In-Laws Are Hard to Be

A few days later.

Qin Huairu's family came to visit. After Qin Jingru had gone home last time, Qin Huairu's parents had come once.

They had only visited Jia Dongxu at the hospital, never entered the Siheyuan, and returned that same day.

This time, they had come specifically to see Qin Huairu and Huai Hua.

Qin Huairu's parents came, along with Second Uncle and Second Aunt, and Third Uncle and Third Aunt. Qin Jingru had not come.

Having her family come to visit should have been a happy occasion.

Yet Jia Zhangshi was quite cold toward them, with no small amount of anger in her heart.

When my son was seriously injured, you didn't come pay him a proper visit. Now that your daughter has given birth, your whole family comes over.

You didn't even bring much with you, yet six of you came. Are you expecting me to lay out a whole feast for you?

"Old Sister-in-Law, the production team was too busy some time ago. We had to make up Jingru's work points, which is why we were delayed until now. Please don't take offense."

As soon as Qin Huairu's parents entered, they politely explained.

Jia Zhangshi said flatly, "I'm not offended by anything. Come inside."

Not long after they sat down to talk, Qin Huairu's parents asked about matters in the courtyard.

"In-law, how many unmarried young men of marriageable age are there in this courtyard?"

The question made Qin Huairu's heart skip a beat. Why would Mom and Dad bring this up the moment they opened their mouths?

I've been trying to avoid it, but they just had to bring up the one thing no one should mention.

In truth, Qin Huairu's parents were asking on behalf of Third Uncle and Third Aunt, wanting to inquire about Xu Damao's character.

It was Third Uncle and Third Aunt's first time visiting the Jia family. Knowing that their daughter Qin Jingru had left unhappily after coming to help last time, they felt awkward asking directly about Xu Damao.

They had intended to ask about the courtyard in general, but instead directly lit the fuse.

Jia Zhangshi said coldly, "Don't call me in-law. You're already looking for another husband for your daughter, so what in-law are you talking about? You came right to my face to ask around. You're really bullying us too much!"

Qin Huairu's parents froze on the spot. "What kind of talk is that? Has our Huairu done anything wrong?"

"No! It's our Dongxu's fault for getting injured at work and becoming dead weight, isn't it? So you came today to find Qin Huairu another husband? You mean no good!"

Qin Huairu's Third Uncle and Third Aunt immediately explained, "old Sister-in-Law, it's really not what you think. We wanted to ask about Xu Damao in this courtyard. That girl Jingru went home saying she wanted to marry into the city, saying she wanted to marry Xu Damao, and she also said..."

"Stop trying to explain. The more you explain, the worse it sounds. If you want to ask about Xu Damao, ask your own daughter directly. What did you mean by asking me how many unmarried men there are in this courtyard?"

Jia Dongxu, lying in bed, angrily said, "I'm not even dead yet, and you're already asking right at my doorstep?"

"Dongxu, don't overthink it. Third Uncle and Third Aunt really only wanted to ask around about suitable men in the courtyard for Jingru."

"Pah! There are no good men in this courtyard, so don't ask around! If you want to remarry, then remarry into another courtyard! I can see it now—you're completely impossible to hold on to! You gave birth, and now you're free! You... you..."

Overcome by rage, Jia Dongxu's vision went dark, and he fainted.

Jia Zhangshi was so frightened that she pounded his chest and patted his back, pinched his philtrum, and massaged his temples. It took a long while before he came around.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu's parents could no longer stomach lunch.

Shaking their heads with sighs, they said, "Huairu, take good care of yourself. We'll head back first and come see you again at New Year."

Jia Zhangshi angrily said, "Go on, go! All of you, go! Looking for another husband for your daughter and asking right in our home—you're bullying us far too much!"

"Ah, In-law, we were really asking for Jingru's sake."

"I don't want to hear it!"

"Fine, fine. You'll come around after a while. We'll head back first."

With tears streaming down her face, Qin Huairu saw her parents and the families of Second Uncle and Third Uncle out through the front gate.

Lou Xiao'e, who was washing clothes in the front courtyard, could not help shaking her head at the sight.

"Sister Qin, are you all right?"

