In the Shen family’s small courtyard, Mother Shen, Xu Guilan, was supervising her two daughters-in-law as they prepared dinner.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, cut that cabbage into smaller pieces. Why don’t you just throw the whole thing into the pot? Wouldn’t that be easier!”
The eldest daughter-in-law, Zhu Cuiping, who had been called out, pouted in dissatisfaction.
“Got it, Mom. I’ll cut it smaller now I was just being careless earlier!”
Xu Guilan rolled her eyes and didn’t bother arguing further.
After all these years, since she had given birth to two grandsons for the Shen family, this eldest daughter-in-law had started to get a bit full of herself.
If it weren’t for the fact that her youngest son was still unmarried, she would have already arranged for the family to split households.
“Second daughter-in-law, go to the backyard and water the vegetable garden. Clean up the chicken coop while you’re at it! Leave dinner to your sister-in-law.”
Hearing her mother-in-law, Li Chunhua quickly agreed and hurried toward the backyard.
Watching her leave, Xu Guilan couldn’t help but sigh.
She didn’t consider herself a harsh mother-in-law, nor did she favor sons over daughters, but this second daughter-in-law always looked timid and uneasy, which made her uncomfortable.
Neither of these daughters-in-law had been her choice, but what could she do? Her sons had already married them.
Now she could only hope her youngest son would satisfy her by bringing home a daughter-in-law she actually liked.
As she stepped out of the kitchen, she ran into her youngest son, who had just come back from outside.
Seeing how rushed he looked, Xu Guilan frowned.
“Where have you been fooling around all day? Haven’t seen you once!”
Shen Zhiyan grinned and came closer.
“Mom, come inside I’ve got something to tell you!”
Hearing this, Xu Guilan looked at him curiously.
“What is it?”
Shen Zhiyan glanced around and shook his head.
“Let’s talk inside. Is Dad home?”
Xu Guilan grew even more puzzled.
“Your dad’s not here he went to the private plot with your older brothers.”
Shen Zhiyan nodded, stepped into the house, and closed the door behind her once she entered.
“In your own home, why are you acting so secretive? What is it did you get into trouble?”
Shen Zhiyan rolled his eyes helplessly.
“Can’t you expect something good from me for once?”
Xu Guilan snorted.
“It’s not that I don’t expect good from you you should look at yourself. You’ve been so aimless lately. A few days ago, your uncle even sent word asking whether you’re going to take that job with the county transport team.
I know you’ve been busy in the black market, but it’s not safe. A proper job is more stable.
If you had a formal job, it would sound better when looking for a wife. What girl would want to marry a lazy drifter?”
At the mention of the transport team job, Shen Zhiyan’s eyes flickered.
Before, he hadn’t wanted to leave the village mainly because of Song Yunlan.
He was afraid that if he left, he would completely lose any connection with her.
But now…
Now that he had finally drawn her into his arms, he really needed to reconsider that job.
What if his future in-laws had objections?
No matter how much it paid, a job with the transport team was at least respectable.
Still, whether to go or not he’d have to discuss it with his wife.
If his wife was too attached and couldn’t bear to be apart from him, he couldn’t just leave her behind.
Lost in sweet fantasies of married life, imagining their loving and affectionate future together, Shen Zhiyan smiled to himself.
After getting no response for a long time, Xu Guilan raised her hand and knocked him on the forehead.
“Ow! Mom, what was that for?! That hurt!”
Xu Guilan rolled her eyes.
“What do you think? I’m talking to you, and you’re standing there grinning like an idiot. What, did someone steal your soul?”
Shen Zhiyan rubbed his forehead his soul really hadn’t come back with him.
It was still with Song Yunlan…
“Mom, we’ll talk about the job later. I have something else to tell you.”
Seeing her son suddenly serious, Xu Guilan’s heart skipped a beat.
Why did it feel like he was about to drop something big on her?
Did the family’s savings even cover whatever trouble he’d caused? Did he get into a fight? Lose goods?
“Go ahead. I’m mentally prepared. We’ve saved a bit these past two years as long as no one died, I’ll handle it for you!”
“Uh…”
Seeing his mother’s heroic expression, Shen Zhiyan felt speechless.
“What are you even talking about? I didn’t fight anyone or cause trouble but there might really be a life involved!”
He thought to himself given how capable he was, maybe he’d hit the mark in one go.
By then, holding a wife in one arm and a daughter in the other what a beautiful life!
While he was talking, he started grinning foolishly again.
Xu Guilan’s heart rose to her throat.
What kind of trouble had turned her son into this?
Her third son had always been the smartest in the family!
“Son, what exactly happened? Hurry up and tell me! You’re going to worry me to death!”
After being smacked again, Shen Zhiyan came back to his senses and said seriously:
“Mom, I’m getting married!”
“What did you say?” Xu Guilan frowned. She thought she had heard him say he was getting married but how was that possible?
“I said I’m getting married. I’m going to marry Song Yunlan, the educated youth!”
This time, Xu Guilan heard him clearly but she couldn’t understand how her son had suddenly become involved with Song Yunlan.
She reached out and touched his forehead.
“Hmm… seems a bit warm. I’ll go get you some medicine.”
Shen Zhiyan was exasperated and pulled her back.
“Mom, what are you doing? I’m not sick or feverish I’m telling the truth!”
Xu Guilan shook off his hand and rolled her eyes.
“What truth? Sounds like nonsense to me. Everyone in the village knows Song already has a partner she’s even engaged!”
Shen Zhiyan sighed and helplessly recounted what had happened that afternoon.
Of course, for Song Yunlan’s sake, he didn’t mention that she had been drugged.
He only said that he himself had fallen into a trap and accidentally wronged her, so he wanted to take responsibility and marry her.
After hearing everything, Xu Guilan felt her head spin.
“Oh my heavens! How is Song now? Should I go check on her right away? Just look at what you’ve done!
Everyone knows she liked that Liang fellow and that they were very close. Now you’ve stepped in between what if she can’t handle it and does something rash?”
Shen Zhiyan didn’t like hearing Song Yunlan being linked with Liang Bo.
Not even from his own mother.
“Mom, you’re overthinking it. Song Yunlan has already broken off her engagement with Liang Bo. Your son is outstanding she’s not blind, of course she can see I’m better than that Liang guy!”
Hearing this, even as his mother, Xu Guilan felt speechless.
Since when had her son become so shameless? Didn’t he know his own reputation in the village?
How could he say something like that with a straight face?
“I don’t know whether she was blind before, but if she agreed to marry you now, it clearly means her eyesight isn’t very good!”