Chapter 055: Shooting Yourself in the Foot

Chapter 055: Shooting Yourself in the Foot

This Boss Li is truly unreasonable. Doesn't he know what his own wife is like? Yet he still helps to cover for her!

Their second son's temper is such that he only tore off the roof; it's only because they share the same mother.

Poor Wenfeng's wife, she couldn't bear a son in two pregnancies, dragging that small frame and taking care of three children.

In front of Mrs. Li, who favors boys over girls, and the eldest daughter-in-law who constantly schemes against them, their future days will be even harder.

Their speculations were conservative.

They didn't even have to wait for the future; Mrs. Li was already incited by the eldest daughter-in-law.

After the wheat harvest, Fan Qingyi had almost finished her confinement period. The only school in the villages began notifying about the next semester's book fees and miscellaneous expenses.

Li Liuli and Li Zhenzhu would be entering fourth grade after summer vacation, with a total of 25 for books and fees each, making 50 for both.

In previous years, although Mrs. Li didn't like her granddaughters, Li Wenfeng had made it clear that girls must go to school, especially his daughters.

The money sent home must be used for his daughters' education, or he wouldn't send any more.

No matter how much Mrs. Li cursed in private or how unwilling she was, she always paid the fees.

This time, she refused to pay.

Because the eldest daughter-in-law told her, "Mom, on the day Uncle Wenfeng left, he secretly gave his wife a bunch of ten-yuan bills! At least five or six hundred."

"You're lying!"

Mrs. Li initially didn't believe it. "The second son said it wasn't time for the allowance yet. Where did he get the money to give that wench?"

"Just because he said so? Mom, the military can issue allowances early. Otherwise, why hasn't the money been sent back after so long? Because he took the money himself and won't have any left to send you."

The eldest daughter-in-law analyzed earnestly, trying to convince Mrs. Li. "If I were you, I wouldn't pay. Then the second son's wife would have to pay herself, and you could make her buy you some odds and ends..."

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly lit up. "Mom, if Sangchen and his girlfriend get together, they could get married by the end of the year. You could ask the second aunt to take out two hundred to buy clothes for Sangchen's girlfriend..."

"Can't you live without taking advantage every day?"

Mrs. Li glared at her. "You say you want to buy things for me, but I see you just want to pocket the money the second son gave his wife!"

She spat fiercely at the eldest daughter-in-law.

"As long as I'm alive, anything taken will be taken by me! Who do you think you are?"

The eldest daughter-in-law cursed inwardly, calling her a dead old woman, but dared not show it, only giving a dry smile.

"Mom is right. As a daughter-in-law, she should respect you. Look at your patched clothes; soon we'll visit relatives after the wheat harvest. Let the second son's wife get you some cloth to make new clothes!"

These words pleased Mrs. Li greatly.

She was moved.

"You're right."

Mrs. Li stared at the second household like a piece of fatty meat ready to be rendered. "Make her hand over all the money!"

Saying this, she rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a broom, and headed over.

The eldest daughter-in-law was practically overjoyed.

She glanced fiercely at the second household, thinking, a fight would be great!

"Second son's wife..."

Just as Mrs. Li knocked on the door with the broom, a group of women chattered and rushed into the courtyard.

"Wenfeng's mother, what are you doing?"

Aunt Song's face changed when she saw Mrs. Li's appearance.

She quickly walked to the second household's door, frowning at Mrs. Li. "Who are you going to hit with that broom?"

"What are you doing here?"

Mrs. Li looked at the people present, annoyed. "This is our family business, none of your concern."

She pointed the broom at Aunt Song. "Get out of the way, or I won't be responsible if you get hit."

"Auntie, Wenfeng asked us to look after you before he left, to prevent you from bullying his wife..."

Speaking was Aunt Zhou, who visited almost daily, looking down on Mrs. Li. "Look at how you, the wicked mother-in-law, are about to bully your kind-hearted daughter-in-law. Is this any of our business?!"

Mrs. Li, "...Who are you calling ugly?!"

Aunt Zhou sneered. "Take a good look in the mirror and see if you're ugly!"

"You're ugly, your whole family is ugly!" Mrs. Li couldn't bear it and cursed back immediately.

The two started arguing about who was uglier.

The eldest daughter-in-law, "..."

She sighed and tried to mediate. "Mom, you just wanted clothes from your daughter-in-law, not to beat the second son's wife. Why argue with Aunt Zhou?"

Mrs. Li paused, glaring at Aunt Zhou.

Aunt Zhou gave the eldest daughter-in-law a few more looks.

Laughing, he called out to Mrs. Li, "Your eldest daughter-in-law wants to buy you new clothes?"

Just as Elder Sister Li was about to say she had no money, Aunt Zhou added, "Their whole family relies on the money Wenfeng sends back. Where would they have the money to make clothes for you?"

Elder Sister Li: "…"

What do you mean their whole family relies on Li Wenfeng's money?

She frowned in displeasure. "Aunt Zhou, my husband is at least the village accountant and earns ten or so yuan every month."

"What? You want to use twenty or so yuan of your husband's money to buy good fabric for your mother-in-law?"

Aunt Zhou immediately seized the opportunity.

Hearing this, the young wife who had come along quickly caught on and exclaimed in surprise.

One said, "Aunt Li, what good fortune! Your eldest daughter-in-law is so filial! She’s willing to spend thirty yuan on clothes for you!"

"No, I didn’t say that…" Elder Sister Li frowned.

Wasn't it twenty? How did it become thirty in her mouth?

Besides, she'd be crazy to spend thirty yuan on clothes for this old hag; she wouldn't even spend that much on herself!

"Not spending money means being unfilial, Elder Sister Li. Do you dare to be unfilial to your in-laws?"

Mrs. Li spat in disgust.

Elder Sister Li's eyes widened, and she waved her hands frantically. "That’s not what I meant! How could I dare to be unfilial to my in-laws!"

"Aunt Li, thirty yuan can buy enough good fabric for two outfits."

Mrs. Li's eyes lit up, and she looked at Elder Sister Li with intense anticipation.

Elder Sister Li: "…Mom, don’t let them talk you into this. Didn’t you say you wanted to get money from the second daughter-in-law for clothes?"

"She’s one thing, you’re another. Remember to give me thirty yuan later." Mrs. Li declared firmly.

Elder Sister Li gasped, seeing the look in Mrs. Li's eyes that said, "Give it or else," nearly making her explode with anger.

Someone nearby laughed. "We always hear that the eldest daughter-in-law of the Li family loves to take advantage of others and has a very narrow heart, quick to seek revenge for even a glare. Is it all false?"

"Whether it’s false or not, just look at the way she’s glaring at us like she wants to eat us alive. Isn’t that clear enough?"

Everyone looked at Elder Sister Li as if she were a clown putting on a show, laughing heartily.

"Elder Sister Li, do you understand the saying 'lose more than you gain'?"

A young wife tilted her head to look at her. Elder Sister Li glared back, wanting an explanation.

But the young wife clicked her tongue. "Ask your husband when you get home; he’ll know."

Elder Sister Li: "…"

She was furious!

She turned and stormed off, heading straight back to the main house.

Everyone laughed again.

Aunt Song also laughed and turned to knock on the door of the second house, but Mrs. Li pushed past her first.

"Ah…"