A Difficult In-Law Relationship

A few days later.

Someone from Qin Huairu's maternal family arrived. After Qin Jingru returned home last time, Qin Huairu's parents had visited once.

They had only gone to the hospital to see Jia Dongxu and hadn't entered the Siheyuan before returning home that same day.

This visit was specifically to see Qin Huairu and Huai Hua.

Qin Huairu's parents, her paternal uncle and aunt, and her maternal uncle and aunt were all present. Qin Jingru did not come.

Normally, a visit from one's maternal family would be a happy occasion.

However, Jia Zhangshi appeared very cold and was somewhat angry. 'My son is seriously injured, and you didn't even bother to visit properly. Now that your daughter has given birth, your whole family shows up. You didn't even bring much, yet six people came. Do you expect me to host a feast for you?'

"Sister-in-law, the production team was too busy a while ago, and we had to make up Jingru's work points. That's why we're so late. Please don't mind." Qin Huairu's parents offered a polite explanation as soon as they entered the house.

Jia Zhangshi said indifferently, "I don't mind anything. Come in, everyone."

After sitting and talking for a short while, Qin Huairu's parents began asking about matters in the courtyard.

"In-laws, are there any young men in this courtyard who are of marriageable age and still unmarried?"

This question made Qin Huairu's heart skip a beat. 'Mom and Dad, why are you bringing this up now? I'm trying to avoid this, and you're poking the bear.'

Actually, Qin Huairu's parents were asking on behalf of her maternal uncle and aunt, wanting to inquire about Xu Damao's character.

It was the first time her maternal uncle and aunt were visiting the Jia family. Knowing that their daughter Qin Jingru had left after causing trouble during her last visit, they felt a bit embarrassed to directly ask about Xu Damao.

They had originally intended to inquire about the general situation in the courtyard, but unexpectedly, they had directly ignited a powder keg.

Jia Zhangshi said coldly, "Don't call us in-laws. You're already preparing to find another home for your daughter, so why call us in-laws? You're directly inquiring under my roof. You're bullying me too much!"

Qin Huairu's parents were stunned. "What are you talking about? Did our Huairu do something wrong?"

"No! It's just that our Dongxu shouldn't have been injured at work and become a burden, right? So, are you here today to find another home for Qin Huairu? You have ill intentions!"

Qin Huairu's maternal uncle and aunt immediately explained, "Old sister-in-law, it's truly not what you're thinking. We wanted to ask about Xu Damao in the courtyard. That girl Jingru said after she went back that she wanted to marry into the city and marry Xu Damao, and she also said..."

"Stop talking. The more you explain, the worse it gets. If you want to inquire about Xu Damao, ask your own daughter. What do you mean by asking me how many unmarried young men are in this courtyard?"

Jia Dongxu, lying in bed, also said angrily, "I'm not dead yet, and you're already inquiring about replacements in my own home?"

Qin Huairu said, "Dongxu, don't overthink it. Third Uncle and Third Aunt genuinely want to inquire about suitable people in the courtyard for Jingru."

"Pah! There are no good people in this courtyard. Don't inquire. If you want to remarry, go find someone in another courtyard! I see it clearly now, you can't be tied down anymore. After giving birth, you're free! You... you..."

Jia Dongxu was so enraged that his vision went black, and he fainted.

Jia Zhangshi was so frightened that she patted her chest, pinched his philtrum, and massaged his temples. It took him quite a while to recover.

Seeing this, Qin Huairu's parents realized they couldn't even eat lunch now.

They shook their heads and sighed, "Huairu, take good care of yourself. We'll be going back now. We'll come see you again during the New Year."

Jia Zhangshi angrily said, "Go, go, all of you go. Inquiring about another home for your daughter and asking right here in our house. You're bullying us too much!"

"Alas! Sister-in-law, we are truly inquiring for Jingru."

"I don't want to hear it!"

"Alright, alright. You'll come around after some time. We'll be going back for now."

Qin Huairu, with tears in her eyes, saw her parents and her maternal uncle and aunt's family out the main gate.

Lou Xiao'e, who was washing clothes in the front yard, couldn't help but shake her head when she saw this.

