Chapter 82

Exaggerated cries and rapid footsteps accompanied the familiar figure of Fan’s mother appearing in front of the three.

Fan’s mother’s eyes swept over Mother Hu, who was washing vegetables, and Shuiqing, who was cutting vegetables, then fixed directly on her younger son, who was kneading dough, her face full of heartache.

Crying and wailing, she said, “Oh my poor son, you’re suffering! Since we split the family, you even have to do kitchen chores.

You’re a scholar, and if this gets out, people will laugh at you!

It’s all my fault for not arranging a good marriage for you back then, causing you to suffer like this.”

Shuiqing, used to such scenes, quietly watched her mother-in-law’s performance.

Her mother-in-law was quite the actress, especially in front of people or in crowds. Her acting skills were outstanding, and she could cry and wail on cue, often leaving Shuiqing in awe.

“Mother, even if it gets out that I knead dough, no one will laugh at me. Besides, although I didn’t cook at home, I did my share of farming, such as plowing, sowing, weeding, harvesting, and transporting. Compared to that, kneading dough is much easier,” Fan Jin explained coldly.

Fan’s mother’s crying immediately paused.

Though her younger son was a scholar, during the busy farming seasons, the academy gave breaks for farm work. Their family had a lot of land, and they couldn’t afford to hire help, so even though her son was a student, he had to work in the fields.

But why did he have to say this in front of his mother-in-law, making her lose face as his mother!

Mother Hu’s face darkened.

Not a good marriage? Was she implying her daughter wasn’t good enough?

Standing up, she confronted Fan’s mother, asking, “Mother-in-law, what do you mean by that?”

“What do I mean? Look at your well-raised daughter, so strong and capable, making my son run around like this. Can’t I say a few words?

Your Hu family is so domineering, even in my Fan family you want to throw your weight around? Can’t I even speak? I can say whatever I want about my daughter-in-law!

Let’s see if she dares disrespect me as her mother-in-law!” Fan’s mother retorted fearlessly.

Mother Hu, a butcher by trade, exuded an aura of intimidation that Fan’s mother unconsciously feared. But she didn’t fear Mother Hu!

Especially not when she had raised such a defiant daughter, who dared to show off in front of her. She wouldn’t tolerate it.

Mother Hu’s chest heaved with anger, but thinking about how her son-in-law was quite decent, and this was his mother, especially since they had split the family, she didn’t want to affect the harmony between her daughter and son-in-law.

But she couldn’t swallow this blatant disdain for her daughter!

She said calmly, “It was the old master of the Fan family who proposed the marriage. He must have had his reasons. If mother-in-law is dissatisfied, you can take it up with him. Maybe he’ll send you a message in a dream tonight.”

Fan’s mother, who had always been obedient to her husband, was terrified of anything related to the afterlife. At the mention of the deceased old master, her arrogance vanished, her face turned pale.

She felt paralyzed, looking around nervously, mumbling, “I, I didn’t mean that.”

Then she hastily added, “The old master’s choice was fine. No need for dreams! I have no complaints.”

Shuiqing almost laughed but held it in.

Her mother was a master at this, quite adept.

Mother Hu, having made her point, didn’t press further. Instead, she turned to her daughter, scolding, “A mother-in-law is like your own mother. You should honor her as such.

I’m here helping with the vegetables, and you’ve left your mother-in-law aside. Those who know might think you’re letting her enjoy life out of respect, but those who don’t might think you don’t get along with her.

You knew that with so many people to feed while building the house, one person couldn’t handle it alone. Quickly make room for your mother-in-law!

Since your husband shouldn’t be in the kitchen, I think kneading dough suits your mother-in-law well.”

Fan’s mother was pleased at first, sneering at Shuiqing. But as she realized where this was going, she sensed trouble. This was about making her work!

She looked at the large lump of dough in the big wooden basin, which took up half of it. Even her strong son struggled to knead it, let alone her.

No, she only gave orders to Sun Jinhua at home now; there was no way she could replace Hu Shuiqing in doing the work.

Neither of her daughters-in-law could make her work; she was their mother-in-law, an elder, and they should serve and honor her!

“Mother-in-law, you don’t know this, but my back, oh, it got strained when I was young, and it hurts a lot. My hands too, after carrying my sons and grandsons so often, I can’t use them much anymore now that I’m older.”

Fan Jin’s fair face turned red with embarrassment.

His mother-in-law had rushed over with his brother-in-law as soon as she heard they were building a house, worried about being late. Without a moment’s rest, she had squatted down to help Shuiqing sort and wash vegetables, and even tried to stop him from kneading dough, treating him with utmost kindness.

In contrast, his own mother had come and immediately started criticizing Shuiqing, feeling sorry for her son’s hardships only verbally, and would never actually take over the work.

He signaled, “Mother, if you’re not going to help, then please don’t criticize.”

He didn’t expect his mother to work; he just hoped she wouldn’t come and cause trouble.

Fan’s mother wanted to retort but, fearing Hu’s mother might really make her work, reluctantly changed her tone, “It’s not that I don’t want to help. If I were in good health, wouldn’t I help? You’re my precious son, I feel for you deeply.”

Fan Jin looked at his elder brother Dabai and the others who had followed, silently listening without intervening.

He knew his mother well enough to realize she was here to secure benefits for Dabai and his family.

Seeing her younger son remain silent, Fan’s mother couldn’t wait any longer and spoke directly, “Son, there’s an old saying: ‘Father and son on the battlefield, brothers to fight tigers.’

I’ve heard you’ve hired almost all the men in the village to build the house. How can you, a scholar, manage so many people?

Your elder brother is steady, and your nephews are clever. Wouldn’t it be best to let your brother oversee the bricklayers and Dabai, Erbai, and the others to oversee the carpenters, ensuring they don’t slack off? That way, the work will be faster and better.”

Fan Jin had always known his mother favored his elder brother’s family, but he was still shocked by her suggestion.

There were only three carpenters; did they need four supervisors?

Moreover, his elder brother was known for his laziness and lack of skills. How could he possibly supervise the bricklayers?

Fan’s mother continued, “I’ve asked around, and you pay the men building the house 23 wen a day, and the men transporting bricks 30 wen a day. Your brother is helping to manage people, so he should get at least 45… no, 50 wen, right?

Dabai and Erbai, although young, are your nephews and the future of our Fan family. They should get at least 35 wen each, don’t you think?”

Fan Qian, Dabai, Erbai, and the other five dusted off their clothes and stepped forward with a leisurely air.

Fan Jin’s eyes darkened, and his expression turned cold.