Is this woman insane?!
Shen Yao quickened his pace.
They must divorce. Once the busy farming season ended, he would go to the city to discuss the matter!
After emptying the foot-washing water, Shen Yao sat dejectedly by the doorway. The room was clearly lit, and that bed was unmistakably his, yet he didn’t dare step inside now!
Li Xuelian happened to come out to fetch water and, seeing her son squatting by the door, her expression instantly changed.
She cautiously approached, lowering her voice, “What’s wrong? Did Yingying not let you in?”
Shen Yao turned his head away uncomfortably, “No, I just came out to cool off for a bit.”
As someone who had been through it all, Li Xuelian narrowed her eyes and immediately understood a thing or two.
She pinched Shen Yao, “What exactly are you thinking? You’ve already married her, yet you’re leaving her out in the cold. What kind of logic is that?”
Shen Yao muttered with his head down, “I’ll go in now.”
If he dared utter the word “divorce,” the household would be thrown into chaos tonight!
Jiang Yingying had just been saying how much she cared, but now that he entered, she was sound asleep, perfectly at ease.
Shen Yao looked at her graceful curves, which, though clothed, couldn’t conceal their tantalizing allure.
Taking a deep breath, he casually spread a mat on the floor and lay down to sleep.
Women were truly incomprehensible creatures. Last night, she had screamed in fear of him taking advantage of her. In just one night, she had turned around and sweetly called him “brother”…
Hah, anyway, they would divorce sooner or later. He had no interest in trying to figure her out.
…
As the rooster crowed, wisps of smoke rose from rows of dilapidated, low houses.
Most villagers were hardworking and diligent, rising early.
Jiang Yingying was still in a deep sleep when she faintly heard the sounds of chopping wood and splashing water outside.
She rubbed her eyes, turned over, and fell back asleep…
Shen Yao had long been up. After washing his face, he hoisted a hoe over his shoulder, ready to head to the fields, but Li Xuelian stopped him, “Where are you going? We need to visit Yingying’s family soon!”
Shen Yao frowned, “It’s still early. I’ll go work for a bit first.”
“Go on!”
Li Xuelian shot him a glare and snatched the hoe away: “You work every day—missing a little while won’t hurt. Go pack the things I prepared in the kitchen. We’ll leave right after breakfast. Yingying was doted on at home, and now that she’s suddenly married into our family, she’s probably homesick and upset. You should go earlier!”
He hadn’t noticed any signs of that woman missing home.
Shen Yao snorted inwardly but obediently went to the kitchen.
Inside, there was a basket of eggs, a large bag of sugar, a packet of dried fruit, and two chickens. He froze for a moment. After his father’s last medicine purchase, the family’s savings totaled less than twenty. These items had likely emptied their reserves.
He lowered his gaze but didn’t object to taking them.
Although the wedding had been simple, Jiang Yingying had brought a considerable dowry: a three-drawer cabinet, a large piece of red cloth, and new basins and bedding.
Even though these things were all used by Jiang Yingying, they had ultimately been brought into his home. If the return gifts were too shabby, it would reflect poorly on his parents.
But this meant the little savings the family had managed to accumulate would be wiped out again…
His heart ached, and he hated his own uselessness even more, wishing he could finish the autumn harvest immediately and go out to earn money.
By this time, everyone in the household except the still-sleeping Jiang Yingying was up. Even the children, Wen Qin and Wen Cong, had risen and were helping their aunt feed the chickens.
Aunt Shen from next door entered with a basket in hand. Seeing Li Xuelian busy cooking, she glanced around and asked, “Xuelian, where’s your daughter-in-law?”
Li Xuelian emerged from the kitchen with a smile. “That girl’s health is delicate, so I let her rest a bit longer.”
“Still sleeping?” Aunt Shen raised her voice. “That won’t do! Since when does a mother-in-law cook for her daughter-in-law?”
She then shot a glare at Shen Yao. “You unfilial son! Just because you’ve married doesn’t mean you should treat your wife like a goddess! Your mother deserves to enjoy her life now!”
