Mother He saw her third son looking serious and quickly waved her hand, saying, "No, no, your father just wanted me to check if your leg injury has healed. It’s your second sister-in-law who insisted on coming along."
Second Sister-in-law He, hearing her mother-in-law’s words, hurriedly chimed in, "Jinxuan, I haven’t had the chance to tell the family about this yet. But since I got the news first, I thought I’d come talk to you first, then let the family know, make them happy."
He Jinxuan replied coldly, "Second Sister-in-law, as you can see, the factory allocated me an apartment. It may not be big, but it’s enough to live in. I won’t get involved in the family matters anymore. Buying a house is a good idea; you all decide. But my money is needed elsewhere, so I can’t lend it to you."
Second Sister-in-law He got anxious, "Jinxuan, we’re family. You know about the Lu Family’s house. Once the word gets out, it could be sold quickly. You’re the only one with a high salary in the family. You can’t just not help us, can you?"
He Jinxuan looked at Mother He, "Did you bring Second Sister-in-law to ask me to help the family?"
Mother He, a bit flustered, shook her head, "No, it’s not like that."
He Jinxuan glanced at the time, "I have to go to work. You should head back. I did receive a bonus, but I have plans for it, so I can’t help the family. You should think of other solutions."
Saying this, he called out towards the west room, "Sili, Siyan, get ready to go."
Seeing things about to fall apart, Second Sister-in-law He hurriedly signaled to her mother-in-law, whispering, "Mom, say something to help."
Mother He knew exactly what the second daughter-in-law was thinking. She figured since the family hadn’t officially split finances, using Jinxuan’s money didn’t require them to repay. Even if repayment was needed, it would be the parents’ issue.
He Jinxuan was a man of his word. He had already sacrificed once for the family, and that was enough.
Ye Silai and Ye Siyan hurried over upon hearing the call, "Uncle, we’re ready."
He Jinxuan looked inside, "Mom, there are mule carts from several neighboring villages heading to the city for side jobs. If we wait longer, we’ll have to wait for the one around six."
Second Sister-in-law He, seeing that He Jinxuan refused to lend the money and kept urging them to leave, was a bit displeased, "Jinxuan, you’re too ungrateful. We came all this way, not even for a meal, and now you’re chasing us away. It’s really too much."
He Jinxuan’s face turned cold, "Second Sister-in-law, it’s not for you to judge my filial piety. Don’t try to guilt-trip me. After all, if it weren’t for my sacrifice back then, the whole family might have starved."
Those words were unpleasant, but he was truly angry.
As for the second sister-in-law’s attempt to ask for money, he didn’t know if his father was aware, but clearly, his mother knew and was probably persuaded by the second sister-in-law, nurturing the idea of using his money to buy a house. It was really laughable.
But this time, He Jinxuan really misunderstood Mother He. She genuinely didn’t intend for her third son to lend the money. She just wanted the second daughter-in-law to hit a wall and stop targeting Jinxuan’s finances.
Mother He feared her third son would be truly upset, so she said to her second daughter-in-law, "Enough, I told you before that this wouldn’t work. Now you’ve heard it from Jinxuan. It’s time for him to go to work, and we should leave."
Second Sister-in-law He still wanted to say something, but seeing her mother-in-law’s displeased face, she didn’t dare to act out further.
However, before leaving, she couldn’t help but tell Jinxuan, "Jinxuan, think about it again. This is a rare opportunity."
After sending them out of the factory gate and watching them board the mule cart heading for the village to pursue side jobs, only then did he prepare to go to work when Ye Silai said, "Uncle, I have money in my pocket."
Little Siyan also chimed in happily, "I have some, too. I have some."
Seeing the money in the children’s pockets, he knew who had put it there, feeling a mix of emotions, "Alright, since it was given to you, keep it."
On the mule cart, Second Sister-in-law He whispered, "Mom, why didn’t you help me say something earlier? If this had worked out, our family would have had much more space."
Mother He wasn’t very educated, but she understood. Though the family hadn’t split finances, it was as if they had. They only provided for living expenses. If they genuinely wanted to buy a house, they would sit down and discuss it, not expect the third son to pay.