Chapter 12
Real love appears in times of Calamity
Lu Jiao fed him the water but didn’t want to even look at Xie Yunjin. As she turned to leave, she wondered how stupid he was to not have seen her signal for him to decline this offer.
“Mom, let me pour you another cup.”
Lady Tian said, “Pour your second uncle one too.”
Xie Erzhu felt unsettled. He stood up and brandished his arm, “No need. There’s no need.”
He tried to leave but Lady Tian stopped him, “Second uncle, stay and have some water. It’s not like it’s something valuable. First of all, I must thank you for taking care of my son-in-law. This is really Jiaojiao’s responsibility. Thank you for going through all the trouble.”
Xie Erzhu shook his head, “It’s nothing. I am doing what I should be doing.”
His tone was somewhat sullen. After what happened today, he was scared that his mother wouldn’t let him out to take care of his third brother anymore. So he was very worried.
Lady Tian had thought of that too. However, she wasn’t worried, and instead, she was secretly overjoyed. Her own daughter could now personally take care of her son-in-law.
Only real relationships survive hardships. This young couple’s relationship would only get better from now on.
As Lady Tian thought about it, she said to Xie Erzhu gently, “Second uncle, after what happened today with your family, I don’t doubt that you will no longer be allowed to come out here to take care of my son-in-law.”
On the bed, Xie Yunjin’s body exuded coldness. Even the temperature in the room dropped.
He remembered that over the past three days, none of his parents or siblings came to pay him a visit.
Xie Yunjin couldn’t help but snicker. Honestly, he was more than nice to his twin siblings. In the end, it was all for nothing. Plus, the reason why he was forced out after he got injured was partially due to his fourth brother.
Recently, his fourth brother set his eyes on this family – this girl from a neighboring village. Rumor has it that she was rather pretty but demanded much silver. His brother didn’t lack that since he often took silver from the family.
But to marry, his fourth brother also needed a house. He wanted his third brother’s house. So, he used third brother’s injury as an excuse and convinced his parents to move out his brother and his family.
That thought truly pierced Xie Yunjin’s heart. These people were his family.
Inside the room, Lady Tian’s voice rose again, “But, second uncle, don’t worry. From now on, the responsibility of taking care of my son-in-law will fall on Jiaojiao.”
Lu Jiao, who just arrived with two more cups of sugar water almost stumbled. What happened?
Lu Jiao rushed inside to stop her mother before she could continue. When Lady Tian saw her, however, she waved her hand to get her to come over.
“Jiaojiao, your mother-in-law lost face today and I’m sure she won’t let the second uncle visit anymore. The task of taking care of your man will now fall on you.”
At once, Lu Jiao didn’t know what to say. Logically, she should take care of him. Plus, to her, it won’t be difficult to take care of him. The difficult part was that she had brought separation up to Xie Yunjin. For her to take care of him now would make him overthink.
Lady Tian was determined, “Alright, then it’s decided. Second uncle, drink up.”
Lady Tian took a bowl of water and handed the other one to Xie Erzhu, “Second uncle, drink.”
Xie Erzhu took it over and drank it. It was sweet. How rare for his sister-in-law to put sugar in this.
He glanced at Lady Tian and thought that this was all thanks to her. If it weren’t for her, his sister-in-law wouldn’t have put sugar in his water.
Inside the room, Lady Tian finished her drink and looked up to Xie Yunjin, “Son, don’t worry and rest up. Don’t worry about money. We will think of a way.”
She then got up and dragged Lu Jiao outside. Lu Jiao took the chance to take Xie Erzhu’s empty bowl.
Once they left, Xie Erzhu looked over to Xie Yunjin and said, “Your mother-in-law is rather nice.”
Xie Yunjin’s expression was cold. After he saw Lady Tian and remembered his own mother, he smirked mockingly.
He looked back at Xie Erzhu, “Second brother, only visit when you’re free from now on. Lu Jiao will take care of me.”
After this series of events, Xie Yunjin had a hunch that even if Xie Erzhu could no longer come, Lu Jiao would take care of him.
This woman seemed to be completely different now. But that face of hers still disgusted Xie Yunjin.
He was now too lazy to think about why that woman changed so much. As long as she took care of him, he was good. As for the fact that she would find him a doctor to treat his legs… Xie Yunjin didn’t believe that one bit.
After he heard his third brother’s crestfallen words, Xie Erzhu felt bad. He was very sad on the inside as well and he himself wasn’t very liked by his family.
“Third brother, then off I go.”
“Yeah, go home now.”
In the kitchen, Lady Tian was about to talk to Lu Jiao when she saw Xie Erzhu leave. Lady Tian came out to greet him, “Second uncle, you’re going back?”
“Yes, there’s work to be done. I cannot stay any longer. I must go back.”
Xie Erzhu didn’t ask Lady Tian to visit sometime. After all, his own mother must hate Lady Tian very much right now.
After bidding farewell, Lady Tian went back to the kitchen to lecture Lu Jiao.
“Do you remember anything I taught you? Take care of your man. Before he didn’t like you but now, it’s a great opportunity to get him to like you. Don’t be stupid and forego this opportunity. Real love appears in times of calamity. My son-in-law isn’t heartless. You better treat him well so you can live in harmony.
Plus, you have four kids together. Look at how beautiful they are. Once they grow up, they will be as handsome as my son-in-law. At that time, you will have an endless fortune to enjoy. So, you better treat your husband and your children well.”
Others may not understand their daughters but Lady Tian thought she knew her daughter well. Back then, when her daughter was about to marry Xie Yunjin, she was over the moon.
Who knew that after marriage, her mood got worse and worse. She knew it was because she wanted her husband’s love but her husband didn’t think much of her.
Lady Tian was angry too. But what was there to do? Right now, there was an opportunity.
Lu Jiao’s scalp felt fuzzy but she didn’t want to tell Lady Tian the fact that she had agreed to separate from Xie Yunjin. Oh well, she will tell her mother later on.
“Mom, I will take care of him. Don’t worry.”
Lady Tian nodded in satisfaction. Then, carefully, she took out five taels of silver and handed it to Lu Jian.
“This is for my son-in-law’s treatment. We gathered our money and borrowed some from our neighbors. This is all we have for now. Don’t worry, we will find ways to get more.”
Lu Jiao stared at the silver and was stunned. She knew that the Lu family was very poor and had very little income. She didn’t expect her mother to give her silver at a time like this.
She could imagine just how much her sisters-in-law would hate her mother if they knew.
Lu Jiao shoved back the silver, “Mom, you already gave me silver last time. I’m not taking it this time.”
Lady Tian didn’t care what she wanted and shoved it back, “Enough. Once you make money, you can repay me. Get my son-in-law treated. Even if he never walks again, he may get to sit up in the future. You can get him a chair and life will go on.”
Lu Jiao wanted to argue more but Lady Tian had turned to leave. As she left she spoke, “Alright, I have some stuff to do at home so I will go back now.”
Lu Jiao froze. She wanted to go and stop Lady Tian but Lady Tian was very speedy, “Okay, I have to go now. You go back. Go back.”
Lady Tian got to the main door and shouted at Lu Gui, who was playing with his nephew, “Lu Gui, let’s go home now.”