In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 197, Section 196: Invisible Shackles. Filial Piety is the Greatest Kindness. Case Sharing. Every Sentence Makes Sense.
Zhang Xiuying spoke up from the side, her tone exceptionally sincere, carrying the understanding and tenderness of a parent:
"My dear in-law, please don't refuse. This is not just polite talk; it's Xianglan's way of showing filial piety as a daughter-in-law."

She already felt guilty and distressed that she couldn't stay by her bedside day and night to take care of her like Jin Huan and Yin Huan did.

If she can contribute more financially and share the burden, she will feel better and more at ease.

Let her do her best; it'll put her mind at ease. Otherwise, she'll always be worrying about it and won't be able to focus at work.

Li Guihua immediately chimed in, her words even more direct and down-to-earth: "Yes, Uncle Wang. Don't you know my eldest sister's personality? She's the most honest, she can't keep anything to herself."

Since she has this intention, if you don't let her pay for it, she will feel even more upset, feeling useless and unable to help.

The money isn't much, but the sentiment is what matters—her earnest attitude. Please grant her this act of filial piety!

Yang Guangming, as if analyzing something perfectly natural, added in a calm and rational tone:
"Uncle Wang, you know my eldest sister's personality best. She's stubborn, inflexible, and incredibly filial."

Since she's convinced it's her duty, if you insist on refusing, she might not be able to sleep well.

As for Honghong and Amao's basic expenses..."

He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Master Wang, and said firmly, "I believe that as a grandfather, you have a sense of justice and would never let your two children down."

After you've handed over your wages, would you really let the children go hungry or cold? Of course not.

This is simply moving money from one pocket to another, a more unified plan that will help the family get through the difficult times.

Master Wang watched as the Yang family members spoke one after another, their attitude sincere, every word reasonable, as if they were standing on the Wang family's side and considering Xianglan's filial piety, completely blocking any possible way for him to refuse.

He looked at Xianglan again and saw that although she had her head down and her fingers were tightly clenched together, showing her inner struggle, she did not voice any objection or disagreement. He immediately understood that this was probably a pre-arranged strategy that the Yang family had discussed before they arrived.

His cloudy gaze shifted back and forth between the sincere faces of the Yang family and the complex, flickering eyes of his two daughters, and a sudden pang of sadness welled up in his heart.

After a moment of contemplation, his fingers unconsciously rubbed the rough surface of the teacup. He sighed heavily, a sigh filled with helplessness and a complex mix of emotions.

"Sigh... my in-laws, you... you are so... so considerate of us..." He stammered, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible sob. "What can I say... Xianglan's thoughts and actions... I... I really... never expected it. She's such a good girl..."

He paused, as if finally making up his mind, then nodded heavily, his gaze sweeping over Yang Yongkang and then over Zhang Xiuying:
"Alright! Since this is Xianglan's filial piety and your Yang family's goodwill, if I keep making excuses, it would make me, Old Wang, seem ungrateful and heartless!"

"I appreciate this kindness! I'll accept the money on behalf of her mother-in-law! Every penny will be used wisely, for her mother-in-law's medical treatment and recovery, and I will certainly not neglect Xianglan and the children! You can rest assured!"

This matter was settled in a moment of uncertainty, with the Yang family's seemingly proactive but actually irresistible suggestion and the Wang family's half-hearted and complex feelings.

Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan watched from the side, secretly calculating the gains and losses of this unexpected "income" and its impact on their future "returns," but they didn't say anything on the surface.

After all, the other party voluntarily handed over all their salary, and spoke so beautifully and pleasingly, occupying the high ground of "filial piety" and "reason." If they were to be tactless and nitpick or object, they would appear too calculating and ungrateful, and would inevitably be looked down upon by their father and outsiders.

With the major issue of Xianglan's salary resolved, the atmosphere in the room seemed to ease considerably, at least on the surface.

Master Wang's expression relaxed a bit, as if he had unloaded some of his burden, or as if he had been put in an invisible shackle.

Yang Yongkang was adept at reading people's expressions and knew the time was right. He then changed the subject, his gaze naturally falling on Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan, who had been sitting beside him, and his tone became exceptionally concerned:

"My dear in-laws, such a big thing has happened to your family, it's like the sky has fallen. It must be so hard on your children, Jin Huan and Yin Huan."

These days, she and her sister have been busy with everything, both inside and out, and they've lost weight from exhaustion.

