Chapter 307 - 5: The Cannon Fodder Sister-in-Law in the Group Pampering Novel (5)

The men in the field worked until it was too dark to see the wheat, then they packed up their tools, marked their work points, and went home.

As soon as Eldest Xie got home, he sensed something was off.

As the head of the household, he still had to watch Lv Cuiping’s mood. The moment he saw his wife with a cold face, he knew she had surely gotten into another argument.

The three sons were washing their faces by the well. From a distance, Xie Jian could hear Lv Cuiping’s voice.

"Third! Come in!"

Hearing this, Xie Guo looked at his brother in confusion.

"What’s wrong?"

Xie Qiang snorted.

"What else could it be? Your wife made mom angry again. If you ask me, you should just listen to me and give her a good beating. Beat her until she obeys; otherwise, mom will be driven to death by her sooner or later."

Xie Jian said nothing, threw on his still-damp coat, and strode into the house where Lv Cuiping and Eldest Xie were sitting on the kang bed.

The mother spoke abruptly.

"Kneel down."

Without a word, Xie Jian knelt down. Even kneeling, his tall and strong frame was still taller than the petite Lv Cuiping.

Such a small woman had given birth to four tall and strong sons, especially the third one, Xie Jian, who was built like a bull. His muscular frame never seemed to tire from work, and he was silent and hardworking, with a sharply defined and exceptionally handsome face.

If it weren’t for Eldest Xie and Second Xie’s weddings that used up most of the family’s money, and the Jiang Family asking for a lower bride price, Jiang Lai wouldn’t have married in.

Looking at her outstanding son before her, Lv Cuiping was filled with regret. So many people wanted to marry into the family, but she hadn’t considered them. She chose Jiang Lai, thinking she hadn’t lived well at home, was used to hardship, and would be easily submissive with a bit of discipline.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Lai turned out to be so cunning. Just after marrying, she completely changed her demeanor, and the thought of her sharp tongue made Lv Cuiping’s chest ache with anger.

"Today, your wife ate all the eggs I’ve been saving painstakingly! After your sister caught her, she even scolded her, and not only that, she argued and fought with your mother. Seems like I’m too old to run your household. Your wife is just waiting for me to die so she can take over!"

Xie Jian, with his head lowered, was shocked by his mother’s words. He couldn’t believe Jiang Lai was capable of such things. Although she was petty, he didn’t think she would brazenly oppose his mother.

Xie Jian remained silent, and Lv Cuiping hit him hard with her hand.

"Those eggs were for your sister’s nourishment! In those years, she always saved the best for you brothers, and now she’s too frail to do heavy work. Shouldn’t those good things remaining in the family be for her?"

"Yes, they should."

"Your wife doesn’t think so. Her heart is smaller than a needle’s eye! She’s sneaky enough, but to want to ride over your mother’s head now! I can’t manage this household anymore, and today your mother is giving you two choices.

Divorce her and send her home, or split from the family, take your wife, and leave the Xie Family to start your own household!"

Listening on the side, Eldest Xie frowned, about to speak with his pipe when Lv Cuiping glared at him.

Kneeling by the kang, Xie Jian lifted his head at the mention of family separation to look at his mother.

He had never thought of separating from the family. He was part of the Xie Family; the elder and second brothers all lived at home too. How could he separate from the family!

"Mom, I don’t want to separate from the family."

"You don’t want to separate? Then leave your wife quickly! The Old Xie Family isn’t afraid of gossip; divorcing that woman is fine and your mom will find someone better for you!"

People of this era didn’t have the concept of divorce in their minds. Marrying was meant to last a lifetime, and separation was never considered.

Xie Jian hadn’t thought of it either.

He didn’t like Jiang Lai, but he never thought of divorce.

So when he heard the word from Lv Cuiping, he was even more perplexed.

Would he really consider divorce just because of some eggs?

Seeing her son’s silence, Lv Cuiping’s eyes turned red with anger.

"What? Can’t bear to?"

"Mom, let me think about it."

"What’s there to think about?! Don’t think I don’t know you and your wife don’t even sleep on the same kang every night!"

Xie Jian frowned, unwilling to say more.

Lv Cuiping didn’t want to push her son too hard either. After all, her third son was the most industrious in the family—earning twelve work points a day wasn’t something just anyone could do effortlessly.

Talking about separating was just to force Xie Jian to agree to the divorce.

Now he needed time to think, but Lv Cuiping wasn’t in a rush because she was certain that someone with her son’s character would never agree to separate over Jiang Lai.

When Xie Jian left, Eldest Xie knocked on his pipe, snorting coldly.

"The third daughter-in-law just ate a few eggs; do we need a split for that?"

"Those eggs were for your daughter! Can just anyone eat them?"

"The third son is the most capable in the family. The eldest, second, and fourth can’t compare to him. Are you really willing to let him go?"

Lv Cuiping glared at him.

"With that son of yours who can’t even fart with three pushes, do you think he’d agree to a family split?"

"Divorce! Isn’t it embarrassing to talk that out loud? We just married the daughter-in-law and now we’re sending her back. How would the Xie Family save face?"

Lv Cuiping pinched him.

"Keeping her is a disaster—she ate my daughter’s eggs and made her give up good work to the second daughter-in-law. How can I keep her?

You don’t hurt your daughter, but I do!"

Of course, Eldest Xie cherished his daughter; among the family, he cherished Xie Yumian the most. But even that didn’t warrant blowing things out of proportion, letting others laugh at them.

"Where did you hear about divorcing? Nobody in our village has ever divorced."

"Our daughter sees and knows a lot; she said it. And she’s right—the third son deserves better and shouldn’t be held back by Jiang Lai."

Eldest Xie was unconvinced.

"We’re all rural bumpkins; how good could it be? You’re just overcomplicating things—be careful not to tear the family apart!"

Lv Cuiping was full of confidence.

"I know my sons well, but that stubborn woman Jiang Lai might not agree—need to think of a plan."

Meanwhile, with a sullen face, Xie Jian returned to the side room. As soon as he opened the door, he saw a faint light by the bed.

By the lamp, a slender figure sat on the kang.

Jiang Lai, facing sideways, had one arm resting on the window sill, holding a book, and the other hand was casually adjusting the lamp wick. In the dim light, her face seemed to be softly illuminated, her eyelashes fluttering slightly like fan leaves. Below her straight nose, her lips were slightly parted, full and brightly red.

Xie Jian froze.

He had been married to her for so long, yet it was the first time he looked at her carefully.