Chapter 8: Returning to Her Parental Home

◎ Work Implementation ◎

During the slack farming season, the villagers would sit at their doorsteps, chatting. When they saw Wei Xuan returning, they started shouting from a distance:

“Is that Wei Xuan back? How’s life in the city? Do you get to eat meat every day?”

“Of course! Just look at her—it’s only been a few days, and she looks even prettier. City life really does nourish people!”

“That’s right, tell us all about it so we can broaden our horizons!”

“Yeah, Wei Xuan, we’re all from the same village. Don’t forget to help us out when you make it big!”

Wei Xuan simply smiled and didn’t respond to these slightly sour remarks. She knew they weren’t really expecting an answer—they were just bored and using her as a topic of conversation to pass the time.

Before she and her companion even reached home, they ran into her nephews and niece who had come to meet them.

“Mingming, Tiantian, Huanhuan, what are you all doing here?” Wei Xuan asked as she jumped off the back seat of her bicycle.

“Auntie, Grandma told us to come check if you’ve arrived,” replied Wei Mingming and Wei Tiantian, the sons of Wei Xuan’s eldest brother, aged eight and six, respectively.

Wei Huanhuan was the eldest child of Wei Xuan’s second brother and was also six years old. Besides him, their family had a three-year-old daughter named Wei Xi.

Jiang Che noticed the two younger ones staring intently at the cake hanging from the bicycle’s handlebars. Understanding their thoughts immediately, he said, “You want to eat this? Wait until we get back, and Uncle will open it for you.”

Wei Ming, being older, blushed in embarrassment at the words, while Tiantian and Huanhuan, still too young to feel shy, beamed with delight at the promise of a treat. Their eyes curved into bright smiles, and they couldn’t help but think that this uncle was truly a good person.

Seeing how Jiang Che managed to make all three nephews laugh with just a few words, Wei Xuan asked him, “Do you like children?”

“They’re alright, I quite like them. Why? You don’t?”

Wei Xuan hesitated a little. It wasn’t that she didn’t like children—heaven knew that in her past life, her biggest dream was to get married like a normal person, have children, and build a family of her own.

Her deep longing for a family made her yearn to have a child of her own bloodline.

However, this body was still too young—she had only just turned eighteen after the new year. Besides, her relationship with Jiang Che wasn’t that close yet. Though they were husband and wife, she still felt like something was missing. That lingering uncertainty made her unwilling to rush into the next stage of life with him just yet.

Besides, if they had a child, how would they even support it? Raising a child was no simple matter—they were like little money-eating beasts! She didn’t want to bring a child into the world only to have them suffer. In short, now was not the right time to have children.

Jiang Che noticed her frowning deeply in thought and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Wei Xuan looked at him seriously and said, “Jiang Che, let’s not have children so soon, okay?”

“That’s all?”

“Mm, just that. Is that okay?”

Jiang Che let out a scoff. “I thought it was something serious, the way you were stressing over it. Fine, I promise you.”

Wei Xuan muttered in exasperation, “If this isn’t a big deal, then what is?”

“Heh, don’t worry. I don’t want to have kids so soon either. Why would I bring a little brat into the world just to compete with me for food and drinks? I still want to enjoy a few more years of freedom—I don’t need that kind of trouble.”

Though Jiang Che was a bit of a troublemaker, he at least had some self-awareness. Right now, he could barely support himself—he was still relying on his parents. There was no way he could afford to raise a child yet.

Wei Xuan was completely stunned by his statement. It took her a while to find her voice again. “Then why did you say you liked kids just now?”

Jiang Che looked smug. “That’s because they’re other people’s kids. I don’t have to hold them or take care of them—I just play with them for fun.”

Seeing his self-satisfied expression, Wei Xuan thought to herself, Someone like you doesn’t deserve to have kids!

This time, from the moment they stepped into the house, they were greeted with an overwhelmingly warm welcome from the entire family.

Father Wei and Mother Wei aside, even Wei Xuan’s three older brothers gathered around her husband, eagerly asking about life in the city. Meanwhile, her three sisters-in-law were bustling about, preparing a feast—slaughtering a chicken, cutting meat—so enthusiastic that it almost startled Wei Xuan.

In private, Mother Wei told her, “It’s all because, on your wedding day, your husband arrived with two cars to pick you up. That really impressed them. They’re hoping you’ll be able to help them out in the future.”

Wei Xuan chuckled. “Jiang Che isn’t that capable. Those cars were just borrowed thanks to my father-in-law’s connections.”

“It doesn’t matter whose connections they were. Out of all the villages in the area, how many brides had a grander wedding than yours? Since you don’t live here often, and they’re willing to treat you well when you visit, just go along with it. If they ever ask for help and it doesn’t trouble you, lend a hand. But if it’s something you really can’t do, don’t force yourself.”

After saying that, she paused for a moment before adding, “But I don’t think they’ll bring any major troubles to you. Except for your third sister-in-law, the other two are fairly sensible—they’re not the type to have unrealistic expectations.”

“Got it. Even if there were something big, I wouldn’t be able to help much anyway.”

With that topic settled, Mother Wei started asking about how Wei Xuan had been doing at the Jiang family’s home over the past few days—whether anyone had made things difficult for her.

