Chapter 65: Going Back to Her Maternal Family for Assistance

Chapter 65: Going Back to Her Maternal Family for Assistance

After saying goodbye to Zhao Xiaoyu, Xiao Jiliang hurried to her maternal family.

Over the years, her relationship with her maternal family had soured, and they didn’t visit often. Mainly because, in the past, her two sisters-in-law from her mother’s side liked to come to her, crying about their poverty.

At first, it was the eldest daughter-in-law. One day, her child was sick and wanted some white flour to eat; the next day, they couldn’t pay the school fees. Xiao Jiliang couldn’t just sit back and watch her own nephew struggle, so she helped whenever she could.

However, when the second daughter-in-law found out, she started doing the same. The two daughters-in-law competed with each other, coming up with endless reasons to ask for help.

No matter how much she had saved up, it couldn’t withstand this constant drain.

Eventually, whenever she returned to her maternal family, or when they visited her, or even if she met them on the road, they’d instantly look worried and start talking about how they couldn’t afford anything. The prices of oil and grain had risen again.

Their words always hinted that they wanted something from her.

So, apart from during festivals, Xiao Jiliang pretty much stopped visiting. Even if her sisters-in-law came to her house, she would hide if she could.

Gradually, her maternal family also understood her attitude and became cold towards her.

"Oh, it’s Auntie!"

Xiao Jiliang's eldest sister-in-law instinctively glanced at Xiao Jiliang’s hands, and the smile on her face faded when she saw they were empty.

"It’s nice having a new daughter-in-law. Now you have time to stroll around. Before, we couldn’t even get you to come over for a meal!"

Xiao Jiliang sounded annoyed. Earlier that year, her second son, Xiao Jiabao, was dating a girl who asked for a dowry of 460. The family couldn’t afford it and had hoped that this aunt would lend a hand, giving 100 or 200. But no matter how much they asked, Xiao Jiliang always said she was busy and had to watch the kids at home.

She also politely said she’d attend Xiao Jiabao’s wedding but couldn’t help otherwise.

Xiao Jiliang's eldest sister-in-law looked at her coldly. Her Jiabao was already 25 and hadn’t even married once. The last girl asked for a dowry they couldn’t meet, and she left. Meanwhile, Zhao Daxing had already married his second wife with a dowry of over 1,000. That amount would be enough for Jiabao to marry three wives!

Xiao Jiliang was heartless, letting her nephew stay single instead of helping out.

She never came over on regular days, but now she had come on her own. Given Xiao Jiliang's personality, she wouldn’t visit without a reason. Coming so early in the morning, she must need help from the maternal family.

As Xiao Jiliang's eldest sister-in-law followed her into the room, she decided that no matter what, she wouldn’t agree to help.

"Big brother, Jiayao, Jiabao, still eating?"

Xiao Jiliang looked at the table. There was a bowl of porridge for each person, and in the middle of the table was a bowl of homemade fermented tofu.

Xiao Jiliang's elder brother looked up at his sister, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Jiliang didn’t hide anything. "Big brother, I’ve come back because I need your help."

Then, Xiao Jiliang half-truthfully explained how the Zhao family had been schemed against by the Su family.

Before her brother could respond, his wife jumped in to protest.

"Little sister, your elder brother doesn’t have time. After eating, he has to go to work. If he doesn’t work, what will we eat and drink? We already have a grandchild, and another one is on the way. We haven’t saved enough money for Jiabao to marry a wife. We don’t have time to back you up…"

"Big brother."

Xiao Jiliang ignored her sister-in-law’s complaints and just quietly looked at her elder brother.

The siblings had been close when they were young, and she had been very devoted to this family. She didn’t believe her elder brother would just stand by and watch her be bullied.

Under his younger sister’s pleading gaze, Xiao Jiliang's elder brother’s heart softened.

"Alright, I'll take some time off and go with you to check it out later, but Jiayao and Jiabao have to work."

As soon as Xiao Jiabao's older brother finished speaking, Xiao Jiabao's wife started to make a fuss. "Xiao Zhongliang, what's wrong with you? We haven't cleaned up our own mess yet, and now you want to stick your nose into someone else's problems? The pay cut from your leave will affect your son's wedding fund and your grandkids might go hungry. You're worried about your family's issues, yet you still have the spare time to deal with outsiders? Jiabao is at an age where he still hasn't found a wife. With this leave, you're losing over two dollars in wages!"

"Does she even need your help? She only comes to us when she needs something. She treats you like free labor. Her family can easily afford a bride price of over a thousand, and they can hire plenty of support with just a few dollars. Why does she need your help? She just comes back to take advantage of us..."

Xiao Jiliang was so angry her face turned red. Hadn't she helped her natal family enough over the years?

Knowing that her sister-in-law was a materialistic person, she didn't waste time arguing. "Big sis, I won't let Brother help for free. I'll give him ten bucks for his trouble."

Xiao Jiabao's wife's eyes lit up, but she then snorted coldly. "Ten bucks? Going there could cause trouble and put us in danger. Your brother makes over two dollars an hour at work, so why risk it for just seven extra bucks?"

Xiao Jiliang gritted her teeth. "Twenty bucks. If Big Brother’s not available, I’ll go to Second Brother."

As she turned to leave, Xiao Jiabao's wife quickly grabbed her. "Hey, hey, hey, don't blame me for speaking bluntly. It's because of our family's poverty. Look at your own nephew; he's at an age where he still hasn't found a wife..."

After some flattery, Xiao Jiliang quickly led her brother and Xiao Jiabao, both fuming, out of the Xiao household.

By the time they arrived at the cannery by bus, Zhao Xiaoyu and Wang Dabing were already waiting at the courtyard entrance.

"Mom, Uncle, Brother Jiabao!"

Wang Dabing greeted the arrivals.

Zhao Xiaoyu glanced at her uncle and cousin, then walked over to Xiao Jiliang. "Mom, why are there only two of you? Where's Uncle Jiayao? You should've called the second uncle's family too. The more people, the better. Don't forget, the Su family has two brothers!"

Xiao Jiliang's expression darkened. "We need money! Twenty per person!"

Zhao Xiaoyu fell silent. She knew what her maternal family's two aunts were like.

Nowadays, ordinary workers earned only around fifty to sixty dollars. Even though her older brother and mother were blood-related siblings, asking for twenty dollars for just a trip was a bit much. The Xiao family was really something.

The group, filled with anger, headed straight for the Su family.

Residents walking in the courtyard stared at the cold, angry group with curious expressions. Without needing an invitation, they instinctively gathered together, following behind to watch the spectacle.

Soon, a trail of onlookers followed Xiao Jiliang's group.