Old Mrs. Chen stopped talking and stared at her eldest son’s family: "When Manjuan’s husband was alive, he helped the family a lot. Now she’s been kicked out by her in-laws with two kids, and not only do you refuse to help, but you even want to drive her away. Are you still human?"
Chen Family’s eldest daughter-in-law protested: "Mom, no matter what, she is a daughter who married out. Others may not know our family’s situation, but don’t you?
I’m just setting some rules first, to prevent them from getting used to it. What’s wrong with that?"
Old Mrs. Chen, just helped up by her second son, pointed at her: "She just came back, such a big thing has happened, she’s already feeling bad, and I’m still here, so what rules are you setting?"
Don’t think she didn’t hear it; the eldest daughter-in-law had said before that Manjuan should hand her money over to her to manage: "Get rid of those thoughts you shouldn’t have."
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Chen Family protested again: "Mom, with her return, that’s suddenly three more mouths to feed. Who knows how long they’ll stay. What’s wrong with me asking for some board money?"
Old Mrs. Chen wasn’t holding back anymore: "You’re really something, bringing these tricks into the family. Do you think I didn’t hear what you said to Manjuan earlier? Even if I were dead, wouldn’t her brothers let Manjuan and her kids stay for a few days?"
Chen Manjuan, having just calmed her younger daughter, said: "Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’ll look for a place in the next few days. I won’t stay long."
As she spoke, she pulled ten yuan out of her pocket and handed it to her mother: "Mom, sister-in-law is right. Since I married out, it’s not right to come back and eat for free. You take this money, and I’ll move out once I find a place."
Upon hearing Chen Manjuan’s words, Xinyan also felt this woman was resilient. If it were someone else, they’d probably be crying.
The reason she didn’t argue with her in-laws earlier was likely for her husband’s sake. Without a husband’s protection, for the sake of her two daughters, she decisively split from that family, and she did it so cleanly, with no future troubles; she’s a smart person.
She quite liked that kind of character.
While she was engrossed in listening, she heard Granny Zhang’s voice: "Yanyan, come back and tidy up. Get ready to eat."
Xinyan greeted the Tong Family people and then ran back to her own yard.
Granny Zhang poked her forehead: "You’re so focused on the gossip, and you’re not even afraid of getting cold and catching a cold."
Xinyan laughed and followed her into the kitchen: "The Chen Family’s eldest daughter-in-law is too much. They just got back, and she’s already asking for money. That’s really too impatient."
Granny Zhang sighed: "It’s all because of poverty."
Xinyan looked over: "I heard from the neighbors before that the Chen Family’s old man died in an accident a few years ago. At that time, because of him, people close to him were also implicated. The Chen Family paid a lot of money, almost selling the house.
It was Old Mrs. Chen’s distant cousin who helped out, and that’s how they got through that crisis. But the Chen Family still hasn’t paid back all that money."
Xinyan casually asked: "Does Chen Manjuan have a job?"
Granny Zhang, serving the food, shook her head and said: "Probably not. If she had, her in-laws wouldn’t let her leave."
A thought occurred to Xinyan, but she decided to observe more before acting on it.
After eating, Xinyan put on the woolen shoes He Jinxuan had brought back from Inner Mongolia. They’re just like snow boots from later times. These are purely handmade shoes with real wool inside, very warm when worn.
After greeting Granny Zhang, she left the house.