Seeing that Zhou Mingqian only knew how to laugh, Zhou's mother immediately got annoyed, "Zhou Mingqian, are you deaf?"
"Deaf? I think someone is lying through their teeth. Want to work? Where's your face?" Shen Banxia went straight for the kill.
"You, I'm not talking to you, Zhou Mingqian, are you just going to watch your wife talk to me like this? Does she even have the demeanor of a daughter-in-law?" Zhou's mother knew she was no match for Shen Banxia.
Zhou Mingqian was already heartbroken, but now he was truly resigned to his fate. He used countless examples to prove that his parents did not love him.
“Mother, what else can I say? Haven’t you already made all the arrangements? But let me make one thing clear: I am your child, and no matter how you treat me, I should accept it, but my wife doesn’t owe you anything.” Zhou Mingqian had always been very clear about this point.
He did not believe that a woman who married into the Zhou family had to unconditionally obey her parents.
He owes his parents a debt of gratitude for giving him life, but his wife does not.
His words immediately broke Zhou's mother's defenses. In her mind, once a daughter-in-law marries into the family, she becomes part of their family, and as her mother-in-law, she is entitled to direct and arrange things for her.
Unfortunately, the Zhou family produced such a stubborn eldest son who spoiled his wife rotten.
"Zhou Mingqian, what nonsense are you spouting? A woman follows her husband wherever he goes. Since you've married into our Zhou family, you're one of us. As the eldest son, you should help your younger siblings. As the old saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father. Your father and I are getting old, you should be more sensible."
Shen Banxia felt nauseous upon hearing this.
Why should the older brother give way to his younger siblings? Were they Zhou Mingqian's children? Isn't raising children the parents' responsibility?
Everyone only has one life. Why can't we say that brothers and sisters should help each other? Why do we have to ask the older one to give way to the younger one?
"I don't have the ability, and I'm not willing," Zhou Mingqian clearly stated his refusal.
Under Shen Banxia's influence, he no longer wastes his energy on family ties.
These words were so direct that Zhou's mother couldn't accept them. She started cursing at Chen Banxia, "Well, I knew it! You've forgotten your mother after you got married. Isn't it her? Isn't she gossiping behind your back?" In the past, although the eldest son was unreliable, he was still very good to his younger siblings.
Although he doesn't get along with his youngest daughter, it's because of what happened when she fell into the water as a child. He's still very good to his younger brothers.
But now, listen to what he's saying.
"Mother, I've already said it. You can criticize me, but don't drag my wife into it. She hasn't done anything wrong. Her mistake was marrying someone like me," Zhou Mingqian said apologetically to Shen Banxia.
Shen Banxia gently shook her head, indicating that she didn't care about Zhou's mother's words at all.
Seeing how stubborn her eldest son was, Zhou's mother compromised, "Fine, I know you're petty. You only remember the time your sister forgot to call out to someone, right? So, instead of giving the job to your younger sister, give it to your fourth brother, okay?"
Shen Banxia could only laugh. What kind of thought process was this? Was she really blinded by work?
Zhou Mingqian has repeatedly emphasized that this job was Shen Banxia's, but what happened?
Is it just a direct listening exercise?
“Mother, I’ve already told you I don’t have the ability or capacity to arrange a job for my fourth brother,” Zhou Mingqian said without mincing words.
"Eldest son, are you really this heartless? Do you want your mother and me to kneel down and beg you?" Zhou's father stared straight at Zhou Mingqian, as if trying to see if he had no heart.
With a thud, Zhou Mingqian knelt down nimbly. "I didn't mean that, and I wouldn't dare."
"Eldest daughter-in-law, do you really want to see your husband in such a difficult position? You don't want that job yourself, so why are you unwilling to give your family a chance? If your family is doing well, then you'll be doing well, won't you?" Zhou's father pressured Chen Banxia with his eyes.
Zhou Mingqian was about to speak again when Shen Banxia tugged at him, "Are you all planning to gang up on me?"
These words made Zhou's father's brow twitch. "Don't talk nonsense. Aren't we discussing this with you properly?"
"Really? I thought he was some old landlord who would steal everything."
These words immediately changed Zhou's father's expression. "Eldest daughter-in-law, are you trying to kill us? Yes, I know you have a relationship with the director of the Gewei Association, but can you just say things like that?"
Shen Banxia laughed, "Really? So you came to me for a job like you were doing me a favor, and even pressured Zhou Mingqian. I thought you were still the same old you."
How could Zhou's father dare to agree? He looked at Zhou Mingqian kneeling and said irritably, "Why are you still kneeling? Are you afraid that outsiders will laugh at us? Your mother and I are old, and nothing we say matters to us now. I know that your wife is powerful now and looks down on us old folks, but eldest son, put your heart into it and think about it. How did your grandparents treat you when you were born? What about your younger siblings?"
Zhou Mingqian remained silent.
Moral blackmail flashed through Shen Banxia's mind, and she bluntly said, "Well, there's nothing we can do. Zhou Mingqian is just lucky. As for his younger siblings, well, they didn't have good parents."
Mr. Zhou's face immediately turned red, and he began to pant heavily.
"You damned bitch, are you trying to anger your father-in-law to death?" Zhou's mother bared her teeth and brandished her claws, but Zhou Mingqian stood up to block her way.
"Good people don't live long, and as for the father-in-law..." The unspoken words are clear to those who understand.
"Zhou Mingqian, if you still consider me your own mother, then divorce her!" Zhou's mother said angrily.
"The Qing Dynasty is already gone, Mother-in-law. It seems you still have a strong attachment to it. Shouldn't you go out and have a proper talk with them?"
Zhou's mother's face turned deathly pale in an instant. That damned bitch, why did she have to die such a terrible death?
The thought of her knowing the mad dog leaders of the Kagome Association made her cry out, "You, you're talking nonsense. It's not true at all. I, I didn't say anything."
A faint smile flashed in Zhou Mingqian's sorrowful eyes. He wasn't alone, was he?
"Alright, I'm too lazy to talk to you guys anymore. Eldest brother, I won't force you on anything else, but at least look at your fourth brother. He's not young anymore, and he finally found a girlfriend in the county town. I'm not asking you, as his older brother, to give him a job, but you should at least do something. I know you're capable; I know so many friends outside. Please help with your fourth brother's dowry. Your father and I are getting old." He finished speaking with tears in his eyes.
Shen Banxia was completely numb.
They really won't give up until they've hit rock bottom; are they trying a softer approach when hard tactics fail?
And you added PUA to it?
Shen Banxia felt that she had really underestimated Zhou's mother. After such a series of moves, what choice would Zhou Mingqian make?
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