Moving, Paying Fees, Choosing Your Own Options

"Mom, the dumplings you made are the best I've ever eaten."

Zhao Xueyi's words had an element of flattery, but they were also sincere. "I've eaten at many restaurants, but none of them can make dumpling fillings that taste like this. Mom, your cooking is just delicious."

"Of course."

Zhang Guiying readily accepted the praise, saying, "My ancestors were imperial chefs. Before your grandfather passed away, he taught all his skills to me, your uncle, and your aunt. How could the skills passed down from the palace be anything less than excellent?"

"Mom, if you set up a dumpling stall, I'm sure lots of people will support you."

Zhao Xueyi was just saying it casually, after all, no one would give up a secure job to set up a stall these days, but Zhang Guiying got the idea after hearing it.

She is still young.

I don't plan to be idle even after selling my job.

I originally planned to set up a stall, but after thinking it over carefully, I decided to give up selling dumplings.

Selling dumplings is a huge undertaking; you have to chop the filling, cut the vegetables, season the filling, knead the dough, and then wrap them. When there are many customers, she simply can't handle it all by herself.

It's getting hotter and hotter; who would eat dumplings on such a sweltering day?

She should stick to selling braised pork.

Once the job is sold, Zhang Guiying will go and buy things.

Zhang Guiying was lost in thought for a moment. When she came to her senses, everyone else had already finished two bowls of dumplings. No one was talking; they were all eating with their bowls in hand, not even looking up.

These guys are reincarnations of starving ghosts!

Zhang Guiying also quickened her pace of eating.

The family's meals were poor, and everyone ate a lot because they lacked oil and fat. Zhao Xueyi didn't serve soup and ate three large bowls of dumplings in one go. Even the four children each ate two bowls.

One pot wasn't enough, so we cooked another pot to get full.

After finishing the meal.

Zhao Xueyi slumped on the stool, patting his round belly and burping. "Luckily, the eldest brother and his wife and that glutton of a fourth brother aren't here. If they were home, we'd have to cook another pot to make enough food."

He added, "I wish I could eat like this every day."

Zhang Guiying cursed, "This meal cost me more than six yuan! Who can stand you eating like this every day?"

Let's talk about money.

Zhang Guiying immediately had a reason to ask for living expenses.

Zhang Guiying put the bowl on the table and said with a stern face, "Your father and I have worked hard to raise you seven siblings. Now that you are all earning money, I don't expect you to repay me, but I will no longer subsidize you. From now on, all of you must pay your living expenses on time every month."

"what?"

Zhao Xueyi's world has collapsed.

His monthly salary of sixty-odd yuan isn't even enough to cover his own expenses. "Mom..."

Zhang Guiying showed no mercy, "Anyone who doesn't want to pay living expenses, get the hell out of here!"

"..."

The fourth brother was just kicked out.

No one doubted the truth of Zhang Guiying's words. Zhao Xueyi looked at Zhao Binghe with a mournful face, pleading, "Dad, say something!"

Zhao Binghe waved his hand dismissively, "What business is it of mine if I can decide it? What business is it of mine if I can't decide it?"

"..."

Oh shit.

That makes a lot of sense.

Absolutely irrefutable.

Seeing that the situation was beyond repair, Zhao Xueyi had no choice but to drag his siblings into protesting with him. He turned to look at Zhao Xiazhi and Zhao Qiuzhi, his eyelids twitching as he frantically winked at the two sisters.

Zhao Xiazhi looked away. "Mom, I agree to pay for living expenses."

Zhao Qiuzhi snorted, "Paying living expenses is fine, but everyone has to pay. No one should take advantage of anyone else. I won't accept it if only Xia Zhi and I have to pay."

Zhang Guiying: "Everyone has to pay!"

Zhao Qiuzhi shrugged, "Then I have no objection."

Zhao Chengxin remained silent.

He didn't agree to pay for living expenses, but he didn't dare to speak up, afraid that his mother would really kick the whole family of four out.