They have their own families, husbands and children to take care of. If they keep spending every day at their parents' and in-laws' homes... won't that cause some problems in the long run?
If there's anything inconvenient, please don't try to bear it yourself; tell me so we can all think of a solution together.

This question is perfectly apt, directly pointing out the most realistic and potentially contentious issue within the Wang family.

The slight relief that had just surfaced on Master Wang's face from resolving Xianglan's wage issue vanished instantly, replaced by a deeper sense of helplessness and distress.

He sighed again, which had become almost his most frequent action that day:
"How could I not have any objections? Sigh, there's nothing I can do about it."

Their own mother is paralyzed in bed; if they don't care, who will? For now, they can only leave it at that and see how things go.

Fortunately, neither of them...sigh, they don't have formal jobs, so at least they can squeeze out some time.

His words revealed a deep sense of powerlessness and a compromise with reality.

Wang Jinhuan immediately chimed in, her tone clearly carrying a mix of complaint and self-praise, as if she had finally found a legitimate opportunity to pour out her grievances:

"Dad, look at what you're saying, no matter how difficult it is, you still have to take care of Mom! It's a daughter's duty!"
It's just... it's just that my family is a bit nagging. My husband is alright, but it's mainly my mother-in-law who keeps saying things like... she thinks I'm always going to my parents' house and neglecting my own family. Sigh!

As she spoke, she sighed and rubbed the corner of her eye, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Wang Yinhuan added in a low voice, her voice weak and pitiful: "My little one has been coughing a bit these past few days and is fussy at night. I haven't had a chance to take him to the doctor properly... I'm really worried about him, afraid that it will get worse."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, as if she were about to cry at any moment.

Zhang Xiuying immediately showed an expression of empathy and understanding, and followed up with a tone full of consideration:
"It must have been so hard for you two. It's a good thing for a daughter to be filial; it's only natural."

But once she's married, she's part of two different families, and both are equally dear to her.

This situation can't continue indefinitely, and it will also affect the harmony of your own family.

If the mother-in-law has complaints and the man has grievances, over time, it's inevitable that they'll harbor resentment and damage their relationship.

Her words struck a chord with the Wang sisters and also pointed out the issue that Master Wang was most worried about.

Li Guihua had been waiting for this opportunity. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately interjected, her voice clear and crisp, her speech a little fast, carrying the straightforwardness unique to women from the streets and the sense of superiority of being "well-informed":
"That's right! Uncle Wang, Sister Jin Huan, Sister Yin Huan, let me tell you the truth, please don't think I'm being nosy."

In our alley, the Liu family on the front street had a similar situation. Their old lady also suffered a stroke two years ago and became bedridden. Initially, their two daughters took turns caring for her.

She successfully attracted everyone's attention, especially Master Wang, who subconsciously leaned forward.

Li Guihua continued with a vivid expression: "At first, the daughters took turns coming back to take care of the children. But in less than three months, the two sons-in-law started arguing about who did more and who did less, who was at a disadvantage and who was at an advantage. They argued so much that they almost came to blows!"
This left the two daughters in a terrible predicament, and they went back to their parents' home crying and complaining.

Later, Old Liu had no choice. Seeing that his daughter's family was on the verge of falling apart, he gritted his teeth and asked his neighbor, Sister Zhao, for help.

"Sister-in-law Zhao lives in the alley next to Old Liu's house. She is very quick and efficient, clean, kind-hearted, and most importantly, she is healthy and can endure hardship."

Li Guihua vividly described, "Old Liu's family gives Sister Zhao eight yuan a month. Sister Zhao comes over early every morning, cooks two meals, helps with feeding, washing, turning over, and taking care of her bodily needs. She takes good care of her, keeping her clean and tidy, even more attentively than her own daughter!"

By five or six in the afternoon, everything was tidied up. The rest of the Liu family had finished work, so after a quick handover, Sister-in-law Zhao went home. Nothing was delayed.

"This is just great!"

Li Guihua spread her hands, making a gesture of a satisfactory solution, "Old Liu's two daughters are completely free now. They can go back to their own homes to take care of their children and husbands with peace of mind. Their in-laws have nothing to say, and there are fewer conflicts between the couples."

Old Liu is finally relieved; he no longer has to constantly watch his daughter and son-in-law's expressions and listen to their complaints.

