Rebirth of the Fierce, Pampered Wife

"Showing up this late just to eat a meal someone else cooked. Why don’t they just stay and eat at their maiden homes before coming back? Especially the wife of the second son. This isn’t the first or second time she’s pulled this. She’s always taking from us to give to them, sending all the good things Second Son brings home to her own family. And after giving it all away, she still has the nerve to rush back here for a meal."

Wen Xiu watched as the wives of her second and third sons walked into the kitchen, one right after the other. Seeing the meal was ready, they just gave a sheepish laugh, made an excuse about helping set the table, and with uncharacteristic swiftness, carried out all the prepared dishes, bowls, and chopsticks in one go. Wen Xiu’s face darkened. She scrubbed the stovetop with more force, muttering curses under her breath. ’Aren’t they just afraid of getting the short end of the stick when we divide the family property? That’s why they ran to their families for advice, right? As if I don’t know what’s on their minds.’

"Mom, don’t be angry. It’s not worth making yourself sick over this." ’Anger damages the liver,’ Lin Qin silently reminded herself, and with that thought, she placated her mother-in-law in an ever-calmer voice.

It wasn’t that she had such great self-control that she didn’t mind being taken advantage of a few times. Rather, she was genuinely happy at the thought that the family property would be divided soon. Afterward, she could finally live by the principle of ’out of sight, out of mind’ and be free of these irritating situations.

"Sigh, it’s a good thing you’re one of the good ones. Don’t you worry. Your father-in-law and I will oversee the division. We remember exactly how everyone has behaved over the years, down to the smallest detail. We absolutely will not let the eldest family be short-changed." Wen Xiu tossed the rag aside, wiped her hands on her apron, and her resolve hardened. This time, not only would she ensure the eldest son’s family didn’t lose out, but she’d make it so the second and third families couldn’t say a single word against it.

Lin Qin gave a noncommittal nod and said nothing.

’Not be short-changed?’

’Heh, whatever. As long as her in-laws had the sentiment and still remembered the contributions of the eldest family, she would be content. How could they possibly calculate all the extra money their family had put in over the years? Down to the penny, no less?’

’But what could she do? Her husband was the eldest son. If they took a loss, so be it. Isn’t there a saying? Something about being taken advantage of being a blessing in disguise?’

That afternoon, by the time Zhang Wei Qiang, Zhang Minzhen, and Gu Nuan Nuan got home, everyone else was already gathered. In addition to the Zhang family themselves, the guests included Zhang Dazhuang’s older brother, a highly respected clan elder, and the eldest nephew from Wen Xiu’s side of the family.

Without any preamble, everyone began to eat. With so many people, they were split between two tables. One table, set up in the main hall, was exceptionally lavish with wine, meat, and a variety of dishes. Steamed pork with rice flour, fried seaweed meatballs, and steamed fish—all impressive main courses rarely seen on a normal day—were served to the men of the family and their guests. The other table was in the courtyard as usual, for the women and children. The spread there was far inferior. Aside from a bowl of soup with shredded pork and pickled vegetables, there were no other meat dishes. There were only two pitiful plates of greens, a meal even worse than their everyday fare. This time, however, no one’s mind was on the food. And with outsiders present, even Fang Juxian, who loved to find fault with everything, didn’t complain about the disparity between the two tables.

After dinner, Zhang Damei, who was Zhang Dazhuang’s older brother, called everyone over. Picking his teeth, he began, "Traditionally, women and children don’t get involved when it’s time to divide the family estate. But we’re in a New Society now, so we don’t have to stick to those old ways. Besides, the children have all grown up and are old enough to understand what’s going on. So, for today’s division, your father has just said that the whole family might as well listen in. We can all sit down and sort this out together amicably."

At these words, the eyes of the children, who had been about to discreetly make themselves scarce, all lit up. They each grabbed one of the small bamboo stools Zhang Dazhuang had made in his spare time and found a corner to sit in. After all, they were all youngsters now. Who wouldn’t be curious about family affairs, especially a major event like dividing the estate? Could they really be so carefree as to pay it no mind at all?

Gu Nuan Nuan was no exception. She carried a small stool over and sat next to her mother, joining her and the other children in the corner.

"Eldest Uncle, dividing the property has always been a matter for the sons. By rights, a daughter shouldn’t be involved, should she?" Seeing that Zhang Minzhen and Gu Nuan Nuan completely lacked the sense to make themselves scarce—not only failing to leave but actually finding seats—was like a thorn in Fang Juxian’s side. She couldn’t stop herself from calling out to Zhang Damei.

’It wasn’t just that she couldn’t stand the sight of them; she was also worried. Now that my sister-in-law is divorced, what if my parents-in-law have a crazy fit and insist on giving their daughter a share of the inheritance? Wouldn’t that just reduce my own family’s portion even further?’

"In that case, Nuannuan and I will go to the kitchen and boil some water for everyone."

Zhang Minzhen’s face flushed red at her Second Sister-in-law’s words. She pulled Gu Nuan Nuan to her feet, ready to leave the main hall. She had no intention of fighting her three brothers over the family assets. ’It’s just,’ she thought, ’judging by what Eldest Uncle said, Dad even let the children stay. He probably wouldn’t have specifically told me and Nuannuan to leave.’ That’s why she had thought it would be fine for them to stay and listen. To avoid any suspicion, she had deliberately sat with the children, a clear signal that she was only there to listen and would not voice any opinions. She never imagined her Second Sister-in-law would still be so aggressive.

"Minzhen, don’t squeeze in over there with Nuannuan and the other children. Go sit by your mother and your Eldest Sister-in-law." Zhang Dazhuang shot to his feet, tossing the stub of his cigarette to the ground and grinding it out with his shoe.

"Dad—" Zhang Minzhen hesitated. She glanced at Zhang Dazhuang, then at her Second Sister-in-law, who stood there with eyes red from either anger or humiliation. She didn’t know what to do. She had never wanted to be the cause of disputes in her family, but now it seemed that wish was a bit naive. ’Whether or not a conflict happens,’ she realized, ’clearly isn’t up to me...’

"Come on over. It’s not like there isn’t any room; no need to squeeze in with the children." Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lin Qin quickly stood up. She walked over with a smile, took Zhang Minzhen by the hand, and without taking no for an answer, pulled her over and had her sit down next to their mother-in-law.

Gu Nuan Nuan watched as her Eldest Aunt led her mother away and gently forced her to sit down. ’My aunt gets a huge thumbs-up for that,’ she thought. ’She really knows how to handle people. No wonder in my last life, even after my Eldest Uncle got into a bus accident on his way to help out her maiden family, my grandpa and grandma never uttered a single curse or resentful word against her.’

’Of course, part of that was because my grandpa and grandma were reasonable people, but you can’t deny that relationships are a two-way street. Just imagine if Second Uncle had been the one in that accident. It would have been a miracle if Grandma had let Second Aunt off the hook so easily...’

She glanced at her Second Aunt, Fang Juxian, who was still standing there, her face an ugly, awkward mask. Snickering to herself, Nuannuan sat back down. It was best for a "child" like her to just watch the adults’ drama. Even if she wanted to get involved, she couldn’t.