Chapter 130 1/2

In the new year, by August, Yan Lei had stepped down from his position as the military representative of Bocheng County. Captain Zhao took over.

These were all people under Captain Pan’s command.

During this time, Yan Lei wanted to visit his hometown. It had been several years since he last went back. Last year, when his father was seriously ill, he couldn’t fulfill his filial duties, so it was Qiao Wei who went back on his behalf.

There wasn’t much going on at the library, and attending these routine meetings was quite boring. Yan Lei discussed it with Qiao Wei, and she readily agreed.

The couple bought sleeper tickets and took an overnight train back to Yanzhuang.

This time, the village party secretary personally came to pick them up.

This time, Yan Lei’s parents were very hospitable when they welcomed them.

Qiao Wei also kept her promise, clearing up the past misunderstandings.

Gifts were also brought out and distributed, cigarettes, liquor, candies, snacks, clothes, shoes, woolen scarves—things that couldn’t be bought in the countryside.

It was lively and bustling.

Qiao Wei still sat at the table to eat.

When the sisters-in-law saw her, they forced smiles, obviously having been lectured by their parents-in-law or their respective husbands beforehand.

This time, they finally settled in.

Yan Lei’s mother stayed with Qiao Wei in the guesthouse before and knew how clean Qiao Wei was. She tidied up the room for them immaculately.

Lying on the heated bed at night, Yan Lei sighed, “Mother has changed a lot.”

There were many more smiles on her face.

Of course, after a long-standing ailment that had made her feel inferior was gone, and the offensive odor that made people repulsed disappeared, she couldn’t help but become cheerful.

Yan Lei hugged Qiao Wei tightly and said, “Thanks to you.”

But Qiao Wei asked him, “What are you planning to do by coming back?”

Yan Lei admired, “You figured it out?”

Qiao Wei said, “Whatever you do, don’t involve me.”

Yan Lei felt dejected, “Ah.”

Qiao Wei kicked him twice, “You’re so used to being in charge, treating yourself like the head of the household. Have you forgotten I’m just your second daughter-in-law?”

To hold such unrealistic expectations of her.

Perhaps it was also because the other women in the family were difficult to please, Yan Lei deep down hoped Qiao Wei would take charge of the household with him.

Men really love to dream.

According to rural customs, it was the eldest daughter-in-law who should manage the affairs, and there was no way it would fall to the second daughter-in-law. There was no way she would be dragged into these trivial matters.

After the warm reunion, Yan Lei indeed began to organize things at home. The eldest and second daughters, who were married off, also came back to attend the family meeting.

Qiao Wei deliberately took Yan Xiang out for a stroll in the fields to avoid it.

When they returned, indeed, the parents and sisters were smiling, while the sisters-in-law all had stiff faces.

But no one was arguing. Of course, it was likely that when she went out with Yan Xiang, there had already been arguments that Yan Lei had subdued. Perhaps Yan Lei’s return this time was mainly for this matter.

When Yan Lei returned to the room, he voluntarily reported the situation to Qiao Wei without her asking.

He had taken back the financial authority he had previously delegated and transferred it to his own parents.

“I made it clear to them that this money is to support my parents. It was my mistake to allocate it directly before. From now on, it all goes to my parents. I won’t manage it anymore. This money will be managed by my parents. If we don’t separate our finances, then it’s my parents’ money. If we do separate, then I shouldn’t be giving it to them; each household should contribute to support our parents.”

The brothers and sisters-in-law were certainly dissatisfied, but Yan Lei was dominant and not afraid of them.

“After this, for our side of the family, give Mom and Dad 20 yuan each per month.”

“For my elder and second elder sisters, I’ll give them each 30 yuan per year separately, not through this allocation.”

During the family meetings, there must have been arguments and unpleasantness, but the effects of the distribution plan reform were immediate.

Even Qiao Wei, who was only staying for a few days, could feel the change in attitude from her sisters-in-law towards her in-laws, especially towards her mother-in-law. They became much more attentive.

What was Yan Lei aiming for by giving money to the family? Wasn’t it just so his brothers and their wives could treat his parents better, and so everyone’s life could be a bit better?

In fact, as long as the parents had money, life wouldn’t be difficult.

But if the parents held the money in their hands, their own lives would be even better.

This trip back to the hometown was much more peaceful compared to Qiao Wei’s solo trip back a year ago.

Especially Yan Lei’s mother, even her eyes expressed genuine affection for Qiao Wei, his second daughter-in-law.

Others could only guess, but she was one hundred percent sure that the reason Yan Lei suddenly came back to handle this matter was because Qiao Wei had said something to him.

After all, it was Qiao Wei who had initially told her initially to “hold onto the money in your own hands.”

The two elder sisters-in-law were also affectionate towards her. They hadn’t seen each other last time, but they finally met this time, and they also showed concern for her.

Many dried fruits and sweet potatoes were brought back for Yan Xiang. Being able to bring out these things showed that life was going relatively well.

In stark contrast were the three sisters-in-law.

Their faces were all grim, but they didn’t dare to confront Yan Lei—he was the main financial provider—nor did they dare to confront Qiao Wei—she had already shown her strength a year ago.

A year ago, they complained to relatives and villagers about how Qiao Wei returned home and left immediately without staying. 

Others said, “Your father-in-law is barely able to walk now, but as soon as your second brother and his wife came back, they rushed to the provincial capital to treat your father-in-law’s illness. What, do you still think they left too quickly?”

Then they complained that after visiting, she didn’t return.

Others said, “She has to work. Do you know what it’s like to work? If you miss a day of work, they deduct a day’s salary. If she doesn’t go back, when her salary is all deducted, who will send you money to spend?”

They changed their tune to complain that she didn’t bring anything back from her hometown. They didn’t see any cigarettes, liquor, candies, or gifts.

Others said, “What do you mean there wasn’t anything? The mill the brigade just bought, wasn’t that donated money?”

In short, if anyone dared to say that Yan Lei’s city wife wasn’t good, from village cadres to villagers, they would all argue with you, giving you enough evidence that she was already good enough.

Father-in-law, mother-in-law, and Yan Zhu, the three of them, couldn’t praise her enough.

“Oh my, you guys didn’t see it. The director of the provincial capital hospital personally came to pick us up. We stayed in a single room, and the head surgeon performed the operation for Zhu Zhu’s dad.”

“The doctors and nurses were very respectful to us. They all knew we have a formidable daughter-in-law.”

“They’re all afraid of her!”

“Don’t underestimate her. Once she puts on that hat and tightens her belt, even I’m afraid.”

The three of them came back and first called the third and fourth sons into the room to scold them.