Yu Li had only been working for a short time, and her wages were pitifully low.
Yan Jiecheng did not work at the steel mill either, so his wages were not much higher.
That was why the two of them had decided to split the household without splitting the kitchen, continuing to eat with his parents.
No matter how Yan Bugui calculated it, he felt there was a gap in the family budget that had not been filled.
In the end, he realized that gap was Yu Li's wages. Though they were not much, the Yan family had to count every penny.
It just so happened that Yan Jiecheng and Yu Li were due to be paid, so he brought up having Yu Li hand over her wages.
Yu Li had already been holding in her anger. The moment she heard her father-in-law say that, her face darkened.
"Dad! Are you saying that since I married into the Yan family, I eat one bowl of rice too many? Are you trying to drive Jiecheng and me out to set up our own household?"
Yan Bugui sighed. "Sigh! Yu Li, that is not right. We are family. If we split up only a month or so after you got married, would that not make us a laughingstock?"
"Oh? So if you are not trying to split the household, are you trying to drive me out?" Yu Li dared to say whatever she wanted and showed her father-in-law no courtesy at all.
"Th-this... that is even more impossible! You are the Yan family's eldest daughter-in-law, part of the Yan family. I treat you just like my own daughter!"
"Then because I eat one extra bite, you ask for my wages? Jiecheng and I were even talking about having a child. Looking at things now, forget it. Even if we had one, it would starve to death!"
"Oh, listen to what you are saying! Was I not discussing it with you two? If it does not work, then forget it. If this plan will not work, we will cross it out."
Yan Bugui had not expected his daughter-in-law to be so willing to tear off all pretenses, giving him no face at all.
And his son Yan Jiecheng had remained silent beside her the whole time. It was obvious he was backing Yu Li up.
Yan Bugui felt like he was riding a tiger and could not get off, so Third Mistress hurried over to smooth things over.
"Yu Li, do not overthink it. Your dad just said it casually. As long as I have a bite to eat in this house, so do you."
Yu Li said sulkily, "Forget it, Mom. Do not set out an extra pair of chopsticks for me today. I just will not eat, all right?"
With that, her eyes reddened and she walked out. Yan Jiecheng hurried after her.
Third Mistress shook her head. "Old Yan, you were too hasty. Could you not have waited a few months before bringing it up?"
Yan Bugui spread his hands. "Th-this, I had barely said anything. Sigh, there is definitely no chance now. Hurry and persuade her to come back!"
Just as Third Mistress was about to chase after her, Yan Jiecheng lifted the door curtain and came back in.
With a long face, he said, "Mom, do not go after her. Yu Li went to Lou Xiao'e's place."
Third Mistress breathed a sigh of relief. "Yu Li and Lou Xiao'e have become close lately. Maybe she will eat at her house. It would be good if Lin Zhen and Lou Xiao'e could talk her through it."
The second son, Yan Jiefang, laughed. "Brother, you are not worried? Lin Zhen used to propose to Sister-in-law."
Yan Jiecheng said impatiently, "What nonsense are you talking? I am not as petty as Jia Dongxu, and your sister-in-law is not that kind of woman!"
Third Mistress angrily smacked Yan Jiefang on the head. "How can you spout nonsense like that about your own sister-in-law?"
Yan Bugui said helplessly, "All right, all right. Let us eat."
Yan Jiecheng asked, "Dad, then what about Yu Li's wages?"
"We will not bring it up again."
"What about mine?"
"Of course you have to hand yours over. Two people eating, yet you will not pay for meals?"
Yan Jiecheng chuckled. "Dad, Yu Li said that my little bit of wages should be saved for our future life. It was fine to give it to you before we got married, but after marriage, we have to save it for our future child. Otherwise, the two of us will be just like First Elder and never give you a grandson for the rest of your life. If that is what you like, here, this is my wages for the month. Take good care of them!"
"Yan Jiecheng, you!"
Yan Jiecheng spread his hands helplessly. "That is the attitude of the two of us. What becomes of the Yan family is entirely up to you!"
