Chapter 6: I can’t pull it open

Actually, Zhou’s parents weren’t insisting that An Ruoyan be their daughter-in-law. If Zhou Shuchen didn’t like her, they could have told the girl clearly from the start—there was no need to string her along while secretly being involved with someone else.

Huang Jinxiu, eager to get home and report everything to Shi Qiang, didn’t bother with Shi Meijiao after leaving the Zhou household. By the time she got home, Shi Qiang had already left for work; he never allowed her to go to his workplace, so she had to wait until evening.

Even though she hadn’t reported it yet, it didn’t mean Shi Qiang wouldn’t find out. The events that happened at noon spread through the two factories in the afternoon. Shi Qiang was furious when he learned about it and muttered to himself that Huang Jinxiu was useless—she couldn’t even handle such a small matter and had damaged his daughter’s reputation. He planned to punish both mother and daughter when he got home, making An Ruoyan admit that she was just jealous of Jiajiao. In reality, Jiajiao had never been with Zhou Shuchen. He intended to find a suitable man for Jiajiao once things settled.

Being a deputy director himself, Shi Qiang actually looked down on the Zhou family—his daughter could easily marry the mayor’s son. But plans never match reality. Before he could even finish work, someone came to notify him that Shi Meijiao had jumped into the river. The messenger didn’t know the full situation, so Shi Qiang pedaled his bicycle as fast as he could to the riverbank.

When he arrived, he saw Shi Meijiao soaking wet, leaning against the equally drenched Zhou Shuchen. He initially thought Zhou Shuchen had saved his daughter, but the murmurs from bystanders reached his ears:

“Such poor kids… what’s wrong with their parents? If they like each other, just let them be together. Why force them to jump in?”
“You don’t know. That guy is the stepsister’s boyfriend. These two were secretly together behind her back, and got caught.”
“Really?”
“I can confirm, my brother lives in the same compound as that guy.”
“Ugh! Look at them, so improper, that sly fox.”

Zhou’s parents now watched coldly. They didn’t want to separate the two at first because they were hugging so tightly that Shi Meijiao would scream if forced apart. Seeing Shi Qiang arrive, Zhou’s mother said, “Quick, let your daughter go.”

Finally, with the combined effort of both sets of parents, the two were separated. Zhou’s father said, “Go to your home and sort this out.”

Zhou’s father, the deputy director, was truly capable—not like Shi Qiang, who was basically useless. When Zhou’s father put on a stern face, Shi Qiang shivered and could only agree.

Just as they were about to leave, four men blocked their way. The eldest spoke:

“Wait, everyone. We were the ones who saved the children just now. Normally, good deeds shouldn’t seek recognition, but these two young people clung to each other so tightly that even when they jumped, they nearly dragged the four of us in too…”

Anyone middle-aged could understand the subtle hint—if you didn’t, you were probably pretending not to. Zhou’s father glanced at Shi Qiang, who acted as if he hadn’t heard, further confirming that he couldn’t be a proper in-law. Zhou’s father quietly pulled out twenty yuan and, while thanking the men, pressed it into one of their hands: “Thank you so much. My child is immature; I’ll educate him properly when we get home.”

The men skipped the afternoon shift and went together to Shi Qiang’s home. Huang Jinxiu was still sleeping. Shi Qiang ordered the men to sit in the living room and returned to the bedroom, dragging Huang Jinxiu off the bed:

“You useless woman! Look at how you taught your daughter to ruin my girl. How can you still sleep?”

He kicked her a few times for good measure. Huang Jinxiu woke up, confused and in pain, begging: “Qiang, please don’t hit me! It hurts so much! I’ll punish that little brat properly when she gets home.”

The people in the living room heard the commotion but didn’t interfere. Zhou’s mother snorted: “The woman in there treats you like her own daughter and is kinder to you than to Yanyan. Aren’t you going in to help her?”

“I…” Shi Meijiao buried her head in Zhou Shuchen’s arms again.

Zhou Shuchen complained, “Mom, don’t say anything. Jiajiao’s timid.”

“Timid and still seducing your sister’s boyfriend?” Zhou’s mother thought her son was crazy. A girl like this in the family would surely stir trouble.

Shi Qiang finally stopped when he got tired. “The Zhou family is still in the living room. Go make them some tea.” Huang Jinxiu, still dazed, obeyed.

When she brought the tea, she overheard the conversation and realized the two had jumped into the river—no wonder their clothes were soaked. Zhou’s father had just discussed a plan with Zhou’s mother, waiting for An Ruoyan to return to hear her opinion. Shi Qiang, however, insisted that his daughter had been wronged and touched by Zhou Shuchen, clearly planning to hold the Zhou family accountable. Zhou’s father stayed silent, leaving everything for An Ruoyan to decide.

Meanwhile, An Ruoyan had gone to two supply and marketing cooperatives to buy cotton fabric that didn’t require ration coupons. She had quilts in her space, but couldn’t use them directly—they weren’t suitable for this era—so she bought fabric to make new quilt covers. Fortunately, she had grown up in an orphanage where the “mothers” were skilled at sewing quilts, clothes, and other crafts, so she had learned a bit herself. She also had a sewing machine in her space, making the task easier.

After buying the fabric, she had just over thirty yuan left, which made her heart sink—it was easy to spend money quickly. She found a secluded spot, put the fabric into her space, and prepared to head home.

Passing a state-run restaurant, she wanted to try the food but had no ration coupons, so she would have to wait.

When she got home, she saw the Zhou family of three already there and was momentarily stunned—weren’t they supposed to come in the evening?

“Uncle Zhou, Aunt Sun, why are you here so early?” An Ruoyan asked. Zhou’s mother recounted the afternoon’s events and added:

“Your uncle and I plan to have Zhou Shuchen go to the countryside with you, to the same place.”

An Ruoyan’s eyes lit up—Aunt Sun was wonderful. She had been planning to take Zhou Shuchen and Shi Meijiao to the countryside herself, and this made life far less boring in the future.

Shi Meijiao’s hand tightened as she grabbed Zhou Shuchen’s arm.

Looking down at her, Zhou Shuchen asked, “What’s wrong?”

Raising her watery eyes, she said, “Sorry, Shuchen. Did I hurt you? I just don’t want to be apart from you.”

Zhou Shuchen gently reassured her: “Don’t worry. We won’t be separated.”

He then told Zhou’s mother: “I won’t go to the countryside.”

Zhou’s father said, “If you don’t follow my arrangement, I’ll publish in the newspaper that we’ve severed our father-son relationship.”