Chapter 22: Second brother-in-law back

“Ah? That’s fine.”

Chen Pan didn’t hesitate; he just sat down and started a game of xiangqi with Zeng Shuyi.

He hadn’t played much xiangqi while studying, preferring to play ball games with friends.

Within just a few moves, most of his pieces were captured by Zeng Shuyi.

Ten minutes later, the game ended.

A few of the older men watching saw this young fellow lose and felt the need to restore some face.

Chuckling, they suggested trying again.

But Zeng Shuyi was tired and stood up, saying she didn’t want to play anymore.

“Don’t go, Shuyi, just two more rounds.”

“No, no, no. If I win again, it won’t be fun anymore.” Zeng Shuyi waved her hand, stretched lazily, and looked at Chen Pan. “Where are you headed? You can still sit down for some xiangqi, right?”

Chen Che said he wasn’t going anywhere in particular.

It wasn’t easy to say that his relatives at home were too nagging. “Just wandering around.”

Zeng Shuyi glanced at Chen Che thoughtfully, then nodded slightly. “I get it. During the first month of the lunar year, too many relatives come over, one after another, right?”

Their eyes met, and the two shared a quiet smile.

But it was getting late. Zeng Shuyi had been out for a while, and after parting ways with Chen Pan at the crossroads, she hummed a tune as she headed home.

In the alley, several children were setting off picked-up firecrackers. From time to time, they popped loudly, startling Zeng Shuyi into hugging the wall as she walked.

“Shuyi, Happy New Year! Didn’t you go out to pay New Year visits?” Auntie from the house across the street came out to call the kids home and greeted Zeng Shuyi as well.

“No, I didn’t.” Zeng Shuyi hadn’t gone out for New Year greetings for a long time.

The reason was simple: she was strong-willed and wouldn’t tolerate being slighted, which often left some relatives embarrassed.

Her parents felt ashamed and suggested she just stay home.

As she was preparing to return, she saw Wang Chaoyang heading out to his stall.

Zeng Shuyi was surprised. “It’s only the first day of the lunar year, and you’re going to set up your stall? Who’s going to buy?”

Wang Chaoyang said there were buyers. “On days like these, people either visit relatives or go to the park to have fun. I don’t like staying at home. I’d rather earn some money.”

Since starting business, Wang Chaoyang had some money and had made himself new cotton clothes for the New Year.

He looked much more spirited.

Zeng Shuyi had played around for a few days and was nearly bored out of her mind.

After thinking it over at home, the next day she went to the park to sell goods.

But since most people were out to enjoy themselves, they preferred buying a soda or some snacks.

No one bought sewing supplies or buttons.

Zeng Shuyi mainly sold malt sugar and hand warmers made by her mother.

She placed her bicycle next to Wang Chaoyang’s tricycle and greeted customers enthusiastically, calling out, “Malt sugar, fish balls, and meat wontons all fresh! Come take a look!”

After several days of selling, Zeng Shuyi even got to know the park’s gatekeeper.

One day, as she and Wang Chaoyang were packing up to go home, she carried a plate of fish balls over.

“Wu Daye, thanks for looking out for us these past few days. These fish balls are freshly made; please have a taste. I won’t be coming here as often from tomorrow. We’ll meet again if fate allows.”

Wu Daye had eaten the food they sold for days and had turned a blind eye to their street vending.

Deep down, he thought Zeng Shuyi was quite a remarkable young lady.

“Why won’t you come anymore?”

“I mainly sell small sundries, and I can’t sell as many things at the park entrance. I’ll be running around the alleys more.” Zeng Shuyi smiled as she explained. “But I’ll still come to the park occasionally, just not so often.”

“You’re welcome anytime. As long as you two don’t cause trouble and keep the place clean, I won’t mind.”

Wu Daye took a bite of the fish balls fresh and sweet and thought these two really knew how to behave.

Hearing the words “you two,” Zeng Shuyi hurriedly clarified, “Wu Daye, you misunderstood. We’re just ordinary classmates and neighbors.”

“Not wrong. I’ve seen plenty of people. That guy of yours… no, your classmate, his eyes were smiling when he looked at you. He’s got feelings for you.” Wu Daye chuckled.

Zeng Shuyi froze instantly.

No way, could it be?

When she returned home, she saw Wang Chaoyang smiling at her the whole time and grew even more suspicious.

She decided not to sell together with him next time.

After all, some people in the alley already talked about them.

When she got home, Zeng Shuyi’s second brother-in-law had arrived, bringing a pile of local specialties from the village.

Zeng Shuyi greeted him, “Er Jiefu,” and squatted down to look at the things he brought. “These are dried salted fish, right? They smell really good.”

“I caught the fish myself from the river, cleaned them, marinated them in chili and other spices for half a day, then smoked them dry.” He Dong smiled as he introduced the items. “There are also some potatoes and pumpkins, all homegrown.”

At this season, there were hardly any fresh vegetables.

He had brought everything he could from home.