Seeing this, Third Mistress sighed. "This matter ends here today. We will not mention it again. Jiecheng, put your money away and eat!"
Yan Jiecheng put away the money and sat down grandly, waiting for the meal to begin.
He was delighted inside. His wife's outburst had instead freed him from Father's shackles. From now on, the two of them could save money together.
Third Master Yan Bugui had swallowed bitter medicine in silence, unable to voice his grievances. He was someone who cared about appearances.
They could fall out at home, but the courtyard absolutely could not find out. He could not let the neighbors laugh at them.
That meant his eldest son's family would save money for their own life.
The Yan family's seven mouths would all have to depend on his wages alone.
Sigh! If he had known, he would not have brought up taking Yu Li's wages today. He was getting old, and his authority was no longer enough!
Yan Bugui regretted it so much his guts turned green. He had no appetite at all as he ate.
Meanwhile, Yu Li was already happily chatting with Lou Xiao'e.
She truly had been infuriated by her father-in-law's stingy calculations. After tearing off all pretenses and falling out with him, she had come to Lou Xiao'e to complain.
Lin Zhen's family had just set their meal on the table and were preparing to eat.
Stewed cabbage with vermicelli, preserved radish strips stir-fried with pork cracklings, two small bowls heaped full of dishes, several white-flour steamed buns, and noodle soup.
There was not even any coarse grain on the table.
Yu Li truly envied Lou Xiao'e.
Lin Zhen and Lou Xiao'e were not stingy people, and Yu Li had gotten along fairly well with everyone since moving into the courtyard.
When they saw her arrive with red eyes, they asked what had happened. Upon learning that she had fallen out with her father-in-law and was refusing to eat out of spite, they invited her to sit down and join them.
Lou Xiao'e asked, "So from now on, you and Yan Jiecheng will keep all your money yourselves?"
Yu Li said proudly, "I was not planning to do that at first. But since the old man is calculating against us like this, I have to strike back."
Lin Zhen smiled. "Well, this is good. Third Master's scheme backfired, and he brought it on himself. From now on, he will have to pinch pennies even harder!"
Yu Li smiled. "Hmph, he asked for it! If he plans like this for his whole life, he should not expect me to be filial to him. What do you think, Lin Zhen?"
Lin Zhen spread his hands. "It is your family matter. I cannot guess."
Yu Li took a bite of preserved radish strips stir-fried with pork cracklings. They were so fragrant she almost bit her tongue, fresh and numbing on the tongue.
Surprised, she said, "Xiao'e, did you cook this? It is so fragrant, so numbing!"
Lou Xiao'e said happily, "You have to add plenty of Sichuan peppercorns to this dish. Lin Zhen taught me that. Back when I was still living with my parents, I could not cook at all. Now I can make everyday dishes with ease, and I even like cooking."
Yu Li tasted the cabbage as well. It was perfectly seasoned, with wonderful color, aroma, and flavor.
She could not help saying enviously, "Xiao'e, you are so lucky."
Lou Xiao'e glanced at Lin Zhen and giggled. "I really am lucky."
With the two women praising him, Lin Zhen could not sit still. "That is enough. If Yan Jiecheng hears this, he will start overthinking again."
Yu Li smiled. "Do not worry. My Yan Jiecheng is not Jia Dongxu, and I am not Qin Huairu."
The children did not know what the adults were talking about, and they ate quickly. Before long, they were full.
"Dad, I am taking my younger brothers to the back courtyard to play with Bang Geng!"
"Go ahead. Do not come back too late."
"Mm, got it!"
After they finished eating, Yan Jiecheng came over to chat as well. As he spoke of no longer having to hand over his wages, his face was animated with excitement and pride.
As the two families were talking, Silly Zhu brought Bang Geng to the front courtyard.
"Lin Zhen, come out! How do you teach your children? Look what they did to Bang Geng!"
"Waaah... Lin Guo and the other three ganged up and beat me..."
Lin Zhen frowned. They had been in the back courtyard for less than half an hour. Had they not gone there to play? How had they started fighting?
He hurried outside to look. Good grief, Bang Geng really was in a sorry state.
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