When everyone heard that Gu Xingye was going to work in the city, they were all very happy for him, especially Li Xiulan and Gu Shoufu, who were even more excited.
“This is all thanks to your third sister-in-law. Tell me, how did you find a job? Twenty-five yuan a month and they provide food and lodging. Such good fortune has fallen upon our Xingye.” Li Xiulan looked at her youngest son, too happy to know what to say.
“Mom, it’s just a temporary job, it’ll only last a few months,” Gu Xingye said, feeling a little embarrassed by her words.
“Didn’t the third sister-in-law say you can learn to drive?” Gu Shoufu interjected. “This is a golden opportunity. You must learn well when you go. Look at how many people in the village want to learn to be farm machine operators, but in the end, it was the branch secretary’s son who was sent to learn.”
Zhang Qin and Gu Xingguo were also happy for Gu Xingye.
“The fourth one is also about to get married. Once he learns to drive, it will be a good asset when looking for a wife,” Gu Xingguo added.
Liu Yuemin watched her family chatter away, already seething with anger. She kicked Gu Xingmin under the table. Before Gu Xingmin could react, he just glared at her and then turned his head away.
“Dad, Mom, if the fourth one is going to work in the city, what about the work in the production team?” Liu Yuemin, seeing that Gu Xingmin remained silent, had to voice the question herself.
Li Xiulan replied, “Naturally, we’ll suspend the work.”
“The grain is distributed based on labor. If such a strong worker like the fourth brother is not here, how much grain will our family lose? And the third brother’s wife often takes leave. Are we supposed to tighten our belts and live frugally?”
She hadn't seen any good fortune for her and her husband, but now they were expected to work hard as oxen and horses. She, Liu Yuemin, was no fool.
Gu Shoufu looked over, “Second daughter-in-law, do you have something to say?”
Liu Yuemin stated, “Dad, Mom, it’s not that you should be so biased. We don’t say anything about the third brother being away and the third sister-in-law often taking leave. But today, I think this job should be given to Xingmin.”
Twenty-five a month, if he could work for half a year, that would be one hundred and fifty yuan. And he could learn to drive. Farm machine operators in the village had higher work points than others, and the work was much easier.
“It’s already decided that the fourth brother is going. How can we go back on our word?” Gu Xingping chimed in.
“The fourth one is all alone. If your second brother goes, at least I’m here to work in our household.”
Li Xiulan’s expression darkened upon hearing her words, “Second daughter-in-law, what do you mean? We are all one family. Why distinguish between your family and my family? Are you trying to split the family?”
“Mom, don’t listen to this old woman’s nonsense,” Gu Xingmin immediately jumped in to smooth things over when he saw the situation was not good.
“However, I think Yuemin has a point. It’s not impossible for the fourth one to go. This can be considered the brothers helping him out. But if he makes money, shouldn’t he share some with us?”
Gu Xingye had been listening to their conversation. He had been quite happy about having a job, but hearing his second brother say this, his face turned red with anger. However, his skin was dark, so it wasn’t very noticeable. He was just breathing heavily through his nostrils.
“Second brother, what do you mean? You’re already thinking of sharing money with me? With Mom and Dad here, have I eaten a grain of your rice? Also, did you and Second Sister-in-law go to the clothing factory and spout nonsense? How could you do something like that? Do you know that Third Sister-in-law can no longer make hairpins because of this matter!”
Gu Xingye was so angry that the veins on his neck bulged.
“What? She can’t make hairpins anymore? What’s going on, Fourth? Clarify what you mean.” Li Xiulan’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing her youngest son’s words and she immediately pressed for an explanation.
“Dad, Mom, you don’t know that my second brother and his wife…”
Gu Xingye didn’t know what words to use to describe it. He paused and continued, “It would have been fine if the engagement didn’t work out and it was called off, but they actually went there and talked nonsense. They said the other party was remarried and considered used goods. The words were so unpleasant that I can’t even repeat them. What do you think anyone would do in this situation? It’s good they didn’t chase me and Third Sister-in-law out with a broom, let alone sell fabric scraps.”
His words stunned everyone else in the house.
“Second son and daughter-in-law, is this true?” Gu Shoufu’s gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over them. Gu Xingmin and Liu Yuemin shivered in unison.
Gu Xingmin forced a smile, “Dad, don’t listen to Fourth Brother’s nonsense. Who knows how this matter reached their ears? It has nothing to do with us as a couple.”
Liu Yuemin chimed in with an agreement, “Yes, Dad. We are all family. How could we do such a thing?”
“Then, Second Sister-in-law, can you explain where your scrap fabric came from?” Chen Lishu asked coldly from the side.
Clearly, things had been fine before. After the two of them went to the town’s clothing factory, their attitude changed. Anyone could figure out what was going on in between.
“Third Sister-in-law, what do you mean? Just because I can buy scrap fabric and you can’t, you’re colluding with Fourth Brother to frame us, aren’t you? Let me tell you, there’s no such logic in the world.” Liu Yuemin saw everyone’s faces change. Despite her guilt, she remained stubborn.
“Second Sister-in-law, righteousness doesn’t depend on volume. You say I’m slandering you both. Then do you and Second Brother dare to go to the clothing factory with me and confront them directly to see if those words were spoken by you?” Chen Lishu’s voice was resonant, her clear, cold gaze fixed on them, causing both of their breathing to hitch.
“I, why should we go confront you? We said we didn’t do it, and that’s that.”
“Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, how could you do something like this? This, we are all family, how could you…?” Gu Xingping was stunned, murmuring incoherently.
“Are you two even human? How could you do such a wicked thing and harm your own family!”
A parent knows their child best. Seeing his shifty eyes, Li Xiulan understood perfectly. She was both angry and disappointed, feeling like hitting him.
“Tomorrow, you two will go with your third sister-in-law to explain yourselves to the other party and apologize. You must clear up the misunderstanding. You must have a clear conscience. If you betray your own family for a few dollars, will you be able to earn money with peace of mind in the future?”
“I’m not going,” Gu Xingmin flatly refused. “Mom, I didn’t say anything. That old man was overthinking it. What does it have to do with me? Besides, if they didn’t sell to Third Sister-in-law, who knows if she and Fourth Brother said something to anger them.”
“You!” Li Xiulan was so angry her pointing finger trembled.
“Enough,” Gu Shoufu, who had been silent, suddenly said. “Everyone, let’s say a few less words.”
Liu Yuemin thought that with his words, the matter was over. She exchanged a glance with Gu Xingmin, a hint of triumph on their faces.
However, Gu Shoufu’s next sentence made them unable to smile.
“Dad, what did you say? You want to divide the family?”