17
My Daughter-in-law is Really Capable
Mother Lin and the women who had come to help were tidying up. She deliberately set aside some leftover dishes, distributing meat dishes to each family that had assisted. They were naturally delighted to receive the meat dishes and said they should feel free to call on them whenever needed in the future.
After seeing everyone off, Mother Lin noticed Lin Jianchun sitting under the eaves holding an enamel cup. “Is A Zhou asleep? Then why are you still standing here? Hurry to the village head’s house to get your marriage certificate. Don’t forget about it tomorrow.”
As she spoke, Mother Lin went into the house and grabbed a handful of fruit candies. “When you see Uncle Lin’s children, give each of them a handful of candy.”
Lin Jianchun replied, “This might not be enough.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Uncle Lin only has two grandchildren. It’s plenty.”
“I found a job for myself in the city and need to transfer my grain ration relationship.”
“What! Did your in-laws arrange a job for you?”
Lin Jianchun had already prepared her explanation. “The other day, someone was hit by a car on the street. Our Lin family has always been warmhearted, so I gathered people to take the injured person to the hospital. It just so happened that no one knew how to operate a certain machine, and with some courage and careful tinkering, I managed to get it working. The hospital wanted me to teach others, so they offered me a job in logistics.”
Lin Jianchun recounted the story vividly, and Mother Lin believed her. She knew that her decision to insist on sending both daughters to high school, despite the villagers’ ridicule, had paid off!
Excited, Mother Lin pulled Lin’s Father to his feet and embellished the story of Lin Jianchun finding a job.
Lin’s Father, stirred by the news, sobered up considerably. “Excellent, excellent! My eldest daughter has made us proud. Our old Lin family now has someone with state-allocated grain! Let’s see who dares say that educating daughters is useless.”
Mother Lin couldn’t hold back her tears. Lin’s Father patted his wife’s shoulder and said, “You’ve suffered all these years.”
With their son and two daughters all in school, Mother Lin had pushed herself as hard as any man, earning full work points every day just like Lin’s Father. Even so, they had to tighten their belts all year round. In earlier years, the Lin brothers and Mother Lin’s family had often lent a helping hand.
Lin Jianchun wrapped her arm around Mother Lin’s shoulder, swaying gently.
Her heart felt as warm as if it were soaking in warm water. She could feel Mother Lin’s care and protection—even though her son hadn’t yet married, she refused to use her daughter’s betrothal gifts, not wanting Lin Jianchun to be looked down upon by the Lu family.
“Mom, when I get my salary, I’ll buy you new clothes.”
Hearing that Lin Jianchun was already thinking of spending money before even receiving her wages, Mother Lin immediately forgot her tears. “Why would I need new clothes when it’s not the New Year or a holiday? You haven’t even gotten your salary yet, and you’re already thinking of wasting money. Besides, you’re married into the Lu family now. You can’t keep thinking about your natal family. Don’t be foolish—focus on building a good life for yourself. If you must buy something, it should be for your mother-in-law.”
As she spoke, Mother Lin remembered that Little Lu still didn’t have a job. “What did the Lu family say when they found out you have a job?”
Only then did Lin Jianchun remember—oh no, she had forgotten to tell the Lu family.
Seeing Lin Jianchun’s expression, Mother Lin knew she had messed up. She poked her daughter’s forehead and scolded, “How did I give birth to such a blockhead? How could you not tell the Lu family about something so important? They’ll feel hurt and think you’re keeping secrets from them.”
Lin Jianchun rubbed her forehead. “Mom, you were just praising me. How can you change your tune so quickly?”
Mother Lin didn’t bother bantering with her and hurried off to apologize to Mother Lu.
Mother Lu was overjoyed. “Oh my, my daughter-in-law is so capable!”
Little Lu also exclaimed in surprise, “Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”
Lin Jianchun clung to Mother Lu’s arm, acting coquettishly. “Mom, you won’t have to worry about high-priced grain anymore.”
