The elders were talking over each other when Lin Yuantang suddenly asked Lin Wanyi:
"Wanyi, as the eldest sister, you tell us, how should we arrange for your mother's care in her old age?"
Lin Wanyi answered almost without thinking: "I'll come back to take care of Mom."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Wang Hao immediately blurted out: "No, what about me and our daughter if you come back?"
"Div..."
Lin Wanyi stopped herself.
It wasn't the time to say that yet.
She couldn't worry her mother right now.
Seeing Wang Hao's reaction, Lin Jiajun quickly said: "I'm the son, it's my responsibility to take care of Mom.
"Big sister, brother-in-law, don't worry about this. I'll handle it."
Lin Cuifen disagreed:
"Sons and daughters both have the responsibility to care for their parents. Wanyi, you married far away and it's inconvenient for you to provide care, so you should contribute money.
"Jiajun is at home, he can provide the labor. From now on, you give your mother a thousand yuan a month. That's reasonable, right? Not too much to ask?"
Lin Yuantang also nodded: "That's about right. Sister-in-law, you can raise some chickens and ducks at home, grow some vegetables, that should be enough."
Lin Wanyi nodded. She hadn't finalized the divorce proceedings with Wang Hao yet, so she couldn't come back to care for her mother.
This money was what she ought to give.
But Wang Hao was visibly unhappy.
Back in their room, he started to complain.
"Honey, what's the deal with your family? This isn't a discussion at all, it's practically daylight robbery."
Lin Wanyi thought she misheard:
"Wang Hao, a thousand yuan a month, is that robbery? Who robs such a paltry sum?"
Wang Hao lit another cigarette:
"Taking care of parents in their old age has always been the son's duty. Since when did sons and daughters become equal?"
Lin Wanyi was furious:
"That's not what you said before we came back! You said we should spend what's necessary. She's my mother, she raised me. Is it wrong for me to support her now that she's old?"
"Yeah, that's what I said. But is this 'necessary'? This isn't some casual social expense, this is long-term support.
"Lin Wanyi, do you even get it? This isn't for a day or two, it's for decades.
"A thousand a month is twelve thousand a year, a hundred and twenty thousand in ten years, two hundred and forty thousand in twenty years.
"Have you actually done the math, or did you just agree without thinking? Did you even ask me?"
Lin Wanyi was exhausted, utterly drained.
Physically tired, heart weary, she didn't even have the energy to argue with Wang Hao:
"Don't worry, I won't ask you for this money."
"If you don't, then who will?"
Wang Hao sneered: "Lin Wanyi, you haven't earned a single cent in eight years. Everything you've eaten, worn, and used all these years was earned by me.
"Without me, what money would you spend? Where would you get a thousand yuan a month for your mother?"
Lin Wanyi suddenly felt a deep sorrow.
All these years, she gave up her career to take care of their child, their home, and Wang Hao's parents, only to end up in this position of having to beg for money.
She fought back tears:
"Fine, then let's get a divorce. I'll earn my own money to support my mother, and I won't ask you for a single cent ever again."
The word "divorce" hit Wang Hao like a ton of bricks, and he suddenly sobered up.
What had he just said?
Feeling a pang of regret, he quickly tried to explain:
"It's not that I don't want to support your mom, I just feel our current pressure is too great.
"Our child's tuition, the two thousand monthly allowance for my parents, the mortgage on the city apartment...
"Honey, I'm the only one earning money, it's too much for me. How about we discuss your mom's support... could we make it a hundred a month?"
Lin Wanyi was truly angered into speechlessness.
"A hundred a month, Wang Hao? Why don't you give your own parents two hundred a month?
"How can you even say that? Aren't you ashamed? What can a hundred yuan even buy nowadays? It's not even enough for food.
"Get out! Wang Hao, get out right now! I don't want to see you!"
Pushed out the door, Wang Hao immediately called Liu Chunlan:
"Mom, you were right, as always. Her family really started asking for money."
"How much?" Liu Chunlan asked urgently.
"A thousand a month. I didn't agree. I followed your advice and said a hundred."
"You did the right thing, son. I knew once you went back they'd latch onto you and not let go.
"Absolutely shameless! A thousand a month? Is she some delicate princess or the Empress Dowager needing that much money? They might as well rob a bank!
"Son, listen to me, that money will all end up going to her brother in the end. You must not give in, understand?
"We absolutely cannot let Lin Wanyi become a 'brother-subsidizing monster'."
Wang Hao agreed, then turned and went to find Li Suhua.
Li Suhua was staring blankly at her late husband's portrait when Wang Hao spoke up directly:
"Mom, I need to discuss something with you."
"What is it?"
Wang Hao moved closer, lowering his voice: "Mom, you know we just bought an apartment and are still paying the mortgage.
"Wanyi doesn't work, I'm the only one earning in the family. My pressure is immense.
"So I was thinking about that thousand yuan..."
He deliberately left the sentence hanging. As expected, Li Suhua immediately picked it up:
"I know what you mean. I never really wanted it in the first place. It was her aunts and uncles who were worried and took it upon themselves to decide.
"It's fine. If you're financially tight, you don't need to give me anything. I'll just tell everyone outside that you did."
Wang Hao still hemmed and hawed. Li Suhua frowned: "Is there something else?"
"Mom!"
Wang Hao paused, then said: "I don't want Wanyi to think I'm under too much pressure. So when she gives you the money, could you still accept it, and then... transfer it back to me later?
"You don't have to transfer all of it. I'll have her give you 2000, you return 1900 to me, and keep 100 for groceries.
"Mom, I just don't want Wanyi to worry, and I don't want to pressure her either. I have no other choice."
Li Suhua felt uncomfortable. She didn't want the money; she just didn't want to deceive her own daughter.
But she couldn't refuse either.
Her daughter was married far away. Since she couldn't help, the least she could do was not cause trouble.
In the end, she agreed. The weight lifted from Wang Hao's heart.
He hurried back to find Lin Wanyi, his attitude full of contrition:
"Honey, I'm sorry. I was too agitated earlier. I went out, cooled down, thought it over, and I was wrong. I apologize.
"Supporting your mom is the right thing to do. From now on, why don't you give Mom 2000 a month? Don't be stingy with just 1000.
"At most, I'll just work more overtime after we go back. I can always earn it back."
Lin Wanyi looked at him suspiciously:
"What's your real meaning here? A moment ago you refused point-blank, and now suddenly you want to give 2000?"
Wang Hao hugged her from behind:
"I was wrong. After I went out and thought it over calmly, I realized I give my own parents 2000, so of course I should give the same here.
"Honey, I'm your husband. This is what I should do.
"You know I've always loved you. I've always wanted a happy family. Please, don't mention divorce again, okay?"
Lin Wanyi tried to push him away, but he held her tighter.
She didn't know why Wang Hao's attitude had changed so quickly, but it seemed like a good thing.
She had no job now, and she had their daughter. She needed to find work soon.
Otherwise, she would remain dependent on Wang Hao.
Having to constantly watch his mood—this wasn't the life she wanted!