"Sister Qin, are you okay?"

Qin Huairu looked at Lou Xiao'e. Comparing herself to Lou Xiao'e's family, she felt even more dejected. 'If I hadn't rejected Lin Zhen's proposal back then, I would probably be living the happy life Lou Xiao'e is living now. Comparing oneself to others is disheartening. I can only blame myself for being snobbish and loving wealth back then. What's the use of envying others now?' She could only sigh and say, "It's nothing. My parents' family is busy, and the team is rushing production, so they've gone back first."

When work ended, Xu Damao learned that Qin Huairu's maternal family had come. He excitedly ran to the Jia family's door and asked, "Sister Qin, I heard your maternal family is here. Did Jingru come?"

Before Qin Huairu could respond, Jia Zhangshi came out with a sullen face.

"Xu Damao, if you want to ask, go back to the countryside and ask. What are you doing at my house? Are you here to laugh at my son being paralyzed in bed? Scram!"

"Hey! Why are you being unreasonable, old lady? I came to ask Sister Qin, not you."

"Xu Damao, what are you doing!"

Silly Zhu, who had just returned to the courtyard, saw Jia Zhangshi and Xu Damao arguing and immediately reprimanded Xu Damao.

Xu Damao glanced at the lunchbox Silly Zhu brought back and sneered, "You bumpkin who's marrying into the family!"

"Hey! Who are you calling grandson!"

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

Silly Zhu immediately wanted to chase after him, but his lunchbox was already grabbed by Bang Geng. "Silly Uncle, you're not allowed to take it home!"

"Hey, you kid, you're right on time. Not leaving any for Silly Uncle, huh?"

Xiao Dang said, "My grandma said you ate your fill at the mess hall, so what's there to save!"

Silly Zhu scratched his head. "Ah, can't I just have an extra one tonight then!"

He turned his head and saw Qin Huairu sitting inside the door with a stern face. He was so scared that he quickly stopped teasing the children, handed the lunchbox to Bang Geng, and returned to his room empty-handed.

Tomorrow is Sunday again.

After work, the people in the courtyard chatted leisurely.

Only the Jia family remained behind closed doors.

Third Master Yan Bugui said, "I want to go to the lake to break the ice and fish tomorrow. Lin Zhen, why don't the two of us go together?"

Lin Zhen chuckled, "Third Master, you want to mooch off my fishing spot again?"

"How could I~ Why would I need a spot in winter? Just break the ice and you can fish. Shall we go together?"

"I think it's too cold, I'm not going. I'm taking the kids to visit the science museum tomorrow."

"How are you planning to get there?"

"By bus, of course. There are six of us, we can't ride bicycles."

"Then can you lend me your bicycle? I'll have Jiecheng go fishing with me. Maybe if we catch a lot, we can use it for the New Year."

In less than a week, Yan Jiecheng would marry Yu Li.

The Yan family would have to host a banquet for relatives and friends, and he was thinking of catching some fish to supplement their expenses.

Lin Zhen thought about it. He really wasn't riding his bicycle tomorrow.

Given that Third Mistress had reminded his wife last time, his feelings towards Third Master's family had been quite good recently.

So he smiled and said, "Feel free to ride it. It's in the bike shed."

"Can I borrow the fishing rod too? More fishing gear means more income."

"Sure, I'll get it for you later."

"Also, can I borrow the shrimp traps? Hehehe."

"Hey! Third Master, you know my equipment better than I do?"

"Hahaha, it's just that the two of us share this little hobby. I won't borrow it for nothing. Bring back something good for the four kids tomorrow."

"Alright, I don't need it tomorrow anyway. You can come and get it."

The next day was Sunday.

Lin Zhen spent most of the day playing outside with his wife and four sons.

They returned home around two in the afternoon.

As soon as he entered the house, Third Master, beaming with joy, came to return the fishing rod and shrimp traps.

He also brought back a crucian carp weighing about a pound.

"I really have to thank you for your fishing rod and shrimp traps today. See, Third Master doesn't use your things for free. I'll have Xiao'e stew this crucian carp for the children."