Chapter 536: Well, It Really Was Tricked Out

The Fu Family

Fu's mother came home quite early today because it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and she had been thinking all the way about what dishes to make for dinner.

When she reached the gate, she saw the third son's wife chatting with someone there.

As she drew closer, she could faintly hear words like "favoritism."

With a sudden push, her bicycle shot right up to Zhang Yurong's side: "What are you chatting about?"

Her voice startled Zhang Yurong, making her speech stutter: "Mother, you, h-how come you're back so e-early today?"

Fu's mother gave her a withering look, deliberately intending to trick her: "If I hadn't come back early, how could I have heard what you said?"

This terrified Zhang Yurong thoroughly: "Mother, no, I was just talking nonsense, I wasn't talking about you."

Well, it really was tricked out.

The second daughter-in-law of the Ding family from the next courtyard, who had been chatting with Zhang Yurong, stood there stunned, frantically signaling her with her eyes, trying to hint at something to Zhang Yurong, but Zhang Yurong simply didn't understand and even blurted out directly: "Yu Feng, what's wrong with you?"

Zhang Yufeng was so angry she nearly fell over backward: She usually looked quite shrewd, so why did she act like an idiot at a critical moment?

Seeing that Zhang Yurong didn't understand her meaning, she simply gave up: "I still have dishes stewing on the stove, I'll go back first."

Fu's mother wouldn't lecture an unrelated person; after nodding, she walked straight into the courtyard.

Seeing her mother-in-law's expression, Zhang Yurong knew she had caused trouble again today and hurriedly chased after her inside.

During such a major festival, Fu's mother didn't want to argue with her, and besides, she still had to prepare the evening meal, so she simply ignored her.

It wasn't until everyone in the family returned in the evening and the dishes were served on the table.

After dinner ended, Fu's mother spoke up: "I mentioned before that we would divide the household after the fourth son gets married; that statement will not change, so no matter what thoughts you have, please endure a little longer. As for whether your father and I truly show favoritism, your hearts are as clear as a mirror."

Besides, even ten fingers are not of equal length, let alone human hearts; even if there is favoritism, it is always based on empathy."

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Yurong knew they were spoken specifically to her, but with so many people present, she lacked the courage to stand up and apologize to her mother-in-law, so she sat there like a quail.

Fu Yan Hong saw her expression and understood that his wife had likely caused trouble again today, so he had to step forward to smooth things over: "Mother, why bring up such things during a major festival? It's so spoiling the mood. Besides, I have no intention of dividing the household."

This was indeed true; he truly had no intention of dividing the household. Now that his daughter Fu Jinyi was still young, she didn't need to contribute living expenses to the family, and his small household was managed by his wife, so he didn't need to lift a finger for anything; with Mom and Dad taking care of everything, he certainly didn't want to split up and live separately.

He quickly steered the conversation to another topic: "By the way, Mother, why didn't Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law come back this year?"

Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law always returned for the Mid-Autumn Festival in previous years; the small benefits distributed by their parents' workplaces were mostly coaxed away by them. This year was strange; why hadn't that couple returned?

Not mentioning it was better; once brought up, Fu's mother's mood worsened even more.

However, she didn't want to bring up the things her second son and his wife had done: "He is a grown man; Jin Ze is already five years old. How long must I still take care of him? Just wait until the fourth son gets married; then his good days will be over. Once the household is divided, he will naturally have to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family. We can't let you and your father support him forever."

The meaning of these words was very clear: once the fourth son got married, the monthly subsidy for the second son would also cease.

The eldest and the second exchanged a glance, both noticing their mother's unusual state, but they dared not ask why.