Ma Wuni was dragged along, not even bothering to ask Qian Jin what he was trying. She thought to herself, this man’s expression keeps changing.
There wasn’t much to do in town, and even spending fifty yuan felt like a challenge.
The supply and marketing cooperative didn’t have much to offer these days. Ma Wuni held the money, genuinely wanting to buy something for Qian Jin—otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to explain things to her parents when she got back.
Unfortunately, no matter how she looked at it, nothing seemed better than what Qian Jin was already wearing. So what was there to buy?
Meanwhile, Qian Jin was already busy: “Those rubber shoes are good—one pair for Dad, one for Mom. Those rain boots are nice too—a pair for Mom, since she’s afraid of catching a chill. And that fabric over there—let’s get some for making clothes at home. Mom likes that one, and that other one too…”
Ma Wuni watched Qian Jin’s enthusiastic approach with growing concern. “Are you trying to take over our house?”
Qian Jin had the shop assistant gather the items and replied to Wuni, “What do you mean ‘our house’? Isn’t it our house now?”
Ma Wuni gritted her teeth. “You—” She knew this guy had ulterior motives.
Qian Jin: “What about me? I’m just being practical. Since we’re getting married, we should get along well. Don’t you think that makes sense?”
Ma Wuni: “Just tell me, what do you want? Do you think my dad held back when teaching you martial arts, and you’re trying to wheedle the rest out of him?”
Qian Jin was furious. “In your mind, is that the kind of person I am? Would I go to such lengths just to trick you out of a few farming techniques?”
Ma Wuni: “Ahem, why else? What’s your goal? What do you want?”
This woman is so infuriating. Can’t you see what I’m after? Qian Jin: “If I tell you what I want, will you listen to me?”
Ma Wuni: “If you won’t say it, forget it.”
Qian Jin: “Fine, I’ll say it. We’re already engaged—can’t you at least give me a friendly look? I haven’t done anything to upset you, have I?”
Ma Wuni: “You’re trying to take over our house, and you say you haven’t upset me? Qian Jin, let me make this clear: you need to understand your position. You’re just a son-in-law—a son-in-law, got it? Not a son.”
Qian Jin: “Uncle Ma likes me—that’s not my fault. Besides, I don’t understand why you’re so hostile just because I get along well with Uncle Ma.”
Old grievances and new resentments erupted at once. Ma Wuni: “You don’t know why I’m hostile? That’s my dad! Why does he treat you better than his own daughters? Just because you’re a boy?”
She began recounting all the injustices she had endured over the years: “The eggs at home—I couldn’t eat them, but you could. And those farming techniques—I was clearly stronger than you, so why did he teach you while I had to learn by sneaking around?”
The unfairness of it all had festered for years. Back then, Qian Jin was too young to argue with properly.
But now that he’s grown up, shouldn’t he understand? Learning our family’s skills and monopolizing my parents? Do you have any self-awareness? How could I possibly look at you favorably?
Qian Jin thought to himself, If I’d known, I wouldn’t have eaten those eggs. Who knew you’d hold such a grudge? Over a few eggs, you’d even close your eyes and choose Qian Cheng for an engagement.
Qian Jin’s confidence wavered. “I learned the martial arts, but didn’t I teach them to you too?”
Ma Wuni: “Don’t even mention that! He’s my dad—why did I have to learn by sneaking around?”
Qian Jin didn’t dare say it outright: Why don’t you ask your dad? I’m the one who’s wronged here. “We’re a family now—whoever learns it doesn’t matter. Besides, maybe Uncle Ma was trying to teach you all along, and you just didn’t notice. So now I’m the outsider?”
That’s why I resent Ma Wuni for choosing Qian Cheng. If she had chosen him, none of these things would have happened.
These words, winding and twisting, carried a faint hint of jealousy. Ma Wuni retorted, “Do I look that foolish, to make you my ‘insider’?”
Even if it’s not official, it might as well be. What, thinking of backing out now? In a moment, the two of them were on the verge of an argument. Qian Jin called out, “Ma Wuni.”
Ma Wuni replied, “Right now, I am feeling foolish. Whatever you want, just say it quickly. Otherwise, my parents will end up saying I’m petty.”
Qian Jin shot back, “You’ve never been generous with me.”
Take those eggs, for instance, or the farming tools incident. Was it really his fault? Qian Jin truly felt aggrieved, deeply so.
Who could have guessed that a woman’s thoughts could twist and turn so much, holding a grudge to this extent. Should he blame his younger self for being greedy and eating those darn eggs? Would it make things right if he paid her back now?
The two of them had bought a pile of things—gifts for family members and household items—a whole heap.
On the way back, Qian Jin carried everything himself, stubbornly refusing to let Ma Wuni lift a finger.
Ma Wuni glanced at Qian Jin, thinking to herself, Isn’t this just ridiculous? Carrying things together would make it so much lighter. Besides, she was naturally strong. It wouldn’t have been a big deal for her.
Ma Wuni asked, “Are you trying to show off in front of my parents?”
Qian Jin was almost deflated by her words. Was that what he was after? Such a sharp girl, yet so dense when it came to him.
Qian Jin replied, “Am I that kind of person?”
Ma Wuni countered, “How are you not? Remember when we were kids and went bird’s-nesting together? I carried the eggs all the way home, but as soon as we reached the doorstep, you took them from me. Back home, all the credit went to you.”
Qian Jin hated himself for being so clever back then. He wished he could turn back time and return those eggs to the tree. Let no one have them.
It took him a while to collect his emotions. “Is this the same? Did you carry them all the way this time?”
He took a deep breath, feeling foolish. Why bring this up? Was that even the point? And again, eggs—today, he just couldn’t escape them.
Qian Jin asked, “Can’t you let go of what happened when we were kids?”
Ma Wuni scoffed, “Ha, you were the one who benefited. Of course, it doesn’t matter to you. You can forget it whenever you want.”
Could she forget? Those were lessons learned, teachings for this lifetime. As a mature soul, she had been tricked by a brat—a profound humiliation.
Just looking at Ma Wuni’s expression told him exactly what she was thinking. Qian Jin wished he could turn back time. What was he thinking back then? Why was he so stupid?
If he had known earlier that he would come to care for Ma Wuni, he would have given all the eggs to her.
Qian Jin said, “You’re twenty now. Why do you keep bringing up childhood things?”
Ma Wuni glared at Qian Jin, equally irritated. Was it her fault? “That’s because the psychological scars you left back then were too deep.”
Qian Jin sneered, “Ha, you even know what ‘psychological scars’ are. Why didn’t you study harder?”
Ma Wuni shot back, “Study what? Even without schooling, I know about benevolence, righteousness, morality, propriety, integrity, and shame. Those two who went to school—did they learn any propriety or shame?”
Qian Jin’s face fell instantly. Why bring up those two? Was she still hung up on them? “As long as you know about benevolence and righteousness, that’s enough. We’re engaged, after all. The wedding is just a few days away.”
Ma Wuni pressed her lips together and said, “I remember.” With just a few words, the two of them had turned against each other.
Qian Jin lowered his eyelids and said, seemingly careless, “I’m afraid you’ll regret it.”
Ma Wuni spoke through gritted teeth, “Hmph, why would I regret anything? From now on, all the money you earn will be mine. I’ll eat your food, drink your drinks, and even beat your children. I just couldn’t see it clearly before—what a perfect way to get revenge. Just you wait.”