"How dare you speak to me like that? Who do you think you are, Lin Wanwan? Do you have any say in this house?"
If Xie Sui had dared to criticize her, Xie Min would have blown up. She genuinely liked her brother's wife and couldn't understand why she would be insulted.
"Xie Min, Wanwan is my wife. She has the final say in this house. If you keep this attitude, get out immediately!"
Xie Sui hadn't been this angry in a long time. Just as his relationship with Wanwan was starting to mend, his second sister was stirring up trouble. He felt like killing her.
Lin Wanwan, however, comforted Xie Sui. "You don't need to be so angry. Sister doesn't understand her place. Let's call everyone to sort this out and see who really calls the shots in this family and who has the right to speak.
Although a married daughter is not considered 'spilled water,' coming back to her parents' home is like visiting relatives. It's not her place to take over. If you want to be an unwelcome guest, I won't be a weak host to be bullied by you."
Xie Min knew she was in the wrong and felt indignant. The established rules of thousands of years were clear, and no matter how much she argued, she was in the wrong.
"You're all bullying me. I can't live like this."
Lin Wanwan said, "If you can't live, go cry to your husband. Don't come to your parents' home to threaten suicide. Sister, you're a smart person. Since you want help from your family, you should speak politely, like someone who is asking for a favor.
If you maintain this attitude, who would want to help you?"
Xie Min couldn't muster any more defiance and didn't want to apologize or back down. She could only sit there and sulk.
"I'll go make breakfast. Wanwan, you should sleep a bit longer."
"No, I'm not tired. Let's do it together."
Xie Sui's lips curved upwards. Was his wife showing concern for him?
The two cooperated seamlessly. One tended the fire, and the other cooked. Soon, the aroma of rice porridge filled the air. Doudou and Dingding, still groggy, went to the toilet. Doudou, seeing Xie Sui, rushed over and pestered him. They had slept early the previous day and hadn't seen their father.
"Go wash your hands. Don't touch me if you haven't washed your hands after using the toilet."
Doudou even tried to touch his face. Xie Sui was disgusted. Hadn't he just used the toilet without washing his hands?
"Dad, my frog was snatched by Cousin."
"Cousin is so annoying. She snatched my glass marbles too."
"And my comic books and candy. Dad, please help us get them back."
The two began to complain. Xie Min's expression soured. She couldn't help but say, "What's wrong with your sister playing for a while? You call yourselves educated people, yet you're so petty and quarrelsome!"
Lin Wanwan was furious. Before Xie Sui could react, she stepped forward, hands on her hips, and argued with Xie Min, "Sister, is this about politeness?
Taking without asking is stealing. Your daughter took so many toys and snacks from my children. I didn't want to make a fuss, but if you're going to say this, I won't stand for it."
"What are you talking about, stealing? You're saying such unpleasant things."
"What you're doing is even uglier. You're teaching your children badly. What kind of people will they become when they grow up? Now, immediately, return my children's things. Otherwise, I'll have the police arrest you and send you to jail."
He Wenwen and He Qingqing, frightened, hid in Xie Min's arms and cried. Xie Min was so angry her hair stood on end. Had Lin Wanwan eaten gunpowder? She used to be as quiet as a quail, but now she argued more fiercely than her brother.
"You, you're something. Is this how you treat your elder sister-in-law?"
"Sister, if you act like a human, I'll treat you with courtesy. But if you act inhumanly, I won't be polite either."
"They're just some old junk. We'll give them back to you. Qingqing, Wenwen, go return the things to them. We're going home. We don't need to take her anger."
Lin Wanwan said sternly, "Qingqing, Wenwen, taking without asking is stealing. Remember, no matter whose house you're in, you must respect others. Your mother is teaching you incorrectly. Study hard in school and don't listen to your mother's words."
Xie Min angrily said, "You're even instigating my children to disobey me..."
"Yes, if what you say is wrong, they shouldn't listen."
Lin Wanwan's imposing aura silenced Xie Min, making her unable to raise her head.
"Wash your hands, it's time to eat."
Back in the kitchen, Xie Sui gave a thumbs-up. "Wife, you're amazing!"
"Wife, I never expected you to be so formidable in an argument. You've truly opened my eyes."
This was the first time Xie Sui had seen Lin Wanwan lose her temper. She used to be cold towards him, and if she was really angry, she would act rather than argue.
Lin Wanwan replied, "You did so many bad things before. Whenever a chicken or duck went missing in the village, they'd come to me for compensation. If I hadn't learned to be tough, wouldn't I have been bullied to death by the whole village?"
Xie Sui: "..."
It was his fault again. He quickly apologized, "Wife, it's my fault. Haven't I changed now?"
"If you hadn't changed, I wouldn't bother with your sister's trivial matters. You're managing dozens of people now. Arguing with her would have a bad influence."
"Thank you, wife."
Xie Sui felt a sense of unity with his wife. If there weren't so many people around, he would have hugged and kissed her.
Outside, Xie Min hadn't left yet. She hadn't gotten what she wanted. Just then, Xie Lan arrived. She listened to Xie Min's complaints and tried to form an alliance to deal with Lin Wanwan.
"Look at her, a sister-in-law arguing with her elder sister-in-law head-on. And she's a sent-down youth, an intellectual! I think she's worse than any shrew in the village!" – Su Dan Novel Network
Xie Lan disagreed with her words. She knew her sister's personality too well.
"Xie Min, I don't agree with you. Wanwan is doing quite well. Both our parents are satisfied. What do you have to complain about? She's the mistress of the house. If you want to eat here, be polite. Don't expect our father to chase you away. I won't put in a good word for you."
Xie Min felt extremely wronged. "You're siding with her too. We are sisters, born from the same womb. How can you compare me to an outsider like her?"
Xie Lan said, "An outsider like her, yet she spent over two hundred yuan to treat my son. We are sisters, but you haven't lent me a single cent. I'll remember this kindness forever."
Xie Min argued, "I didn't have the money then! If I had a thousand yuan, I would have given you two hundred."
"You've always been good at making empty promises. I don't dare to accept your favors. When Huzhi was discharged from the hospital, you, as his aunt, didn't even send him any tonics. It's not about money, it's about thoughtfulness."
"Enough, I'm busy. I won't get involved in your affairs."
Xie Lan was honest, not foolish. Lin Wanwan was someone you could rely on. She was brave, fierce, generous, kind, and loyal. Their younger brother marrying her was a great gain for the Xie family.
Xie Min was so angry she wanted to scratch Xie Lan. What kind of sister was she, only caring about money? Both Xie Lan and her husband could earn money, and they stood by Lin Wanwan's side.
Lin Wanwan didn't take her anger out on the children. She let Qingqing and Wenwen have dinner together. Today, they had to deliver goods to the city. Boxes of dried fruits and jellies were loaded onto the truck. The weather was hot, and the dried fruits weren't selling well, but the jellies had good sales.
Children loved the chewy jellies, and with promotions, it was enough to cover the household expenses.