“There’s nothing wrong with it. They don’t really need much money at home anyway.”
Since Zhao Tianlei said so, Lin Siya naturally did not push the money back again.
At dinner, the wild chicken was stewed with wild mushrooms. As for the rabbit, it was not cooked that way, but a bowl of steamed egg custard was prepared instead, and this time it was not shared.
However, when Zhao Tianlei noticed Lin Siya’s appetite, he subconsciously frowned.
No wonder she was so thin. It turned out she ate very little, even less than a fraction of his portion. How was he supposed to fatten her up like this?
Lin Siya had no idea that Zhao Tianlei was already planning how to feed her better.
“Xiao Ya, you should eat more,” he said.
Lin Siya did not bother responding. This body still needed tempering, and it was better to eat less mundane food.
“Eat your own,” she replied lightly.
Lin Jianshe watched the interaction between his sister and brother in law. They looked harmonious, as if there had never been any conflict.
After the meal, Zhao Tianlei wanted to stay, but no one in the Lin family spoke up to keep him. In the end, he could only leave regretfully.
“Xiao Ya, do you really plan to go back to the Zhao family?” Lin Jianshe leaned close to her ear and whispered.
He was afraid something like this would happen again. The Zhao family were ruthless people.
Especially Zhao Meiyun, who was a true troublemaker. It would be best if she married out soon. Her reputation had already been ruined by half. What family would still be willing to take her?
“Of course I’m going back,” Lin Siya said in a relaxed tone.
Lin Jianshe felt a little depressed. Zhao Tianlei was like that, dark skinned and especially burly. Not many girls liked that type. Why did his sister fall for him? Even after what the Zhao family had done, she still wanted to go back.
“Xiao Ya, aren’t you afraid they’ll repeat what they did before?”
A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Lin Siya’s eyes, then she broke into a bright smile. “Brother, Tianlei said that from now on, he won’t send money home anymore. He’ll only send money to me.”
Lin Jianshe looked shocked, then burst out laughing. It took him a long while to stop, and he said with satisfaction, “Serves them right. Serves them right.”
“If they cause trouble again, I’ll come back to my parents’ home. Anyway, our faces are already torn,” Lin Siya added.
Lin Jianshe gave her a thumbs up. “That’s exactly what you should do. As long as Zhao Tianlei sends you money and coupons, if they treat you badly, just come home.”
Their family was not the wealthiest, but they ranked among the better off in Lin Village.
Lin Siya smiled smugly.
Evil people would eventually be dealt with by other evil people.
Father Lin and Mother Lin heard their son laughing and knew their daughter must have said something amusing. Given their son’s temperament, they would soon find out.
Sure enough, before bedtime, he came over and told them.
Father Lin and Mother Lin exchanged glances and both saw relief in each other’s eyes.
Wasn’t Wang Cuihua always boasting about how her son’s army salary was higher than a worker’s wage? Now that the money that used to be mailed to her would no longer come, let’s see how smug she could still be.
At the Zhao household, Zhao Meiyun lay on her bed.
She could not understand what was wrong with her parents.
Hadn’t they said Lin Siya could not have children and were preparing to make them divorce? How did it end with soft words and apologies to Lin Siya, and the matter never being mentioned again?
She only said a few words and got slapped again by her father.
Did her parents not like her anymore? Or did they only care about her brother?
The thought made her heart turn cold.
It must be because her brother said daughters would eventually marry out. It had to be that.
Lin Siya, do you think your life will be easy once you return to the Zhao family?
That’s impossible. As long as I, Zhao Meiyun, am here, you will never have good days.
In a nearby room, Zhao Tianlei sighed several times. He should have been home, holding his wife as they slept, yet he was still alone.
He thought of their wedding night, and the memory made it even harder to fall asleep.
Where had his composure gone?
In the end, he got up and took a cold shower to suppress the heat in his body. Tomorrow, he would definitely bring her back. The day after tomorrow, he would return to the army.
So early the next morning, Zhao Tianlei went to his father in law’s home.
Because of what happened yesterday, and because Xiao Ya was going back to the Zhao household today, Father Lin and Mother Lin finally treated Zhao Tianlei with a better attitude.
This man was clearly afraid his wife would break her word and not return, otherwise he would not have shown up so early.
“Brother Tianlei.”
“Xiao Ya, I’m here to take you home.”
So he really was afraid she would not return.
How could she not go back? She had not collected enough interest yet.
“Father, Mother, Brother.”
“Eat first,” Mother Lin said warmly, even greeting Zhao Tianlei with enthusiasm, which briefly surprised him before he regained his composure.
“Xiao Ya, after breakfast you’ll go back with Tianlei. He should be returning to the army soon,” Father Lin said, setting down his chopsticks.
“Mm,” Lin Siya responded calmly.
When Zhao Tianlei left the Lin household, Lin Siya went with him.
Along the way, Lin Siya ignored the gazes cast their way as they headed toward Zhao Village.
Zhang Jianghua stared at her thin figure for a long time before finally looking away.
“Huazi,” Ding Jun called. He knew what Zhang Jianghua had been looking at. Since there was no divorce drama at the Zhao household, it meant Zhao Tianlei intended to stay with Lin Siya.
Zhang Jianghua withdrew his gaze and continued working.
This scene was noticed by another educated youth named Jiang Meina, and she felt a bit uncomfortable.
She had to admit that Lin Siya was beautiful, even prettier than her, a city girl. She was also a high school graduate and had married a soldier. It would be a lie to say she did not envy her.
She wanted to return to the city. After coming to Zhao Village for several years, there had been no progress. Meanwhile, a girl from a neighboring village who went down to the countryside at the same time had already returned to the city to become a worker. The envy gnawed at her.
When Lin Siya returned to the Zhao household, she ran straight into Zhao Meiyun.
Zhao Meiyun had wanted to throw out a few sarcastic remarks, but seeing her brother behind Lin Siya, she swallowed them back and reluctantly said, “Sister in law.”
Lin Siya answered calmly, “Sister in law.”
Then she went straight into the room.
Zhao Meiyun stared at Lin Siya’s back with a venomous gaze, but the next moment, Lin Siya caught her looking.
Lin Siya turned and gave her a wide smile.
Zhao Meiyun froze on the spot, stunned.
Lin Siya did not look back again and entered the room.
Zhao Tianlei did not notice this subtle exchange. Seeing his wife return to the room, he naturally followed her in.
After all, he would be leaving the next day.
“Xiao Ya, do you want to come with me to the army?” he asked.
Lin Siya looked at him in surprise. Had he not said before that she could not go with him? Why was he bringing it up again now?
“If you want to come with me, I can go back and submit an application,” he continued. He was already a company commander, so he should be able to apply for family accompaniment. At the very least, it was worth trying.
“You can apply if you want me to go. If you do not want me to go, then do not,” Lin Siya replied, pushing the decision back to him.
She went on tidying the room. If he were not there, she could have cleaned everything with a simple cleansing spell. However, with him present, she still had to maintain the image of a virtuous and gentle wife.