The first floor of the Duan residence.
Wu Yafang was preparing dinner in the kitchen, with Duan Pengwei assisting by her side.
Duan Pengyue thought of Li Qinkuai’s appearance, her eyes filled with envy, and couldn’t help but say, “Mom, my second sister-in-law is really beautiful, even more beautiful than Sister Shuangyun. You really can’t tell she’s from the countryside.”
Upon hearing her words, Wu Yafang’s previously cheerful expression vanished. She put down the vegetables in her hands, turned to look sternly at Duan Pengyue, and warned, “Peng Wei, you must not say things like ‘you can’t tell she’s from the countryside’ in front of your second sister-in-law. Also, you must not mention anything about Shuangyun and Peng Yue.”
Duan Pengwei didn’t quite understand. “Why can’t I say it?”
Her second sister-in-law was indeed from the countryside—what was wrong with saying that?
As for the matter between Sister Shuangyun and her second brother, Duan Pengwei felt even more upset. Although her current second sister-in-law was beautiful, in Duan Pengwei’s heart, she still believed Qing Shuangyun was the most suitable match for her second brother.
But now that things were settled, she couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful.
“Your second sister-in-law has just married into our family and isn’t very familiar with us yet. If she hears you calling her a country person, she might misunderstand and think we look down on her behind her back. And I’m warning you, no matter how close you are with that girl Qing Shuangyun, your second brother is already married. There’s no possibility between him and her anymore. Don’t ever bring up the past between your second brother and Qing Shuangyun again, understand?!”
Wu Yafang’s face was stern as she spoke seriously.
Duan Pengwei nodded in agreement. “I understand.”
Li Qinkuai had originally intended to lie down on the bed and rest for a while but ended up falling asleep without realizing it.
When Duan Pengyue came out of the shower, he saw Li Qinkuai asleep. He walked over quietly and noticed that although the person on the bed was asleep, she wasn’t resting peacefully. Her brows and face were furrowed, as if troubled by something.
Looking at the person before him, Duan Pengyue couldn’t help but lean down and kiss her forehead, whispering a promise, “I’m here, don’t be afraid.”
Whether Li Qinkuai heard his words in her sleep or not, her entire face relaxed, and even her lips curled into a faint smile.
Li Qinkuai woke up again when Duan Pengwei came to the door to call them for dinner.
“Second brother, second sister-in-law, come down for dinner. Mom and I have already prepared the food. Hurry up and come down.”
Duan Pengwei spoke while knocking on the door from outside.
Li Qinkuai quickly responded, “Alright, we’ll be right down.”
She looked around the room but didn’t see Duan Pengyue. The bathroom door was closed, and the sound of water could be heard from inside. She knocked on the door and called out, “Duan Pengyue, it’s time for dinner.”
A moment later, the bathroom door opened. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two basins inside, both containing clothes—her clothes were there too, even her undergarments.
Li Qinkuai’s face flushed with heat, and she muttered, “I’ll wash my own clothes from now on.”
“It doesn’t matter who washes them,” Duan Pengyue replied without any hint of embarrassment on his face—even if there was, Li Qinkuai wouldn’t have noticed.
“Let’s go down for dinner first,” Li Qinkuai mumbled.
Duan Pengyue dried his hands and followed her downstairs.
The dining table was filled with dishes: braised pork, fried fish pieces, stewed chicken, boiled shrimp, two cold dishes, and two vegetable dishes, all generously portioned.
It was clear they had been prepared in advance.
“Sit down and eat.”
Wu Yafang called out to everyone, walking over to take Li Qinkuai’s hand and urging her to sit down.
The rice had already been served and placed in front of her.
The others also sat down, and Wu Yafang kept piling food into Li Qinkuai’s bowl, which quickly filled up.
Li Qinkuai couldn’t keep up with the speed at which she was adding food.
“Mom, she’ll help herself to whatever she wants to eat. How can she eat like this?” Duan Pengyue said helplessly.
Wu Yafang seemed to realize only then and immediately laughed, “Alright, alright. I was just worried she might be too shy to help herself. You all hurry up and eat too.”
Duan Pengwei teased, “Second sister-in-law, Mom treats you even better than her own daughter now. She only cares about putting food in your bowl and doesn’t even give me any.”
Wu Yafang shot her a glare, “You’re such a grown-up, don’t you have hands to help yourself? Just eat properly.”
After scolding Duan Pengwei, she immediately turned to Li Qinkuai with a smile and said, “Qinkuai, don’t listen to Pengwei’s nonsense. She’s always like this with her words, don’t take it to heart. Since you’ve married into the Duan family, you’re one of us now.”
Wu Yafang’s change in attitude was so swift that it felt almost frightening to those present, but it was also clear that Li Qinkuai was now the apple of her eye, and no one could upset her.
Li Qinkuai obediently nodded and replied, “I understand, Mom.”
Duan Wu looked at Duan Pengyue and asked, “When do you plan to report to the military unit?”
“Next Monday. I just got back and wanted to rest for a few days. It’s my wife’s first time here, and she’s unfamiliar with the place. I thought I’d take these few days to take her out and help her get used to the surroundings.”
Duan Pengyue explained, as he had already made plans.
Duan Wu nodded approvingly, “Good, just like my son. You take after me in caring for your wife.”
Wu Yafang rolled her eyes at his smug expression.
Duan Pengyue had mentioned his plans to Li Qinkuai on the train, so she wasn’t surprised.
Although the Duan family could easily support her, she couldn’t rely on them forever. However, she had no education, and in those days, jobs were assigned, making them hard to come by.
Still, Li Qinkuai didn’t want the Duan family to think she was freeloading.
“Mom, Dad, I don’t have any education, and my household registration is still in the countryside, not transferred yet. I definitely won’t have a formal job, but I won’t just sit around at home doing nothing. I’ll go out during this time to see if there are any temporary jobs available.”
Duan Wu looked at Li Qinkuai with some surprise. He had originally thought this daughter-in-law married his son just to move to the city for a better life, but he hadn’t expected her to think about finding work.
“That’s fine, even a temporary job is good as long as it’s work. Your dad and I will keep an eye out for opportunities,” Wu Yafang agreed.
After finishing the meal, Li Qinkuai and Duan Pengyue returned to their room.
As soon as the door closed, Duan Pengyue said, “Actually, you don’t need to rush to find a job. I can support you without any problem.”
As he spoke, he walked to the wardrobe, removed the bottom drawer, and took out another bank passbook, handing it to Li Qinkuai.
Li Qinkuai saw that it contained 1,500 yuan. Combined with the 3,000 yuan he had given her earlier, that made a total of 4,500 yuan.
She never imagined Duan Pengyue would have so much money—it was a huge sum.
Before Li Qinkuai could finish being amazed, Duan Pengyue took out a bundle of ration coupons, all kinds of them.
With these coupons and money, supporting Li Qinkuai alone was more than enough.
Li Qinkuai put away the money and coupons before saying, “But I still can’t just stay at home doing nothing every day. I’ll look around first, and if I find something, I’ll do it.”
Besides, having a job would give her a plausible excuse for bringing out items from her space.
Seeing her insistence, Duan Pengyue didn’t press further. Instead, he took out Li Qinkuai’s clothes and urged her to go take a bath.
Li Qinkuai: “…”
After spending this much time together, how could she not know what Duan Pengyue was thinking?
This man really couldn’t be left idle—the moment he had free time, his mind would wander straight to the bedroom!