Chapter 521: Chapter 506: The Shrewd Wang Lin_2

Wang Lin comforted her, “Mother, as long as Fifth Brother-in-law doesn’t seriously injure my brother-in-law, it’s considered a domestic matter, and the authorities won’t intervene.”

This was also because it was the Lu Family’s business. As long as he measured his blows, only causing Xiang Jiang some physical pain, the Public Security Bureau would not arrest him.

Mother Wang finally felt a bit more at ease, then said, “Fourth Son, if Little Sister gets divorced, she’ll have to come back home to live. This is a big deal, and you need to discuss it with your Big Brother and Second Brother; you can’t decide this on your own.”

Wang Lin realized that what his mother said made sense. He would be returning to Hong Kong in a few days, and if his sister got divorced and stayed at their mother’s house, she would still need the care of Big Brother Wang and Big Brother Wang’s Wife. If he allowed Little Sister Wang to divorce without consulting them, they would certainly feel uncomfortable. A lone mother and her children without protection could easily be bullied to death.

“Alright, then let’s have us five siblings sit down together and talk about it,” he said.

Mother Wang’s expression stiffened, and after a pause, she said, “Discussing it with Big Brother and Second Brother is enough. Your sister is in town and it’s inconvenient for her, so there’s no need to bother her now. We can inform her after everything is settled.”

Seeing that she didn’t mention their youngest brother, Wang Lin found it odd. Their mother was always the most affectionate towards their youngest brother, but now she was excluding him from such a significant matter, which was suspicious. However, after two years of growth, he was no longer the hothead he used to be and didn’t press the question.

Mother Wang stood up and said, “Your father and your Big Brother and Big Brother’s Wife are all busy out in the fields; I’ll go call them.”

After Mother Wang left the courtyard, Wang Lin said softly to his sister, “Don’t be afraid, Little Sister. I’m here for you! I won’t let you and the kids starve or be left without a roof over your heads.”

Little Sister Wang was deeply moved.

Wang Lin asked, “Why did mother just say not to call Fifth Brother?”

Upon hearing this, Little Sister Wang’s face showed anger. “Fifth Brother is now living with his Yue Family. Since Fifth Sister-in-law’s brother has a policy job, they had a daughter and can’t have another child, so he let their son Zhuang Zhuang change his surname to Wen. When Dad and Mom found out, they demanded he change Zhuang Zhuang’s surname back, declaring they’d disown him if he didn’t. When Dad fell in the fields this spring and was hospitalized for over half a month, that couple didn’t even bother to visit, let alone take care of him. Even after Dad had been home recovering for more than two months, they never showed up.”

The Wang family’s Fifth Brother had a son and a daughter. Having the son change his surname was almost like being a live-in son-in-law. Wang Lin, who had been away from home for many years, was not particularly concerned about the issue of whose surname the children carried. However, not showing up when their father fell and was hospitalized was no different than an animal’s behavior.

Wang Lin said indifferently, “Since he doesn’t acknowledge our parents, let’s just consider him dead!”

Later, Wang Lin rode his bicycle to town to fetch his Big Sister and her husband. By the time he returned home, Big Brother Wang and Second Brother Wang, along with their spouses, were already there; he called everyone together.

Father Wang’s expression softened a lot when he saw Wang Lin, “It’s cold outside, come inside to talk.”

Once everyone was seated, Wang Lin spoke first, “Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, Second Brother, Second Brother’s Wife, Big Sister, and Brother-in-law, the Xiang family wants a son, but Little Sister can’t have more children because of the sterilization. If she doesn’t agree to a divorce, they’ll grind her down to death.”

Big Brother Wang was about to speak, but Big Brother Wang’s Wife tugged at him, signaling him not to talk.

Second Brother Wang’s Wife looked distressed, yet she said what needed to be said, “Fourth Brother, we can’t bear to see Little Sister tormented by the Xiang family. But there’s already not enough room in the house, and your elder nephew will be of marrying age in a few years. If Little Sister gets divorced and comes back, we won’t have enough space to accommodate your elder nephew’s marriage. Besides, her household registration isn’t here, and she won’t be able to get allocated land. What will she and the child eat then?”

Big Brother Wang’s family was fortunate. A few years ago, their financial situation was better, and they built four rooms with blue bricks and big tiles. Even now, they, along with the grandparents, were all crammed into those four tile-roofed rooms. With the in-laws, the couple, and their five children, there was no room left for more people.

After speaking, Second Brother Wang’s Wife looked guiltily at Little Sister Wang and said, “Little Sister, it’s not that I’m heartless and don’t want you back home. It’s just the way things are at home; we have no choice.”

Wiping her tears, Little Sister Wang said, “Second Sister-in-law, I won’t get divorced. I’ll take the kids back with me in a bit.”

Wang Lin did not respond to Second Brother Wang’s Wife, but instead looked at Big Brother Wang, “Big Brother, as the eldest in the family, what’s your opinion?”

Big Brother Wang sighed, “Finding a place to live is solvable; if there’s no room in the house, Second Brother and I will take our nephews and build her a couple of earthen rooms. But the problem is the food. Without any land, what will she and the child eat in the future?”

It was feasible to support them for a while, but it was unrealistic to support them indefinitely, considering that he and Second Brother both had four or five kids each to look after in their own families.

Big Brother Wang’s Wife kept her head down, silent. She was willing to help with labor, but providing money or grain was impossible. They couldn’t neglect their own children for their sister-in-law and niece.