“No, not at all. My three sisters-in-law don’t even live with us. I only saw them on the wedding day, and Jiang Che’s eldest brother barely said a few words to me. They all leave early for work in the mornings, so I only see them at dinner. But my mother-in-law did say she wants to arrange a job for me at the supply and marketing cooperative.”

“Really?” Mother Wei asked in surprise and delight. “Then you must properly thank your mother-in-law! A job at the supply and marketing cooperative is both respectable and comfortable. It’s much better than working in a factory as a laborer.”

That last part was what mattered most to her. She knew that Jiang Che’s eldest sister-in-law was a textile worker, and if her daughter had a better job, she wouldn’t have to worry about being looked down upon by a city woman.

“Mm, I will. Once I start earning money, I’ll bring you to the city to stay for a while.”

Even if her mother-in-law hadn’t arranged a job for her, Wei Xuan wasn’t the type to be unfilial. But now that her mother-in-law was actually treating her quite well, she appreciated it even more.

Although her mother-in-law acted somewhat distant, she never made things difficult for her and even helped her secure a job. No matter the reason behind it, Wei Xuan was definitely benefiting from it.

“Alright, I’ll be waiting then. Oh, by the way, which workplace is my son-in-law at now?”

At the mention of this, Wei Xuan felt a surge of irritation. “My father-in-law wants to arrange a position for him at the factory as a clerk, but he doesn’t seem too keen on it. Who knows what he’s thinking? Whatever, I won’t bother with him.”

The two of them had even argued about it briefly the night before, but she chose not to bring it up now, lest her mother start worrying about it too.

Mother Wei wasn’t someone easily fooled—people say the older you get, the wiser you become. How could she not hear the dissatisfaction in her daughter’s tone? She quickly reassured her, “I don’t think your husband is someone who doesn’t understand priorities. He must have his own reasons. If there’s anything, just talk it out with him. A married couple can discuss anything, but you must never let things turn into a real fight. Got it?”

Of course, Wei Xuan understood this logic. She was just frustrated with Jiang Che’s immaturity. But in front of her mother, she didn’t say much and simply responded, “Alright, I know. I’ll just go along with him, happy now?”

“That’s more like it.” Mother Wei was worried that her daughter might be too stubborn, but seeing her let it go put her at ease.

Not long after lunch, it was time for them to head back. Mother Wei even prepared a chicken and a basket of eggs as a gift in return.

“Be careful on the road, and come back whenever you have time.”

When they arrived home, Mother Jiang’s expression softened noticeably when she saw they didn’t return empty-handed. No matter how much or little they brought, at least it showed that her daughter-in-law’s family knew proper etiquette, and that was enough for her.

During dinner, Mother Jiang shared some good news with Wei Xuan at the table. “I’ve already spoken to the right people. Tomorrow, just bring your household registration booklet to report in, and we can transfer your grain ration records as well.”

Wei Xuan hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to act so quickly—she thought she would have to wait a couple more days. Without hesitation, she immediately agreed, “Alright, Mother, I’ll take care of it first thing in the morning.”

That night, Jiang Che was absolutely miserable because Wei Xuan, wanting to make a good impression on her future colleagues and supervisors at the supply and marketing cooperative, decided to go to bed early for some beauty sleep. The past few days had worn her out, and she still hadn’t fully recovered.

The next morning, Wei Xuan looked refreshed and radiant. After breakfast, she tidied up and got ready to head out. Meanwhile, Jiang Che was dragged off to the factory by his eldest brother—Father Jiang had given a direct order that today, Jiang Che must get his job sorted out.

In her heart, Wei Xuan silently applauded her father-in-law. When dealing with Jiang Che, drastic measures were necessary.

The supply and marketing cooperative wasn’t far from home—it only took about ten minutes on foot. When she arrived, the place was at its busiest. She waited on the side for a while, and when she finally saw a female sales clerk with a moment to spare, she quickly stepped forward to ask, “Excuse me, who should I report to on my first day?”

The sales clerk glanced at the household registration booklet she had opened, then pointed inside and said, “Director Niu is in the office. Just go straight in.”

“Oh, alright, thank you!”

The director was a man in his forties. As soon as he saw Wei Xuan, he smiled and asked, “You’re Accountant Wu’s youngest daughter-in-law, right?”

Wei Xuan remembered that Jiang Che had mentioned before that her mother-in-law was an accountant at the textile factory.

“Yes, Director. My name is Wei Xuan. I’m here to report in.”

“Alright, come with me. You’re quite early—I thought you’d be coming in the afternoon. Give me your household registration booklet, and I’ll take care of the paperwork. You can start work directly tomorrow.”

Wei Xuan handed over her household registration booklet, and in less than ten minutes, all the procedures were completed.

After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Wei Xuan stopped by the market to buy some groceries.

Since no one was home, she casually made a simple meal for lunch. After eating, she went back to her room for a nap.

When she woke up, she was startled to find someone lying next to her. She almost screamed but, upon closer inspection, realized it was Jiang Che.

“Weren’t you at the factory? What are you doing here?”

Jiang Che was also woken up by her sudden movement. He yawned and said, “Today was just for registration and the entrance exam. I officially start work tomorrow.”

Wei Xuan got out of bed and asked casually, “So, did you pass?”

“Heh, you underestimated me, didn’t you? I was an outstanding high school graduate, you know. I just usually don’t want to put in the effort. But when I take things seriously, your husband is not someone just anyone can compare to!”