Sister-in-law Zhao was very grateful to have gained a stable income.

Now the two families get along like one big family, isn't that great! This is the best long-term strategy!

After she finished speaking, she looked at Master Wang and the Wang sisters with bright eyes, as if she were simply sharing a happy success story that happened around her, without any intention of targeting anyone.

Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan's expressions instantly became extremely unnatural, their smiles froze on their faces, and their eyes darted away.

They weren't stupid; they immediately understood the implications of Li Guihua's words: first, she was implying that their long-term care was unsustainable and would inevitably lead to family conflicts; second, she was pointing out that hiring someone else would be more professional and thorough than their care; and third, she was directly offering a much lower market price—only eight yuan!

The two sisters together asked for twenty yuan!

This is practically a blatant admission that they were making exorbitant demands and trying to take advantage of their mother's family!
Mr. Wang's brows furrowed immediately, and he looked somewhat embarrassed. He subconsciously wanted to defend his daughter's and his own decision, or rather, to save face for his family and his previous mistake.

"Our family... is probably a little different from Lao Liu's family. Jin Huan and Yin Huan are both unemployed, so they're just sitting around doing nothing. They're their own mother, so she's always more attentive and caring than a stranger."

"Hiring someone... is still an outsider after all. There's always a layer between us, and I'm always a little uneasy, worried that they might not be attentive or might not be honest..."

His explanation seemed weak and even lacking in conviction.

Yang Yongkang, who had been silent and in control, slowly shook his head, his tone steady:

"My dear in-law, you can't say that. The Liu family's example is right before our eyes and is very valuable for reference."

Parents naturally love their children, but they also need to understand their children's difficulties and not just focus on one side.

Jin Huan and Yin Huan are filial, which we all see, but they are already married and have their own families. They have husbands, children, and in-laws to care for, and they can't neglect any of them. It's understandable that they would come back for a short time in an emergency; the bond between mother and daughter is strong, and no one would say anything.

But my mother-in-law's illness... we all have to face reality, it's not something that will happen in a day or two, it could very well be a long-term problem."

He paused at the opportune moment, leaving behind a heavy unspoken message, and his gaze swept over Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan. The two sisters subconsciously avoided his gaze, which seemed to see right through them.

"If this continues for a long time..."

Yang Yongkang emphasized, "It means we'll be a burden on our children, and might even ruin their families."

"Even if you two are willing, and Jinhuan and Yinhuan are willing themselves, will their husbands and in-laws have no objections? Will they still be able to live peacefully?"

His words hit the nail on the head, pointing directly to the core of the problem and the potentially serious consequences.

He paused for a moment, allowing himself to fully process what he had said, before continuing to present the facts and reason:

"Besides, Jin Huan and Yin Huan don't live close by, do they? Running back and forth like this every day, braving the wind and snow, getting up early and working late, their health is the foundation of everything. Who can take it in the long run? What if they get sick from exhaustion? Wouldn't that just cause more trouble? If there are two sick people, who will you take care of?"

"so."

Yang Yongkang's tone was resolute: "From both a moral and logical standpoint, I still think that hiring a knowledgeable and professional person to take care of us is the most suitable and reliable long-term solution!"
Just like Guihua said, it would be best to find a quick, efficient, kind-hearted old neighbor or a familiar idle laborer in or near the alley.

This approach has many advantages: First, it avoids troubling Jin Huan and Yin Huan, and doesn't disrupt the harmony and stability of their own families—this is for their long-term benefit; second, being close by means they can be there whenever needed, which is more convenient and timely than their children traveling from afar; third, they are paid to do their job, so they are responsible and might be more considerate and professional than one's own children, thus avoiding many family conflicts.

“Hiring someone will definitely cost some money.” Yang Yongkang looked at Master Wang with utmost sincerity and a candid tone, “But this money should be spent! It absolutely cannot be saved! This is for the right purpose! It’s for caring for bedridden patients, for easing the burden on the whole family, and for maintaining harmony in the children’s family! It’s money spent wisely!”

He turned his gaze back to the Wang sisters, whose faces were growing increasingly pale, and spoke with a tone of earnestness, as if he were an elder who truly cared about them:

"Golden ring, silver ring, don't you agree?"

You are so filial, you certainly wouldn't want to see your own family in turmoil and your marriage break down because of taking care of your mother for so long, right?

"If that were to happen, could your mother lie in bed at peace? Could she feel any relief? Wouldn't that just make her suffer even more?"