Zeng Shuyi sniffed the aroma and said, “Jiefu, you’re really capable.”

Lin Jiazhen poured some hot tea and gestured for her son-in-law to sit down. “Shuyue isn’t staying at home now. It’s late today. Tomorrow, Shuyi will take you to see her.”

Zeng Shuyi added the story about the robbery. “Er Jie used to come back every day, but after that incident, we felt it wasn’t safe after dark, so we let her stay at the Zhou family’s place. She only comes back when she rests.”

“Is Shuyue alright?” He Dong nervously stuttered.

Lin Jiazhen said she was fine. “Thankfully, Shuyi went to pick her up. Otherwise, Shuyue would’ve been scared silly. Luckily, the people who did it were caught, or it would’ve been terrifying.”

He Dong nodded in agreement.

That night, thanks to the things He Dong brought, the family had two extra dishes.

The next morning, Zeng Shuyi took He Dong to the family compound.

Not everyone could enter the family compound; they had to register with the gatekeeper, stating their residence and who they were visiting.

Then, the gatekeeper would call someone to receive them.

Zeng Shuyi and He Dong waited at the entrance.

He Dong glanced inside from time to time. “This place looks impressive.”

“It should be. Er Jie said there are tube-shaped buildings inside and also standalone houses. Some houses even have guards at the doors. She didn’t dare to wander around, only moving in the section where the Dong family lives.” Zeng Shuyi hadn’t been inside before but was curious about the size of the big house her sister mentioned.

He Dong found it hard to believe. “I thought it wouldn’t be so easy to find work.”

When he came home this time, his family scolded him for being foolish to return to the countryside alone.

Even though he didn’t pay living expenses, his parents couldn’t just kick him out.

In the He family’s mind, they didn’t want Zeng Shuyue to find work in the city.

They thought she was a city girl who had no choice but to marry He Dong before.

If she gained skills in the city, how could she still look up to He Dong?

Nearby villages had many educated youths who married locals, but many abandoned their families and children after returning to the city.

The He family felt the same way.

So when He Dong returned alone, his parents scolded him, saying either the two of them should return together, or at least he should stay with the Zeng family.

“Finding work isn’t easy. This opportunity is thanks to Er Jie’s kindness.”

As she spoke, Zeng Shuyi saw Er Jie coming out, waving with a smile. “Er Jie, we’re here.”

When her sister arrived at the gate, she didn’t linger.

She planned to go back first. “You two chat. I’ll head back.”

“Shuyi, you come in too.” Zeng Shuyue looked at her man, then back at her sister.

“Aunt Li heard you came and asked me to invite you in for tea. I also made some handicrafts during my free time these days. You can take them back to sell.”

The hand warmers and insoles that Zeng Shuyi sold were all made by Zeng Shuyue and Lin Jiazhen.

They bought scrap fabric from the textile factory, had a sewing machine at home, and worked quickly.

Zeng Shuyi calculated the price per piece for them.

Curious about the family compound, she followed her sister inside.

Zhou Sheng was only a battalion commander and couldn’t afford a standalone villa.

His house was a townhouse like the He and Zeng families’, but with a bigger courtyard.

Zeng Shuyue had already renovated it for Li Dandan to grow vegetables.

“This is it.” Zeng Shuyue led them into the Zhou household. “Aunt Li, this is my husband and my sister.”

“Sit down.” Li Dandan’s leg hadn’t fully healed, but she smiled and waved at them.

When her eyes landed on Zeng Shuyi, she couldn’t help but look twice.

“Such a pretty young lady. Shuyue, you and your sister are really beautiful.”

Zeng Shuyue bit her lip smiling, and Zeng Shuyi returned the smile. “Auntie, you’re too kind. No wonder Er Jie often praises you. I heard you used to live in the village, so you’re so warm and familiar.”

Talking about village life, Li Dandan became especially nostalgic. “Ah, although the city has running water and convenient electricity, I still prefer the village. After meals, everyone sits together under the old tree at the village entrance, and that’s how the day passes. It’s not like the city, where you have to take a bus just to buy vegetables. It’s really inconvenient.”

Zeng Shuyue wasn’t good with words, and Zhou Sheng went out early and returned late every day.

Li Dandan held back a lot of words with no one to say them to, but now that Zeng Shuyi was here, she eagerly grabbed hold of her and chatted without restraint.

He Dong couldn’t get a word in and was called into a room by Zeng Shuyue.

The young couple hadn’t seen each other for months and felt a bit awkward at first.

After a while, Zeng Shuyue was the first to ask about her in-laws. “Do Mom and Dad still blame me for insisting on coming to the city?”

“Huh? No… no.” He Dong wasn’t good at lying and was seen through immediately.

Zeng Shuyue looked down at her hands. “If they blame, let them. I know that living in the village my whole life means Shengnan’s future is set. But I want to let Shengnan go to university, have the chance to choose for herself. I hope this makes up for the trouble I’ve caused your He family.”

“No… it’s nothing.” He Dong lowered his head even more.

