Manager Wang left.
Wei Yuanfang closed the door and looked disapprovingly at his younger sister, "Yuan Chun, if you have any opinions in the future, just tell me directly. Don’t go crying to the union people. If our household matters get them involved, both your sister-in-law and I will get criticized. Yuan Chun, you wouldn’t want to see your brother get scolded, would you?"
Yuan Chun sneered, "Brother, if you do well, who’s going to criticize you? If you don’t want to get criticized, then do what a brother should. Don’t think of oppressing me, making me suffer, and then expect me to stay quiet for the sake of your work. If you don’t treat me well for your work, why should I suffer for it?"
Wei Yuanfang was annoyed, but there was nothing he could do about his sister.
Even a rabbit will bite when it’s cornered.
His kind and honest sister, after being bullied by his wife, showed she had a temper too.
Wei Yuanfang glanced reproachfully at his wife and said, "Wife, give ten yuan and some ration coupons to Yuan Chun. She’s here helping us with the kids; we can’t let her go hungry. Tomorrow, I have to go to the Northeast for a business trip to purchase cotton. I’ll be gone for half a month this time."
Zhao Dongxiu’s face turned red with anger, "Wei Yuanfang, what do you mean by this? Are you accusing me of deliberately mistreating your sister? I’ve already explained, last time I just forgot to give her the food money. Besides, there’s grain, eggs, and dried vegetables at home; can’t she cook for herself? Yes, I did lock the pantry door and forgot to give her the key, but she didn’t ask for it. I thought she’d already eaten. If she had told me she was hungry, I would have given her food."
Seeing his wife reluctant to give money, Wei Yuanfang had to turn to his sister, "Yuan Chun, there’s grain and vegetables at home, so just cook for yourself. By the time I get back, I’ll probably have received my salary, and then I’ll give you money for groceries."
Yuan Chun looked indifferent, "Sure, it’s up to you if you want to leave me grocery money or not. Last time I starved, I put up with it and didn’t make a fuss. If it happens again, I won’t hold back. If you don’t want me to hack the pantry door to pieces with a knife, Sister-in-law, you can lock it again and see."
Zhao Dongxiu’s face turned livid with anger, "Sister-in-law, this is still my house, and you’re just here to take care of the kids, not a bandit. If you dare to hack up my pantry, I’ll definitely throw you out."
"Oh, you think I want to be here, working myself to death for you for nothing? I’d rather go back home to earn work credits in the fields. At least by the end of the year, I can get some grain and money. Working for you for free brings me no benefits, plus I have to put up with your faces. Ugh... you think anyone wants to be this unpaid servant and punching bag?"
Yuan Chun looked at Wei Yuanfang, "Brother, is that what you think too? Do you want to kick me out?"
"No, your sister-in-law was just talking casually; she didn’t mean it seriously. Don’t take it to heart." Wei Yuanfang rubbed his head, which was aching from the argument, and said, "Yuan Chun, big brother has to go to work now. You take care at home. Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer for helping me take care of the kids."
Wei Yuanfang couldn’t stand staying any longer and being resented by his sister, so he went to work on an empty stomach.
Zhao Dongxiu reluctantly sat down and reached for the egg custard, but a hand suddenly snatched it away.
"Sister-in-law, do you have any manners? Does your family eat egg custard by holding the bowl like this? How’s anyone else supposed to eat?"