When Zhang Xia heard that she had to pay living expenses, she glared at Zhao Xueyi with hatred.

It's all the fifth brother's fault!

Even eating dumplings couldn't shut him up.

Zhang Xia wanted to play the victim and plead poverty, but when she saw Zhang Guiying's expressionless face, she shut up.

The old hag has become heartless.

He doesn't even love his own son, let alone his daughter-in-law.

In just a few days, the old hag first took the 15 yuan she was supposed to give her each month, then forced her to do housework, and now she's even asking for living expenses.

This is going to kill her.

Zhang Xia's eyes were red. "Mom, it's not that I don't want to pay living expenses. Xueyi, Xiazhi, and Qiuzhi aren't married yet. They earn their own money and spend it themselves. Paying a little living expenses won't make much difference."

"In our family, only Chengxin works. Our two children will be starting kindergarten after the summer vacation this year. There are expenses everywhere in the house, and we really can't afford to pay for their living expenses per person."

She then subtly accused Zhang Guiying of favoritism, saying, "Da Bao and Xiao Bao are so young, they don't even eat as much as Da Ni and Er Ni every day. You're helping your second sister raise her two children, but your second sister hasn't contributed any living expenses to the household."

Dani is already old enough to understand things.

Upon hearing her aunt mention her, he immediately looked at Zhang Guiying with unease.

Zhang Guiying said coldly, "Zhao Chunzhi will come to the city in a couple of days. I will settle accounts with Zhao Chunzhi about the living expenses of Da Ni and Er Ni over the years."

Zhang Xia didn't believe it.

Zhang Guiying would have asked Zhao Chunzhi for money long ago; she wouldn't have waited until now.

"mom……"

"That's enough! From now on, this family won't support idlers. Anyone who doesn't want to pay can get out!"

They all objected to paying money. In her past life, she received three million in compensation after a car accident, and these ungrateful wretches were the first to run away with the money!

Zhang Guiying grew increasingly furious and immediately made a decision: "Fifth, sixth, and seventh sons, each of you will each pay twenty yuan a month for living expenses. As for the third son… since you have a large family, you'll pay forty yuan a month. Anyone with objections, go back to your room now, pack your things, and leave!"

"forty?"

Zhang Xia suddenly stood up, her voice trembling with excitement, "Mom, you're killing us! Zhao Chengxin works so hard at the steel mill, he only earns a little over seventy yuan a month, and you're asking for forty? How are we supposed to live on the remaining thirty-odd yuan!"

"Live life however you want!"

Zhang Guiying slammed her fist on the table in anger, "You think your money is earned through hard work, while my money just falls from the sky? Why didn't you feel any remorse when you spent my money?"

"If you're not happy, then get out. Nobody's begging you to eat and live in our house."

"Don't think that just because the eldest and fourth sons are gone, and there are only two sons left in the family, I'll put up with you. What nonsense about raising sons to provide for old age! I don't believe in that. If I can't rely on my sons, I'll rely on my daughters. If I can't rely on my daughters either, your father and I still have our pensions. At worst, we can go to a nursing home!"

"Go inside and get the money now! If I don't see the money today, you're all fired!"

"..."

Seeing Zhang Guiying get angry, who would dare to have any objections?

Zhao Xueyi thought for a moment. Twenty yuan was a lot of money, but if he wanted to leave home, he would have to rent a house. Renting a house would cost at least ten yuan a month, and the remaining ten yuan would definitely not be enough for him to eat.

After figuring out the costs, I gritted my teeth and went back inside to get the money.

Zhao Xiazhi and Zhao Qiuzhi had no objections to begin with, so they went back inside to get the money.

Zhang Xia was so angry that she was trembling all over.

She felt that Zhang Guiying was deliberately targeting her.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law glared at each other, neither willing to give in.

During the standoff.

Zhao Xueyi and his two siblings have already paid the money.

Zhang Guiying stuffed the money into her pocket, took two steps forward, and stared intently at Zhang Xia. "Pay up, move, your choice!"