Xie Xinlian returned home with a heavy heart, her mood darkened by the words of Zheng Xiangju and Aunt Qiao. Zhu Shunyao also came back looking displeased. Seeing her expression, it was clear she already knew the truth.
As she folded clothes, Xie Xinlian asked, "Did Uncle Enfu call you over because of the neighbors?"
The Zhu Guifu family lived in a tiled-roof house just five meters to their left, so "neighbors" was a polite way of referring to them.
"You know too," Zhu Shunyao sighed. He realized his wife had heard the news.
Xie Xinlian nodded. "I brought some local specialties to the Hu family and Aunt Qiao earlier. Sister Xiangju and Aunt Qiao both told me. Tell me, what kind of trouble is this?"
She wasn't the only one angry. It was a matter between two families, yet someone was trying to make it look like one big family issue. Their appetite for drama was getting too big.
Zhu Shunyao let out a long breath. "Xiangyao’s wife is pregnant. Xiangyao wants to keep the baby. But family planning rules are strict right now. If Uncle Enfu hadn’t stepped in, they would have forced her to have an abortion long ago. Uncle Enfu says Fourth Uncle wants the baby born because she wants a grandson. But you know the truth. First, we don’t even know if it’s a boy. Second, Xiangyao’s job means she can’t have a second child. Even if her wife hides it from all the checks and pays the fine, she will definitely lose her job."
Xie Xinlian sneered. "I don’t understand why you are worried. This is the Fourth Branch’s own mess. If they aren’t allowed to have it, they shouldn’t. If they want it, they must pay the price. Even a village woman like me knows this. The Fourth Branch is more educated than me. How can a high school graduate not know this simple rule?"
Zhu Shunyao frowned. "The problem isn’t that. Uncle Enfu is asking if we can help. He wants to help Xiangyao keep his job and make sure he has an heir."
"Pah!" Xie Xinlian looked disgusted. "Who said that? Is Uncle Enfu blind to right and wrong? What does the Fourth Branch’s problem have to do with our Third Branch? Why tell me? Besides, how are they without heirs? Isn’t Nan Hong their descendant? They just prefer boys over girls."
Seeing his wife’s anger, Zhu Shunyao hurriedly said, "Uncle Enfu wants us to contribute money or effort."
"Heh." Xie Xinlian looked at him sharply. "Are you joking? Is this a monkey show or a circus? Let me tell you, if you want to help, don’t even think about it. If you dare to help, I will tell Ani not to help either."
Zhu Shunyao chuckled at her vivid description. "Don’t be so angry. Uncle Enfu wants our whole family to go to her house tomorrow afternoon. Not just me, but everyone from the other branches who are here. It is a Zhu family matter, so we must discuss it."
She added, "Besides, your husband knows what is right. We cannot help. If we do, it will become a sticky plaster that we can never shake off. So, I will not help."
Seeing that Zhu Shunyao had a clear plan, Xie Xinlian calmed down. She sighed, "This is typical trouble-making. If we had known this was the reason, we wouldn’t have rushed back so quickly."