Chapter 3The Price of Filial Piety

At that time, Liam's project had just paid out.

A total of three hundred thousand.

I jumped for joy, planning to pay off some of the mortgage early.

After all, a monthly mortgage of eight thousand was always a heavy burden. Paying off a bit early would lessen the pressure.

Liam supported this with both hands raised. He even pinched my nose, praising me for being a virtuous wife, thinking of the mortgage instead of living it up when we had money.

But the next day, a neighbor from his hometown called Liam.

Saying my father-in-law went up to the roof to change the awning and accidentally fell and broke his leg.

My mother-in-law sprained her back while helping my father-in-law upstairs.

Now, both elders were immobilized.

Liam and I rushed back, only to see my father-in-law with his leg in a cast, lying in bed looking weak as a kitten.

My mother-in-law was beside him, holding her back, sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing this, the visiting relatives all started accusing us:

"Truly unfilial! Leaving your parents in the village to live in a leaky, drafty house while you hide in the city enjoying life."

"Take this situation, for example. If his Third Uncle hadn't come over to visit and found him, to put it bluntly, maybe even..."

"Liam, you can't be the kind of person who forgets his mother once he gets a wife, letting someone instigate you to be unfilial."

"Chloe, I'm not trying to scold you, but what kind of daughter-in-law lives so far away from her in-laws after marriage? If something happens, how can they rely on you?"

"If you don't want to serve your in-laws yourself, at least don't stop Liam from fulfilling his filial duties. You're so immature!"

...

Being accused by so many people for the first time, I sat there feeling deeply uncomfortable.

Liam, with red eyes and his head down, promised over and over again that this would never happen again.

My father-in-law raised a hand, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he coughed so hard he couldn't catch his breath:

"Sigh, don't blame Liam. It's hard for him too, it's not easy to ask for time off work now, cough cough cough..."

My mother-in-law rubbed his back while wiping away tears:

"Yes, yes, we're actually fine. If something really happens, that... that's just fate..."

As they spoke, the two elders held each other, weeping silently.

Liam dropped to his knees:

"Dad, Mom, I'll take you both to live in the city."

He looked at me, his tone resolute:

"This matter is settled."

I opened my mouth, but the words of objection just wouldn't come out, no matter what.

Just like that, my in-laws followed us to the city.