Chapter 93: Fang Jianmei

Lin Juhua asked her, “Big sister, did your husband’s family give you the money for your mother-in-law’s hospital stay? Last time I heard your eldest sister-in-law say that when they get their rations and work points at the end of the year, they’ll pay you back, but after paying, there’s no money left at home. She’s got several sons, and except for the eldest who’s married, there are still a few who’ll need a lot of money soon. She’s always crying poor, just like before.

I didn’t buy it when I heard that. I told her, there’s nothing to be done, everyone gets by like this—year after year, you can always earn enough to get things done. My eldest sister has three sons too, and she worries as well. Your eldest sister-in-law really isn’t easy to deal with—not that I’m trying to stir things up, but you split up the family early, and your parents-in-law worked so many years to earn work points for them. How could she not have money on hand? Not paying for your mother-in-law’s hospital stay is just heartless, and saying she’ll pay you back at the end of the year—who would believe that?”

Zhang Meili nodded. “I know she doesn’t want to pay me back, that’s why she made a point of saying all that in front of you. We went into debt to buy this house, but my father-in-law knows exactly what’s going on. She doesn’t get to call the shots in that house—my father-in-law does.

After the family split, my mother-in-law stopped managing the household. I think she was hurt after getting sick last time, so now the old couple keep everything in their own hands. We don’t bother with them—let them say what they want. My husband said forget about the money, just take rations instead, and we’ll collect them at the end of the year. Grain is expensive in the city, and the ration coupons don’t go far. With three sons, it’s not enough to eat, so getting rations is good too.”

Huang Cuilan nodded as well. “I’ve heard those kinds of comments a few times too, but I can’t be bothered to deal with her. Just do what you have to do, but don’t make things hard for the old folks. Honestly, if they really don’t give anything this time, maybe it’s for the best—then when they have problems in the future, they can’t come asking you for help. Except for the second sister-in-law, none of your sisters-in-law are easy to get along with—they’re all too calculating. When your father-in-law retires from being the village accountant, you should bring the old couple to live with you in the city. Life in the big house won’t be easy for them. We can scrimp and save to help out—after all, the elderly and the kids need to be taken care of.”

“That’s what I was thinking too,” Zhang Meili agreed with her eldest sister-in-law. “My husband and I have already talked it over. We bought a bigger house this time, so if the old folks can’t stay in the big house anymore, we’ll bring them over. I don’t bother calculating things with them—there are only two old people, and I’m happy to take care of them, just like my husband and his younger brother are the only sons.” If it weren’t for the tradition that the elders in the village have to live with the eldest son, she would have brought them over already.

Lin Juhua turned to their mother and said, “Mom, even if you and Dad end up living with big brother and sister-in-law, you can always come stay at our place. During the holidays, we’ll go to big sister-in-law’s house too. You and Dad can switch between our places whenever you want, wherever you feel comfortable. I’ve already talked it over with my husband and Xiao Wu. We’ll keep the main room and the east wing ready for you—come and go as you please, stay whenever you want.”

Their mother laughed, “Wouldn’t that be like squatting on the toilet and not doing your business? No need—it’s just a few steps away, who wants to keep going back and forth? It’s not like we’re playing house. Don’t worry about me and your big sister-in-law—she listens to me. Ask her yourself—would she dare not listen? Your big sister-in-law is very filial. I’m not worried at all about growing old and ending up like some of the other old folks in the village. Not to brag, but you won’t find three daughters-in-law as good as mine even in the whole county. You’re all so filial—your dad and I have nothing to worry about.”

Lin Juhua laughed, “Mom, you really are blessed. My sisters-in-law are all so filial. When my son looks for a wife, I’ll find someone with the same temperament as them.”

Their mother shook her head. “It’s not that easy. It’s not just about temperament—they also have to get along with each other. Living under the same roof, there’s always going to be some friction.

Our family is lucky because your big sister-in-law is so good. She’s a much better eldest sister-in-law than your uncle’s wife. Your grandpa always said, as long as your big sister-in-law is here, this family will never fall apart.

After all these years, I think he’s right. Not to brag, but ever since she married into the Zhang family, she’s helped me take care of your brothers and sisters, and she’s never treated anyone unfairly.

Back then, we were so poor. She and her husband would get up before dawn to work the fields and keep the family going. Even when she was pregnant with Xizi, she worked until she was about to give birth. When things finally got a little easier, she helped us find a wife for your second brother.

Your second brother’s wife is slow and never in a hurry to do anything. I have a quick temper and would get angry, but your big sister-in-law always spoke up for her, afraid I’d scold her. She’d jump in to help with everything and always said the new sister-in-law just needed time to settle in, and she’d get the hang of things soon enough.

A few times, I saw your second brother’s wife just standing around, not even offering a hand, and I’d get mad and scold her. But your big sister-in-law would say, ‘Mom, look, your new daughter-in-law does all sorts of things around the house. I ask her, and she’s always happy to help. Don’t worry, she’ll get better with time. Second brother likes her, so she must have her good points. Look, she cooks well, learns things quickly, and her knitting is great. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Compared to the other young wives in the village, I think our second sister-in-law is better—she doesn’t hold grudges and has a straightforward personality.’

We never really argued. She always listened to me as her elder sister-in-law. She kept persuading me, and I realized she was right. Second brother’s wife is easygoing and doesn’t hold grudges. She does what she’s told, and she’s much better than those other young wives in the village.

Then when Jiaojiao married in, I have to admit, I really liked her and was partial to her. She and Xiao Wu were close since they were little, and I always thought of her as my own daughter-in-law, even my own daughter. I couldn’t bear to let her work in the fields, and when she got pregnant, I didn’t want her to do heavy work. I was afraid her two sisters-in-law would mind after a while, and besides, her household registration wasn’t here, so she didn’t get any rations.

I told the other two, and your big sister-in-law said, ‘Xiao Wu’s work points are enough to support her. She’s only sixteen, just a bit older than Xizi. We’ll look after her.’ Your second sister-in-law just laughed and said, ‘With Jiaojiao’s tiny appetite, how much can she eat? I could eat in one meal what she eats in ten days.’

I went home and told your dad, and he said all the kids are good kids. We never treated our own children badly. We were going to split up the family anyway, so we’d wait until the baby was born in the spring, and Xiao Wu would have to learn to support his wife and child.

So, when it comes to finding a wife, it’s not just about temperament—you have to see how she gets along with others. Just because someone has a good temper doesn’t mean she won’t hold grudges. Don’t rush it—when fate comes, it comes. Even if you like someone, maybe they won’t like you back—what can you do? All three of my sons picked their own wives. I never planned to choose for them. If they like their wife, their own little family will feel like home. If they don’t like her, they’ll never be happy working themselves to death. Look at our village—those who didn’t pick their own wives, they beat their wives like they’re beating a dog—worse, even.”

Lin Juhua looked gratefully at her eldest sister-in-law. “Big sister-in-law, we’re all family, no need for formalities. If you ever need anything, just tell me, I’ll never say no.”

“Alright, I’ll still need your help making clothes for Xizi and the others for New Year,” her eldest sister-in-law laughed. “I’m not as great as Mom says—I just think our men are all real brothers, I watched them grow up, they’re not outsiders. I don’t have a sister, so I treat you all as my own. Besides, you and Jiaojiao get along so well, I know that. If you were like Guoshu’s wife in the village, I’d stay far away—I couldn’t handle that.”"