Chapter 22: The In-Laws Clash

Ding Guihua, her hair disheveled, burst out, sputtering, “Young man, you’ve been deceived! Wen Wan is a viper, and her whole family is greedy and unscrupulous. They came to our house to beat us up and steal our money!”

“Ding Guihua, what nonsense are you spouting?” Cui Yulan, unable to bear it any longer, stood up, hands on her hips, and spat, “My daughter is intelligent and kind, unlike your daughter, who’s heartless and ungrateful. She eats from the bowl and then scolds her mother.”

“It’s a good thing my daughter didn’t marry Chen Jianbing, that woman-beating coward, a good-for-nothing! He calls himself a soldier? Let him be a decent human being first!”

“What are you looking at? I’m telling the truth, even if you hit me.” Cui Yulan’s words came out like a machine gun, blasting Liu Xiaoling and Chen Jianbing into oblivion.

Ding Guihua, hopping mad, retorted, “Your son-in-law is useless. My Jianbing is now a platoon leader!”

“Oh my… a platoon leader, quite the big shot.” Old Lady Guo cast a sideways glance at Chen Jianbing. “My Haoting happens to be a deputy battalion commander, which should be a higher rank than a platoon leader.”

Earlier, she had been about to stand up and retort to Cui Yulan’s earlier silence. This group of people were clearly looking down on them and bullying her granddaughter-in-law, as if she didn’t exist.

“My Jianbing gave a betrothal gift of eighty-eight yuan and bought my daughter a watch,” Ding Guihua proudly declared, chin held high.

Old Lady Guo spoke with disdain, her words clear and slow, “I just gave Xiaowan a betrothal gift of one hundred and eighty-eight yuan, including three major appliances and a bicycle. Was your daughter’s wedding like this?”

Having lived in Guilin Village for decades, she knew the mentality of those who liked to show off; they couldn’t stand seeing others do well.

“My Haoting found Xiaowan a job. Where does your daughter work?” Old Lady Guo’s final, nonchalant remark completely crushed the image of Chen Jianbing and Ding Guihua in Liu Xiaoling’s and Ding Guihua’s eyes.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Liu Xiaoling clenched her fists, her palms bleeding from her fingernails without her even noticing.

She resented the unfairness of fate, her parents’ inaction, Lao Pozi Liu for not holding a wedding banquet, Wen Wan for not willingly giving up Chen Jianbing, and everyone else present…

Wen Wan couldn’t bear to watch. The resentment in Liu Xiaoling’s eyes was almost overflowing.

“Enough!” Chen Jianbing’s temples throbbed, his voice a furious growl. He turned and left.

Liu Xiaoling, snapping out of it, chased after him, her cries trailing behind, “Jianbing… Jianbing…”

Chen Tieshou coughed, knocking on the truck hood. “Hey, are you leaving or not? I’m not refunding the gas money!”

“Wait, I’m getting on.” Ding Guihua, her face flushed with shame, scrambled onto the tractor.

The gas money had been borrowed from the village accountant by Chen Jianbing.

Watching the three of them flee, Cui Yulan and Old Lady Guo burst into laughter.

“Auntie Guo, you were amazing just now!” Cui Yulan gave a thumbs-up, full of admiration.

She had been worried that having the future son-in-law and in-laws hear those slanders about Xiaowan so soon after the engagement might plant seeds of doubt.

But she was truly touched that Haoting and Auntie Guo had wholeheartedly stood by Xiaowan.

Old Lady Guo readily accepted the praise. As a widow who had lost her husband and child, she had seen her share of storms and learned to survive.

Wen Wan whispered with a smile, “Zhou Haoting, you were pretty good.”

She hadn’t expected such perfect synergy with Zhou Haoting.

“You were great too.” Zhou Haoting’s lips curved into a smile, his deep eyes filled with affection.

Remembering the earlier events and the three major appliances and bicycle, Zhou Haoting’s tongue touched the roof of his mouth. “Xiaowan, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning to go to the city to buy a sewing machine and a bicycle.”

“Okay, come early in the morning.” Wen Wan readily agreed.

She had planned to go to town, but going to the city would be even better.

They watched the car drive away.

Wen Wan turned back to the house, where two drunkards were lying down.

Wen Jianguo had fallen asleep, but her father, drunk, was rambling to Zhou Haoting, talking about his childhood, then threatening him, and finally proposing to become sworn brothers.

“Xiaowan, come to the main room.” Cui Yulan cheerfully tidied up.

This blue cloth was nice; she would keep it for her daughter to make a new dress, embroidered with pretty flowers – it would be beautiful.

As soon as Wen Wan entered the main room, before she could speak, Cui Yulan thrust a pile of things into her arms.

“Mom, keep this malted milk for Sister-in-law; I haven’t even opened the ones I took this morning.”

“Alright, alright… my little ancestor, I’ll do as you say.” Cui Yulan was overjoyed. Her daughter was blessed to have such wonderful partners.

Remembering Old Lady Guo’s betrothal gift, she said, “Xiaowan, open the red envelope and see if there’s one hundred and eighty-eight yuan.”

Wen Wan understood; if Old Lady Guo said there was one hundred and eighty-eight, there would be.

Opening it, she found exactly one hundred and eighty-eight yuan, not a cent less.

“Xiaowan, keep this money. Mom will add more when you get married,” Cui Yulan pressed the money into Wen Wan’s hands.

Wen Wan considered it and pocketed the money, secretly resolving to find a good way to earn more money for her family.

Cui Yulan quickly sorted the things Zhou Haoting had brought and, together with Wen Wan, moved them to her room, locking them in the cupboard. They would have to eat them slowly.

“Mom, why did you leave the loose fruit candies for Sister-in-law?” Wen Wan saw the items on the square table. “Let’s swap mine and hers.”

As she said that, she raised her hand and prepared to take out a bag of White Rabbit milk candy that Cui Yulan had just given her.

Cui Yulan picked up the candy, “Keep yours. This candy is for the neighbors.”

Her daughter had broken off one engagement and gotten engaged again the next day; she needed to spread the good news and prevent Ding Guihua from spreading rumors.

She grabbed the malted milk and a bag of candy and went to the kitchen.

“Xiaocao, this malted milk is from Xiaowan. Drink one every morning, so your grandson will grow strong.”

Tian Xiaocao’s eyes widened. She was unsure what to do, setting down the dishcloth. “Mom, really for me?” She knew that all the things the future son-in-law had bought were for her younger sister and parents. She wouldn’t dare ask for any.

“Take it. Remember your sister’s kindness,” Cui Yulan said, handing her the malted milk.

Tian Xiaocao hugged the malted milk, touching her belly. “Good son, remember that your aunt got this for you.”