With her abilities, Shuzhen had a strong sense of confidence.
Moreover, she was unwilling to overburden her own family, leaving her sister-in-law feeling inferior in front of her children in the future. Shuzhen was not going to let her sister-in-law suffer such grievances in this life, being accused by a daughter-in-law of not knowing her priorities.
And with Lian Hai already burdened enough, she couldn’t bear to add more troubles to the young couple.
After all, it was just a matter of a little over a hundred bucks, she thought, and it could reinforce her man’s image as a top-notch great brother.
She took it lightly, not making a big deal of it, yet Lian Yue and Lian Hai were deeply moved. She took care of the over a hundred bucks debt without even batting an eye, proving herself to be both generous and considerate.
She was considerate in ensuring that they, being the younger sister and brother-in-law, would not feel troubled by this money, or feel stuck in a difficult situation.
Yet, the more generous the sister-in-law was, the more the siblings felt they couldn’t just take advantage of the situation, could they?
Over the years, their older brother had worked painstakingly to raise them. He put a lot of effort into saving for their dowries and marriages. Even this little over a hundred bucks debt was incurred when the siblings got married!
In the past, when they were willing but unable to repay, they could only watch their brother work hard and endure the grievances.
But now, with each earning a bit over two hundred, thirty bucks or so was definitely within their ability, right?
Lian Yue and Lian Hai insisted that the debt shared by the three siblings should not fall solely on their older brother. It had nothing to do with ability, conditions, or responsibility. That’s just not how things should be done!
They all said they were a loving family, shouldn’t they share both happiness and burdens?
The siblings’ words were immediately echoed by Ning Jianshe: "Right, right, isn’t that just the principle? We’re one family; it’s all just to pay off the debt incurred for Xiao Yue’s dowry and Hai Zi’s marriage. In theory, even if brother didn’t pay a cent, it wouldn’t be wrong. After all, he’s already done a lot for Xiao Yue and Hai Zi over the years. But, having depended on each other all these years, you surely wouldn’t like it if you were excluded from this, would you?
Let’s split this little over a hundred debt three ways!
We and Lian Hai’s couple don’t treat elder brother and sister-in-law as outsiders, and you shouldn’t mind that Xiao Yue is a married daughter, and I’m an outsider who married in, okay?
After all, in our home, only my elder brother is left. Since the day I married Xiao Yue, I’ve considered myself part of the Lian family. My heart is set on our brothers supporting each other, slowly getting life on track!"
"Exactly, brother, brother-in-law’s words make sense! Over the years, you’ve been so sincere all for sister and our couple, it’s now time for us siblings to shoulder our responsibilities. Although we’re struggling a bit now, slowly earning and repaying the debt is possible. But if we lose our dignity and self-respect, you can’t buy that back no matter the cost!
We’ve not had much schooling, but we understand the lessons taught by deeds and words.
If today we freely accepted brother and sister-in-law’s goodwill, what if Jiezi and Jiajia start taking reliance as a habit, never taking on burdens themselves? Then, where would Hai Zi and I find relief?" Seeing that brother-in-law’s words were making the elder brother consider, Qiu Fang quickly chimed in, pretending to be troubled, speaking of the children’s upbringing, determined to carry on the task of a persuader.
To tell the truth, the money spent on elder brother’s wedding and new home had cost their little couple nearly forty, and they assumed an additional thirty or so in debt...
It was practically taking away nearly half of the initial hundred and eighty bucks they had.
Of course, Qiu Fang felt the pinch deeply too.
After all, their family’s condition was poor, compounded with the debts from their son’s surgery. Though Shuzhen dismissed the hundred and eighty bucks, for their small home it was indeed a significant amount.
Even if she was reluctant, she spoke plainly. Otherwise, never mind others, she couldn’t even get past her own man.
Because she had been raised by her elder brother, receiving much of his generosity and help. In her man’s eyes, the elder brother was absolutely more significant than even his parents-in-law.
Since their marriage, making money to repay debts and saving to find a proper wife for elder brother became Lian Hai’s biggest goal. All else could be negotiated, but if anyone stood in the way of this, making things difficult for his elder brother...
Qiu Fang shuddered at the thought of the consequences, it was too dreadful to even imagine.
It was better to be active and earn a reputation for being sensible and generous rather than saving some money without gaining any favor from her own man. After Ning Jianshe spoke, Qiu Fang promptly followed suit, quickly receiving a tender approving look from Lian Hai.
A wife who was understanding, generous, and considerate; siblings who were grateful, not ungrateful. The most precious was that both brother-in-law and sister-in-law were so open and positive.
Where others might find themselves torn apart, wishing estrangement between even real brothers over debts, in his family, they were all scrambling to share the burden. The wife took the lead in assuming responsibility, even the married sister and impoverished brother and sister-in-law didn’t flinch.
With such a wife and siblings, Lianshan truly felt that no one in the world was happier than him.
What did temporary poverty matter?
With everyone supporting each other, working hard, how could there not be good days ahead!
After a couple of light coughs, just about to nod in agreement to split the debt three ways among the siblings, Shuzhen smiled slyly like a smug little fox: "Alright, alright, since the younger sister and brother-in-law have the intention to weather the storm with us, as the sister-in-law, I can’t keep refusing and hurt your sincerity. Let’s go ahead and split the debt three ways.
However, it’s known for miles around that the three siblings in the Lian family are poor.
Over a hundred bucks, it’s not that easy to casually come up with it, is it?
To show our commitment to repay the debt positively and not dragging the country down, starting tomorrow, not only will the three brothers go hunting in the mountains. We three sisters will also go up the mountains with baskets, collecting mushrooms, wood ear, and the like to sell at the buying station!
Even though little contributions here and there might not solve major problems, small efforts can accumulate to achieve great results!"
Speaking thus, Shuzhen couldn’t help but smile mischievously, her eyes full of mischief: Didn’t that bootlicker come pouring negativity on our wedding day? From tomorrow, this lady will teach you what it means to hoist your own petard!