Chapter 30: Wife Showdown – First Victory!
Chen Laohan sat frozen. “I’m… just waiting to eat?”
As Chen Datan’s late-born son, he’d once been the apple of his parents’ eyes—seated beside them at meals, given the choicest bites.
But after Chen Shi’s birth, that love had shifted. Overnight, Chen Laohan became the neglected middle-aged son while his street-rat offspring ascended as the family’s new treasure.
Just this morning, Chen Shi’s scheming had gotten him beaten by his own father. Now, even his sacred seat beside his parents was gone!
He shot Chen Shi a venomous glare.
The brat sauntered over, utterly unrepentant. Grandma Chen tugged Shen Youchu’s sleeve. “Come sit by me, child.”
Shen Youchu hesitated—shouldn’t the newlywed sit lower among the elders?
Chen Shi pulled her down. “Grandma’s favoring you. Take it.”
Tian Xiulan whispered, “New brides get privileges. Sit.”
Only then did Shen Youchu obediently perch beside Chen Shi.
Chen Datan beamed at his grandson. “How was the visit to your in-laws?”
Chen Shi launched into rapturous praise. “Mother-in-law’s from Sichuan—her cured meats are divine! Crystal-clear fat layered with preserved vegetables… Grandpa, I saved half for you and Grandma!”
Wrinkles bloomed like chrysanthemums on Chen Datan’s face.
Grandma Chen eyed the meat, then her grandson’s slender frame. “Old folks don’t need rich food. You eat it, build some strength!”
As Chen Shi chattered, Shen Youchu quietly poured hot water, pressing the cup into his hands when he paused. “Drink slowly,” she murmured.
Grandma Chen’s eyes softened. The village called this girl a “timid quail,” but here she was—tending to her man with quiet grace.
(Though her hips were narrow. Better fatten her up for healthy great-grandbabies!)
“Little Laoshi, your youngest cousin already has two sons. You two best hurry!”
Shen Youchu turned scarlet. Chen Shi groaned. “Grandma, we’ve been married three days!”
“Fine, no rushing. But do try this chicken—your aunt’s specialty!”
The elders piled food into Chen Shi’s bowl until it threatened to topple. By extension, Shen Youchu’s plate also filled.
Blushing, she nibbled while studying Chen Shi’s reactions. When he devoured the braised pork, she ate less to leave him more. When he frowned at bitter greens, she noted it—He dislikes these. I’ll take them next time.
Grandma Chen produced a white-steamed bun like a magician. “Eat this, dear. Coarse grains disagree with you.”
Envious eyes followed that bun—dozens of children clutching black cornbread cakes could only dream. But none begrudged Chen Shi. He was the ancestral jewel.
After the meal, as Chen Shi prepared to leave, Chen Datan gruffly waved him off. “Go on. Secure that job first.”
Grandma Chen wiped tears. “Must he leave so soon? If the work’s too hard, come home! We’ll feed you!”
Chen Shi kissed her cheek. “When I earn money, I’ll buy you dentures so you can chew your favorites.”
“Waste no coin on this old crone—”
Departing East Qin Village, Chen Shi sighed. The nearby mountains taunted him—so many novels described thrilling hunts there! But Chen Laohan insisted on rushing back for literacy classes.
Chen Shi’s Literacy vs. Jia Dongxu’s – Victory! +5 Attribute Points] [New Contrast Pair Unlocked:
Shen Youchu vs. Qin Huairu] [Current Comparison:
Beauty – Loss (No Reward)
Virtue – Victory! +1 Point] [Total Attributes: 6] [New Mission:
Shen Youchu’s Literacy vs. Qin Huairu’s]
Chen Shi nearly whooped. Two simultaneous missions? Literacy was his forte!
More thrilling—the system now compared their wives. Round one (virtue) went to Shen Youchu. Next: classroom skills.
Back in Beijing’s Compound 95, Yan Bugui lurked by the gate like a spectacled vulture. Seeing the Chens return laden with baskets, his beady eyes glittered.
Last time, that brat swindled me out of 5 mao with his wedding scam. Today, I’ll recoup losses!
“My, Little Laoshi! Did you strip your in-laws bare?”
Yang Ruihua sniffed. “Odd. Qin Huairu’s family’s richer, yet the Jias came back empty-handed. And didn’t Chen Shi’s mother-in-law curse at him?”
Chen Shi’s smirk turned icy. So Qin Huairu spun that tale?
His mother-in-law had defended him—now they made it sound like he’d been scorned!
He signaled his family to slip away, then sneered at Yan Bugui.
“Mother-in-law gifted us head-to-toe new shoes. Know what Jia Dongxu got? Blistered hands from plowing his in-laws’ fields!”
Leaning in, he dropped the killshot:
“Oh, and Qin Huairu had to grease his lips with pork fat before leaving—so folks wouldn’t know they starved him!”