My name is Wang Xue, I am 28 years old this year, and I am an ordinary office worker. I work as a copywriter for an internet company, and although the salary is not high, it is quite stable. I married my high school classmate Zhang Ming 2 years ago, and we have been living with Zhang Ming's mother, Granny Li, since we got married.
As a novice daughter-in-law, I have always tried my best to maintain a relationship with my mother-in-law, although our personalities are very incompatible, I still try to follow her, because I know that she is Zhang Ming's dependence. After the salary is paid every month, Zhang Ming will hand over the salary card to Granny Li for safekeeping, and the mother-in-law will be responsible for all the expenses of the family. I occasionally ask my mother-in-law for living expenses, but most of the time it is my mother-in-law who decides what she should buy.
Once, I asked my mother-in-law to help me buy some new clothes, but my mother-in-law said that the family had no money and told me to buy them myself. I was a little angry, and wondered why she could control all the money in the house, and shouldn't I be at my own disposal with all the money I earned, but I didn't say anything, just complained to myself.
The following month, I wanted to buy some new kitchen utensils, but my mother-in-law rejected them. She said, "You spend too much money, where does the money go? I felt very uncomfortable when I heard this, but I still held back and did not refute it.
On this day, I was doing housework at home, and suddenly Zhang Ming came back, his face was a little ugly.
"What's wrong, what's going on?" I asked with concern.
Zhang Ming said heavily: "I handed over my salary card to my mother today. "
I immediately understood in my heart that this time it must be because of money again. I couldn't help but get a little angry, but I tried to keep my tone as calm as I could, "Why did you give her the card again? Shouldn't we take care of our own money?"
Zhang Ming sighed and said, "Mom said that the expenses at home are too big, let me give her the card to manage." She said it would save some money. "
Hearing this, I really couldn't help it, and I couldn't help but raise my voice and say, "What do you mean that the expenses at home are too big? Aren't all the money earned by the two of us? Why should you let your mother take care of it? Can't we live independently?"
Zhang Ming said helplessly: "I know you have a lot of sense, but you also know that my mother is not in a good mood, and I don't want to offend her." You just let her take care of it, and she won't treat us badly anyway. "
I said angrily, "How can you say that? Doesn't our money belong to us? Why do you always go with your mother? Don't you want to live our own life?"
Zhang Ming said helplessly: "I know what you think, but I really don't want to offend my mother." You also know that she has always cared about our lives, and it is also a credit to her that we were able to leave some money. "
When I heard this, I was completely angry, and I couldn't help but shout: "What are you talking about? Is our life in the hands of your mother? Our money is controlled by her, and we have to get her permission to buy something! Is this still our life?"
Listening to my words, Zhang Ming was silent for a while, as if weighing what I said. After a while, he said hesitantly, "I know you have a point, but Mom has been taking care of us, and if we don't listen to her, she might be angry." You also know that she doesn't have a good temper, so we'd better go with her. "
I couldn't help but say louder, "Go with her? Then what autonomy do we have in our lives? Will we always live under your mother's control? Why should she be in charge of the money I have earned from my hard work? Is this the so-called married life?"
Zhang Ming said hesitantly: "I know you're angry, but I really don't want my mother to be angry." She has always been nice to us and if we don't listen to her, it could be a hassle later. "
I said angrily, "Okay, then you can continue to listen to your mother! Anyway, I can't spend my own money, and I don't have to go to work to earn money, it's all your mother's anyway." You two go play on your own, I've had enough!"
With that, I went back to my bedroom in a rage and slammed the door slammed on. I lay on the bed, tears welling up in my eyes. I'm really angry, why can't we control our lives? Why does Zhang Ming always follow his mother's wishes? Doesn't our money belong to us?
After a while, Zhang Ming knocked on the door and came in, and said cautiously, "Wife, don't be angry." I know you have a point, and I think we should be left to our own devices. But you know, my mom has always been nice to us, and I don't want her to be sad. Why don't we discuss it, I'll discuss it with my mother about money, and you will be responsible for the daily expenses of the family, okay?"
I said coldly, "Hmph, you still follow your mother as always." I don't want you to consult with her, our money should be in our own hands. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to go to work at all, and I wouldn't be able to spend the money I earned anyway. "
Zhang Ming said helplessly: "Wife, don't be like this. I know you're angry, but I really don't want to make Mom sad. Otherwise, let's wait a few days and discuss this with her, so don't be angry. "
Hearing this, I finally couldn't hold back my tears, and the tears kept flowing down my cheeks. I said, "Zhang Ming, why can't you stand on my side? Why do you always prioritize your mother's feelings? Do we have to be controlled by your mother all the time?"
