The In-Laws New Year UltimatumChapter 1
Before she could utter another word, I hung up and video-called my husband.
His face filled the screen—ashen, hollow-cheeked. A weak cough rattled his chest. "Our girl just talks harshly, honey." His voice was raspy, placating. "She didn't mean it that way."
"Besides," he wheezed, "high-speed rail and plane tickets sold out ages ago. It's the in-laws' first visit. If you leave in a huff, it'll look bad." A pause. A sigh. "Think of the child..."
My heart twisted as I studied his gaunt face.
Seven years ago, I had finally retired. It was supposed to be *our* time—time to travel, to rest, to take care of each other. Instead, Jade's heart-rending sobs over the phone had dragged me here to become an unpaid nanny.
In all that time, I rarely went home. Every time I bought a ticket, some "emergency" would hold me back.
Two years ago, my husband retired too. I wanted to rush back to celebrate with him, but Jade had a business trip. She begged me, eyes red and swollen, to watch Savannah.
And my husband—just like today—had urged me to stay.
*For the family.*
Thinking of Jade's cruel words, tears finally spilled over.
"You always think of her," I choked out. "But in that ingrate's heart—is there *any* room for us two old bones?"
He chuckled softly, trying to coax a smile out of me. "Don't say such angry things. Jade is our only daughter. How could she not love us?"
"She's probably just afraid her in-laws will think she's favoring her own parents," he reasoned. "She wants to stagger the visits. We should understand her difficulties."
He told me to swallow my pride. Host the in-laws properly.
"Isn't our greatest hope that our girl's family is happy?"
"Don't worry about me." His smile strained at the edges. "The village head is setting up a banquet in the courtyard tonight. It'll be very lively."
After we hung up, I stood in the silent kitchen, forcing my breathing to slow.
Only then did I notice the notifications piling up.
In the last half hour, Jade had called over ten times.
Seeing I hadn't answered, she'd switched to bombarding me on WeChat.
**【Mom, why did you hang up?】**
**【Don't tell me I hit a nerve—you don't welcome my in-laws, do you?】**
**【I know what this is about. You think I didn't give you money for groceries, right?】**
A notification popped up. She had transferred 500 bucks.
*Note: Grocery Money.*