What was bound to happen would happen eventually, but Hua Guangzong still gave them some face and let the children leave first.
"Now that things have come to this, let's resolve them."
Xingshun and his brother originally wanted to give me their entire fortune, but we couldn't take advantage of that. So I roughly estimated the amount and took half. It's six thousand yuan—should you keep it yourselves, or should we keep it for you?"
Hua Baoguo: "...It doesn't matter who collects it."
Xun Liangfen knew that her family had only taken back this portion, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This was for the best, otherwise it would be difficult for her to face people when she went back to her parents' home.
As for the money, even if she wanted to take it back and keep it herself, she wouldn't ask for it. She stood silently to the side, which was considered tacit agreement.
She still held a sliver of hope; perhaps her father-in-law's question meant he would return the money to her.
Tian Guihua reached out and took the money in her hand. "I'll keep this money for you. Don't worry, I won't use your money."
We older folks won't need it, but the children will have to settle down and start their own families in the future, and that will be a huge expense."
This time, she's going to play the wicked mother-in-law, not only keeping the money in her hands but also ensuring Zhi'an gets his job.
"After you start work, you should also hurry up and complete the formalities. Have Zhian send a telegram to the production brigade in the countryside so that he can start work after the New Year."
Tian Guihua stared at Xun Liangfen and said, "Someone in this family has to make sacrifices. Your father and I are getting old now, and it's no longer our strength to take care of our great-grandchildren."
"These days you can learn to cook some dishes from me, which will come in handy when your two daughters-in-law are in postpartum confinement and taking care of their babies."
When Xun Liangfen saw that neither her husband nor her father-in-law objected, she panicked. She had thought they were just bluffing, but she didn't expect them to be serious.
"Mother, I'm still young, I can work for a few more years, this..."
“You are still young, but your father and I are old. We can’t expect the children we helped raise to also take care of your grandchildren!”
"How is this helping me? We're all descendants of the Hua family," Xun Liangfen muttered under her breath. "Mother, you and Father are both in good health. If you're too busy, you can always ask Xiangyun for help..."
“It’s settled then,” Hua Guangzong suddenly said. “This is something your father and I discussed, and he agreed that you should give up your job to Zhi’an so he can help out at home and take care of your grandchildren.”
"If you don't want to leave, Baoguo can take Zhian to handle the formalities later."
As soon as Hua Guangzong spoke, Xun Liangfen knew that there was no way to change the matter, so she could only reluctantly agree.
She hasn't seen any money and has lost her job. She has no mind for anything right now and just wants to be alone. But her father-in-law and his family haven't said anything yet, so she can only endure it.
Hua Baoguo sighed. After all, she was his wife who had been with him for decades. "Dad, why don't we let Zhiping take over Mom's job first, and then Xiangyun can take over Liangfen's job after she graduates? Around that time, the eldest daughter-in-law will also have a baby, so it will be just right for her to take over."
Hua Guangzong glanced at him. "Are you planning to have Xiao Guai follow you around from now on?"
"It's nothing," Hua Baoguo thought to himself with a little smug satisfaction, feeling that his idea was really good. His daughter was much more considerate than his son. "With me watching over her, at least no one at work will dare to bully her."
Tian Guihua said dismissively, "It's good enough that you can take care of yourself, how can you take care of your daughter?"
Hua Baoguo said, "...Mother, the child is so big, what else does he need to be taken care of? But I've been in the company for so many years, and people will give me some face, not to mention help, but at least they won't make things difficult for me."
“You’re quite confident,” Tian Guihua shook her head. “Xiao Guai, it’s really not suitable for me to work there. You have to stay up all night there. A girl’s body can’t handle staying up all night.”
Xun Liangfen, “…” This sounds so awkward… Did I not become a girl back then?
Hua Guangzong pulled his old wife aside and said, "You two should go back and discuss this matter. Think about all the hardships your mother and I have endured over the years."
"Now that we're getting old, this family will still have to rely on you."
We can't push them too hard, otherwise the couple will start arguing and the house will be in turmoil.
It won't cause trouble for them, but the children won't be able to have a peaceful New Year.
Moreover, having learned this lesson, I believe my daughter-in-law will think more carefully before doing anything.
Hua Baoguo returned to his room, expecting Xun Liangfen to cause another scene, but to his surprise, she didn't say a word and even started tidying up the room.
“Baoguo, I made a mistake,” Xun Liangfen knew that Hua Baoguo was the only person she could rely on in this family. As for the children? She had already made her choice between Tian Guihua and herself.
"It's good that you know you're wrong. Just don't forget that you're the daughter-in-law of the Hua family. You can be filial to your parents-in-law, but you can't be completely unreserved."
You should be grateful that my father and father-in-law had a long-standing brotherly relationship; otherwise, given your situation, our family would have fallen apart long ago.
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