Qin Huairu looked at Lou Xiao'e. Comparing Lou Xiao'e's family with her own only made her feel worse.

If she had not rejected Lin Zhen's marriage proposal back then, she should have been living Lou Xiao'e's happy life now.

Comparing oneself to others could drive one mad. She only had herself to blame for despising the poor and favoring the rich back then.

What use was there in envying others now? She could only sigh. "I'm fine. My parents are busy at home, and the production team is rushing work, so they went back first."

When work ended, Xu Damao learned that Qin Huairu's family had come.

He eagerly trotted over to the Jia family's doorway and asked, "Sister Qin, I heard your family came. Did Jingru come?"

Before Qin Huairu could say anything, Jia Zhangshi came out with a long face.

"Xu Damao, if you want to ask, go ask in the countryside. What are you doing at my house? Did you come to laugh at my son lying paralyzed in bed? Get out!"

"Hey, why are you being so unreasonable, Old Lady? I came to ask Sister Qin, not you."

"Xu Damao, what are you doing?"

Silly Zhu had just returned to the courtyard. Seeing Jia Zhangshi arguing with Xu Damao, he immediately stepped up and berated Xu Damao.

Xu Damao glanced at the lunchbox Silly Zhu had brought back and sneered. "Idiot propping up another man's household!"

"Hey! Who are you calling a grandson?"

"I'm fucking talking about you!" Xu Damao pushed his bicycle and ran off.

Silly Zhu started to chase him, but Bang Geng had already grabbed the lunchbox. "Silly Uncle, you're not allowed to take it home!"

"Hey, kid, you're really on time. You won't even leave one for Silly Uncle?"

Xiao Dang said, "My grandmother said you already eat your fill in the cafeteria, so why save any for you?"

Silly Zhu scratched his head. "Ah, then I can bring an extra one tonight, can't I?"

When he turned and saw Qin Huairu sitting inside the doorway with a dark expression, he was so startled that he immediately stopped teasing the children. He handed the lunchbox to Bang Geng and returned to his room empty-handed.

Tomorrow was Sunday again.

After work, everyone in the courtyard chatted leisurely.

Only the Jia family kept their doors shut and stayed inside.

Third Master Yan Bugui said, "Tomorrow I'm thinking of going to the lakeside to smash through the ice and fish. Lin Zhen, how about we go together?"

Lin Zhen chuckled. "Third Master, are you trying to mooch off the fishing spot I baited again?"

"How could that be? What baiting is there in winter? Just smash open a hole in the ice and fish. Want to go together?"

"It's too cold for me. I'm not going. Tomorrow I'm taking the children to visit the science museum."

"How are you getting there?"

"Of course by bus. There are six of us; we can't ride bicycles."

"Then lend me your bicycle. I'll have Jiecheng come fishing with me. If we catch a lot, maybe it'll come in handy for New Year."

In less than a week, Yan Jiecheng would be marrying Yu Li and bringing her home.

The Yan family needed to put on at least one table of food for relatives and friends, and he hoped to catch some fish to help make up the difference.

Lin Zhen thought about it. He truly would not be riding his bicycle tomorrow.

Because Third Mistress had reminded his wife last time, he had been feeling rather well-disposed toward Third Master's family lately.

So he smiled and said, "Ride it as you please. It's parked in the bike shed."

"Lend me the fishing rod too. More sets of gear mean more income."

"Sure. I'll bring it over for you in a bit."

"Um, could I borrow the shrimp trap too? Hehehe."

"Hey! Third Master, you know my little collection of gear even better than I do?"

"Hahaha, who told us old fellows to share this little hobby? I won't borrow it for nothing. Tomorrow I'll bring back something good for the four children."

"All right. I won't be using it tomorrow anyway. Come get it."

The next day was Sunday.

Lin Zhen took his wife and four sons out for more than half the day.

They returned home a little after two in the afternoon.

They had barely entered when Third Master came over cheerfully to return the fishing rod and shrimp trap.

He had even brought a large crucian carp weighing over a pound.

"Today was all thanks to your fishing rod and shrimp trap. See? Third Master didn't use your things for nothing. Have Xiao'e stew this crucian carp into soup for the children."