Mother Lu was genuinely delighted but couldn’t help feeling anxious. Lin Jianchun had suddenly become someone with a job—would she still look favorably upon their Lu Xuanzhou?
Seeing that Mother Lu was sincerely happy for the Lin family, the Lins urged Lin’s Father to take Lin Jianchun to the village chief’s house. “Remember to get the marriage certificate and transfer the grain ration to the city.”
Only then did Mother Lu’s heart settle. She resolved to hurry her son along upon returning home, lest Song Zhian come back to snatch her away.
By the time they left the village chief’s house, the entire village had heard the news: the eldest daughter of Lin Laosan’s family, after changing her in-laws, was now eating state-allocated grain and even working in a hospital.
“If only I’d known, I would’ve sent my daughter to school too. My girl is much cleverer than their A Chun.”
“What’s the use of finding a job? She’ll still belong to someone else’s family. Can Lin Laosan’s daughter bring all her salary back to her parents’ home?”
“Lin Laosan is a fool. He tightened his belt to raise his daughter into her twenties, didn’t keep a single betrothal gift, just listened to his wasteful wife and made a losing business. Just you wait—when his son can’t find a wife, he’ll have something to cry about.”
Everyone agreed—once educated, she’d still get married, ultimately benefiting her husband’s family.
The Lin family closed their doors, ignoring the village gossip, and focused wholeheartedly on entertaining the Lu family.
After staying overnight, the Lu family prepared to return to the city after breakfast the next day.
The Lin family saw them off reluctantly to the bus stop. Before boarding, Lin Jianchun approached Mother Lin and whispered, “I left some money under your pillow.”
As soon as the bus departed, Mother Lin stamped her feet anxiously. “That silly girl has a head full of sawdust—leaving money under my pillow without even hiding it properly. The door isn’t locked—what if thieves get in?”
The whole family rushed home in a panic, only to find Lin Laosi’s wife guarding the door while picking vegetables. Mother Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
When they lifted the pillow and saw three stacks of ten-yuan bills, the Lin family was still shocked.
“My sister left three hundred yuan. If the Lu family finds out, will they think we went back on our word and kept my sister’s betrothal money?”
Lin Nengrong also looked stern. “I’ll borrow a bicycle from the village chief and catch up with Second Sister.”
As Mother Lin picked up the money, she noticed a note underneath: This is the compensation the Song family gave me.
Lin Jianchun’s reasoning was simple and direct—this was compensation the original owner had paid for with her life, so it should go to the Lin family. If she needed money, she could earn it herself or rely on Lu Xuanzhou.
Mother Lin felt conflicted but grateful that her eldest daughter was fortunate enough to have met a better family.
“Lin Nengrong, Lin Jianliu, remember—this money is A Chun’s compensation. If she ever faces difficulties or is unhappy with the Lu family in the future, you must lend her a hand.”
Though reserved and soft-spoken, Lin Nengrong carried the responsibility of an elder brother firmly: “Mom, if Second Sister is unhappy, I’ll personally bring her home.”
Lin Jianliu bared his teeth and waved his fist: “If anyone dares bully my sister, I’ll make sure their whole family knows no peace!”
Mother Lin slapped Lin Jianliu’s head. “You wretched girl, running out all day and leaving all the household chores to your brother. It’s only because he spoils you, feeding the chickens and pigs, doing the laundry every day… Tomorrow, I’ll find someone to arrange a marriage for you. The sooner you’re married off, the sooner I won’t have to see you anymore.”
At the mere mention of this, Lin Jianliu would run away.
Fuming, Mother Lin went straight to Granny Wang in the neighboring village.
“Have you heard? Lin Laosan’s family is arranging marriages for both their eldest son and youngest daughter. The Lin family must have struck it rich to manage two weddings at once.”
“No wonder, their eldest daughter has made something of herself. The betrothal gift alone was five hundred yuan, plus a job. Even if she shares just a little with her family, it’s enough to cover both weddings.”
“It seems daughters aren’t entirely a waste after all…”