Volume One, Chapter 12: When My Days Improve, Don’t Bothersome to Flatter Me

“That’s not one of us Tang family—why should they eat our food?!”

When eldest uncle’s wife, Xu Lanzhi, said this, Old Tang, a simple and honest farmer, darkened in the face.

“Sis-in-law, Hangzi is our live-in son-in-law. How is he not one of the Tang family?!”

“Bah! No marriage certificate—what kind of live-in son-in-law is that? Maybe he’ll run off one day!”

Old Tang was speechless, his face flushed red from being snapped at by his sister-in-law. He had no retort.

Tang Guanguan heard this and suddenly recalled something.

Since Lu Hang had amnesia, his identity couldn’t be verified, and the village wouldn’t issue an introduction letter. So, indeed, the two had never officially registered their marriage!

So that rough man wasn’t really hers?

For a moment, Tang Guanguan felt uneasy.

According to her memories from her previous life, Lu Hang’s family was supposed to be in the capital city.

Back then, Lu Hang saved her in the county seat of Yunshui County. She was seriously ill and couldn’t endure travel; her last two years were spent mostly in hospitals, with Lu Hang staying by her side in Yunshui County.

She had never been to Lu Hang’s home.

Lu Hang was a quiet man who never spoke of his family background.

She was barely hanging on—it never occurred to her to ask about such things!

To be honest, after knowing Lu Hang in two lifetimes, her understanding of him was superficial; she knew nothing of his background, only a little on the surface.

But these days, even without a marriage certificate, holding a wedding still counts as being husband and wife.

That’s called a common-law marriage!

So Lu Hang was her man!

She also believed Lu Hang was not the sort to exploit loopholes and show ingratitude like a scoundrel.

With that thought, the unease in Tang Guanguan’s heart vanished like smoke.

“What does eldest uncle’s wife mean by this?”

Tang Guanguan put down her bowl and glared angrily. “So from now on, you won’t feed my Lu Hang anymore?”

Then she turned her face toward the elderly matriarch, Sun Guijuan. “Grandma, say something—do you agree with eldest uncle’s wife’s way of doing things?”

She spoke plainly.

As soon as Tang Guanguan’s words fell, everyone in the room turned to look at the old woman wrapped up on the kang bed.

The old lady Sun Guijuan snorted through her nose, her slanted eyes rolling upward.

“Why are you all staring at an old woman like me!”

“Your eldest uncle’s wife isn’t wrong!”

“Heh—” Tang Guanguan laughed in frustration, “Fine! If you won’t feed Lu Hang, then I’ll take my husband and leave! We won’t eat a single grain from your house again, and from now on, we’re cutting ties! When my life improves, don’t even think about coming to butter me up!”

“Hah—” Tang Lizhen laughed outright at Tang Guanguan’s words, “Improve your life? Aren’t you afraid your tongue will slip in the wind? In your heart, even if you became the richest person in Yunshui County, none of us would envy you!”

Eldest uncle’s wife, Xu Lanzhi, snorted coldly, “Truly clueless! A girl boasting like that, she’s even louder than Qian Erluizi from the west end of the village!”

With the two families quarreling like this, Tang’s mother, Wang Xiuying, wiped her tears and lost her appetite.

She set down her chopsticks, heartbroken, and pulled at her second daughter, wanting to leave and not endure more humiliation.

She would never allow her second daughter to live separately with her son-in-law. After all, it was hard enough to bring him back; how could she let him go?

The west courtyard belonged to their second branch; at worst, she would cook separately for her second daughter and son-in-law there.

Tang Guanguan shrugged off her mother’s hand, refusing to leave. If she left, she had to make things clear first.

Her gaze sharpened as she stared at the old lady and Xu Lanzhi.

“If you all think Lu Hang and I have no future, then let’s get the village chief to come and witness this: if our life gets better in the future, none of you can stick around like leeches. Words without proof mean nothing—we’ll write a formal agreement!”

A formal agreement??

Everyone was taken aback.

Was this second daughter planning to formally sever ties?

Seeing their daughter so angry as to want to write a separation agreement, Old Tang’s eyes reddened.

“Father, mother, sister-in-law, aren’t you being too much?”

Old Tang’s voice choked with emotion; he was deeply disappointed in his elder brother’s family and his biased parents.

At this moment, eldest uncle Tang Dali, who had been silent all along, stepped forward. He took off his green cloth cap, scratched his head, and put on the role of peacemaker.

“Second brother, second daughter, don’t be mad. Your eldest uncle’s wife has a tough mouth but a soft heart. It’s just that you see Hangzi only eating and not working, who can afford that for long?”

“Besides, your family has only two laborers but you have to support three mouths—that’s unfair, and it’s hard on us too!”

“The communal grain is tight, too, you know?”

Eldest brother’s words angered Old Tang so much he panted heavily, his voice hoarse and face flushed red.

“Brother? So these have been your true feelings all along?”

“You think it’s unfair, don’t you?!”

With that, Old Tang pointed toward the freshly dressed eldest nephew by the door who had just entered.

“When your eldest son wanted to go to school, the tuition was paid for by me and your brother’s wife! Even the bike he rides, half the money came from our family.”

Tang Jinghai, the nephew named, looked awkward and shrank back, saying nothing.

Eldest uncle Tang Dali also looked embarrassed and guilty.

Old Tang ignored them and pointed at the youngest son of the eldest brother’s family, Tang Jingye.

“When sister-in-law was in labor with Jingye and had complications, the medical bills were paid with the bride price money we got from our eldest daughter!”

“Our family has fewer workers, and your family has more, but hasn’t the communal contribution we give been more?”

Over the years, the eldest brother’s family had been sly and secretly withheld communal funds. Old Tang had tried to keep the peace for the sake of family unity, turning a blind eye and never saying a word.

But now, eldest brother actually complained that they had too many mouths to feed!

Old Tang felt a sharp pain in his chest, gasped several times, clutching at his chest.

Tang Guanguan saw her father like this and dared not speak further. She supported him and gently patted his back.

Tang Jing was fiery by nature. She had been quiet until now because she felt unwelcome in the family, but now she could no longer hold back.

“My brother-in-law can’t work because his leg isn’t healed yet, but that doesn’t mean he can’t earn money. Don’t underestimate him!”

“When my brother-in-law’s leg heals, he’ll work as hard as two of you—no, definitely three!”

As she spoke, the young girl’s eyes reddened as she looked at old lady Sun Guijuan. “Grandma, since my brother-in-law can’t work because of his injury, you won’t feed him. When you get old and can’t work, don’t come begging at our door!”

“Old girl! Shut up!” Old Tang scolded his youngest daughter sharply.

Whether in the countryside or the city, sons who don’t support their parents are socially condemned.

Such words must not be spoken lightly!

No matter how unreasonable or biased he might be, Old Tang would never do something against his conscience!

“Alright, you go back first. This is grown-up business—children shouldn’t interfere!”

Afraid his youngest daughter would say something inappropriate again, Old Tang waved his hand and sent her back to their own courtyard.

Tang Jing was stubborn and refused to obey. She stood firm, neck stiff, saying, “No! I won’t leave. If I go, you’ll get bullied!”

Tang Guanguan saw this and felt a warmth in her heart.

Though little, her sister was quite protective of the family.

However, seeing how upset their father was, this matter would not be settled quickly today.

They couldn’t afford to let their own father suffer any harm from this anger.

“Father, let’s go home first. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

Old Tang valued family above all else and couldn’t bear to lose face.

She wanted to go home and reason with him, prepare him mentally.

If things didn’t work out, then they would separate.