Zhang Ming hurriedly came over and hugged me, and said gently: "Wife, I'm sorry, it's me who is not good." I know that I have always been too obedient to my mother's wishes, and I have not done a good job of protecting the interests of our husband and wife. I'll communicate with my mom and hope she understands our thoughts. Don't be angry yet, let's work together for our own life, okay?"
I choked up and said, "But I'm really fed up, it's your mom who has the final say." Our lives are controlled by her like this, and I really can't stand it anymore. "
Zhang Ming hugged me tightly and said, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault." I know I've not been doing a good job of protecting our rights. In the future, I will definitely communicate well with my mother so that she can understand our thoughts. Don't be angry, trust me to fight for our own life. "
Hearing Zhang Ming's promise, my mood calmed down a little. I wiped my tears and said hesitantly, "Okay then, I trust you." But you have to tell your mom that we should manage our own money. We've been married for so long, it's time for us to live our own lives. "
Zhang Ming nodded and said, "Okay, I will definitely communicate well with my mother." Together, we can live the life we want. "
After saying that, he gently kissed my forehead, and I also felt his sincerity. Maybe things are not as bad as I imagined, as long as Zhang Ming can sincerely fight for our rights and interests, we will one day be able to live an independent life. I took a deep breath and decided to believe Zhang Ming's promise.
In the days that followed, Zhang Ming had indeed been communicating with his mother about the matter. I could sense his sincerity and hopefully eventually convince his mom that we could take control of our money.
Finally, one day Zhang Ming came back to me full of hope and said: "Wife, I have discussed with my mother, and in the future, we will decide the expenses of the family, you are responsible for the daily expenses, and I will give you a living allowance every month." The rest of the money, Mom agreed to be at our disposal. "
When I heard the news, my mood instantly lightened a lot. I hugged Zhang Ming happily and said, "Great! I knew that as long as you could communicate with her well, she would eventually understand our thoughts." "
Zhang Ming smiled and said, "Yes, I didn't expect my mother to agree so readily." But she said that as long as we manage it well, she won't bother. Therefore, you should control your daily expenses in the future and don't spend money indiscriminately. "
I nodded again and again and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely be very frugal." It's great that we can finally spend our money on our own. "
Zhang Ming looked at me gently and said, "Yes, we can plan our lives well in the future." Do you have any plans?"
I thought about it for a moment and said, "Well, I've always wanted to buy a new rice cooker, and a couple of new kitchen utensils. In addition, I also want to change the clothes in the wardrobe, and I also like the styles that have been trending recently. "
Zhang Ming smiled and said, "Okay, you can buy whatever you want, it's your money anyway." I've been wanting to buy a new computer lately, and it looks like we're going to have to plan our expenses this month. "
Hearing Zhang Ming's words, I suddenly felt at ease, as if our lives could finally be controlled by us. I said excitedly, "Great, then let's go to the mall today, anyway, the money is not Mommy's." "
Zhang Ming nodded and said, "Okay, it just so happens that I got off work early today." Let's go shopping together and check out where to find the right rice cooker and computer. "
So, the two of us happily went to the mall. After visiting several stores, we finally settled on a rice cooker that we had been looking for a long time and a computer that Zhang Ming had been looking for for a long time. When I checked out, I couldn't help but sigh: "It's so good, I used to have to ask my mother-in-law first, but now I can finally make my own decisions." "
Zhang Ming smiled and said, "Yes, our life will really belong to us in the future." But you have to take care of the money, and you can't spend it indiscriminately. "
I smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll be very frugal." Anyway, it's nice that we finally don't have to be controlled by people. "
Zhang Ming nodded and said, "Well, in the future, we have to plan our lives well and strive for a better life." "
We got home in high spirits and couldn't wait to put our new purchases in place. I looked at the brand new rice cooker and computer, and my heart was filled with a sense of happiness and freedom. Finally, we can live our own lives.
In the days that followed, we did live a life of autonomy and freedom. I am responsible for the daily expenses of the family, and Zhang Ming is responsible for some of the big expenses. We regularly discuss family finances and work together to create a spending plan. Even though there were occasional disagreements, we were able to understand and compromise with each other.
