Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Chen Xiaolian didn't know what the future held, but at present, she faced unemployment, an unreliable mother, and a mother-in-law who exploited her. It was truly remarkable that she could make such a significant decision at this time.

"Xiaolian, we'll be outside. If you need anything, just let us know. I'll come and inform you when your in-laws arrive."

After giving these few words of advice, Bai Xiuxiu got up and left.

Once Bai Xiuxiu was gone, Chen Xiaolian drank a few sips of water and held her daughter, who had cried herself to sleep, in her arms. Her eyes gradually grew resolute.

Her life had already taken this path, but her Xiao Bao couldn't follow it.

Now, her mother-in-law exploited her, and when Xiao Bao grew up, she would likely face the same treatment.

Xiao Bao was still so young and knew nothing.

While Xiao Bao was still unaware, she needed to protect her from such a life.

At noon, the people at the neighborhood office were already warming their lunch by the stove when the Qiao family finally arrived.

A group of people entered the room: Old Qiao, Grandma Qiao, their eldest son and his wife, and Chen Xiaolian's husband, Qiao Sanzhuang.

He lived up to his name, being both strong and sturdy.

His appearance was honest and straightforward.

His skin was somewhat dark, and his clothes had more patches than those of the other Qiao family members.

With so many people present, Grandma Qiao felt emboldened and started shouting as soon as she entered, "Where is that heartless vixen?"

"Mother-in-law Qiao, your words are too harsh. Is this how you intend to solve problems?" Director Wang frowned at her.

Beside her, the eldest son's wife hurried to smooth things over, "Director Wang, please don't misunderstand. My mother isn't usually like this; she's just very angry. Why must a happy family split up?

Think about it, wouldn't it be much harder and sadder if we split up?

Living together, we can support each other.

When my mother mentioned it at home, we were all stunned.

Why can't everything be discussed calmly? Why must we insist on splitting up?"

"Stop trying to explain to us. I'll call her out, but I want to make it clear that no more harsh words will be tolerated," Director Wang ignored the eldest son's wife's words.

He glanced at Xiao Tang in the corner, "Xiao Tang, go and tell her to come out."

Xiao Tang had been in a daze, secretly venting her frustration. Suddenly being ordered to do something, she was quite unwilling. She entered the tea room and grumbled, "Hurry up and come out.

You have ears, don't you? With all the noise outside, how could you not hear it?

Do I really have to relay this message?"

Chen Xiaolian felt embarrassed, her expression stiffening. She opened her mouth, wanting to say sorry.

Outside, Bai Xiuxiu's voice rang out first, "Xiaolian, come out quickly."

After saying this, Bai Xiuxiu got up and pulled Xiao Tang out, her gaze colder than ever before, "Xiao Tang, don't bring your personal emotions into work.

Bullying those who truly need help because you lack skills?

That's all you'll amount to in life."

"You! What right do you have to speak to me like that!" Xiao Tang's voice wasn't loud, but her face was red with anger, wishing she could strangle Bai Xiuxiu on the spot.

Bai Xiuxiu gave her a cold look and ignored her.

She returned to her seat and let Chen Xiaolian sit beside her.

Seeing his wife and child, Qiao Sanzhuang was puzzled, "Wife, what's going on today? What's wrong with our home? Why are you insisting on a split? This is like stabbing my parents in the heart."

"What's wrong?" Chen Xiaolian cried even harder.

How could he say such things?

"Do you not know what kind of life I've been living at home? You always tell me to endure, but I can't take it anymore. I can't go on like this.

Mother has become more and more unreasonable, making me do all the housework. I serve the entire family alone and can't even get enough to eat.

Recently, she won't even let me sit at the dinner table.

The eldest son's child gets an egg every meal, but our child hasn't had one in half a year.

I can bear my own hardships, but I can't let my daughter suffer with me.

In this cold winter, Mother makes me wash clothes in cold water, saying coal is too expensive and heating water is wasteful. Look at my hands, covered in chilblains. Have you seen them?"

Chen Xiaolian questioned her husband.

Qiao Sanzhuang fell silent.

"I made you do so much work, and that was my fault. Didn't I say we'd share the workload from now on? Isn't that enough?" Grandma Qiao continued to placate her daughter-in-law.

She didn't believe it when there were fewer people, but surely she would believe it with so many witnesses?

Chen Xiaolian glanced at Grandma Qiao and laughed coldly, "I don't believe your words. When my daughter was born, you took advantage of my husband being out buying brown sugar to throw her into the western mountain.

What haven't you done?

I've had enough of these past two years."

As she spoke, Chen Xiaolian once again met her husband's eyes, tears welling up in hers: "I know you're a filial son, and I understand that asking for a separate household is difficult for you.

But you are a filial son, and I want to be a good mother to our daughter.

If you still care about us, then let’s have a separate household.

We can manage on our own behind closed doors; from now on, all the hardships and joys will be our own affairs. If our life improves, even if we live separately, we can still be filial to your parents.

But if you only think of the Old Qiao family and your parents, then let’s get a divorce.

If your family doesn’t like our daughter, I’ll take her and find another home. Consider it a way to give me and your daughter a chance to live.

After all… we are a family."

Chen Xiaolian’s voice choked with emotion as she finished speaking.

Qiao Sanzhuang had never wanted to separate the household, but seeing his wife crying so bitterly, holding their child who was still unaware of what was happening, and noticing the chilblains on her hands, he suddenly felt less resolute.

He had married at over thirty, and his wife had never looked down on him despite his lack of ambition. Ever since she came into his life, his home had become more lively.

He knew she had endured a lot, but he was used to following his parents’ wishes, thinking it was only right for his wife to help be filial.

He hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point.

At home, he had heard the old lady crying and complaining, thinking his wife was being too unreasonable.

But now, hearing his wife’s grievances, he began to waver, unsure of what to do.

"Sanzhuang, our parents raised us with great difficulty. Haven't we been living a good life these past years? If we separate, life won’t be as comfortable as it is now."

Seeing that Qiao Sanzhuang didn’t outright refuse but instead hesitated, Qiao Dazhuang grew anxious.

"That’s right, Sanzhuang, don’t just listen to your wife. She’s still living with you, yet her mother is already planning to find her another home.

She knows you’re filial, so she’s forcing you to separate, but in reality, she wants a divorce and to find someone else."

Qiao Dazhuang’s wife also chimed in to complain.

Separating the household was absolutely out of the question!