Chapter 38: Moving into the Guesthouse

From childhood, boys only love their mothers and want to sleep beside them. As they grow up and start their own families, traditional favoritism toward sons over daughters complicates things. Ultimately, the conflict between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law boils down to jealousy and resentment.

They desperately want their sons to find a virtuous wife and live a harmonious life. But at the same time, they can’t let go of their possessiveness over their sons, unable to tolerate them being so intimate with another woman.

“Auntie, you don’t have to look at me like that. You can talk to Xie Zhi properly,” Xu Jiaojiao said in a calm tone.

She found her own expectations ridiculous. How could she expect a stranger to genuinely like her? That was completely unrealistic.

Xie Zhi finished packing their things, placing the herbs he had collected into the suitcase, and reached out to take the girl’s hand to leave.

Xu Jiaojiao didn’t let him hold her hand. She dodged aside, her footsteps tapping against the floor as she slowly walked downstairs, leaving the two behind to continue their argument upstairs.

Wen Jing saw the woman coming down alone and burst into laughter. “Country bumpkin, why isn’t Brother Xie Zhi leaving with you?”

Her eyes were filled with jealousy and contempt. This rural woman’s clothes and appearance were on par with her own. More importantly, her alluring face was simply too captivating.

Xu Jiaojiao glanced at her coldly. “Wen Jing, this is the first time I’ve seen someone so desperate to throw themselves at a man. You must feel so wronged.”

“After all, it’s your dear Brother Xie Zhi who is the one pursuing me.”

Wen Jing shot up from her seat, her eyes wide. “You—!”

“Xiao Zhi, Wen Jing’s father has been promoted. He’ll be able to help you a lot in the future. But Xu Jiaojiao’s family is just a bunch of rural folks. What can they do for you? For now, just appease her. When the educated youth return to the city, you can be with Wen Jing. I’ve already planned everything for you.”

Xie Zhi looked at his usually kind mother, now acting so calculating. He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Mom, thank you so much for arranging my life for me.”

“Have you forgotten how Aunt Wen treated us before?”

Mingzhen looked embarrassed. How could she forget? That humiliation was something she would never let go of for the rest of her life. But seeing Wen Jing and her mother fawning over her now brought her immense satisfaction.

“Xiao Zhi, I have no choice.”

Seeing his mother’s unwillingness to reflect on her actions, Xie Zhi felt a sharp pain in his chest. He closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them again, his expression was unreadable.

“Mom, if you keep talking like this, I won’t come home again. You can just live with the Wen family.”

“Xie Zhi, since you’re back, you should at least go see your teacher. He was so good to you.”

“Mom, I don’t need you to remind me.”

Downstairs, the tension in the air was palpable. Xu Jiaojiao stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over Wen Jing’s face inch by inch, then she sneered.

“You look quite pretty. Why must you throw yourself at a man like this? You’re embarrassing all women.”

Wen Jing: “……”

“You speak so righteously, yet Brother Xie Zhi is right beside you. You can talk big all you want.”

“Exactly! Xiaojing’s mother will definitely make sure you and Xie Zhi end up together.”

“I never knew Aunt Wen cared so much about me—even to the point of arranging my marriage,” a sarcastic voice rang out. Xie Zhi walked downstairs, carrying something in his hand. His tall and upright figure resembled a young poplar tree.

Wen Jing’s mother was at a loss for words. Her eyes flashed with calculation before she quickly put on a smile. “Xie Zhi, Aunt Wen is just looking out for you.”

Xie Zhi couldn’t even be bothered to respond. His eyes swept over Wen Jing’s lovestruck expression, and he felt nothing but irritation. He stepped forward, took Xu Jiaojiao’s hand, and walked away with her. Their departing figures—one slender and elegant, the other tall and strong—made them look exceptionally well-matched.

“Do you know where the guesthouse is?” Xu Jiaojiao asked.

“I do. Just follow me, Jiaojiao. I won’t sell you off.”

Seeing him act as if nothing had happened, Xu Jiaojiao finally felt a little amused. One thing she liked most about Xie Zhi was that he never let his anger or frustrations from outside affect her. Finding a partner with emotional stability was the most important thing.

“Comrade, please show your identification.”

Xie Zhi handed over the introduction letter. After verifying both their identification documents, the staff returned them.

Xu Jiaojiao silently observed the place. It looked ordinary from the outside, but inside, the décor was surprisingly refined. The high pointed ceiling, the tall walls adorned with intricate designs—it was a classic Gothic style.

“How many nights will you be staying?”

“Three nights for now.”

“Alright, that will be twelve yuan.”

“Thank you.”

Xie Zhi swiftly handed over the money, took the key, and led Xu Jiaojiao to their room. Once they left, the people at the front desk finally let their curiosity explode.

“Those two look so perfect together.”

“Right? And did you hear her voice when she said ‘thank you’? Even as a woman, I found it incredibly pleasant to hear.” The receptionist looked enchanted.

As Xie Zhi led Xu Jiaojiao into the elevator, she couldn’t close her slightly open mouth. The wealth gap in this era was simply absurd—some people couldn’t even afford food, yet here they were, taking an elevator.

The stark contrast left her momentarily dazed.

Xie Zhi thought she was afraid, so he gently hugged her and reassured her in a low voice, “This is called an elevator. This guesthouse was built specifically for foreigners to promote a better business environment.”

Seeing her confusion, he continued to explain, “In recent years, the crops haven’t been good, and the infrastructure is poor. No foreigners come here anymore, so now we can stay here too.”

Xu Jiaojiao finally understood and nodded in comprehension.

Their room was on the eighth floor. When they stepped out of the elevator, the floor was covered in soft carpeting. Aside from being brighter, it wasn’t much different from modern hotels.

When they opened the door, inside was a round canopy bed with a pointed top. The walls had elaborate carved decorations. It was an odd mix of European styles—almost comically mismatched.

Xie Zhi immediately took out Xu Jiaojiao’s clothes. He knew she loved looking nice, and if her dress got wrinkled, she’d be upset. He might have to go downstairs later to ask if they had anything for ironing.

Xu Jiaojiao lay on the bed, watching Xie Zhi busy himself. She finally understood why men always wanted a wife—watching someone take care of you like this was truly satisfying.

After putting everything away, Xie Zhi turned around and saw her dazed expression. His eyes darkened slightly before he leaned down and kissed her.

“Let’s go for a walk. There’s a department store nearby. How about we buy you some new dresses, Jiaojiao? Lots of beautiful ones.”