He cleverly contrasted "filial piety" with "practical results," making it impossible for the Wang sisters to refute him from the perspective of "filial piety."

Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan were rendered speechless by Yang Yongkang's reasonable, watertight, and considerate questions. Their faces flushed red and then turned pale, and their chests felt tight, but they couldn't find any plausible rebuttal.

Could they just say on the spot, "We're not afraid of being a burden, we just want to stay at our parents' home to take care of our mother. We'd be happy to do it as long as you give us twenty yuan a month"?
Yang Yongkang then looked at Master Wang, his tone heavy and sincere:
"My dear in-law, I understand that we need to be careful with our money and make the most of every penny. But it depends on the situation."

I think the money spent on caring for patients and maintaining family harmony should be spent openly and effectively!

The family is already facing difficulties, this is just the beginning, but let's work together to overcome them, we'll get through this. If we really don't have enough money…”

He leaned forward, appearing even more sincere, "Don't be stubborn, just ask! We're real relatives, we've known each other for decades. If I can help, I, Yang Yongkang, will definitely help, no questions asked! We won't even talk about paying it back!"

These words were impeccable, clearly pointing out the stakes and demonstrating a "high-minded" attitude that considered the Wang family as a whole and the Wang sisters, while also highlighting the possibility of economic assistance.

This completely blocked any possibility that Mr. Wang might refuse the offer by using "no money" or "reluctance to spend money" as an excuse.

Master Wang sat there, as if all his strength had been drained away. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the rough surface of the teacup with force, as if trying to wear away a layer of skin. His brows were furrowed, and the wrinkles on his face were as deep as if carved by a knife.

He knew perfectly well that what Yang Yongkang said was the best solution for the present moment and the best long-term plan. He was well aware of his two daughters' thoughts.

Twenty yuan a month is indeed an unbearable burden for a family that is already struggling financially and faces bottomless pits of future expenses.

Previously, she had been hesitant and even inclined to give in to her daughters' requests because she couldn't resist their persistent pleading and crying, and she was also afraid of being gossiped about.

Now that his in-law Yang Yongkang has put himself in this position, with perfectly legitimate reasons, all for the sake of the Wang family and his daughters, he has placed him in a position where he must be "reasonable" and "do what's best for his daughters."

If he insists on his own opinion, he will appear confused, stubborn, and indifferent to the harmony of his daughters' families, or—worse still—he may be deliberately trying to make his daughters earn money from their maternal family and take advantage of them.

He stole a glance at his two daughters. Wang Jinhuan's face was ashen; she kept her head down, her fingers tightly twisting the edge of her apron, her lips pressed tightly together. Wang Yinhuan's eyes were even more panicked and evasive; she almost buried her head in her chest, not daring to look up at anyone.

He sighed heavily in his heart, knowing that things had come to this point and he had no choice in the matter.

The in-laws came prepared, their words were well-chosen, and they offered plenty of opportunities for advancement.

If he doesn't seize the opportunity, and Li Guihua or the outspoken Zhang Xiuying "accidentally" points out that his two daughters had previously asked for ten yuan each per month, the Wang family will truly lose face. They will never be able to hold their heads high again in this alley or in the entire factory area!

Thinking of this, Master Wang raised his head, forcing a somewhat stiff but trying-to-appear magnanimous and reasonable smile, even though it was hardly more attractive than a grimace:
“My dear in-law… Ah! You’re right! Every word you say makes perfect sense and is very insightful! You’re thinking of our Wang family, and it’s for the good of Jin Huan and Yin Huan, and for the good of this family!”

He took a deep breath, as if he had finally made up his mind, his tone carrying a resigned resolve:
"Yes, it's not a good idea to keep dragging these two kids along like this. If I drag their little family down with me, I'll really be committing a sin."

Hire someone... well, just hire someone! My dear in-laws, you're so thoughtful and far-sighted. This money is necessary! Even if we're on a tight budget, we have to spend it!

He turned to Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan, his tone carrying an undeniable determination, even a hint of relief:
"Jin Huan, Yin Huan, you two have been exhausted these past few days, and you still have to worry about the children at home. Once you've found reliable people, you can go back to your own homes with peace of mind, take good care of the children and your in-laws, and make sure they're all settled down."

"With Xianglan and I looking after things here, and if we hire someone to help out during the day, things should be running smoothly. You can come back and check on things every few days."

