Our family's living expenses have skyrocketed from 500 dollars to 1000 dollars. The monthly mortgage is still 500 dollars, and Jackie only earned 700 dollars a month. His income wasn't enough to support us in the first place, and for years, I've been the one paying the most.

Now, my mother-in-law wanted me to support the entire family alone. And she was even using my savings to buy her an apartment. She seemed crazy! Jackie actually wanted to keep things quiet.

He pulled me aside and, in a low voice, advised me, "Lilian, you know, my mom originally came to the city so she could provide for my retirement. Don't get angry, listen to me. I've already gone house hunting with her. A small apartment isn't expensive, only a few hundred thousand."

Jackie smiled at me, as if I understood, "Didn't you just get a 3000 dollars year-end bonus this year? It'll be enough to make up for it. It sounds nice to say this house is for Mom's retirement, but won't I inherit it after I buy it? What's the difference between that and not spending any money?"

"Just agree to Mom's request. A harmonious family brings prosperity!" He said as he held my hand. I was completely shocked by his shamelessness.

"Not spending any money?" I slapped his hand away.

"Since you didn't spend any money, why don't you buy your own mom a house? It's all our money anyway, it's the same as if we didn't spend any money at all."

Jackie was a little furious, "Here you go again, and you’re going after me! How much do I make? If you hadn't been so greedy and insisted on having that extra piece of meat, Mom wouldn't have been so angry, you know?"

"You should reflect on this!" he said to me.

"Come on, Mom, let's go out for a walk."

He grabbed his coat, grabbed my mother-in-law, and slammed the door. They were out.

Half an hour later, the AA system suddenly reminded me.

[Household expenses: 500 dollars.]

I looked at the details. Jackie had actually taken my mother-in-law to a hotel for dinner. They ordered a table full of ridiculously expensive dishes and even opened a bottle of vodka. He was deliberately teasing me.

I sneered. I went to pick up my daughter from kindergarten and started cooking for her. But while we were eating, my phone suddenly started ringing like crazy.

My best friend who lives in the same neighborhood as me sent me a bunch of screenshots.

"Lilian, has your mother-in-law gone crazy?"