Qin Huairu's Change

Hearing Jia Dongxu roar like that,

Silly Zhu knew he had spoken out of turn again.

Qin Huairu said nothing. Jia Zhangshi came out with a long face and snapped, "We don't eat anything from the Lin family. Take it away!"

"Ah... fine, I spoke out of turn. I was just talking nonsense, all right?"

Silly Zhu had been thoroughly rebuffed, so he shared the large bowl of fish with the people in the courtyard.

Jia Dongxu was so furious in bed that he practically wanted to die.

No matter how Qin Huairu explained, he refused to listen.

"What is there to explain? Silly Zhu brought it right to our door. He was obviously delivering a message for him—he's getting ready to take you as his mistress!"

Qin Huairu said with tears, "Silly Zhu is thoughtless. He always exaggerates when he talks; you know that. Why do you have to think of it that way?"

"Even exaggeration needs something to build on. It doesn't come from nowhere. Back then, Lin Zhen was the first one to propose to you. After you rejected him, he married Lou Xiao'e. That proves the one he truly liked was you! Now that I'm like this, he knows his chance has come and openly has Silly Zhu bring you things!"

"He proposed to Yu Li too. Yan Jiecheng lives in the front courtyard with him, so why isn't he worried?"

"Don't bring up other people. I'm asking you—was this fish sent specifically for you?"

"No!"

"Then why did Silly Zhu say that?"

"I'm not Silly Zhu. How would I know?"

Qin Huairu cried aggrievedly. No matter how Jia Dongxu questioned her, she said nothing more.

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

Qin Huairu only cried and did not speak. She knew her husband was acting as if possessed.

Even if the truth were laid out before him, he would not believe it.

No matter how she explained, none of it would reach his heart.

Her husband had once been suspicious and overly cautious, but he had still cared for her and the children.

Now, that last trace of care had become heavy shackles, trapping her tightly.

The happiness she had tried so hard to protect had vanished the moment her husband learned he was paralyzed.

It was gone...

She did not feel wronged for caring for her bedridden husband.

But being suspected and cursed at every day truly drove her to the brink and left her numb.

There was not a trace of warmth left in this home.

There was nothing but suspicion and abuse. Perhaps only after her husband died, when she remained a widow for the rest of her life, could she prove her innocence.

Jia Dongxu cursed until he was exhausted, then fell into a deep sleep. He did not even get up for lunch.

After Jia Zhangshi finished cooking, she called, "Dongxu, get up and eat."

Jia Dongxu did not respond and continued sleeping soundly.

Qin Huairu said, "Mom, Silly Zhu caused a misunderstanding today. Dongxu feels upset, so don't wake him. Let him sleep a little longer. We'll eat first."

"How can that do? He didn't even eat breakfast. If he skips lunch too, how can his body hold up?"

"It's fine, Mom. If Dongxu gets hungry, I'll get up and cook for him."

"Then... all right."

Jia Dongxu slept in a daze until after seven in the evening. It was already dark when he woke up.

Just after dinner, Qin Huairu brought a bowl of cornmeal porridge to his bedside.

"Dongxu, have some porridge."

"I'm not hungry. I can't drink it!" Jia Dongxu felt full and bloated, with a knot of anger in his stomach that made it impossible to eat.

In the past, Qin Huairu would surely have coaxed him gently and made him drink the soup no matter what.

But today, Qin Huairu merely sighed.

"Then call me when you get hungry. I'll warm it up and bring it over."

"Hmph! Stay at home properly tonight. You're not allowed to go chat around the courtyard."

"I know. I'll stay in here 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 central courtyard. Yan Bugui stood there smugly, writing Spring Festival couplets for every household.

As for payment, it was a plate of peanuts and melon seeds.

"Hey, Third Master, don't write mine yet. I want Lin Zhen to write it. We need some good luck for the new year."

Xu Damao came over with a broad smile and politely handed Lin Zhen a packet of roasted peanuts.

He wanted to have four sons like Lin Zhen, and he also wanted to become someone the factory focused on cultivating.

Lin Zhen found it amusing. He knew Xu Damao's situation better than anyone. Without outside help, let alone four sons, he would not have even half of one.

"Damao, you're being too formal. Actually, Third Master has the fuller life—sons and daughters alike. I was even thinking of asking him to write me a couplet celebrating the birth of a daughter."

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

Third Master swayed his head as he said, "The joy of a jade scepter means a boy; the joy of a spindle means a girl. Silly Zhu, you understand nothing at all."

Silly Zhu said disdainfully, "Don't show off your fancy phrases! Isn't it just favoring boys over girls? Old-fashioned thinking. Give a boy a piece of jade to play with, give a girl a tile to play with—what's so great about that?"

Lin Zhen laughed heartily. "You're the type who knows half of what he thinks he knows and makes a racket about it. Wife, teach Silly Zhu a lesson!"

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "That tile refers to a spindle used for weaving, not a roof tile. Giving a newborn daughter a spindle to play with means hoping that she will grow up skilled in needlework and weaving."

"Oh... I still don't get it! Stop explaining it to me!"

"Hahahaha..."

In the end, Lin Zhen could not withstand Xu Damao's persistent pleading. Master Lin had been wished a prosperous new year over and over again.

"Ah! Fine. Xu Damao, you've struck it rich just by calling me Master Lin a few times. I don't reveal my calligraphy so easily!"

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

Outsiders watched the spectacle, while experts watched the technique.

Everyone else applauded and praised him, but Third Master broke out in a cold sweat.

Lin Zhen's strokes were sharp and forceful, with an airy momentum that seemed to soar into the clouds. His characters were full and vigorous, without the slightest imbalance.

Third Master had taught for many years and practiced brush calligraphy often, yet he was still far from reaching such a level.

"My, my! Xu Damao really struck it rich. Lin Zhen's handwriting is incredible!"

Xu Damao smugly put it away. "Of course! With Master Lin's calligraphy on my door, my Jingru will give me twin sons next year!"

Lin Zhen hurriedly waved his hands. "Don't blame me if you can't have them!"

Xu Damao swaggered. "No way! If you can't have children, you don't blame the bed!"

They chatted and laughed happily in the courtyard, while the Jia family alone kept their doors shut.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai picked up a pair of couplets and brought them to the Jia family.

"Huairu, why aren't you coming out? The weather is warm. It would be nice to take Huai Hua out for some sun."

Qin Huairu said, "No, First Elder. I'm keeping Dongxu company."

"All right, as you wish. These are the Spring Festival couplets your Third Master wrote. Put them up later."

"Mm, thank you."

Lin Zhen had just put up his own Spring Festival couplets when Ma Hua arrived carrying two gift packages to pay his New Year's respects.

Silly Zhu, who was chatting idly by the door, laughed and scolded, "You brat, everyone else visits after the New Year. Why did you come on New Year's Eve?"

Ma Hua smiled. "I'm heading back to the countryside early tomorrow morning, so I came to visit Master in advance. Master isn't an outsider, so he shouldn't mind."

Lin Zhen smiled. "Before or after the New Year, it doesn't matter. It's good that you came. I don't mind. Since you're both here, I'll teach you the essence of vinegar-braised fish."