Chapter 3: Salary

A prostitute who wants to set up a chastity archway! That’s exactly what their eldest son is!

Wu Zhiqiu remained silent, ignoring the eldest son’s pointed glances.

“Big Brother, did a door bolt hit your eyes?” the second son suddenly blurted out, making the already awkward atmosphere even more uncomfortable.

The third son, never one to hold back, burst into laughter.

Even Li Fengchun, who was reading in the corner, chuckled.

The eldest son’s face flushed crimson, and Wang Yue’s expression soured.

“Mom, it’s getting late. How much can our family contribute towards Xingguo’s overseas expenses?” Wang Yue cut to the chase, not wanting to spend another moment in this dilapidated house with these impoverished relatives.

Wu Zhiqiu blinked.

“We haven’t finished discussing the previous matter yet. Let’s settle that first.”

The eldest son and his wife were taken aback, asking in unison, “What matter?”

“It’s the matter of you never buying us anything or contributing a single cent to the family! Eldest son, when you were in university, you knelt before us and promised that after graduation, your salary would go towards supporting your younger siblings’ jobs and marriages! You know that to pay for your education, the second and third son’s salaries were used to cover your living expenses!”

In those days, universities actually received substantial government subsidies; there was no need for family support, and some students could even send money home.

But after Li Xingguo entered university, he met Wang Yue, a student at a technical school near the university.  He spent a lot of money pursuing her—money that came from his brothers’ hard-earned wages.  Wu Zhiqiu, reborn with a new perspective, wasn’t just seeking justice for her second and third sons; she wanted to prevent the eldest son from treating her family like fools!

During her illness, if only the eldest son had shown a little responsibility, their arguments wouldn’t have escalated to such a degree!  And it wasn’t just that; at that time, no one considered the sacrifices their mother had made for them!

Li Xingguo’s face turned pale.

“That’s not possible, we need to live too!” Wang Yue immediately protested.

Wu Zhiqiu ignored her.  She was like a monkey hired for a show, responding to every word and action!

The whole family stared at Li Xingguo, including Li Mancang. He had long resented the eldest son for not contributing his salary to the family, and if Wu Zhiqiu hadn’t stopped him, he would have confronted his eldest son long ago!

Seeing those eyes, the eldest son knew everyone remembered this matter.  Before, his mother had prevented them from asking, so everyone pretended not to know.

Today’s argument with his third brother had touched his mother’s sore spot, prompting her to bring it up.

If he didn’t give the family a satisfactory explanation today, getting money from them for his trip abroad would be difficult!

That wouldn’t do; he absolutely had to go abroad! He needed to appease the family first.

“Mom and Dad, I’m sorry. I was shortsighted. I thought only my younger sister was studying, and you were both working and didn’t need the money, so I didn’t send my salary home!  So, now that I’m married and the family needs some expenses, I’ll send half my salary home from now on!”

“Li Xingguo, are you crazy?  Are we not going to live anymore? Do you know how much half your salary is?” Wang Yue’s face contorted with anger, abandoning her intellectual facade and screaming hysterically at the eldest son.

Normally, Wang Yue was intelligent, but when it came to money, she lost it! Because her family was from the countryside, she sent most of her salary home to support her parents. Now, with half her salary gone, how would they live?

Could they maintain their current lifestyle?  It was like taking her life!

Li Xingguo quickly pulled Wang Yue back from her outburst.

“Wife, it’s right to be filial to our parents! When I was in university, our parents and siblings suffered a lot!”  As he spoke, he firmly held Wang Yue’s hand, hoping she would regain her composure.

Wu Zhiqiu observed her eldest son’s words, her eyes filled with sarcasm. This selfish eldest son was still playing games, his tone and expression suggesting that the whole family was forcing him to give money!

“Eldest son, if you want to act, go home and do it. No one here is buying tickets!”

While Wang Yue genuinely felt heartache, there was certainly an element of acting involved. The eldest son, needless to say, was fully cooperating with her, showing their difficulties to their parents and siblings, especially their mother.  If their mother felt sorry for him, he wouldn’t have to give the money.

Now that their mother had exposed them, both of them were embarrassed.

The other children looked at their mother in disbelief.  Their mother had always been the most protective of the eldest brother. What was going on today? Had she taken some medicine? Or had the eldest son and daughter-in-law truly angered her?

Regardless, the other children felt a sense of satisfaction. The eldest brother had taken advantage of the family for so many years, and upon returning, he was still treated like an ancestor. If he had acted like a proper eldest brother, it would have been fine, but his selfishness was unbearable. He didn’t help the family at all, always putting on a virtuous act when he came back, then leaving with bags and bags of things. The neighbors had whispered a lot behind his back!

“Mom, I’m sorry, I wasn’t acting. Starting next month, I’ll give half my salary to the family,” the eldest son said, bravely meeting Wu Zhiqiu’s sarcastic gaze.

“Don’t wait until next month. Today is the 3rd. Your salary comes out on the 5th, so let’s start this month!” Wu Zhiqiu said calmly.

The eldest son had wanted to delay it until next month, but his mother didn’t give him the chance.

“No! Absolutely not!” Wang Yue immediately objected.

Wu Zhiqiu had initially ignored this jumping-around daughter-in-law, but she was truly too much.

“Eldest son’s wife, since your husband graduated, his salary has always been sent to your family, hasn’t it?” Wu Zhiqiu stated with certainty. In her past life, she had overheard this from her second daughter-in-law, but no one in the family knew about it now. The eldest son had kept it a secret.

At these words, everyone’s gaze focused on the eldest son’s wife.

Even the usually silent Li Mancang was shocked to look at his eldest son.

“Eldest son, you’ve been married for two years, and your wife still sends her salary to her parents’ home? Are you not living together? Did you marry a wife or become a son-in-law?”

“What son-in-law? We gave them eight hundred yuan as a bride price when they got married!” Wu Zhiqiu said impatiently.

Wang Yue’s most private secret was revealed by her mother-in-law in front of everyone. This was what she feared most—letting her husband’s family know that even after marriage, she still sent her salary to her parents’ home. How could she hold her head high in her husband’s family?

She looked at the eldest son in disbelief. “Li Xingguo, how could you tell your mother this? You promised me!”

Wang Yue screamed hysterically!

“I didn’t say it!” The eldest son quickly explained when confronted by his wife’s question. “Mom, who told you this nonsense? It’s not true!” The eldest son’s reaction was much faster than his wife’s. If this was confirmed, not only would his wife lose face, but he wouldn’t be able to hold his head high in this family either!

“Nonsense? Should we go to the post office together to check your wife’s remittance records? I’ve given you face repeatedly, but don’t think your parents are fools!”

Wu Zhiqiu a fool?  Don’t be ridiculous. She had only been somewhat lenient with her children, hoping for family harmony.

Outside, Wu Zhiqiu had been strong all her life, whether at work, in her neighborhood, or with her husband’s and parents’ families. Who dared to call Wu Zhiqiu a fool!