Wu Le was completely fed up with her, unable to comprehend where she got such crooked Logic.
He remembered the things he had heard a few days ago and asked her, "What about your parental home, how much do they plan to contribute for your house construction?"
"My family? Why should my family pay?" Liao Zhaoji gaped indignant, utterly baffled.
"Then why do you expect Mom to pay, why should Mom have to contribute?" Wu Le was amused.
"That’s different, Jiandang is Mom’s son!"
"But you are still your mom’s daughter!"
"That’s not the same!"
Finally, he understood why nobody in the Ruanlin family talked to her anymore; their thinking was simply not on the same level. Who could make her understand?
Wu Le shook his head and saw Ruan Jiandang, leaning on crutches, coming over with the help of Ruan Chi and Ruan Jun. He said to Liao Zhaoji, "Are you done talking, sister-in-law? If you’re done, I’ll head back." He then got up and left, leaving Liao Zhaoji staring in bewilderment.
She still thought Wu Le was the one who was abnormal! How could he not understand what she was saying?
Ruan Jiandang had heard everything, but he genuinely had no energy to argue with her, so he didn’t engage and let his sons help him into the house.
Seeing him enter made Liao Zhaoji nervous, fearing he would criticize her again. But when he went inside without saying a word, she felt relieved yet unsettled at the unusual silence of the home.
Ultimately feeling guilty, she sneaked out after her sons helped Ruan Jiandang lie down.
Right outside, she ran into her next-door neighbor, Liu Mei.
Liu Mei’s yard was fenced with a makeshift fence of sticks, about waist high, and upon seeing Liao Zhaoji emerge from the Ruan Family home, her eyes lit up, and she gestured for her to come over.
Liao Zhaoji, feeling unwelcome in the Ruanlin house and having no one to talk to, was feeling stifled. She headed over immediately when she saw Liu Mei waving.
From behind, a member of the Ruanlin Family saw this, spat disdainfully, and muttered a curse about birds of a feather flocking together before turning back inside the house.
"Zhaoji, is Jiandang’s leg getting any better? The hospital stay must have cost a lot, huh?" Liu Mei began as soon as she saw Liao Zhaoji, and then looked at her enviously, "But no matter how much it costs, it probably doesn’t matter much to the Ruan Family, since your mother-in-law has plenty of money."
She had been fine until that topic came up, but as soon as it was mentioned, Liao Zhaoji felt even worse inside.
Seeing her expression, Liu Mei’s eyes twinkled, and she leaned in to ask softly, "This time it’s your eldest brother-in-law building a new house, so will it be your turn next, Jiandang’s branch? I have to say, I really envy you, getting married into such a good family. And then there’s my lot, sigh..."
Liu Mei let out an exaggerated sigh.
And all of Liao Zhaoji’s resentment was aired out, as she complained, "Nothing is certain yet, who knows!"
"What do you mean? Why wouldn’t there be certainty?" Liu Mei looked at her surprised, urging her to come inside and whispered, "Quick, tell me, how come there’s no certainty? Isn’t it obvious? After the elder one builds, it should be your Jiandang’s turn!"
"Or is it that... your old mother-in-law favors the senior branch and only wants to build for them?"
"You think she’s playing favorites too?" Liao Zhaoji turned to her, thinking she’d finally found someone who understood.
"Isn’t it obvious? Anyone could see it. I think it’s such a pity for you. You gave the Ruan Family three sons. In any other family, you’d be praised to high heavens. Unfortunately, your mother-in-law has such a weird temper. She treats a losing proposition like a gem and stuffs all the nice things into her own pocket."