“I get thirty-five yuan a month here. Aunt Li said they’ll probably keep me for at least three months. I’ll help keep an eye out for jobs for you. If I hear of openings, I’ll write you.” Zeng Shuyue said.

At this, He Dong glanced at her and after a long pause said, “Shuyue, Mom and Dad said I shouldn’t come back.”

He pulled money out of his pocket. “They divided the property. Others got houses and land, and this is… the money Mom and Dad gave us.”

The old couple in the He family knew their son’s personality well—a pushover.

Knowing their daughter-in-law had found work in the city, they definitely didn’t want her to return to the village.

So they forced their son to come to the city and never let the village people mock the He family.

Zeng Shuyue was stunned and didn’t react right away. “Why suddenly divide the property? Who brought this up? Your younger brother?”

He Dong shook his head. “No, it was Mom and Dad.” He didn’t dare tell his wife the reason.

Zeng Shuyue frowned.

The house was already crowded.

It was hard enough for her to come to the Zhou family, and now her brother could sleep there again.

Would he be willing to sleep in the living room?

Besides, it wasn’t easy to find work in the city.

Staying at her parents’ required paying living expenses.

Each additional person meant five more yuan.

Zeng Shuyue didn’t understand.

“Why?”

He Dong didn’t say anything.

The couple fell silent, one confused, the other refusing to speak.

After a long while, Zeng Shuyi knocked on the door.

Zeng Shuyue got up and opened it.

“Er Jie, it’s late, I have to go back. Give me the stuff.” Zeng Shuyi cast a sharp glance at her brother-in-law, who was rubbing his hands on the bed edge. Had they argued?

Zeng Shuyi had no idea what was wrong with the couple.

After returning home, she learned that He Dong had divided the property and intended to live in the city.

Only then did she begin to grasp the situation.

The biggest opposition to He Dong’s decision came from Zeng Xiangmin and Wang Juan.

“I’m not sleeping in the living room. Er Jie lives at the Zhou family’s place, so usually he makes Er Jiefu sleep in the living room.” Zeng Xiangmin disregarded the awkwardness and said this in front of the whole family after dinner. “Working every day for carpenter Feng is like being a beast of burden. Look how much thinner I’ve gotten.”

Wang Juan equally drove everyone away and with one hand on her belly, in a sarcastic tone said, “Shuyue’s earning money now, right? I say, if the couple had their own place, wouldn’t that be better? Since you have money, why not rent a place? You’d be freer living on your own.”

He Dong didn’t dare meet the Zeng family’s gaze. “Shuyue said her job isn’t stable; she might not be able to work long.”

“If it’s not stable, the village is better. Now everyone has land; life is better than before. Why insist on coming to the city?” Wang Juan snorted. “Brother-in-law, don’t blame me for being harsh, but you have to know your limits.”

“Since you know it’s harsh, don’t say it.” Zeng Shuyi didn’t like hearing it. She stood up and said, “Also, since you know it’s more convenient for the young couple to live alone, why don’t you and big brother move out? You should have better conditions, right?”

After speaking, Zeng Shuyi returned to her room and closed the door.

“Xiangping, listen to what she said. You’re the eldest son and should live with Mom and Dad, taking care of them. What does she want? I think she just wants this house for herself!” Wang Juan got angry and shouted.

But Zeng Xiangmin was angry too. “Big sister-in-law, you’re always mooching off Mom and Dad. Am I not a son? Third sister is right—you all want to freeload and won’t move out. Who doesn’t know your little schemes? But let me tell you, I’m also a son; I own half the house too. If you want to hog it all, no way!”

After that, he went back to his room and angrily told his third sister, “Big brother and sister-in-law could have applied for a house, but they insist on staying here. I don’t understand. Everyone else wants their own place, but not them. If they moved out, the house would feel so much bigger!”

Zeng Shuyi got up, pulled up the quilt, and said, “I want to correct you. This house isn’t just yours and big brother’s. Er Jie and I also have shares, so we live here rightfully.”

She lay down facing the wall.

Although she said she had shares, she still wanted to earn more and have a house of her own—one room as a bedroom, one as a study, and even a walk-in closet, just like on TV.

Thinking of TV reminded her that she still needed to buy a television!

Dreaming sweet dreams, Zeng Shuyi drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, He Dong had once again settled at the Zeng family’s.

But he had low presence and didn’t like to talk much.

At first, Wang Juan tried to bother him, but later found it pointless and stopped.

Wang Juan had settled into her pregnancy comfortably and her demands grew.

Zeng Qingliang and his wife took great care of her, hoping she’d bear a grandson for the Zeng family.

But no one expected something to happen when Wang Juan went to prepare a wedding banquet for He Dong’s younger brother.

One day, Zeng Shuyi returned from selling goods to find no adults at home.

The two children had been sent over by Wang Chaoyang’s mother.

“Your big sister-in-law has been taken to the hospital. Since you’re back, watch over Yuling and Shengnan; they haven’t eaten yet.”