My mother-in-law came to visit us occasionally, but she also respected our decision. Zhang Ming would patiently explain to her what we thought as a couple, and she gradually understood our autonomy. We would have a meal together from time to time, and the atmosphere became more and more congenial.
In this way, Zhang Ming and I lived the life we wanted. We are able to spend our own income, and our lives are becoming more and more meaningful. Although there were occasional small arguments, we all learned to understand and tolerate each other. Now I finally feel the happiness and freedom of married life.
After a while, my mother-in-law came to our house less and less. I felt as if she had accepted the decision of the two of us to take control of our finances. Sometimes she would call us to ask how we were doing, but rarely did she ask about the family's expenses. I think that's good, at least we don't have to interfere with her.
One day, I was cooking at home when I suddenly received a call from my mother-in-law. She said in a somewhat anxious tone: "Xuexue, your father has not been in good health recently, and I want to go to the hospital to see him." See if you can give me the money card, and I'll use it and give it back to you. "
I was stunned for a moment, remembering that we had just won autonomy some time ago, so I cautiously said: "Mom, I know that Dad is not in good health, but we have discussed the matter of money, and you should understand our thoughts." Why don't we go to the hospital and see Dad?"
The mother-in-law was silent for a while, and then said, "I know you want to take care of your own money now, but this time it's too urgent, I just want to borrow it." Dad's situation is really bad, and I really need money. Give it to me first, and I promise to give it back to you. "
Hearing my mother-in-law's tone a little choked, I subconsciously wanted to help her. But when I think about the rights we just earned, I hesitate. I said hesitantly, "Mom, I know you're in a hurry, but didn't we say it before? Otherwise, let's go see Dad together, and I'll pay the money we need with Mingming." "
The mother-in-law was silent for a while, then said, "I know you don't want to give me money, but this time it's really urgent. Your dad's condition is so serious that I really can't care about anything else. Just give me a little first, and I'll pay you back when I'm done. "
Hearing my mother-in-law's crying voice, my heart softened all of a sudden. After all, she is my husband's mother, and she has been taking care of us all these years. We've just gained financial autonomy, but I don't want to shirk it if I can help her right now. So I said, "Okay, Mom." I'll give you some money, you can go see Daddy first. But please give it back to me as soon as possible, we will have to take care of the money ourselves in the future. "
The mother-in-law said gratefully: "Thank you Xuexue, I know that you and Ming Ming are well-intentioned." I will definitely return it to you as soon as possible. "
After thinking about it, I still took a few thousand yuan from our living expenses and gave it to my mother-in-law. The mother-in-law gratefully accepted it and hurried to the hospital.
After his mother-in-law left, Zhang Ming came back. Seeing that I was a little down, he asked me with concern what was wrong. I told him what had just happened, and Zhang Ming hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "Wife, let's give it to my mother this time." Dad's condition is really urgent, and we can't just watch it. When my mother takes care of it, she will return it to us, and we will still have to take care of the money ourselves in the future. "
Hearing Zhang Ming's words, I breathed a sigh of relief. It seems that he understands my concerns, too. I nodded and said, "Okay, then let's give it first." But don't let that happen again, we really have to manage our own money. "
Zhang Ming smiled and said, "Don't worry, this time is a special situation." In the future, we still have to insist on autonomy and can't let our mothers interfere anymore. "
In the next few days, my mother-in-law did not come again to ask for money. We were also busy with our own lives, and occasionally called to ask how my dad was doing. Gradually, our lives are back on track.
A month later, my mother-in-law suddenly came to our house with an envelope in her hand. She said a little embarrassedly: "Xuexue, I used up all the money you gave me last time." You see, this is what I give back to you. "
I was a little surprised and quickly took the envelope. When I opened it, it was the money we gave before. I was a little moved and said, "Mom, thank you so much for returning it to us so quickly." "
The mother-in-law sighed and said, "Yes, your father's hospitalization expenses this time are still very high. But I still want to thank you for helping me in time. This can't happen again, you really have to take care of your own money. "
I hurriedly said, "Mom, you don't have to apologize. I'm glad we were able to help at the time. If you need anything in the future, just let us know and we will do our best to help you. "
The mother-in-law nodded, smiled and said, "Okay, I'll pay attention to it later." You husband and wife should also cherish it and live a good life. "
After saying that, the mother-in-law left. I looked at the money in my hand, and a wave of emotion swelled up in my heart. Although we have quarreled over money before, we can still understand each other and help each other in the end. I believe that as long as we respect each other, we will be able to build harmonious family relationships.