"Dear, I didn’t mean anything by it, I just thought those leather shoes looked nice."
The Chen Family’s Brother-in-law turned and left, not bothering to respond to her.
Eldest Sister Chen felt particularly wronged. Was it necessary to make such a big deal out of it? It was just something said at home, with no outsiders around. Was it really that serious?
Chen Guoliang sat beside his mom, holding her hand, "Mom, Ailing says what’s on her mind but she forgets about it right after. She won’t hold it in her heart.
You know what kind of person my sister is, don’t you? It’s my fault too. I knew from the start she wouldn’t handle things well and shouldn’t have brought Director Jiang along.
Mom, I brought you some bread, you’ll see. Isn’t Ailing right?"
Chen Guoliang opened the paper package, took out the bread, broke off a piece, and stuffed it into his mother’s mouth. "Mom, try it. This was given to Ailing by Director Jiang, but she didn’t have the heart to eat it herself. She specifically saved two for you and Dad. She said it’s filled bread, which is better for your stomachs and it’s all good stuff.
Don’t be reluctant to eat it; just keep it for you and Dad to enjoy."
Mother Chen chewed on the sweet bread in her mouth, it was indeed good stuff. Such a big piece, there are definitely people who would pay a good price for it.
The little bit of dislike she had for Wang Ailing disappeared. After all, no matter what, this daughter is her own, and she’s been raised for so many years, while this daughter-in-law has just become part of the family.
"Alright, I understand."
Chen Guoliang leaned in towards Mother Chen, whispering in her ear, "Mom, Ailing said that the money for the house, both of us will work to repay you and Dad, so you two can have money in hand and won’t have to feel wronged."
"No need, that money is what you earned," Mother Chen felt even more at ease now.
"As long as you two live well together, that’s enough for your father and me. I have to go outside now; there are a lot of people here, and I need to introduce them to Ailing."
Seeing his mother so at ease, Chen Guoliang felt relieved. His mom was truly good to him. He also hoped his wife would get along well with his parents.
Mother Chen called over Wang Ailing and introduced her to the family relatives and the villagers.
Wang Ailing greeted everyone with a cheerful smile. Everyone liked her a lot.
"Third sister, this Guoliang’s wife is really nice."
"Isn’t she? Look at those lazybones, still not showing up. What a mistake it was back then."
Wang Ailing worked swiftly, and the aunts and older ladies liked her even more, all giving her praise.
Mother Chen’s face was beaming with a smile. The other two daughters-in-law came in, and as soon as she saw them, Mother Chen’s expression turned sour.
"Mom, I woke up late."
"Hehe, Mom, no way! Whatever work there is, I’ll get right to it." The eldest daughter-in-law left with a grin.
The second daughter-in-law followed behind her sister-in-law, both picking the lightest tasks to do.
Seeing them behave this way made Mother Chen even angrier. If they don’t consider getting along well with the third couple now, in the future when they need help, how would others assist them?
The two sons are just foolish, listening only to their wives. When their kids grow up, if the third couple is willing to help, there’s no need to worry about them not securing a stable job, right?
Now, their younger brother has gotten married and still hasn’t shown up, leaving everyone uncertain about what to say about them.
Forget it, every generation faces its own fortunes. Let them deal with the future themselves.
Guoliang is always cheerful. But he will surely remember how his brother and sister-in-law treated him.
The old couple should stay with the third son in the future; they certainly wouldn’t treat Ailing badly. They must keep things clear from now on.
The noon meal was cooked by several women in the village, who usually handled weddings and funerals.
The dishes were cut and prepared yesterday, and now they were just steaming buns. Mixed flour buns, five large pots, each with four layers of trays.
As for dishes, it was cabbage and sliced meat stewed with tofu, and another dish was cabbage and sliced meat stewed with beancurd sheets.
This was already very good; with the famine barely over, being able to host a meat banquet was quite something.
Relatives and villagers filled twenty tables. There was no alcohol due to shortages.
Everyone was very satisfied, finally having a bit of richness in their meal.
There were no leftovers on any table. Wang Ailing wanted to wash the dishes after, but Chen Guoliang quickly took over. "It’s too cold; you don’t touch the water. I’ll do it."
The eldest brother and second brother left with their wives after the meal, treating it like an ordinary relative’s event. That’s alright, now they know how to handle it in the future.
The eldest sister also left with her family, considering they had to catch a ride home.
In the yard, the four of them cleaned up within half an hour, with Wang Ailing sweeping the yard meticulously clean.
The old couple looked on contentedly, pleased. When Chen Guoliang returned the tables, chairs, and dishes, he specifically gave each household two buns as a token of appreciation.
No one in the village failed to praise Wang Ailing, the Old Chen Family’s daughter-in-law was not only hardworking but efficient, with a good demeanor towards everybody.
So when Chen Guoliang returned the items, he received compliments about his wife from everyone.
Chen Guoliang felt proud in his heart, believing he had married well.
With the items returned, it was already past 3 PM.
Mother Chen brought out a basket woven from sorghum stalks, containing the cash gifts collected in recent days.
"You two count the money."
The couple got on the kang bed, sitting beside the elderly, and began to count the money.
At this moment, the eldest and second sons entered, eyeing the money on the kang bed enviously, but the elderly couple ignored them.
Eventually, they counted one hundred twenty-six yuan; not a small amount.
The couple sorted the money by denomination.
"This money, the two of you take it," Father Chen said.
"Dad, how can all this money be given to the third? This was the money we chipped in previously for gifts, so if it’s getting divided, we all should have a share." The eldest daughter-in-law interjected with a smile.
"That piglet was brought back by Guoliang, so today’s pork should be his, right? The grains were brought back last time by us, and so were the soybeans.
Given that’s the case, it’s my fault. I should’ve paid for the banquet, but my youngest son had to organize it himself for his wedding.
So now? You see money and want a share?"
After Father Chen finished speaking, both sons lowered their heads.
The elderly continued, "Both of you got married with the family’s money, and now the third should fend for himself?"
"Dad, that’s not what we meant; we just thought that these gifts would need returning in the future. Wherever there are events, we still have to go."
"No need, that’s for your own connections later. Those who came, were all the ones your mom and I gave to."
The eldest daughter-in-law realized the elderly wouldn’t share the money with them.
"Third daughter-in-law, put the money away."
Wang Ailing smiled and took it, pulling out her handkerchief, wrapping the money neatly.
Everyone in the room watched her, even Chen Guoliang kept his eyes on her.