Wang Jinhuan suddenly looked up, her lips moved violently, and her eyes were full of resentment and anxiety, as if she wanted to loudly refute or say something to fight for him.

But under the stern yet almost pleading gaze of her father, and especially after seeing the calm yet all-knowing eyes of the Yang family members, she finally deflated like a punctured balloon.

She swallowed back the words that were about to come out, lowered her head with extreme resentment, and squeezed out a muffled "hmm" from her throat.

Wang Yinhuan's voice was barely audible: "I understand, Dad."

Things went too smoothly, which even made Li Guihua, who had prepared a lot of things to say and planned to "speak out for justice," feel a little regretful.

Before she could unleash her prepared "examples" and sharp remarks, the anticipated "battle" seemed to have ended peacefully.

She secretly pursed her lips, but maintained a polite and concerned expression on her face.

Yang Yongkang smiled with satisfaction: "That's right, in-law. We can always find a solution by discussing things together. This arrangement is better for everyone and will make things easier for us."

Having achieved their main objective so "perfectly," the Yang family sat and chatted for a while, mainly comforting Master Wang and telling him to take care of himself and not overwork himself, as the pillar of the family couldn't fall. They also asked about where they could find suitable helpers and other such casual conversations.

About half an hour later, the tea in the cup had become weak, so Yang Yongkang got up to say goodbye: "My dear in-law, it's getting late, so we'll head back now. We still have some things to take care of at home. If there's anything here that needs our help, please don't hesitate to ask Xianglan to pass on the message."

Master Wang quickly stood up and urged them to stay, saying, "Why don't you have dinner before you leave? Tell Jin Huan and the others to hurry up and prepare the food!"

"No, no, really no." Zhang Xiuying declined with a smile, but her tone was firm. "Everything is ready at home. Zhuangzhuang is still waiting for his parents to come back. Besides, you're already busy enough. Don't add to the trouble."

Seeing this, Master Wang knew he couldn't keep them, so he stopped trying and, together with his two daughters whose expressions were still somewhat unnatural, escorted the Yang family to the alley entrance.

Xianglan, carrying Amao and holding Honghong's hand, also came out.

She looked at her family members with a complex mix of emotions: gratitude, dependence, a sense of security that her family was making decisions for her and supporting her, a hint of uncertainty about the future, and a slight exhaustion after feeling relieved.

Stepping out of the alley and onto the swaying bus, Zhang Xiuying seemed to have exhausted all her strength. Leaning back against the cold seat, a weary yet relieved expression appeared on her face.
"Well, this thorny matter is finally settled. Grandpa Amao is still a reasonable and honorable man after all, and he didn't completely lose his senses."

Yang Yongkang said calmly, "It's easy to say, but difficult to do. We've agreed to the formalities, but as for the specifics and whether any unexpected problems will arise, we'll have to wait and see. After all, those two are not to be underestimated."

Hearing this, Li Guihua leaned closer, still somewhat unsatisfied, and lowered her voice: "We should have taken this opportunity to give those two sisters a good talking-to, to make them give up on their money-making schemes! Judging from their expressions at the end, they're probably still resentful!"

Yang Yongkang glanced at her, his eyes carrying the admonition of an elder: "Know when to stop. Just get the point across, get it right, and stop when you've achieved your goal. Say too much, go too far, and you'll make enemies."

After all, Xianglan is still living there, and they'll run into each other all the time. A complete falling out would benefit no one.

This is for the best; we're in the right, and we've saved face for them.

Master Wang is a sensible man; he understands what's going on, and he'll likely be more understanding and considerate of Xianglan in the future.

Yang Guangming nodded in agreement: "Dad is right. This is the most appropriate way to handle things today. We stood in their shoes, explained the reasons clearly and thoroughly, gave them enough face, and paved the way for them to save face."

Uncle Wang is a smart man; he knows how to weigh the pros and cons.

As for Sister Jinhuan and Sister Yinhuan, even if they were unhappy, with what we said today and the neighborhood gossip surrounding them, they wouldn't dare to cause any more trouble openly.

Yang Guanghui, who had been quiet all along, spoke up now, his tone filled with concern for Xianglan's situation: "I hope so. Xianglan has had it so tough, and she still has a long way to go."

The family fell silent, with only the roar of the car engine and the swaying of the carriage remaining.

(End of this chapter)