Qin Huairu's Change

After Jia Dongxu's shout.

Silly Zhu knew he had spoken out of turn again.

Qin Huairu remained silent. Jia Zhangshi came out with a dejected face and angrily said, "We don't eat anything from the Lin family, take it away!"

"Hmph... I guess I was being nosy and talking nonsense, is that better?"

Silly Zhu, having been rebuffed, divided the large bowl of fish among the people in the courtyard.

Jia Dongxu was furious in bed, feeling like he was dying.

No matter how Qin Huairu tried to explain, he wouldn't listen.

"What's there to explain? Silly Zhu delivered it right to our door, saying it was a message for you, that he's preparing to take you as a concubine!"

Qin Huairu said tearfully, "Silly Zhu is a thoughtless person. He always exaggerates when he talks, you know that. Why do you have to think that way?"

"Even exaggeration has a basis; it's not baseless. Lin Zhen was the first to propose to you back then. He only married Lou Xiao'e after you rejected him, which shows he truly liked you! Now that I'm like this, he knows his chance has come and is openly sending things through Silly Zhu!"

"But he also proposed to Yu Li. Yan Jiecheng and he both live in the front courtyard, and they weren't worried, were they?"

"Don't bring up other people to me. I'm asking you, did Lin Zhen send this fish specifically for you?"

"No!"

"Then why did Silly Zhu say that?"

"I'm not Silly Zhu, how would I know!"

Qin Huairu cried, feeling wronged. No matter how much Jia Dongxu questioned her, she refused to speak again.

Jia Dongxu trembled with anger, "See? See? You're not even explaining anymore, are you? Are you going to do it openly now?"

Qin Huairu just cried without speaking. She knew her husband was acting as if he were possessed.

Even if the truth were laid out before him, he wouldn't believe it.

No matter how she explained, he wouldn't truly listen.

In the past, although her husband was suspicious and cautious, he still had a measure of affection for her and their children.

But now, that sliver of affection had become a heavy shackle, trapping her tightly.

The happiness she had tried so hard to maintain was gone the moment her husband learned she was paralyzed...

She didn't feel wronged by taking care of her paralyzed husband.

But being constantly suspected and cursed was truly breaking her, making her numb.

There was no warmth left in this home.

It was all suspicion and curses. Perhaps only after her husband died, and she lived the rest of her life as a widow, could her innocence be proven.

Jia Dongxu got tired of cursing and fell asleep, not even waking up for lunch.

Jia Zhangshi, after making lunch, asked, "Dongxu, come eat?"

Jia Dongxu didn't respond, still fast asleep.

Qin Huairu said, "Mom, Silly Zhu caused a misunderstanding today, and Dongxu is upset. Don't call him, let him sleep more. We'll eat first."

"How can that be? He didn't eat breakfast, and if he doesn't eat lunch, his body won't be able to handle it."

"It's okay, Mom. If Dongxu gets hungry, I'll get up and make him something."

"Then... alright."

Jia Dongxu slept in a daze until past seven in the evening. He woke up when it was already dark.

He happened to wake up just as dinner was being served. Qin Huairu brought a bowl of cornmeal porridge to his bedside.

"Dongxu, have some porridge."

"I'm not hungry, I can't eat it!" Jia Dongxu felt his stomach was full, bloated with gas, and he couldn't eat.

In the past, Qin Huairu would have coaxed him gently, insisting he drink the soup no matter what.

But today, Qin Huairu just sighed.

"Then call me when you're hungry, and I'll warm it up and bring it to you."

"Hmph! Stay home tonight, don't go out to the courtyard to chat."

"I know, I'll stay in the room with you."

The next day was New Year's Eve.

The courtyard was filled with festive cheer.

Third Master set up a large table in the middle of the courtyard. Third Master Yan Bugui was proudly writing Spring Festival couplets for each household.

His payment? A plate of peanuts and melon seeds.

"Hey~ Third Master, don't write for my house yet. I'm having Lin Zhen write them. We need a good omen for the New Year."

Xu Damao walked over with a fawning smile, politely presenting Lin Zhen with a bag of roasted peanuts.

He wanted four sons like Lin Zhen, and he also wanted to be a key training candidate at the factory.

Lin Zhen found it amusing. He knew Xu Damao's situation better than anyone. Without good fortune, let alone four sons, he wouldn't even have half a child.

"Damao, we're being too formal. Actually, Third Elder is living a more complete life than I am, with both sons and daughters. I was even hoping he'd write a congratulatory couplet for the birth of a daughter."

Silly Zhu chimed in, "What kind of tiles or bricks? Just draw two babies for Xu Damao and stick them on the door!"

Third Elder shook his head, "A 'Zhuang' celebration is for a boy, and a 'Wa' celebration is for a girl. Silly Zhu, you don't understand anything."

Silly Zhu scoffed, "Stop using fancy words! It's just preferring boys over girls, an old way of thinking. Give boys jade to play with and girls tiles to play with, what's so great about that!"

Lin Zhen laughed heartily, "You're truly half-baked and loud. You only understand a little but brag a lot. Wife, teach Silly Zhu a lesson!"

Lou Xiao'e smiled, "This 'Wa' refers to a spindle used in weaving, not roof tiles. Giving a spindle to a newborn daughter is a wish for her to become skilled in needlework and weaving when she grows up."

"Oh~ I don't get it! Don't explain it to me!"

"Hahahaha..."

Finally, Lin Zhen couldn't stand Xu Damao's persistent pestering, and Lin Ye offered a lot of New Year's blessings.

"Alas! Alright, Xu Damao, you brat, you've really hit the jackpot by calling me Lin Ye a few times. My calligraphy is not something I display lightly!"

Lin Zhen picked up his brush, dipped it in thick ink, and wrote a couplet with flowing strokes.

Outsiders watched the excitement, while insiders observed the skill.

While others applauded, Third Elder broke out in a cold sweat.

Lin Zhen's characters were sharp and vigorous, with a graceful, cloud-piercing momentum. The strokes were full and bold, perfectly balanced.

Having taught for many years and practiced calligraphy frequently, he knew he was still far from reaching this level.

"Wow! Xu Damao has truly struck gold. Lin Zhen's calligraphy is divine!"

Xu Damao proudly put it away, "Of course. With Lin Ye's calligraphy on my door, my Jingru will give me a pair of twin sons next year!"

Lin Zhen quickly waved his hands in panic, "Don't blame me if she can't!"

Xu Damao boasted, "She will! If she doesn't have children, you don't blame the bed!"

They happily chatted and laughed in the courtyard, while the Jia family remained shut indoors.

Yi Zhonghai saw this and took a couplet to the Jia family.

"Huairu, why aren't you coming out? It's warm now, it would be nice to hold Huai Hua and soak up the sun."

Qin Huairu replied, "No thank you, First Elder. I'm talking with Dongxu."

"Alright, as you wish. This is a Spring Festival couplet written by your Third Elder. Stick it up later."

"Mm, thank you."

Just as Lin Zhen finished putting up his own Spring Festival couplet, Ma Hua arrived with two bags of gifts to pay his New Year's respects.

Silly Zhu, who was chatting at the door, playfully scolded him, "You brat, everyone else visits after the New Year, why are you here on New Year's Eve?"

Ma Hua smiled, "I have to go back to the countryside early tomorrow morning, so I'm visiting my master in advance. Master isn't an outsider, he shouldn't mind."

Lin Zhen laughed, "What's before or after the New Year? It's good that you came. I don't mind. Since you're both here, I'll pass on the essence of vinegar and lees fish to you."