Chapter 62

Chapter 62

"Sister-in-law, we're all family. Whether you work for the Women's Federation or I do, it's the same. After all, any extra income we earn is shared equally among us, right?" Zhou Jiaojiao thought through various scenarios and decided to take control of Bai Xiuxiu's future salary first.

Now that the job was more respectable, the money should still go to the family, shouldn't it? It couldn't be that everything good went to Bai Xiuxiu alone, could it?

Finally, they were getting to the point?

Bai Xiuxiu sat back down on her stool.

The family brightened when Zhou Jiaojiao brought up this topic.

Zhao Guifen found a new excuse: "That's right, Old Fifth's wife is correct. I was just worried about you before. I thought you wouldn't have to work and could still share in the earnings, but who knew you wouldn't appreciate it?"

"Eldest Sister-in-law, our family rules can't be changed willy-nilly," Wang Shoucheng said, feeling relieved. Old Fifth's wife was much smarter than his own.

Although the Women's Federation didn't pay much, it still shouldn't benefit Eldest Brother's family.

And it wasn't a small amount over the course of a year!

Bai Xiuxiu watched their performance. Once they had finished speaking, she smiled. "You mentioned that it's extra income. If I join the Women's Federation, I won't have to work in the fields anymore. My husband won't have to do extra work for me either.

This isn't extra income."

Zhao Guifen became even more excited. "Isn't that better? The regular income of the family is in my hands."

"Oh, speaking of which, I wanted to tell you that from this year onward, the grain and money my husband and I receive in autumn will no longer be handled by you." Bai Xiuxiu spoke casually.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, are you trying to split the family?" Wang Shoucheng narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat fierce.

"No? Didn't we still pool our money together? We still need to divide what we find in the mountains among ourselves. How could we be splitting the family?" Bai Xiuxiu asked them in surprise.

Wang Shoucheng felt uneasy. "What do you mean? This matter can't be agreed upon by your mother, your brothers, and me."

"If you don't agree? Everyone in the village knows about the things we find in the mountains. Perhaps the team leader might even give me credit for it. Anyway, with or without the harvest from the mountains, I can manage." With that, she picked up the two children and started to leave.

"Don't let her go! She's really going too far. All of you, stop her quickly."

Wang Shoucheng finally couldn't hold back his anger after days of suppressing it and shouted loudly.

The other men in the family got up to stop her, but Wang Qinghe blocked them alone.

Wang Qinghe took the stick used for mixing cement and soil and held it in his hand, standing in front of his wife as he looked at his brothers.

"Eldest Brother, what do you mean by this?" Wang Shoucheng was stunned. What was his eldest son doing? Was he planning to attack his younger brothers?

Wang Qinghe looked at Wang Shoucheng and spoke in the same tone as usual. "I don't care what you think about the family. I've done whatever you've asked me to do. But no one is allowed to touch Xiuxiu. Whatever she wants to do, no one can interfere.

Dad, anyway, they can't beat me. They shouldn't make a move, and I won't either. Don't waste money taking them to the doctor."

"Have you lost your mind? Your wife is cutting off our family's source of income!" Wang Shoucheng was so angry that he wished he could overturn the table.

"You could just agree to her demands. Xiuxiu isn't asking for your lives," Wang Qinghe thought this whole family was being unreasonable. Xiuxiu and he hadn't caused trouble for anyone else; they were the ones causing trouble for Xiuxiu.

So what if Xiuxiu didn't like working? He did it, didn't he?

So what if she wanted to keep the money herself? Wasn't it hers?

She used to do whatever she wanted. Why couldn't she do so after marrying him?

Wang Shoucheng felt as if someone had grabbed his throat, unable to utter a single word in response to his son's audacious words.

The biggest mistake he had ever made was giving in to Wang Qinghe that time and bringing Bai Xiuxiu into the family!

This Bai Xiuxiu—was she really a daughter-in-law? She was more like a troublemaker.

Bai Xiuxiu stood behind Wang Qinghe, thoroughly enjoying the sight of her family's frustration.

"What if she keeps the money herself, and your other brothers want to do the same?" Wang Shoucheng asked his eldest son unhappily.

"That's their business. We won't interfere. Anyway, if I can't keep the money myself this year, there won't be any more good fortune from the mountains for our family," Bai Xiuxiu remained unmoved.

Zhao Cuihua was a little tempted, but she still had some sense.

Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law could do this because Eldest Brother worked hard, and Father-in-law relied on him to hunt in the mountains.

As for Sister-in-law, Father-in-law knew that she could cause a complete breakdown, cutting off the family's source of income.

But the others couldn't do it!

Everyone needed money. Second Sister-in-law would rather stretch a penny to be worth ten. As for her, she needed money for both her natal family and herself. As for Fourth Brother's family? Although Chen Fang's parents seemed well-off, Chen Fang also had older and younger brothers.

It was enough that they didn't ask for anything from her.

Old Fifth and his wife were the key figures in this matter and would never cut off the family's source of income.

If Sister-in-law acted badly and forced Zhou Jiaojiao to lead the way to find things, then everything would belong to the village in the future.

Then, the reputation would be Sister-in-law's, the benefits would be everyone's, and they would be left with nothing.

Therefore, only Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law could bring this up.

How happy would it be to keep the money themselves?

After a standoff, Wang Shoucheng conceded. "Fine, we'll do as you say. When the autumn harvest comes, you two can keep your share. You can also keep your salary!"

Wang Shoucheng felt even more depressed. He had originally thought that if he couldn't squeeze any more money out of his eldest son, his eldest daughter-in-law's salary would be a good alternative.

But now, his eldest daughter-in-law had caused this commotion.

The harvest from the mountains far exceeds the wages of the Eldest Brother's wife.

Bai Xiuxiu has gauged this family's thoughts well; after causing more trouble, they should propose the division of the household soon enough.

Before that happens, she needs to get as much as she can from this family. Besides, the fish she's been reeling in should be biting soon. Old Fifth's wife hated her in her previous life, which is why she had someone push her into the water. She probably hates her even more now, doesn't she?

This shouldn't take too long either.

She must first send Old Fifth's wife's sister-in-law from her natal home to prison! Ideally, she could drag Old Fifth's wife out with her.

Soon enough, the entire family retreated from the main house.

After Zhou Jiaojiao came out, seeing Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe return to their room, the jealousy in her heart was more sour than the vinegar at home.

Going to the Women's Federation? She'd have to have that good fortune!

"Jiaojiao, what are you looking at? Hurry up and go back inside. The most important thing for us right now is to have a child!" Wang Qingqi pulled his wife, noticing her in a daze.

In an instant, Zhou Jiaojiao felt suffocated. "I have something I need to do at my natal home. I'll be back later."

With that, she left Wang Qingqi behind.

Early morning.

Wang Qinghe, after breakfast, started helping his wife prepare the things she needed for today's outing.

Once everything was packed, he headed for the mountains.

Bai Xiuxiu didn't wait long at home before Aunt Jinhua arrived. "Xiuxiu, have you had breakfast yet? Let's go to the brigade."