Knowing Aunt Shen meant well, Shen Yao simply replied, “Yes.”
Shen Xiaoyun, holding freshly collected eggs from the henhouse, pouted and chimed in, “Aunt Shen, my sister-in-law was so tired yesterday. What’s wrong with her sleeping a little longer today?”
Tired? But hadn’t Jiang Yingying been resting under the tree all afternoon yesterday?
Aunt Shen cast a puzzled glance at the closed door before remembering her purpose for visiting. She quickly set down the basket. “Xuelian, here are a dozen or so eggs. Take them.”
Li Xuelian hastily wiped her hands and declined. “I can’t possibly accept these! How could I take something from you and your husband? No, no!”
“Just take them!” Aunt Shen insisted, firmly pressing the basket into her hands. “Your daughter-in-law is returning to her parents’ home today, right? Bring more gifts so her family won’t look down on the Shen family. Otherwise, how will our Shen Yao ever get a warm welcome from his in-laws?”
A dozen eggs might not seem like much, but it took days to save them up.
Seeing Aunt Shen’s sincerity, Li Xuelian reluctantly accepted. “Sister-in-law, once we get through these tough times, I’ll repay you.”
Aunt Shen’s loud, incessant chatter eventually pierced through Jiang Yingying’s slumber, even with the quilt pulled over her head. Hearing the commotion outside, she felt too embarrassed to stay in bed any longer. After tidying up, she pushed the door open and stepped out.
Her delicate face was free of makeup, her hair loosely cascading down her back. Standing bathed in the morning light, she seemed even more radiant than the rising sun…
Aunt Shen stared in a daze for a moment before snapping back to reality. Muttering a curse under her breath, she scowled. “Jiang Yingying, I don’t mean to criticize, but as the saying goes, filial piety comes first! You’re a married woman now—you can’t just laze about!”
“Sleeping in and making your mother-in-law cook breakfast—what kind of behavior is that? Our Shen family has never had a daughter-in-law like this!”
Jiang Yingying blinked her beautiful eyes, smiling innocently and sincerely. “Auntie, you’re so funny. Well, now you do have one—it’s me!”
Aunt Shen choked on her words, nearly fuming with anger. She tugged at Li Xuelian’s sleeve. “Xuelian, if you don’t discipline this daughter-in-law of yours, you’ll be the one to suffer later!”
Li Xuelian had always respected her sister-in-law, so she awkwardly changed the subject. “Sister-in-law, have you eaten yet? Why not join us?”
“Eat? I’m too furious to eat!” Aunt Shen turned away, shot a glare at the silent Shen Yao, and scolded again, “You brat! You forget your mother the moment you get a wife!”
Shen Xiaoyun defended her second brother. “Auntie, my brother isn’t like that! Besides, my sister-in-law is wonderful!”
What kind of spell has this vixen cast on this family? Just yesterday, Xiaoyun couldn’t stand this woman!
Aunt Shen was at a loss for words. She glared at Jiang Yingying once more. “Fine, fine! I’m just meddling! Let’s see how you all manage in the future!”
With a daughter-in-law like this, what kind of decent life could they possibly have?
After the person had been driven away in anger, Jiang Yingying’s eyes reddened as she asked, “Mother, have I made things difficult for you again?”
Li Xuelian patted her hand gently. “Your aunt is just straightforward by nature—she’s not a bad person. In time, she’ll come to see your goodness.”
Shen Xiaoyun, who was nearby, came out holding a bowl. “Sister-in-law, hurry and eat. You and my brother need to head back to your parents’ home soon!”
Breakfast was the same as usual—flatbread and porridge…
Jiang Yingying forced down a few bites before setting down her chopsticks without much appetite. “Mother, I’ll go inside to pack a few things. Please continue eating.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
Li Xuelian waited until she had gone farther away, then sighed and put down her own bowl.
For her, such a breakfast was enough to fill her stomach and was perfectly acceptable. But for Jiang Yingying, it was nearly impossible to swallow.
How could they make their lives better in the days to come…