Chapter 17: The Homeless Female Supporting Character 17

While Zhang Yu was treating the driver to a meal at a restaurant, Jiang Yun was listening to Zhang Dagui's reprimands with a heart full of trepidation.

Zhang Dagui knew that Zhang Yu was the best cook in the family, but he also felt that the food made by the others shouldn't be bad either—after all, isn't cooking just cooking?

Pan Juan didn't cook well, as she hadn't stepped into the kitchen for many years, but Jiang Yun was different. Over the years, she had cooked every day and taken quite good care of Zhang Guohua and his son.

As it turned out, his assessment of the eldest daughter-in-law was still a bit too high; in reality, the food was only slightly better than pig swill.

"Look at this dish you made. Tell me, which of the three qualities—color, aroma, or taste—does it actually possess?"

"You're only slightly better than your mother-in-law; at least yours isn't quite as salty."

Zhang Dagui let out a helpless sigh. "Honestly, eldest daughter-in-law, you really need to improve your culinary skills."

"Otherwise, if you serve this every day, how can we manage?"

"By the way, your mother said that since Xiao Yu has moved out, the three of you should move back here to live."

Huh? Move back? Jiang Yun had not yet recovered from Zhang Dagui's lecture when she was stunned by his decision.

To Jiang Yun, coming over every day to prepare dinner felt like hell—an unbearable ordeal.

Now, they were actually being asked to have their family of three live here; this was something she simply could not accept.

She knew a bit about what Zhang Yu used to do at home: for instance, waking up early every day to prepare breakfast, and then making lunch so that when the elderly couple ate, they only had to reheat it.

Was that "good"? Of course not. There was also cleaning, laundry, and changing the duvet covers and bedsheets every week. Even if they used a washing machine, it was still exhausting.

Then, perhaps on weekends, Zhang Shouhua and the others would come over for dinner, meaning she would have to prepare four meals over two days.

Oh, and there was also afternoon tea in the afternoon. My God! The thought of living this way every weekend made Jiang Yun feel physically ill.

Jiang Yun shot a look at Zhang Guohua, hoping he would step up and object. It would be better for her son to voice opposition than for her, the daughter-in-law, to do so.

Jiang Yun's troubled expression was clearly visible to Zhang Dagui and his wife, which made them feel somewhat displeased.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, do you have an objection?" Pan Juan looked at Jiang Yun with an unfriendly expression.

Jiang Yun hadn't expected that instead of Zhang Guohua speaking up, Zhang Dagui and his wife would notice her hesitation, making her realize things were going south.

"I... I have no objection." What else could she do? Aside from saying she had no objection, she had no other choice.

"Then do you agree to move back here?" Pan Juan pressed.

In her heart, Jiang Yun disagreed with everything, but she couldn't say it; she could only hope Zhang Guohua would save her.

For Zhang Guohua, whether he lived at his parents' house or his own home made no difference—after all, no matter where he lived, he wasn't required to do any work.

However, he couldn't ignore his wife's plea for help; otherwise, he would definitely face the consequences.

"Dad, Mom..." Zhang Guohua was just about to speak.

He had no idea that by opening his mouth, he would only make Zhang Dagui and his wife dissatisfied, feeling that their son had forgotten his parents for the sake of his wife.

"Your mother and I have been thinking," Zhang Dagui said slowly.

"You always say you don't earn much and that money is tight, so I thought you might be under a heavy burden."

"Even with this demolition compensation, once Xiao Yi gets married, he'll need a house. Won't that need decorating?"

"Won't you need to provide a bride price?"

"And once Xiao Yi is married, he'll surely have children soon. The expenses will increase even more after that."

"If the two families live together, we will cover the expenses, and you can save your wages."

"Of course, if you are unwilling, then just pretend we never said anything."

While Zhang Dagui said he was giving Zhang Guohua and his wife something to consider, he was actually telling them they had to agree.

Otherwise, once Zhang Yi got married, they shouldn't expect the elderly couple to fork out any money. Zhang Dagui and his wife had no love for disobedient children.

Jiang Yun understood the implication in their words. No matter how unwilling she felt, she knew there was truly no choice this time.

"Dad, Mom, of course we have no objection," Jiang Yun stated her position quickly.

So what if it was a bit tiring? At least they wouldn't have to worry about Liu Yi's marriage in the future.

Since even Jiang Yun agreed, Zhang Guohua naturally had no problem with it.

As for Zhang Yi, he truly disliked the idea of moving into the old house where the only bathroom was on the first floor.

But he didn't dare say no. Although he was the eldest grandson of the Zhang family, he had a cousin, Zhang Xin, who was high-achieving, beautiful, and exceptionally good at flattering people—often leaving Zhang Dagui and his wife beaming with joy.

Zhang Yi knew that if he wasn't careful, the affection his grandparents had for him could easily be snatched away.

Forget it. Even if living here wasn't as convenient as living in their own place, how long would it last? Wasn't the area about to be demolished anyway?

"Grandpa, Grandma, that's wonderful! I'll be able to see you every day from now on," Zhang Yi said happily. He was quite pleased at the prospect of seeing them daily.

Zhang Dagui, of course, doted on Zhang Yi. He felt that while his son was siding with his daughter-in-law, his grandson was on their side.

"When the time comes, whatever you want to eat, I'll have your grandmother buy it, and then your mother will cook it." Zhang Dagui was incredibly fond of his grandson.

Zhang Yi was overjoyed, nodding incessantly. "Thank you, Grandpa! I like eating shrimp."

"Alright, I'll have your grandmother buy some." It was just some shrimp; if his eldest grandson wanted it, he would certainly buy it.

Watching Zhang Dagui and his wife agree to all of Zhang Yi's requests, Jiang Yun felt that although she would be busier and more tired, it was truly worth it.

She had to admit that living here would save a lot on expenses. Fine, it was just some housework; she had to do housework at home anyway.

With this thought, Jiang Yun finally came to terms with it, feeling that living here might not be so unbearable after all.

And so, Zhang Guohua's move was approved, and the news soon reached the ears of Zhang Shouhua and Zhang Hong.

Regarding the fact that Zhang Guohua and his wife had moved back into the Zhang family home immediately after Zhang Yu went away for work, their reaction was singular.

They all felt that Zhang Guohua and his wife had set their sights on the house held by Zhang Dagui and his wife, and of course, the elderly couple's money.

Du Xia had always known about the favoritism shown by Zhang Dagui and his wife, but since she didn't live with the elders, if they did provide some financial support to the other side, she would also find ways to get money from the elderly couple.

She just hadn't expected that Zhang Guojun and his wife would move back so quickly after Zhang Yu left. What was this?

The more Du Xia thought about it, the angrier she became, feeling that this was just a new scheme devised by Zhang Guohua and his wife to fleece them of money.