First Assistant's Petite Wife Has Space

155 It’s you who is too Cowardly

Lu Jiao prepared to tell Xie Yunjin how his second sister-in-law taught Chen Liu and Xie Lan what herbs to harvest.

However, just then, loud footsteps were heard outside followed by Xie Erzhu entering the room. The moment he stepped inside, he started to cry out loud toward Xie Yunjin.

“Third brother, I’ve had enough. I’ve truly had enough.”

He then knelt down and slammed his fists into the ground. He looked absolutely exhausted.

The four little ones stared at the crying Xie Erzhu in fear.

Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened and he asked, “Second Brother, what happened?”

Xie Erzhu howled. This stocky man managed to cry long enough for a stick of incense to burn out before he started to explain.

“Why do they all bully my family? When mom and dad are unhappy, they take it out on us. When the big brother and his wife are unhappy, they take it out on us. When the fourth and his wife are unhappy, they still take it out on us. My family works the most and eats the least. We also have to act as their punching bags whenever they ask us to.

I work endlessly every day yet my diet is poorer than the first and fourth brothers. Your sister-in-law has to work on the farm, clean clothes, and cook. Even my daughters have to do housework. Yet the fourth and fifth children don’t work at all. Their clothes are washed by my daughters.”

Ever since it was exposed that he gave money to Xie Yunjin, the rest of the family treated them like a punching bag. It wasn’t just the elders, it was also the young siblings. Were they not human? Were they animals?

Yesterday, after the first sister-in-law was angered by Lu Jiao, she told their mom everything. Their mom instantly ordered Xie Erzhu to never step foot into Xie Yunjin’s home again. She even asked Caidou to watch him.

Today, Xie Erzhu worked on the farm. The more he thought about this whole thing, the sadder he got. In the end, he couldn’t help but come over here and cry to his third brother. He didn’t know who else he could go to.

Coldness engulfed Xie Yunjin and his eyes turned sharp.

Before he could speak, Lu Jiao cut in, “Second Brother, I have to say something you might not like to hear. The reason why your family is like this is because you are too cowardly.

Because you’re cowardly, your wife is dragged down and your daughters are dragged down. If you straighten up your spine just a little bit, they won’t be able to take advantage of you.”

Xie Erzhu was stunned to hear those words and turned to Lu Jiao.

“If I fight them, the villagers will blame me and say I am unfilial.”

Lu Jiao logically explained, “If you are unreasonable, you would be unfilial. If you are on the moral high ground, nobody would say that about you. Look at me – I got into several fights with them lately and nobody called me unfilial. That is because I was in the right.”

Lu Jiao then turned to the four little ones and educated them, “To be a good person, you have to act logically and righteously. Don’t do things that are unreasonable or unfair. Don’t be a coward. A man needs to act like a man in order to gain the strength to protect the ones he cares about.”

The four little ones straightened their chest and vowed, “Mommy, we will. We will protect you.”

Lu Jiao smiled and turned back to Xie Erzhu, “You see that? Even my boys know to protect me. What about you? As a husband, and as a father, you never knew to protect your wife and daughters. Who’s fault is that?

Out of this whole village, everyone knows you’re the most hardworking and most obedient. If you act out of line now, everyone would know it’s because you were pressed too hard.”

Lu Jiao’s statement was a hint. If Xie Erzhu still didn’t realize he needed to object, then she really has nothing more to say. It would mean this guy was stupidly filial and all his pain was self-inflicted.

Xie Erzhu’s mind cleared somewhat. The most important thing was that he remembered how Lu Jiao fought against his parents many times, yet nobody blamed her for it. On the contrary, people praised her for pushing back.

He seemed to have understood.

Xie Erzhu planned on leaving and fighting against his parents right away.

“I will go back and tell them to stop taking advantage of my family.”

Lu Jiao’s face went dark, “If you go back now, you’d be the one starting a fight. You have to explode when they take advantage of you.”

Lu Jiao sighed, “Since you’re here, have lunch here.”

Xie Yunjin also called out to Xie Erzhu, “Second brother, stay and have lunch. Don’t be so hasty with all this. You need to find the right opportunity to let your anger out.”

The reason why Lu Jiao was able to act so out of line when she was infuriated was that she found the right moment to do so.

Xie Erzhu turned to look at the table and saw Lu Gui. At once, he was embarrassed, “I will eat back at home.”

Lu Jiao said warmly, “It’s rare for my brother to visit so I made many dishes. Second brother, stay and eat. With the hot weather, the food goes bad fast.”

Xie Yunjin added, “Stay and eat. I’m sure nobody saved you food back at home.”

Just then, a little head popped into the room – it was Xie Daqiang’s second son, Caidou. Caidou was scared of Lu Jiao and didn’t dare to come inside. Instead, he peeked his head in and shouted, “Second uncle, we need to go back.”

Caidou’s face annoyed Lu Jiao. She scolded, “Go home. If I catch you snooping around my home I will beat you up.”

Caidou shuddered and ran away at once. He didn’t dare to keep his eyes on Xie Erzhu any longer.

Lu Jiao ignored it and scooped some rice for Xie Erzhu.

Since Lu Gui was here, Lu Jiao did make plenty of food. Since Lu Jiao was being so welcoming, Xie Erzhu decided to eat here and then go home.

Xie Yunjin reminded him again, “Second brother, don’t start anything the moment you get home. Only let it out when they start it.”

Xie Erzhu agreed, “Okay.”

If he started something now, his parents would accuse his third brother and sister-in-law of poorly influencing him. This was why he needed to find another time to let out his anger.

After Xie Erzhu left, Lu Gui took the four little ones away to play with the bows and swords while Lu Jiao cleaned up.

Inside, Xie Yunjin remembered the matter with Lady Zhao and asked again caringly, “What did Laifu’s wife say to you? You didn’t look well after she came.”

Lu Jiao put down the bowls and said to Xie Yunjin, “Laifu’s wife saw the second sister-in-law teaching the first and youngest sister-in-law which herbs to harvest. I was unhappy to learn that.”

She paused then added, “I’m petty. Whoever hurts me should not gain anything from me.

If I wanted those two to learn about herbs, I would’ve taught them myself instead of being their enemy. Yet now, the second sister-in-law is straight up teaching them.”

Near the end, Lu Jiao’s face drooped down. She unhappily unannounced, “This is the first and last time I allow this to happen. If your second brother and sister-in-law disobey my wishes again, I will stop them from benefiting off of me. “