Chapter 128: Sister-in-law, You Must Take This Money

Chapter 128: Sister-in-law, You Must Take This Money

After all, she was his own sister. Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Third sister, I know there's still a lot of work to be done on Litchi Mountain. It's perfect for them and their husbands to take care of it together."

Deng Shilan knew that the tile factory her brother had opened with Yungui was quite profitable, so she didn't press the matter further. She simply made a mental note of her brother's kindness and then turned to her daughter and son-in-law, saying, "Why don't you thank Uncle Jiu quickly?"

Bu Dafang beamed with joy. "Thank you, Uncle Jiu!"

Jiang Dehu quickly followed suit, expressing his gratitude.

Deng Shirong waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. We're all family. Go back and take care of the farmland and the children. I'll bring the lychee seedlings back to plant in a few days."

Bu Dafang nodded eagerly. "Okay, I'll get everything sorted when I get back."

Bu Dashi, who had been listening quietly, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as he watched his sister and brother-in-law secure good jobs. Of course, there was no jealousy—just admiration. In this era, as in the future, most sisters were very protective of their younger brothers. After all, if they were ever mistreated by their in-laws after marriage, their brothers were often their only source of support.

It went without saying that while some men might tolerate being bullied themselves, they would never stand for their sisters being mistreated.

After settling matters with his niece and her husband, Deng Shirong turned to his nephew. "Dashi, you should stay home for the next two years to help your parents with the farming. When you're not busy, come and learn how to cook from me. If you show talent, I'll teach you, and you'll have a chance to make good money."

Bu Dashi's face lit up with excitement, and he nodded repeatedly. "Okay, I'll definitely study hard!"

Seeing that his brother-in-law had arranged a future for his daughter, son-in-law, and eldest son, Bu Erzhu stood by, rubbing his hands and grinning awkwardly, unsure of what to say. After a long pause, he finally managed, "Shirong, when are you planning to build the water wall? I'll bring Dashi over to help when the time comes."

Deng Shirong, familiar with his third brother-in-law's character, didn't bother with formalities. "After the Chinese New Year, we'll plant the lychee trees and then start on the water wall."

Bu Erzhu glanced at Deng Yunzhen and said, "Ah Zhen, let me know when it's time."

Deng Yunzhen nodded with a smile. "Okay, Third Aunt Chang."

With business settled and goodbyes exchanged, the third sister and her family left under Deng Shirong's watchful gaze.

...

Mountain Pond Village

Today was the second day of the New Year. The two daughters-in-law of the Jiang family had taken their husbands back to their parents' homes to visit relatives. The difference was that the eldest daughter-in-law had taken all the children with her, while the second daughter-in-law had left her children in the care of Jiang's father and mother.

As for the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, her sister-in-law from her husband's family had brought her new son-in-law home this year, so she hadn't returned to her parents' home on the second day of the New Year. She was expected to visit on the fifth or sixth day instead.

At the moment, Jiang's mother was grumbling to her youngest daughter, Jiang Defeng, about her second daughter-in-law. "Your second brother's family is so stubborn. They didn't bring their children with them when they went back to their parents' home for the Spring Festival. It's obvious they'll be losing out. They can only give New Year's money to other people's children, and since her children aren't there, others won't be able to return the favor back."

Jiang Defeng, who was playing with her nephew, chuckled. "Mom, you can't say that. My second sister-in-law brought my second brother back to her parents' home today because they had important business to discuss. How can they talk business with a noisy little kid around?"

Jiang's mother scoffed. "Why can't they talk business? If she wants to discuss something, can't she just ask your second brother to take the child away? How long does it take to talk business? I think she just didn't want to take care of the child, so she made up an excuse to leave him with us."

"Mom, it's only half a day. We can help take care of him," Jiang Defeng replied.

She knew her parents had always favored her eldest brother and his wife. If it had been her eldest brother and his wife who had left the child with her mother, she doubted her mother would have complained.

Jiang's mother snorted. "She'd better make sure your second brother gets that job with her Uncle Jiu. If she can't manage that, don't expect me to be nice to her when she comes back."

Jiang Defeng sighed. "Mom, can't you say a little less? This is your grandson, and it's your duty as a grandmother to take care of him."

Jiang's mother frowned. "Who are you siding with, girl?"

Jiang Defeng knew better than to argue with her mother, so she quickly changed the subject. "This little guy hasn't peed in a while. I'll help him."

When Bu Dafang and Jiang Dehu returned, they found Jiang Defeng helping their son relieve himself. Bu Dafang quickly stepped forward. "Sister Feng, let me do it!"

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, you're back!" Jiang Defeng greeted them with a smile. "It's fine, I'll do it. Sister-in-law, your hands are cold from being outside. Don't let the child catch a chill."

Hearing this, Bu Dafang let her sister-in-law continue. She had been married into the Jiang family for over three years, and Jiang Defeng was the only one who had ever been kind to her.

Hearing the voices, Jiang's mother emerged from the room.

"Mom!" Jiang Dehu and Bu Dafang greeted her in unison.

Jiang's mother wasted no time getting to the point. "Second son's family, what did your father-in-law say? Did he agree to let the second son work for him? How much is the monthly salary?"

Bu Dafang felt a pang of discomfort at her mother-in-law's eagerness. She had just returned and hadn't even had a chance to see her eldest son yet! However, in this era, a mother-in-law's authority was not to be trifled with. Even if the family was divided, as long as the mother-in-law didn't go too far, the daughter-in-law was expected to show respect.

So, despite her discomfort, Bu Dafang replied, "My father-in-law agreed. He didn't specify the wages, but he's fair. He won't treat us unfairly."

She deliberately avoided mentioning the exact amount to prevent any potential jealousy.

Jiang's mother finally smiled. "Even though we're relatives, it's still important to clarify the wages."

Jiang Dehu added, "Mom, Dafang is right. Uncle Jiu won't treat us unfairly. We'll know how much we're getting paid once we start working."

Jiang's mother didn't press further. In this day and age, as long as you had a job and could earn money, no one cared too much about the exact amount.

Bu Dafang took her youngest son from her sister-in-law and asked, "Sister Feng, where's your brother? Is he asleep?"

Jiang Defeng nodded. "Yes, he's been asleep for a while. He'll probably wake up soon."

Bu Dafang thought for a moment. "Sister Feng, I also want to help my husband. Can you take care of these two little ones for me? I'll give you ten dollars a month."

Jiang Defeng was tempted by the offer, but she couldn't bring herself to accept money for looking after her nephew. "Second sister-in-law, I can help you take care of them. Forget about the money."

Seeing her mother-in-law about to interject, Bu Dafang quickly said, "You must take the money. If you don't, what will happen if my elder brother and sister-in-law also ask you to help? If you help, there will be too many children to manage. If you don't, they might resent you. So, you have to take this money."

(End of this chapter)