Zhang Cuihua’s tightly pressed lips parted slightly as she murmured, “Mother, it was my fault for not telling you, but my son is no longer a child. I believe I can make decisions regarding his marriage!”
Her voice was not loud, but it was the first time she had ever spoken back to her mother-in-law. This left everyone present stunned.
Cao Meihua couldn’t believe her ears. Her voice rose, “You make decisions? When did this household ever need you to make decisions? Your father and I are not dead, you unfilial wretch.”
Before her words had even finished, she raised her hand to strike Zhang Cuihua, but she dodged it. Zhang Cuihua met her mother-in-law’s fierce gaze and replied timidly yet resolutely, “Mother, we have separated. I am marrying a daughter-in-law, and naturally, I can make decisions. As for the affairs of the old household, I don’t have the same capability as my sister-in-law to manage them well. Mother, please don’t place this burden on me.”
The mother-in-law was formidable. Zhao Jiaqi secretly gave her a thumbs-up, but she had no idea her mother-in-law was putting on a brave face for her.
“Oh my, the person who usually wouldn’t say a word even if beaten with a stick is different now that she’s married off a son. Her back has straightened, and she dares to talk back to her mother. Let me tell you, even if we hadn’t separated, you wouldn’t have the right to speak. You’re only meant to listen!”
Wang Zhenzhu, holding her twisted waist, fanned the flames from the side, saying, “Oh my, the person who usually wouldn’t say a word even if beaten with a stick is different now that she’s married off a son. Her back has straightened, and she dares to talk back to her mother. Let me tell you, even if we hadn’t separated, you wouldn’t have the right to speak. You’re only meant to listen!”
Zhang Cuihua dared to look at her directly for the first time. Her firm face showed a hint of timidity as she gritted her teeth and resolutely backed down.
“Since we’ve separated, we each live our own lives. If Father and Mother still want to manage our family, then let’s reunite and live together. This spacious house with blue bricks and tiled roofs must be more comfortable than our dilapidated home. At that time, we’ll listen to whatever Father and Mother say!”
This hit Wang Zhenzhu where it hurt. This excellent house was what she was waiting for her parents-in-law to pass away so she and her second branch could occupy it alone. How could she let the eldest branch come back?
Wang Zhenzhu’s eyes widened, and she pointed angrily at Zhang Cuihua, spitting as she cursed, “You’re spouting nonsense! You want to move back in? Dream on!”
Zhang Cuihua glanced at the agitated Wang Zhenzhu, then turned back to the person on the chair and said timidly, “Mother, say something. I’ll listen to you!”
“Huh? Doesn’t the second aunt here make the decisions? Why is Mother asking Grandmother?” Zhao Jiaqi asked with just the right amount of suspicion to Fan Zehao beside her.
Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was heard by everyone. All eyes in the room turned to her.
At this moment, Fan Zehao, with his male chauvinistic mindset, added fuel to the fire as he replied, “I also heard Second Aunt say this morning that Grandpa and Grandma are old and useless, and that she runs this household.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Cuihua’s eyes darted around, and she immediately changed her tune, weakly saying to Zhenzhu, “I’m truly sorry, Big Sister-in-law’s mind isn’t working well. She forgot that you make the decisions in this household. Don’t be angry with her.”
Hearing their conversation, even Cao Meihua, as foolish as she was, knew that this family were all honest people and wouldn't lie. She also knew the character of the second daughter-in-law. These words coming from Wang Zhenzhu’s mouth, Cao Meihua believed.
With narrowed eyes, she glared fiercely at Wang Zhenzhu. Her small chest heaved violently, and she snorted, emitting air from her nostrils, “You scoundrel! Your father and I are not dead yet, so naturally, I make the decisions in this household.”
Wang Zhenzhu’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to argue but was intimidated by her mother-in-law’s sharp glare. Her mouth gaped open, unable to close. Cao Meihua, on the other hand, was too lazy to pay attention to this trash and instead turned her target directly to Zhao Jiaqi.
“You, a newly married daughter-in-law, when is it your turn to butt into the conversations of the elders in this household? You’ve just entered the door and already you’re causing trouble. You’re a troublemaker, a pest. You don’t understand filial piety and you speak back to your elders. Our old Fan family cannot accept such a granddaughter-in-law. Send her back!”
Hearing this, Fan Zehao’s pupils contracted sharply. He immediately stood in front of his wife and replied firmly, “No, we won’t send her back.”