Chapter 33 – She Gave Her Job to Her Needy Younger Brother. What Did She Do Wrong?

Ning Zhiyuan felt uneasy. Halfway through walking, he suddenly broke into a run.

The guard behind him chased after him, panting heavily, and in the end, could only watch his figure disappear into the distance.

As soon as he reached the communication room, the phone started ringing. He quickly picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Zhiyuan?”

Ning Zhiyuan confirmed, “Dad?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Once he heard his father’s voice, Ning Zhiyuan was certain who it was.

The father and son rarely communicated directly; most of the time, messages were passed through Gu Nanzhi.

Ning Zhiyuan paused for a moment. “Dad, did you call because something happened?”

“Mm-hmm. Originally, your mother was going to call, but considering you’re about to get married and become a husband, I thought it’d be more appropriate for me, as your father, to have a talk with you.”

Ning Zhiyuan was stunned. Why did his father’s tone sound almost… kind?

It must be his imagination!

Since childhood, his father had treated him and his older brother like soldiers. But because his brother’s health wasn’t great, he gave up midway with an excuse. After that, their father poured all his energy into him, becoming stricter and more demanding.

Even now, when his brother reminisced, he would sometimes joke-complain about their childhood—only to be quickly rebuked by their parents.

They always said the elder brother was the one who gave up and had no one else to blame.

Snapping back to the present, Ning Zhiyuan said, “Dad, just say what you want to say.”

Commander Ning spoke slowly and earnestly, “I’ve watched Xiaoyu grow up. She’s always been smart and quick to learn—faster than most.”

“If it weren’t for her current situation, her future could’ve been a thousand or even ten thousand times brighter.”

“I didn’t dare to propose marriage to her family rashly.”

“Now that she’s willing to travel across the country to marry you and start a life together, it’s not easy for her.”

“So in your daily life, you must respect her, love her, and be considerate.”

“No couple is without conflict. What matters is communication and mutual understanding.”

“No matter how much anger or frustration you encounter outside, you must never bring that home.”

“She’s your partner, your loved one.”

“…”

Ning Zhiyuan was completely stunned. Was this really his father?

His father had never had heart-to-heart talks with him. His expectations had always been rigid commands: how many laps to run, how many sit-ups to do—never anything emotional.

He opened his mouth and said, “Dad, I understand. I will definitely treat Xiaoyu well.”

“Mm-hmm. Next, I need to talk to you about the dowry arrangements.”

“Seven years ago, when your older brother got married, we gave an 800 yuan bride price.”

“And the traditional ‘three turns and one sound’—a bicycle, a sewing machine, a wristwatch, and a radio.”

“We also had a brand-new bed, wardrobe, vanity, sofa, and coffee table custom-made.”

“Considering inflation now, we’ll give you 1,000 yuan as a dowry. As for the ‘three turns and one sound’ and the furniture, we’ll just give you the cash equivalent.”

“Also, over the past eight years you’ve been in the army, you sent home money every month—altogether it adds up to about 2,000 yuan. Your mother and I haven’t touched a single cent. It’s all been saved in the savings bank, and we’ll send it to you all at once.”

Ning Zhiyuan quickly responded, “Dad, that money was for you and Mom. I’m far away in Fujian Province and can’t visit often…”

Commander Ning interrupted him, “You’ve always been the one your mom and I felt most at ease about—the most promising child in our family.”

“As long as you’re safe and healthy, that’s all we care about.”

“Don’t worry about trying to repay us. Your mom and I have our pensions. Just live your life well.”

Since his father put it like that, Ning Zhiyuan stopped arguing.

“You’ll be living on base after the marriage, eating and sleeping there. No need to keep sending money home.”

“Your mother and I decided to give you an additional 3,000 yuan as a settling-in fund for you and Xiaoyu.”

Ning Zhiyuan protested, “Dad, that’s too much. I can’t take it from you.”

Commander Ning immediately said, “It’s not too much.”

“Your older brother, sister-in-law, and nephew have been living with us for years. Your mother and I haven’t taken a penny from them. If we were being fair, giving you 3,000 yuan is too little!”

After hearing that, Ning Zhiyuan accepted it.

Anyway, if his parents gave him money, he’d keep it for now—and if they ever needed it, he’d never hesitate to give back.

Back at home, as soon as Commander Ning hung up the phone, he caught sight of someone standing by the stairwell.

Of course he knew it was his eldest daughter-in-law, Tang Anning.

Tang Anning used to work at a textile factory. When she heard that Ning Zhiyuan was getting married, she immediately gave her job to her younger brother from her maiden family—without even discussing it with her husband!

If their eldest son hadn’t gotten into an argument with her, he and his wife might’ve never found out.

They were furious when they learned the truth.

Tang Anning was basically rubbing her selfish plans right in their faces!

Wasn’t this all because she was afraid her future sister-in-law might take advantage?

But she had never contributed a single cent to them since marrying in. What exactly was she so afraid of?

Even the money from their eldest son was always refused. They had pensions, so they tried to help when they could.

They had already done more than most parents in similar situations. If she still wasn’t satisfied, then they’d just slowly stop helping out.

Once the younger son married, they’d let the elder son’s family move out. When they got older, they’d rely on their pensions and just ask the children to visit occasionally.

With that thought, Commander Ning’s expression turned stern and his eyes grew cold.

“Anning, what are you standing there for?”

“If you have something to say, come say it directly.”

Tang Anning froze. She hadn’t expected to be caught eavesdropping on her father-in-law’s call.

She frowned, didn’t speak right away, and slowly came downstairs.

Some things needed to be said now, or else once the younger couple settled in, anything she said would seem like pointless bickering.

She took a deep breath and said slowly, “Dad, I think this is unfair.”

“Zhiyuan has a higher salary and better benefits. His family’s financial situation is already good—they don’t need money.”

“Giving them 3,000 yuan as a settling fund is really too much.”

Then she changed the subject. “When I got married, the dowry was only 800 yuan. Why should they get 1,000?”

Before Commander Ning could respond, a sharp voice rang out from the doorway:

“Because she didn’t keep a single cent from the bride price like you did! Because she wouldn’t pull a disgusting move like giving her job to her own brother the second her brother-in-law is about to get married!”

Tang Anning bit her lower lip hard, her eyes turning red. Her fingers trembled slightly with anger.

The younger brother-in-law didn’t even have a job! She gave hers to her needy brother—what exactly did she do wrong?